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As a business owner, I admit that I like to check out the competition occasionally. It's not what you
think...I'm not trying to steal ideas. I have plenty of those and not nearly enough time to get around to
them. It's strictly out of curiosity. How are their prices? What ingredients do they use? How true are
they staying to the 'all natural' aspect of their product?
Quite often, I find myself a bit disappointed. Sometimes, though, I find a seller who has a beautiful,
useful, well-developed line of products that remains truly 'natural'.
When I stumbled into a little Etsy shop called Lilithsapothecary, I had one of those 'wow' moments.
It wasn't just the calm, welcoming visuals that greeted me. It was a whole-package kind of 'wow'. It
really is something you just need to experience for yourself. So, go ahead. Bounce on over and
check her out, then come back here and learn a bit about the woman who has created such a lovely
little shop.
Okay, pretty great shop, huh?
Normally, when I find a shop I'd like to feature I send the owner a list of questions. I couldn't find
any way to make Sara's answers sound any better than they already did, so I'm just gonna copy and
paste here.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR ETSY STORE
Etsy, for as 'expensive' as it ends up being, has been a wonderful thing for me. I have learned so
much about my business since I opened Lilith's Apothecary in 2007. My photos have evolved, my
products have evolved, I've been able to reach a much wider audience, and I get a real sense of what
my market is and a deeper confidence in my product and what I have to offer.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN STORE/WEBSITE?
I have a website that has been in development for a year now and a source of great frustration.
Hopefully it will be together soon ~ that's a different story. I don't have a brick and mortar store and
don't foresee that happening for a long time, though maybe some day!
IS THIS A HOBBY OR FULL TIME BUSINESS?
I wish this was a full time business! Maybe someday it will be. It is not really a hobby though, either, as
I devote 15-20 hours a week to the development of Lilith, on top of my full time job and family
responsibilities. Do I *make* money? No, not really, but I am optimistic! Lilith is young.
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF
I am trained as a medical anthropologist and work full time in the public health sector. The
intersections of disease, healing, and culture have always interested me, from historical,
cross-cultural, and even philosophical perspectives. I've been studying herbal medicine for a number
of years now, and when I first discovered herbology, it was a total "ah-ha!" moment -- finally everything
was coming together in a way that really resonated with my life. It's my true passion! I am also a mother
with a two and a half year old toddler, Maeve, and wife of Tony McNichol, who is an archaeologist and
kindred spirit. I work a forty hour week and then spend between 15 and 20 hours more (at least!)
toiling away at night in my basement workshop to create what is Lilith's Apothecary, a vehicle for my
herbal knowledge.
WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS MEDIUM/HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
In my studies of herbology, I learned how to make basic skin care preparations, including salves,
ointments, syrups, liniments, tinctures, creams, and skin care products. I have always had sensitive
skin, and I realized how superior my hand made products were compared to commercial versions.
Family members started "ordering" products from me, and soon I was being commissioned to make
things at Christmas time as gifts. Once Etsy came along, beginning to think about a real business
began to take shape, and the Etsy store has really forced me into a wonderful learning curve.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR CRAFT?
I love the creative evolution ~ the continual refining of a product as well as trying out new formulas
and products.
LEAST?
The shameless self promotion that I know i should be engaged in 24/7 to really push these products
and get myself out there.
WHAT OTHER MEDIUMS DO YOU ENJOY WORKING WITH?
I love making bath & body things, but I also love herbal teas, which I offer in my shop, using my herbal
knowledge, and I make jewelry, garden, love cooking & nutrition, and practicing ikebana. I hate to
sound like a dork, but creating is really what I love to do most, whether it's a dandelion and gruyere
quiche or my latest 'Boudoir Blossom Facial Cream'
WHAT DO YOU FIND INSPIRES YOU FROM DAY TO DAY?
Other crafter's stories of success can be very inspirational (though sometimes it makes me feel a bit
defeatist too). At the end of the day, just knowing that I would not ever really want to live without Lilith
keeps me going. It's too much of a wonderful creative outlet for me, and I absolutely thrive from the
feedback and interaction with customers. Such a positive experience.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR CREATIVE NEEDS WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
Well, first of all, Lilith does fulfill many of my creative needs. In that sense, I am lucky. I would love to
be able to devote more of my life to the Apothecary, but at the moment, my day job provides an income
that we can't really do without. The tough part is not finding moments to be creative, it's finding a way
to make THAT my full-time job. Finding a balance between a full-time job and a 'hobby' that really wants
to be a full-time endeavor is not easy, actually. Lilith is always growing! But that's a good thing.
HOW DO YOU DE-STRESS?
