10.11.2012

Black Bear Laboratory hosts grand opening




Black Bear Laboratory offers natural, vegan-friendly lip balms
copyright by Amanda Diegel/used with permission


Name/Owner: Amanda Diegel
Twitter: @practicemakesP1 (private, but will follow any fellow teaists – email for more info)
Special deals/code: 25 cents off each tube (which runs about $2.50 each as of 10/11/12)

With a name like Black Bear Laboratory, you can assume two things: that the owner enjoys creating natural products and that she loves black bears.

Or maybe there’s a black bear, donning a lab coat, hard at work crafting natural products. Amanda Diegel, of Atlanta, GA, calls him Bruno. He’s her “pet” – and OK, stuffed – black bear. Amanda’s brand-new natural products company needed a name, and Bruno helped.

“When I was trying to come up with a name, I looked at him and thought it would be hilarious to see a black bear in a lab coat,” Amanda, owner of Black Bear Laboratory, explained. “They’re obviously one of my favorite animals and since I’m going for the natural theme, the name stuck.”

What do Amanda and Bruno create? High-quality, handmade lip balms in four flavors: Pumpkin Chai, Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast, Chocolate Marshmallow and Lemon-Mango Lassi Cheesecake. 

Is your mouth watering yet? …and how about those chapped lips? Put down the Chapstick and opt for one of these hand-crafted lip balms instead. These are made with all-natural, vegan-friendly products. There are no added preservative and no colorants. “Each tube is filled and sealed entirely by hands,” Amanda said. “My lip balms feel better than anything you’re going to find on shelves and smell amazing too.”

Black Bear Laboratory, hosted by Etsy, is “bearly” (couldn’t help) a month old, and plans are underway for holiday scents and products, such as solid perfume or wax candle melts.

Amanda, a fellow Teaist, and a Steepsterite (Momo), was inspired by 52Teas’ cheesecake tea blends and the unique collection of teas from Butiki Teas to craft the lip balms flavors. “All of my flavors are different from anything else offered on Etsy,” Amanda added.

Amanda decided to sell the lip balms in her free time to “feel more accomplished,” the full-time student explained. “I love the process of perfecting the lip balm base. It really is like being in a test lab.” That means Black Bear Laboratory lip balms aren’t too waxy, nor too oily. “Once it has the perfect consistency and slides like butter on my fingers, it’s ready to go. Of course, the next step, the scents, is the best part. There aren’t too many flavor oils out there, but matching is fun nonetheless!”

Score 25 cents off each tube (which runs about $2.50 as of 10/11/12) to celebrate the grand opening of Black Bear Laboratory.

For more information, including purchasing, visit her Etsy store at http://etsy.com/shop/blackbearlaboratory. Email questions or comments to blackbearlab@gmail.com.

10.10.2012

Cold/Flu season



 


You know winter is around the corner when cold/flu season starts and 2012 is no different. I'm still battling one that has seriously kicked my butt. As a result, blog posts and features have been pushed back.

I will post a CelebriTEA and an InternationaliTEA in the coming weeks, and stay tuned for the Keen Tea Thyme holiday guide.

Questions? Want to be featured? Email me - keenteathyme@gmail.com