November Happenings in Champaign Urbana at Beads N Botanicals

This coming month at Beads N Botanicals, lots going on. Check the Facebook events page for additions to the schedule and more information.

NOV2

Energy Art Readings with Debra Joy Tomorrow 1 PM ·

NOV2	Five Ways:Crystals, Herbs, Aura, Oils and De-Stress Nov 2 - Dec 7 Five Crystals for Protection

NOV3	Psychic and Tarot Readings with Anita Fri 1 PM

NOV8	Tarot, Psychic and Numerology Readings with Dawn Wed 12 PM ·

NOV9	Five Ways:Crystals, Herbs, Aura, Oils and De-Stress Nov 2 - Dec 7  Five Herbs for Winter Wellness
NOV11	Get Your Bling On: Jewelry Class Sat 11 AM

NOV16	Energy Art Readings with Debra Joy Thu 1 PM

NOV16	Five Ways:Crystals, Herbs, Aura, Oils & De-Stress Nov 2 - Dec 7 Five Ways to Clear Your Aura
NOV18	Psychic and Health Fair in Urbana, Central IL Sat 10 AM

NOV22	Tarot, Psychic and Numerology Readings with Dawn Wed 12 PM

NOV30	Five Ways:Crystals, Herbs, Aura, Oils and De-Stress Nov 2 - Dec 7 Five Essential Oils for Winter

Five Ways: Crystals, Herbs, Auras, Oils & De-Stressing

The Five Ways Series gives you information to choose what works best for you. Each workshop offers the opportunity to build your skills and knowledge base in each of the subjects covered, in a simple and playful format each Thursday evening.

Cost $15 per class, OR $50 prepaid for the series of five.
Optional Kits available for purchase (at a reduced price for attendees) at most sessions. 

PLEASE NOTE: NO class on Thursday, Nov 23, Thanksgiving. Pre-register and pre-pay in-person at the shop, or PM the Beads N Botanicals Facebook page and we will invoice you through PayPal.

Five crystals for protection: Nov 2, 6:15pm
Five Herbs for Winter Wellness: Nov 9, 6:15pm
Five Ways to Clear Your Aura: Nov 16, 6:15pm
Five Essential Oils For Winter: Nov 30, 6:15pm
Five Ways to De-stress: Dec 7, 6:15pm

Five Ways Thursday Night Series

Flowers & Herbs Make "Scents" to Use in Daily Life

The very scent of essential oils soothes, calms, awakens or otherwise affects individuals in very positive ways, regardless of whether or not they are even aware of aromatherapy as a practice.

The use of fragrance goes back thousands of years. Originally, people used herbs, and the oils derived from them, directly as a part of their spiritual or religious practice, and often, more indirectly as medicines.

Even today, herbal incenses continue to play an important role in various meditative practices, especially among Japanese and Tibetan Buddhists. The use of aloeswood, cassia, cloves, sandalwood and other precious herbs in incense relies on a heat source to gently free up the essential oils of the herbs.

Native Americans use herbs such as sweet grass, white sage, sagebrush and tobacco as "smudges." A smudge acts as a kind of big incense stick, releasing fragrant smoke to cleanse and purify sacred space and the people entering such space. Many religions use resins such as frankincense and myrrh to cleanse temples or churches, especially during holidays.

While it is relatively simple to burn the actual herbs themselves, when using the herbs as incense. Or to release the scent of the herbs, by pouring boiling water over them, to produce a tea, infusion or tissane. If a plant grows in your locality, you can probably prepare it for these types of use.

In most instances, the ancient world's use of botanicals did not include the use of actual essential oils. Rather, instead, many of the ancients used fats and oils infused with plant materials.

However, the use of essential oils is more complicated because one doesn’t just use the raw herb itself.

Today we have access to oils derived directly from plants, whether from their flowers, seeds, stems, leaves or bark.  Because these oils are highly concentrated, a few drops goes a long way.

Peppermint, Mentha piperita, essential oil is derived from the flowering herb by steam distillation. Inhaled in steam, peppermint oil can provide relief from head colds and bronchitis. Its antispasmodic action also makes it useful in situations where someone has asthma. This is a refreshing scent, which seems to increase concentration, and helps relieve mental fatigue, lack of concentration and unclear thinking.

Catherine Novak is a Certified Medicinal Herbalist, who teaches about aromatherapy, and using herbs to create better health and balance in our lives. She is also the owner of Beads N Botanicals, a local shop in downtown Urbana, IL. 

