By Nieves | December 30, 2010 at 08:20 PM EST | No Comments
I love doing what I do.
I get to make scrumptious products that I enjoy using and feel really good about selling. Being a small business owner certainly has it's challenges but one of the many things I appreciate about working for myself is the opportunity to work with other small business owners.
It is really gratifying to collaborate with other independent small businesses as we all forge ahead in our own ways. Every time you shop with me or one of these lovely stores you are supporting small business and your community in a very direct and immediate way.
I just spent a week on the Lost Coast pressing and canning apple juice and drying chantrelles. Nothing says autumn like fresh apple juice! Now we're gearing up for the holidays over here at By Nieves HQ , we've been mixing up a storm and have a nice full stock of inventory in preparation for all the events coming up.
This is a great event featuring local and handmade wares and foods. A really great way to start your holiday shopping without supporting the corporate greed machine. Come on down, it'll be a hoot!
You'll also find Real Mercantile each Wednesday evening in December, it'll be cozy and filled with totally great gifts and snacks and stuff.
We are happy to welcome Bell and Trunk to the super swell selection of stores that carry By Nieves wares. This is a neat store on Potrero Hill in San Francisco. If you're in the neighborhood go in and say hi to Vanessa.
He had his first trip in an airplane as we took a little trip across the pond. We visited family in europe and went on a little rock and roll tour with Sleepytime Gorilla Musem. I couldn't help showing you this nice picture his uncle took of him.
By Nieves natural body care products are an apothecary influenced natural body products rooted in the traditions of herbal medicine and natural pampering. Their products combine a sense of old world ingenuity and simple elegance that reinterprets well into the needs of the modern beauty product consumer.
This may be a magic potion for your skin. We live more active lives, deal with a great deal more air borne pollutants in our daily lives, and have skyrocketing stress levels. Needless to say, our skin is putting up with more than ever. Nieve’s “C” perfect skin, used regularly over a course of week, recovered our test subjects skin from everyday wear to the point that she now regularly goes out without makeup. Her skin is clean and smooth, in visibly better condition, and glowingly healthy. For all the benefits though, be in store for some shocking results the first few days you use it. Especially if you experience some of the effects we witnessed. Notably, the serum seemed to be so effective on blackheads that they seemed to lift up out of the skin pores they are clogging and slough off in a slightly gross but effective process. This is a must have product, and extremely effective. Its natural ingredients are often replicated in other serums and skin treatments. There is nothing to exotic here. But in these particular ratios it does seem to be a more effective treatment than many other natural skin serums I have seen on the market.
Cloud of protection is advertised as a mood and immunity lifting area spray as well as a hand sanitizer. And while the smell is wonderful, calming, a lightening, and it does make a more pleasing hand sanitizer than some of the nasty antibacterial slimes that are out there, we have found an even better use for it. I have not found a single product, in years, that covers and removes pet odors more economically that Cloud of Protection. One or Two sprays near a breezy window or vent is more than enough to circulate it through a whole room. Its a wonderful floral/herbal, but not sickly smell that seems to neutralize several of the more noxious odors of domestic animals, “fragrant” kitchens, and ripe bathrooms. Its not a chemically invasive as nasty aerosol air fresheners, and the effects last much longer. Even after the scent has faded, the air in the room will continue to feel lighter and fresher for some time.
I’ve been in the industry for 17 years and after a certain point it was hard to buy products. You start to know how formulating works and what the ingredients are and it isn’t very appealing. I wanted products that I could really feel good about using and also of course I wanted results. I started making products for myself and found that my friends were wanting similar solutions so after enough great response and results from friends and family I started By Nieves.
What are the key ingredients in your products and why?
I use simple nutrient rich oils and essential oils, all very stable. Because I don’t try to mix oil and water I don’t have to use any emulsifiers, surfactants or synthetic preservatives. I use organic ingredients wherever possible.
Do you have plans to expand distribution soon? More products?
