Belger Crane Yard Studios - A Photo Journey

I had the opportunity to attend a workshop at Belger Crane Yard Clay and Red Star Studios where I was able to photograph and document the beautiful space that many local Kansas City clay artists consider their second home.

This hidden gem sits at the end of a dead-end road next to an old crane yard. The upper level is the home of owners Dick and Evelyn Belger who renovated the building between 2010 and 2013. The multi-level industrial brick building seems unassuming until you enter the glass double doors found down a gravel alley. Just inside the main entrance is a 10,000 square foot gallery (featuring work by industrial designers, sculptors and illustrators) surrounded by windows with a view of downtown Kansas City.

As you exit the gallery, you find yourself inside the studio where artists rent space to work and take part in maintaining the studio. Walking down the isles you see rows of rented shelves that are lined with the artists work in different styles, stages and processes and rolling racks with greenware ready to fire. It's also likely you  will see artists in residence working in their booths deep in concentration.

Just outside the studio and accessible to the public is their retail store where you can purchase several types of clay, kilns, glazes, sponges and scrapers.

The studio does take donations for things like plastic liquid soap dispensers for glazes and Rubbermaid tubs to keep clay from drying out. If you are interested in donating items, be sure to like their Facebook page where they frequently post when in need of a particular item.

If you are interested in visiting the space, they are open for First Friday events and offer date night and student classes.

To see a schedule of events or for more information and directions, visit: http://redstarstudios.org

DIY All Natural Cleaning with Essential Oils

Not only is making your own household cleaners cheaper than buying store bought ones but it's a healthier way of living. We share our home with our cats and dogs and knowing those paws come into direct contact with the cleaners we use on floors and countertops makes it important that those cleaners are as safe and as chemical free as possible.

Homemade cleaners are also more beautiful to look at in their dark amber glass bottles. So instead of utilizing the under the sink cabinets to store them, I display them on open shelves. The dark amber glass bottles are important as they keep the oils from being exposed to light and from interacting with the chemicals in plastics.

Thieves All Purpose Spray

Ingredients:

1/8 tsp salt

5 drops Thieves essential oil

1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 cup water

Instructions:

Fill a 2oz dark amber glass spray bottle with ingredients in the order listed. Shake to combine and before each use.

Lavender Linen Spray:

Ingredients:

1 tbsp witch hazel

Water

20 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

Fill a 2oz dark amber glass spray bottle with water until 3/4 full. Add witch hazel and lavender essential oil. Shake to combine and before each use.

Lemon Wood Dusting Spray

Ingredients:

2 tsp liquid castille soap

20 drops lemon essential oil

Water

Instructions:

Fill a 2oz dark amber glass spray bottle with soap and lemon oil and fill with water. Shake to combine and before each use. To use, spray on wood surfaces and wipe with a dust cloth.

All of the essential oils listed are included in the Young Living premium starter kit. If you are interested in signing up as a Young Living distributor to get your premium starter kit, click here!

*If you want the most bang for your buck, sign up to be a wholesale member and get the premium starter kit! Even if you don't plan on selling, you still get 24% off with no obligations. The starter kit alone includes 11 oils and comes with a diffuser! Happy oiling!

DIY Scented Wood Car Air Freshener

I have yet to find a car air freshener that is both attractive and natural smelling. Luckily, there are ways to scent your car to mask any pet or fast food smells. 

• What you need:
• 
  

• An old fashioned clothing line pin
• Container with lid (Mason jar)
• Your favorite scented oil

• Instructions:
• 
  
• Place clothes pin inside glass jar with several drops of scented oil.
• Close lid and let sit overnight to let the natural wood absorb the oil
• Remove clothes pin and insert into car vent

As you drive, the air from the vent will blow the scent throughout the car.

DIY All Natural Rosemary Carpet Powder

I've always been drawn to natural cleaning products but also enjoy having a clean smelling home. Because artificially scented products produce headaches for my husband who has a sensitive nose, I've researched ways to incorporate natural scents into my homemade cleaning products to still have that clean smell without making my husband nauseous.

Because our home consists of 2 dogs and 2 cats, we need to vacuum frequently. Our hardwood floors are adorned with large area rugs that like to grab onto pet fur as well as pet odors. My solution to this problem is homemade carpet powder.

• Ingredients:
• 
  

• Baking soda (I like Bob's Red Mill)
• Dried lavender or rosemary
• Container with lid (Mason jar or Bonne Maman)

• Instructions:
• 
  
• Fill jar with baking soda.
• Add as much dried lavender or rosemary as needed, depending on your cleaning needs and desired scent strength.
• Put lid on jar and shake to mix.
• Sprinkle powder onto carpet sparingly.
• Let sit for at least 15 minutes to absorb odors.
• Vacuum until no powder or dried herbs remain.

This is a great way to use up any baking soda that has been in the fridge to freshen stored food and lavender or rosemary from your garden that has dried up for the season.