Beads N Botanicals Facebook 

Beads N Botanicals Class Schedule for Winter 2009 in Champaign Urbana, IL

Body/Mind/Spirit Classes Winter 2009

Held at Beads N Botanicals

117 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
217-365-9355
Please pre-register and pay for all jewelry making and craft classes
at least two days in advance of the actual class, sooner, if possible, to guarantee yourself a spot in the class. Some classes have been filled a week or more in advance of the date.

Advance pre-registration with payment required for the following classes. See schedule for details.

Soul Coaching Class

Heart Wisdom Yoga

Reiki I

Psychic & Health Fair:
Saturday, January 24, 2009 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Come and Join Us! Psychics, Tarot Readers, Reiki, Reflexology and more. $20 per session.

Wednesday, January 14
Basic Stringing: Necklace Design: Want to learn how to put together a necklace, but not sure how to begin? Or, how to end it? Cost: $18, materials included. … 6 p.m.

Wednesday, January 21
Basic Wire Working: How to Make Earrings: A great starter class! You'll make two pairs of earrings. Please Note: This class is a pre-requisite for our Wire-Wrapping Pendants class. Cost: $15, 1 hour, materials included. … 6 p.m.

How Does the Tarot Work?… A basic introduction to how it is used for divination. Cost: $5 … 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, January 27

Soul Coaching Class:Tuesdays: Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar 3rd, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Teacher: Lisa M. Billman, M.S.Dedicated to an in-depth decluttering of the metal, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of your life. Includes a 28-day program with practical, carefully crafted steps which provide the tools you need to find more peace, harmony and alignment for your life. Clear away old blockages so that you can truly begin to uncover your authentic self and hear the secret messages of your soul. To register, call Lisa at 217-898-2313. Cost: $300.

Advance Pre-registration with payment required.

Wednesday, January 28

Basic Stringing: Bracelet Design: Want to learn how to put together a bracelet, but not sure how to begin? Or, how to end it? $15, 1 hour, materials included. …6 p.m.

Basics of Psychic Protection …Learn how to protect yourself from unwanted outside influences.

Cost: $5…7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 31

Basic Wire Working: How to Make Earrings: A great starter class! You'll make two pairs of earrings. Cost: $15, materials included. Please Note: This class is a pre-requisite for our Wire-Wrapping Pendants class. Cost: $15, 1 hour, materials included … 11 a.m.

Advanced Wire Working: Wire Wrapping Pendants:
Do you have a stone that would make a wonderful pendant? But have no clue how to make it into a pendant? In this class, basic techniques for caging tumbled and rough rocks in cages of wire will be taught. Hands-on. Wire and stones will be provided. Bring a special piece if, you want. $22, 1 ½ hours, materials included. (Basic Wire Working: How to Make Earrings is a prerequisite to this class.) 1 p.m.

Saturday, January 31

Reiki Roundup Meet and Greet: Learn about Reiki, the art and science of channeling universal life force energy to promote spiritual, mental and physical healing. Whether you are new to Reiki, or have studied it, you are welcome to join in. This is a great opportunity to meet Reiki Master Marlitta, who will be offering Reiki classes here at the shop.

Time: 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $5.00

Advance pre-registration with payment required for the following classes. See schedule for details.

Heart Wisdom

Yoga Reiki I

Tuesday, February 3

Heart Wisdom Yoga
Tuesdays: Feb 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar 3rd, 10^th 10 a.m.-11a.m.. Teacher: Amy Sax Luke, Certified Yoga Instructor. Using breath and movement to strengthen the physical body while releasing stress.

Cost: $75 for six classes. Advance Pre-registration with payment required. No drop-ins. Minimum 5 students.

Wednesday, February 4
Basic Wire Working: How to Make Earrings: A great starter class! You'll make two pairs of earrings. Please Note: This class is a pre-requisite for our Wire-Wrapping Pendants class. Cost: $15, 1 hour, materials included. … 6 p.m.

Spiritual Cleansing: Housekeeping for Body, Mind & Spirit… Cost: $5… … 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 7

Scents & Sensuality: The use of botanicals to make oneself more attractive to members of the opposite sex goes back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The art of perfumery entices and delights many people. Learn about its secrets--scents that influence passion, acting as catalysts to amore. Cost: $10, 1 hour….1 p.m.

The Sole Experience…Foot Reflexology with Marlitta: Not a class, but an opportunity for you to pamper yourself. This special type of foot massage is available by appointment (recommended) or walk-in. Cost: $65 per hour; $35 per half hour. Noon to 5 p.m. Call the shop to make an appointment.