I have fairly humble plans for expansion I’d like to have more independent spas and boutiques carrying my products, I’d like to have more internet retail orders but I’m not really hunting the big guys, slow expansion feels right to me. New products? Well, I just launched “Face Fix” which took about two years of research, formulating and testing. I’m still in the afterglow of getting that baby out of the house.
How has the industry responded to your products? How about consumers?
I’m not really sure that the industry has noticed me, I’m pretty small beans. Friends I have in the industry all love my products, which is very validating. As far as consumers go, I get great feedback. I love getting the glowing emails with lots of exclamation points. It’s also really gratifying when folks have great results and can feel good about their skin, sometimes for the first time in a long time.
What makes By Nieves products unique from others in the marketplace?
By Nieves products are simple yet effective formulas that produce great results. For an ingredient savvy person it’s a relief to read the contents and be able to understand what’s in the products. I think another thing that sets the company apart is that I’m very sincere and serious about the natural aspect but I’m not overly sweet about it.
Do you have a favorite By Nieves product? If so, why?
I love all the products of course, that’s why I make them! But I’d have to say the “C” Perfect Skin is the most indispensable. It has really improved the health and clarity of my skin. I wish I would have had it in my twenties when I was breaking out worse than my teen years!
By Nieves | October 05, 2010 at 03:20 PM EDT | No Comments
The beautiful Jeremy's Department Store in San Francisco is now carrying By Nieves products! Now you can get beautiful discounted designer clothing and pick up your body care while your at it.
"Hi Nieves, Love the Face Fix! My skin's so soft! thank you thank you! I just took a bath and used all your stuff, I smell so good!" Melissa Muszinski, San Francisco
"The Face Fix By Nieves is the best facial scrub I have ever used and I have used quite a few and never found one I liked as well as the Borghese Facial Mud back before they changed ownership and formulations. I have finally found my long lost favorite scrub of all time. I have used The Face Fix alone on damp skin and... as a mask where I mixed it in with yogurt and both ways rocked my world! It fully nourishes the skin while polishing away dead skin cells and is the ideal fix for overall skin drabness. I have used it twice in one day which is rather excessive but it caused no irritation and my face really needed the fixings. Just like Kenny Rodger's wife said in their Dole Pineapple commercial. I don't like it, I love it!!!" Sue Madigan, San Francisco
"I have tried your face fix and I like it a whole lot -- more so when used with honey or yogurt as you recommended!" Trina B, San Francisco
A dynamic and flexible herbal fix for all skin types
Face Fix
Powdered herb and clay formula.
Contains NO emulsifiers, surfactants or preservatives
A soothing exfoliant ~and~ regenerative mask
Leaves your skin smooth and refined.
Because this powerful herbal formula is in powder form it does not require any emulsifiers, surfactants or preservatives. Face fix was designed with sensitive skin in mind, it contains many soothing, calming ingredients at the same time it is very effective for "problem skin" and most skin concerns!
The list of herbs in here is incredible, there's White Willow powder that has naturally occurring salicilic acid, Rosehips have naturally occurring vitamin C and antioxidants, Horsetail powder has silica, Licorice is proving to be effective for calming eczema and redness the list goes on. It's awesome. Just try it, you'll see.
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) provides many beneficial results when used internally, traditionally used to help with lung problems such as cough, cold and sore throat also helpful for PMS and as a general tonic. What is very exciting to me is the topical benefits. Studies are showing that it is helpful for soothing dermatitis, preventing cold sores, soothing rosacea, general calming redness and even reducing hyper-pigmentation!
Hi, we have some new email recipients who have recently signed up at various events, welcome. And hello to all.
Here's a little note to let you know what's coming up and what's new(!).
If you should ever have any skincare questions I would gladly help you to the best of my abilities, just email me Nieves@ByNieves.com, I have extensive knowledge, kick-ass reference books and some people who know a lot more than I do available to me..
The Real Mercantile- A gathering of hand made artists Aug 8 Hand made artists often spend time finding the right shows and fairs to bring their goods to. It can be a daunting task.
