as december enters into our lives, just days after celebrating
thanksgiving, i pondered what to post as my first december posting:
something special about napa valley and it's beautiful landscape,
yet also about gratitude and the search to the original meaning of
holiday spirit: a gift of sharing, love and kindness.
so, in today's entry, i want to feature my dear friend,
anna wingfield of napa valley au naturel.
anna is a certified aromatherapist and flower essence practitioner
who produces essential oil elixirs for body, bath and home,
all lovingly handcrafted in small batches.
milk baths, salt scrub, hand-blended perfume, salves, hydrosols,
facial care, aftershave, pet care, heart balm and more!
of course i am a fan. her organic wild rose hip seed oil face elixir,
and hydrating rose kisses mist are just some of my faves.
and might i also add that her prices are VERY affordable!
anna agreed to do a Q & A, so please read below at your leisure.
you can always leave a comment or email/call anna directly for
questions/orders which i am sure she would be delighted to help!
anna also lovingly packages everything in a lovely presentation with
her own hand grown and dried rose petals and gift wrapping to make
the whole gift ready to go!
**update**
anna and her sweet delectables will be available at
"3 Artsy Gals" sale on Saturday, Dec. 13th
(at 2257 2nd st. in Napa from 11 - 4).
other cool gifts will also be available!
~~~ Q & A with Napa Valley au Naturel ~~~
how did you begin Napa Valley au Naturel?
In my early 30’s after working for France Telecom (the French telephone company) in a satellite office in San Francisco, then transferring to a position tailored for me in Paris, followed by my return to California and teaching French at Napa High School, I didn’t feel like I had found my life’s work. I love the poet Rumi and some of his quotes such as: “Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.“ and “Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.” really resonated with me. So, I asked myself - “what do you truly love?” The answer was working with the healing aspects of nature, especially flowers. So I turned what had been a hobby into my business in January of 2000. I had taken lots of classes in the field but I honed in on what I most wanted to do and became certified as an aromatherapist and a flower essence practitioner. My very first project was making several products and going into The Silverado Country Club Spa (in Napa, Ca) on a cold call and saying “would you like any of these?” They took several and added many of my products to their menu. Soon after they asked me to do a training session on essential oils for their staff and it was very affirming to me. I felt like the Universe was giving me a big green light and saying, “Yes!”.
What inspires you in your creation of your product line, and can you list some of your products?
I feel like I am an ambassadress for Mother Nature and as I am inspired by her I hope to inspire others with her offerings. More specifically, I listen to what people want and need and aim to make products that match my customer’s desires. For example, I often hear of women suffering due to hormonal imbalances. To this end, I have made hormone balancing products such as: Wise Woman Potion Lotion & body polishing scrub & Fabulous Feminine Body Oil, both made with a blend of essential oils, herbs and flower essences that balance hormones amongst other benefits. I also hear a lot about people feeling anxious and stressed so I made a roll on called “Anxiety Alleve” which has bergamot essential oil and “Rescue Remedy” flower essence and bath salts with rose geranium essential oil which relaxes the central nervous system. People also often want something soothing and calming for their face so I have “Rose Kisses” and “Lavender Love” Facial Mists and “OrganicWild Rose Hip Seed Oil Face Elixir”. All of my facial products contain a flower essence called “Pretty Face” which helps one to be kinder and gentler when looking in the mirror.
how do you help someone in their requests for special hand-crafted products?
I listen to what it is that they really want and need. Usually as they speak lots of oils and essences come into my mind that could help. Then I ask questions to narrow in on what they would need to feel at peace and I pick the flowers and essences that will help them accomplish their goals given their challenges.
what is your philosophy in your approach to your work?
If it feels good do it, and if it doesn’t, don’t. I really check in with my “belly feelings’ when making a decision and if it isn’t totally comfortable I don’t do it. My business has brought all manner of abundance, beauty and creativity to my life and I am extremely grateful and feel very blessed. Therefore, I try to have a very high level of integrity and draw the same thing in from my customers and connections. So far I have to say it is working extremely well.
how do you balance work/family?
Well having 3 boys (Brendon 11, Miles almost 3 and Henry 17 months) it can be pretty challenging to find time for my work. My family comes first but my business is a close second and feels like one of my children to me in some ways. Whenever I have a spare moment I create. It grounds me and gives me something tangible to show for my time. If I don’t have enough time during the day to get everything done I wait until the kids are asleep and catch up.
I feel very fortunate to have work I love and to be home to raise my beautiful boys all at the same time. When I do need to leave for events and appointments my husband is very supportive in working things out so he can take care of the kids.
where do you see Napa Valley au Naturel going?
At this point I don’t have any specific plans. I feel that I have a symbiotic relationship with my business and we are both giving each other what we need right now. However, just like any other relationship, needs change. So I try to stay open and “listen” and follow my instincts. This business and all it has brought to me and my life has been such a gift I feel there is certainly the hand of The Divine in it. So, I plan to see where it leads me and follow willingly.
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thank you anna and napa valley au naturel!