Wednesday, February 11

Advanced Wire Working: Wire Wrapping Pendants:
Do you have a stone that would make a wonderful pendant? But have no clue how to make it into a pendant? In this class, basic techniques for caging tumbled and rough rocks in cages of wire will be taught. Hands-on. Wire and stones will be provided. Bring a special piece if, you want. $22, 1 ½ hours, materials included. (Basic Wire Working: How to Make Earrings is a prerequisite to this class.) 6 p.m.

Wednesday, February 18

The Sole Experience…Foot Reflexology with Marlitta: Not a class, but an opportunity for you to pamper yourself. This special type of foot massage is available by appointment only. Cost: $65 per hour; $35 per half hour. Noon to 5 p.m. Call the shop to get the time slot you want.

Introduction to Western Astrology… Learn about sun signs, moon signs and their roles. Cost: $5 … 6 p.m.

Saturday, February 21
Basic Wire Working: Collage Pendants/Pins: Learn how to make theme-based pendants or pins using basic wire working techniques. Makes great gifts whether for cat lovers, nature lovers, celestial themes, weddings, graduations or healing. Cost: $24, 1 ½ hours, materials included … 11 a.m.

Reiki I Class: Saturday Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday Feb 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reiki, the art and science of channeling universal life force energy to promote spiritual, mental and physical healing. Reiki is a powerful and simple hands on technique, which anyone, regardless of health or age, can easily learn.

Cost: $150. Advance Preregistration with payment required.

Aromatherapy: help or hype?

The monthly magazine, Central Illinois Health Magazine, just published an article on aromatherapy in its February 2008 issue. The article: “Aromatherapy: help or hype?” by Kelsey C. Blackwell, takes a close look at whether or not aromatherapy can help people become healthier.

Although the article is credited to Blackwell, Greta Hale, the magazine’s editor, is the person who interviewed me in December 2007. Considering the skeptical tone of the article (which, overall, was very balanced in its presentation), I am very pleased with how I was identified and quoted (although I’ve actually been studying and teaching for more than 15 years, rather than the 12 years noted in the article.)

Normally I would just include a link to the article, but unfortunately the magazine is not web-friendly right now. The following quoted material is from p. 33

Catherine Novak also knows the value of essential oils. She owns Beads and Botanicals in Hoopeston and the online business Wise Weeds.net [Please note: this should be wiseweeds.net C.N.] …She believes aromatherapy is a useful and non-threatening tool to complement traditional medical treatments.

“What I see a lot coming into the shop are people who have already seen a doctor and they’re looking for more relief, she said.

Novak sells custom blends and essential oils. One blend, named banish pain oil, contains essential oils mixed in with another oil infused with St. John’s wort. Her customers have found that it works to relieve arthritis and chronic muscle pain and even helps with pain from carpel tunnel, Novak said.

The article also included information on some of the types of aromatherapy blends I offer clients and customers, including my Banish Pain and Clear Air formulas.

I found it sad that one of the scientists quoted in another section of the text said that peppermint oil was not effective for headaches or migraines. I say sad because I’ve seen where a little bit of peppermint oil mixed into a carrier oil has given relief to headache/migraine sufferers.

Still, all in all, this is a great article with a lot of information.

Central Illinois Health Magazine is published by the News-Gazette in Champaign, IL

Essential Oils Used to Protect Bees

Thought this was a neat article. It seems essential oils can be used for almost anything nowadays!

Using Spearmint And Lemongrass To Protect Bees From Mites That Threaten Hives — Bees swarm through the smoke as Professor James Amrine attempts to hook a pollen trap to one of the 20 beehives used for research.

Read more at

Using Spearmint And Lemongrass To Protect Bees From Mites

To purchase lemongrass essential oil go here:

Lemongrass Grass Essential Oil

To purchase spearmint essential oil:
Spearmint Grass Essential Oil

Tarot Readings

Beads N Botanicals presents

A day to share the knowledge and insights of

an experienced and certified

Medicinal herbalist,

Hypnotherapist

and

Reiki practitioner

Catherine Novak

Bring your curiosity and questions and enjoy light refreshments

While being entertained with Tarot Readings

On Saturday, June 2, 2007

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Readings will be available for walk-ins

Or

For an appointment, call

Beads N Botanicals

217-283-6380

located at:

227 S. Market St. (next to the Harris Agency)

Hoopeston, Il 60942

E-mail: BeadsNBotanicals@gmail.com

http://www.wiseweeds.net