All it really takes, though, is one person to say, “Hey, lets have a gathering of artists.” … and few others to say, “OK!”
We have seen this recently with the SF Etsy Sampler and I coordinated a St. Valentine’s Sweetie Pie festival and art show with some of my friends. I have even been known to call up my local tea shop and host a Saturday morning trunk show.
Nieves Rathbun, who owns By Nieves Handmade Natural Body Care, has created a similar event. She has gathered over 25 artists at Chez Poulet in SF for The Real Mercantile event this Sunday, August 8, from 1-7pm 3359 Cesar Chavez at Mission.
Come by and support local artists and craft people from around the bay area: Alta Accents- Hand decorated boxes and home accents Blue Ribbon Salvage- Vintage Bling, Found and Redeemed Bonjour Teaspoon- handmade items made from recycled textiles By Nieves Handmade Natural Body Care Calliope- handmade clothes and accessories for kids and grown-ups Dawn Stott- Charms, necklaces, pendants, earrings embroidery Desiree Salas- Vintage inspired dresses Elzza Doll- home sewn clothing and accessories Frieda Kipar- Herbal syrups and potions Full Moon Pickles- traditional and innovative preserves Helena Bianca- Jewelry Janay Rose, the window lady- handsewn clothes and accessories made of all recycled materials Kimmy Phi- Leather wallets and bags Lizard Works Glass- Fused and Slumped glass dishes in festive jewel tone colors. O'Lover Hats- Premier handmade felt and straw hats Rosemary Dudley Designs- Handcrafted distinctly elegant and whimsical contemporary silver jewelry. Salvaged Scraps- Handmade books. made completely from found and repurposed materials. Sensory Revolution- Sensational Salts, Sensational Seasonings Silver Lucy- gorgeous dresses Steph's Cafe- Jam, Cookbooks, Baked Goods Super Sugar Ray Ray- Legwarmers, hand warmers, Ruffle skirts T.S. I love You- Handmade Cloche bomber hats Tamo Designs- cloaks and coats Velvet Otterhound- Vintage Glam Jewelry
We've started setting up the old sales trunk at a new super cute market in Berkeley called Beehive Market......It's really sweet. Super yummy foods, neat crafts and there's always live music at noon.
It goes from 10 to 2 every Saturday, it's just a couple blocks north of University on San Pablo.
We're gonna try to be there every week unless we have another event.
If you are ready for seriously delectible clothing and accessories then you must get yer buns to the Five and Diamond Loft Sale. August 21st and 22nd noon to 8pm
....I swear! I know some of you have been hearing about it for quite awhile but the wait is almost over! I have formulated and tested and reformulated and arrived what I consider to a super awesome addition to your skin care regimen. I'm getting glowing reviews from early users! Find me at an event I will be able to give you a sample, for those far away I will be offering samples through the mail very soon...watch for a Face Fix specific email in the next couple of weeks.
Happy Summer everyone! I've switched gears this month...I've been in the beautiful hamlet of Petrolia. We had our annual Party Party..enjoyed a lovely weekend with friends, food, frolicking kids and karaoke(!). Then we went right into the Work Party part of the month....built a chicken coop, tore out a wall of the barn, prepped it for a new foundation, tore up masses of blackberries etc and etc. It's amazing how much can get done when you've got a motivated group of people! InkBoat's Dance on Land workshop starts on Wednesday and I'll be making two meals for thirty people everyday....I've got to go and get my chopping arm warmed up!
A wonderful selection of thing makers! This is my first attempt at putting a craft fair together....quite often I'm at craft fairs with awesome artisans who I long to work with again, it was at one of these events where I had a lot of time for chatting with neighbors that I started hatching a plan to do a little something with all my favorite vendors. I think it's going to rock. We'll have amazing jewely, hats, purses, wallets, clothes, handmade natural body care (natch) and more!