Yoga is a wonderful respite, but I haven't practiced in a while. It's really hard to make time for myself
that isn't "work" related, even in terms of Lilith. That said, Ikebana (the art of Japanese flower
arranging) has been a wonderful outlet for me. I study with an ikebana teacher of 30 years, Midori
Tanimune, and she is an incredible influence on me. I have learned so much from her. I also make
jewelry, and have a little site www.lilithsjewels1.etsy.com, and I do custom work for family and friends,
which is a lot of fun.
WHERE DO YOU EXPECT TO BE IN FIVE YEARS?
I have no idea. But let's say that in ten years, I want Lilith to sustain me financially.
That's my dream. I don't know if it will happen but that's my dream.
WHAT DO YOU WANT THE WORLD TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU'RE GONE?
I think we all think about this. At the end of the day, I want to feel as though I have impacted people in
a positive way. I don't think there is a legacy that is more important than being a loving, positive
influence on those you love the most. I've been to memorial services of academics, for instance, who
were mostly estranged from their own children because of the all-consuming nature of their work. The
negative impact that had on those children is probably worse than the so-called legacy of their
academic contributions.
IF YOU COULD MAKE ONE CHANGE IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
You mean, philisophically? I could answer this questions a hundred times over. I personally believe
that a lot of the problems that we have as a species boils down to the fact that we're just big apes at
the end of the day. It sounds reductionist, but when you look at primate behavior, it makes more sense
why we as humans do the things we do. That said, what we lack in biological superiority, we do have in
the potential to be creative, wise, and cultured beings. I wish we could -- as a species -- tap into that
aspect of ourselves more readily. Can't there be more Ghandis? Capitalism needs to go, for one thing.
It demands an underclass.
Random Question:
If you were having a dinner party and could invite three famous people, who would they be?
I would like to be really 'clever' with this question, but I think I'll be self-indulgent and answer it as
honestly as I can (of course it is somewhat impossible because there are so many people I'd love to sit
down & share a glass of wine with). I am not sure if these famous people are supposed to be alive or if
I can drag some back from the dead, but I'll be doubly indulgent and go with the latter: Marcel
Duchamp, Alistair Crowley, and Gertrude Stein. Now that would be an interesting party!
So, that was the interview. Don't you just want to go sit down and have a cup of tea with her?
Would you settle for having a tea made by her? She has some available that sound fantastic! While
you're there, check out her other fantastic products, too!
think...I'm not trying to steal ideas. I have plenty of those and not nearly enough time to get around to
them. It's strictly out of curiosity. How are their prices? What ingredients do they use? How true are
they staying to the 'all natural' aspect of their product?
Quite often, I find myself a bit disappointed. Sometimes, though, I find a seller who has a beautiful,
useful, well-developed line of products that remains truly 'natural'.
When I stumbled into a little Etsy shop called Lilithsapothecary, I had one of those 'wow' moments.
It wasn't just the calm, welcoming visuals that greeted me. It was a whole-package kind of 'wow'. It
really is something you just need to experience for yourself. So, go ahead. Bounce on over and
check her out, then come back here and learn a bit about the woman who has created such a lovely
little shop.
Okay, pretty great shop, huh?
Normally, when I find a shop I'd like to feature I send the owner a list of questions. I couldn't find
any way to make Sara's answers sound any better than they already did, so I'm just gonna copy and
paste here.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR ETSY STORE
Etsy, for as 'expensive' as it ends up being, has been a wonderful thing for me. I have learned so
much about my business since I opened Lilith's Apothecary in 2007. My photos have evolved, my
products have evolved, I've been able to reach a much wider audience, and I get a real sense of what
my market is and a deeper confidence in my product and what I have to offer.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN STORE/WEBSITE?
I have a website that has been in development for a year now and a source of great frustration.
Hopefully it will be together soon ~ that's a different story. I don't have a brick and mortar store and
don't foresee that happening for a long time, though maybe some day!
IS THIS A HOBBY OR FULL TIME BUSINESS?
I wish this was a full time business! Maybe someday it will be. It is not really a hobby though, either, as
I devote 15-20 hours a week to the development of Lilith, on top of my full time job and family
responsibilities. Do I *make* money? No, not really, but I am optimistic! Lilith is young.
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF
I am trained as a medical anthropologist and work full time in the public health sector. The
intersections of disease, healing, and culture have always interested me, from historical,
cross-cultural, and even philosophical perspectives. I've been studying herbal medicine for a number
of years now, and when I first discovered herbology, it was a total "ah-ha!" moment -- finally everything
was coming together in a way that really resonated with my life. It's my true passion! I am also a mother
with a two and a half year old toddler, Maeve, and wife of Tony McNichol, who is an archaeologist and
kindred spirit. I work a forty hour week and then spend between 15 and 20 hours more (at least!)
toiling away at night in my basement workshop to create what is Lilith's Apothecary, a vehicle for my
herbal knowledge.
WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS MEDIUM/HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
In my studies of herbology, I learned how to make basic skin care preparations, including salves,
ointments, syrups, liniments, tinctures, creams, and skin care products. I have always had sensitive
skin, and I realized how superior my hand made products were compared to commercial versions.
Family members started "ordering" products from me, and soon I was being commissioned to make
things at Christmas time as gifts. Once Etsy came along, beginning to think about a real business
began to take shape, and the Etsy store has really forced me into a wonderful learning curve.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR CRAFT?
I love the creative evolution ~ the continual refining of a product as well as trying out new formulas
and products.
LEAST?
The shameless self promotion that I know i should be engaged in 24/7 to really push these products
and get myself out there.
WHAT OTHER MEDIUMS DO YOU ENJOY WORKING WITH?
I love making bath & body things, but I also love herbal teas, which I offer in my shop, using my herbal
knowledge, and I make jewelry, garden, love cooking & nutrition, and practicing ikebana. I hate to
sound like a dork, but creating is really what I love to do most, whether it's a dandelion and gruyere
quiche or my latest 'Boudoir Blossom Facial Cream'
WHAT DO YOU FIND INSPIRES YOU FROM DAY TO DAY?
Other crafter's stories of success can be very inspirational (though sometimes it makes me feel a bit
defeatist too). At the end of the day, just knowing that I would not ever really want to live without Lilith
keeps me going. It's too much of a wonderful creative outlet for me, and I absolutely thrive from the
feedback and interaction with customers. Such a positive experience.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR CREATIVE NEEDS WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
Well, first of all, Lilith does fulfill many of my creative needs. In that sense, I am lucky. I would love to
be able to devote more of my life to the Apothecary, but at the moment, my day job provides an income
that we can't really do without. The tough part is not finding moments to be creative, it's finding a way
to make THAT my full-time job. Finding a balance between a full-time job and a 'hobby' that really wants
to be a full-time endeavor is not easy, actually. Lilith is always growing! But that's a good thing.
HOW DO YOU DE-STRESS?
Yoga is a wonderful respite, but I haven't practiced in a while. It's really hard to make time for myself
that isn't "work" related, even in terms of Lilith. That said, Ikebana (the art of Japanese flower
arranging) has been a wonderful outlet for me. I study with an ikebana teacher of 30 years, Midori
Tanimune, and she is an incredible influence on me. I have learned so much from her. I also make
jewelry, and have a little site www.lilithsjewels1.etsy.com, and I do custom work for family and friends,
which is a lot of fun.
WHERE DO YOU EXPECT TO BE IN FIVE YEARS?
I have no idea. But let's say that in ten years, I want Lilith to sustain me financially.
That's my dream. I don't know if it will happen but that's my dream.
WHAT DO YOU WANT THE WORLD TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU'RE GONE?
I think we all think about this. At the end of the day, I want to feel as though I have impacted people in
a positive way. I don't think there is a legacy that is more important than being a loving, positive
influence on those you love the most. I've been to memorial services of academics, for instance, who
were mostly estranged from their own children because of the all-consuming nature of their work. The
negative impact that had on those children is probably worse than the so-called legacy of their
academic contributions.
IF YOU COULD MAKE ONE CHANGE IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
You mean, philisophically? I could answer this questions a hundred times over. I personally believe
that a lot of the problems that we have as a species boils down to the fact that we're just big apes at
the end of the day. It sounds reductionist, but when you look at primate behavior, it makes more sense
why we as humans do the things we do. That said, what we lack in biological superiority, we do have in
the potential to be creative, wise, and cultured beings. I wish we could -- as a species -- tap into that
aspect of ourselves more readily. Can't there be more Ghandis? Capitalism needs to go, for one thing.
It demands an underclass.
Random Question:
If you were having a dinner party and could invite three famous people, who would they be?
I would like to be really 'clever' with this question, but I think I'll be self-indulgent and answer it as
honestly as I can (of course it is somewhat impossible because there are so many people I'd love to sit
down & share a glass of wine with). I am not sure if these famous people are supposed to be alive or if
I can drag some back from the dead, but I'll be doubly indulgent and go with the latter: Marcel
Duchamp, Alistair Crowley, and Gertrude Stein. Now that would be an interesting party!
So, that was the interview. Don't you just want to go sit down and have a cup of tea with her?
Would you settle for having a tea made by her? She has some available that sound fantastic! While
you're there, check out her other fantastic products, too!
