Hello Everyone,
Welcome to my diary of crafting and self-reliance. This site is where I document the journey of creating a home apothecary and a vegetable garden—from the very first idea to the finished, functioning system. My aim is to grow and make as much as possible from scratch, sharing both the process and the products along the way.
What this project is all about
- A holistic, from-scratch approach: I will grow herbs and produce tinctures, oils, salves, balms, teas, and more, while also crafting items for the home and personal care. Everything I use and share is intended to be grown or made locally, with attention to quality, sustainability, and practical usefulness.
- A weekly progress update: Each week, I’ll tell you what I’m working on, what challenges I’m facing, and what I’ve learned. I’ll include photos or videos to give you a clear sense of the work in progress and the evolving setup.
- Honest product reviews: Whenever I purchase items for the project—from tools to seeds to tincture-making supplies—I’ll provide candid reviews to help you decide what might work for your own journey.
- A long-term, evolving journey: This is a huge project, and I’m excited about the path ahead. I expect it to unfold over months and years, with many iterations and refinements along the way.
Why this matters, and how I’m approaching it
- Urban roots, big dreams: I live in the city, so I’m designing systems that fit a limited space. I’ll be establishing garden lighting suitable for apartment living and leveraging community gardens to extend growing possibilities. The goal is to maximize fresh, homegrown ingredients while maintaining a manageable, sustainable routine.
- A versatile craft portfolio: My planned output spans botanicals and blends (herbal teas, tinctures, extracts), skin and body care (essential oils, carrier oils, salves, balms), and home goods (candles, soaps, incense). I’m learning as I go, refining techniques, and sharing both the successes and the lessons learned.
- Food sustenance and preparedness: In addition to crafts, I’ll be cooking and canning foods, ensuring that the practical aspects of daily living—food preservation and safe storage—are part of the journey. I’ll also explore survivalist-focused projects that align with a thoughtful, prepared mindset.
- Community and learning: I hope this journey inspires dialogue and collaboration. Your feedback, ideas, and questions are welcome, and I’ll incorporate them as appropriate to enrich the project.
What you can expect as a reader
- Regular updates: Weekly posts with a clear snapshot of what’s happening, plus images or short videos to illustrate the progress.
- Tutorials and insights: Explanations of techniques, skills, and best practices I’m learning along the way, from seed starting to tincture extraction to candle making.
- Product reviews: Transparent evaluations of equipment, supplies, and ingredients I use, including what worked well, what didn’t, and practical tips.
- Real-world constraints: Honest discussion of space, energy, time, and budget considerations, and how I adapt plans to fit a city apartment and community garden access.
Lifestyle and timeline expectations
- This project is a long-term commitment. Building a fully functional home apothecary and garden system is an ongoing process, and I expect it to evolve as I gain experience and discover new ideas.
- I’ll aim for steady progress, celebrating milestones (like a first batch of infused oils, a successful herb drying setup, or a harvest from the community garden) while acknowledging inevitable hiccups and adjustments.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope you enjoy following along, learning with me, and perhaps even starting your own from-scratch venture. If you have questions, suggestions, or topics you’d like me to cover, please drop a comment or reach out—your input helps shape this evolving story.
With curiosity and gratitude,
diyhandicrafts101.com