I love letters. I'm happy to answer questions about skin, skin care ingredients, my products or any concerns. I also am thrilled to put your testimonials on the website if you ever feel like writing one!
I got a call this morning from Eartha over at Swankety Swank congratulating me for my best of the bay award.....I had to stop and say wha?!?...can you please tell me what you're talking about?
She clarified and I went to the website and sure enough! By Nieves Handmade Natural Body Care is awarded Best Local Skincare Line in SF Weekly Best of the Bay 2010! I am so tickled and thankful, yee ha!
Save the date of Sunday July 18th for Dinner and a Show with Carla Kihlstedt.
Dinner and a show is alternating courses of food and performance.
I'll feature height of summer ingredients.
I am so excited that Carla is going to perform, she is amazing and she'll also bring in other fab performers such as Mathias Bossi, Shinichi and Dana Iova Koga and...?. We're having a lot of fun planning the evening.
I'm putting together a really swell line up of makers and doers for a Craft Shindig at Chicken's warehouse, Chez Poulet 3359 Cesar Chavez August 8th from 1 to 7pm
We're planning to go see my mom in the Netherlands in September. Dan is heading over for a Sleepytime Gorilla Museum tour anyway...so we'll combine trips. Rock tour and visiting family. I just love this picture even though he has mango all over his face.
By Nieves | May 20, 2010 at 05:09 PM EDT | No Comments
I am so thankful and honored! Here's what SF Weekly said in this weeks issue!
Nieves Rathbun is an enchantress. You may think we're exaggerating, but the proprietor of By Nieves cosmetics commands an ethereal realm, can do magic, and wears diaphanous gowns. Be honest: Isn't that who you want mixing the elixir with which you anoint yourself each morn? Rathbun learned chemistry at respected skincare companies Zia and V'tae, and later secluded herself in an oaken library to learn more via ancient tomes, rune-reading, and witches. From her charm-protected laboratory, she produces "C" Perfect Skin, a blend of precious oils and vitamin C; the Balm, which is "safe to use everywhere"; and spirit-lifting Bath Salt. Men are often drawn to Cloud of Protection, a freshening spray keeping you safe from "illness, bad vibes, and stinkiness." Recent Facebook post by Rathbun: "I just found out Queens of the Stone Age love Cloud of Protection!" Find By Nieves potions at Five and Diamond, Swankety Swank, and Glama-Rama.
By Nieves | May 10, 2010 at 07:48 PM EDT | No Comments
This is the old "C" Perfect Trial size, it was all right, it had it's charm that's for sure, I liked it's lab appeal but the lid kinda sucked, and not only that it was also discontinued. Bye-bye old "C" bottle we loved you while we loved you.
The new bottle also has the utilitarian lab appeal, has a screw on lid and it's bigger! Not only that it's the same price! Hello new bottle, we are loving you NOW!
By Nieves | April 13, 2010 at 12:35 AM EDT | No Comments
This last weekend I took Jeanne Rose's advanced perfumery course....It was super inspiring. She is such a wonderful, esoteric and extremely knowledgeable teacher. I heart her. She teaches lots of cool classes if yer ever interested. http://www.jeannerose.net/
I'm thinking about doing some limited edition perfumes.......
How do you like the shmancy new look of the newsletter? I'm hoping this format will allow each and everyone of you to be able to read these salient and silly words and that they won't look like an alien symbol transmission. Yay progress!
Thank you
Thank you for being part of the solution. Whenever we buy from independent sellers we make a very clear vote, we vote for quality and integrity and every dollar that you spend locally benefits the community so much more, when a big chunk doesn't have to go of to corporate headquarters somewhere else. (I say as I'm headed off to target to buy a folding table) We can't all be perfect but every litlle bit helps move the economy closer to home (in this case mine).
Dabble Bags: this cute silkscreened muslin bag contains a trial sizes of the Bath Salt, "C" Perfect Skin and The Balm and a travel size Cloud of Protection, a 28 dollar value for 20 bucks!
Deluxe Gift Bag: contains a full size of all four products and some slightly sassy instructions, an 85 dollar value for $75.00!
By popular demand! The Balm now comes in an 8oz size, for those that like to slather it on this will last a little longer. 8 ounces for $40. (it's like buying 3 and getting one free!)
Of course all your old favorites are still available, The Cloud of Protection, The Balm , Bath Salt and "C" Perfect Skin you can order online or skip the postage cost and go to one of these fine independent boutiques or see me at one of the holiday events. So many options!
Wow! We have been busy over here at By Nieves HQ….doing craft fairs, planning more fairs, working on new products, opening new accounts and getting ready to do a RADIO SHOW!
Whew.
I would love to see at any of these events, they all sound super fun to me.
Thursday December 3rd 6 - 10 P.M. Feria Urbana Hip Indoor Craftie thing in a hot new nightclub The New Parish 579 18th Street (at San Pablo) Oakland, CA 94612
Friday and Saturday Dec. 4th and 5th 5th Ave Artisans present: Handmade Holiday Craft Fair at John Favors warehouse estate sale 700 26th St at MLK Oakland
Sunday December 6th Jack London Square Artisan Market 10-3 PM (weather permitting)
Monday December 7th 7:30 to 8:30pm Radio interview and call-in-with-questions show 107.3fm http://www.fccfreeradio.com/
Thursday and Friday Dec. 10th and 11th 5 to 10pm Oakland Unwrapped Inside Jack London Marketplace 55 Harrison @ Water St.
Saturday and Sunday Dec. 12th and 13th 10 to 4 PM Crucible Craft Fair 1260 7th St. at Union Oakland
Monday Dec. 14th 5 to 9 pm Friends and Family Craft Sale Shadetree. Oakland
Thursday Dec. 17th 5 to 9pm Pop-up store with local designers and wine! 3217 Lakeshore, Oakland
Then that's it for holiday events, we'll be jumping in the car to Petrolia where we will celebrate holidays with family, chosen and given. I hope that you have a wonderful time with your family be they chosen and/ or related.
Young Jasper is walking. I used to be able to set him down and he would stay put, no longer! Now that he's walking and climbing and learning what he loves (walking and climbing). It's very exciting. Here's a picture of him in the apple orchard in Petrolia.
We took little Jasper out on his second rock and roll tour this November, he loved it, the tour bus is like a big moving fort filled with people to play with. Here's a picture of him "driving" the tour bus.
This message is from Dr. Vinay Goyal. He is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years:
Thanks to media hype about H1N1, several people who trust me have either approached or called me for advice. The hype in media about the utility of face masks and N95 respirators as a tool for general protection against H1N1 can't be deplored enough. Hence this short email to friends whom I have advised recently (and others whom I haven't yet). Please realize that this is not official advice, especially the one about face masks or N95. Just my own.
Most N95 respirators are designed to filter 95% particulates of 0.3µ, while the size of H1N1 virus is about 0.1µ. Hence, dependence on N95 to protect against H1N1 is like protecting against rain with an umbrella made of mosquito net.
Tamiflu does not kill, but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation till the virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks (its natural cycle). H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates there. The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/ throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
All these are simple ways to prevent, within means of most households, and certainly much less painful than to wait in long queues outside public hospitals.
By Nieves | November 07, 2009 at 05:42 PM EST | No Comments
Hi.
I'm setting up my booth and selling the skin care goods tomorrow at IndieMart in San Francisco, it sounds like a swell time and I'd love to see ya. I'm going to teach a brief workshop on how to make your own Absynthe, I'll be taking the "stage" at 2pm if yer interested in the Absynthe making.
By Nieves | October 14, 2009 at 10:19 PM EDT | No Comments
I'd like to welcome a new store to the family.
Coupa Cosas
536 Ramona St. Palo Alto, CA 94301
Tel: (650) 322-0193
It's a super cute store with direct fair trade items from central and south America and select local goods....and it's our first venture into the south bay!
