Collaboration is at the heart of everything I do, and it’s been so lovely hosting ‘The Aromatic Garden’ workshop alongside Christiana Jackson, the founder of Mimosa Botanicals, whose beautiful work with botanicals and aromatherapy is rooted in sustainability and mindfulness, in her old-world apothecary studio.
Christiana’s journey began in the Australian bush, where she developed a deep connection with the natural scents around her—a passion that has taken her from Australia to the Grasse Institute of Perfumery in Provence, France. (Read more about her below in a lovely Q&A she generously shared with me)
It’s so lovely to not only be able to share Christiana’s work but also our collaboration for ‘The Aromatic Garden’ workshop, a hands-on experience where participants will delve into the world of aromatic plants, the gardens and aromatic plants of Little Cottage On A Hill, and learn to make their own luxurious botanical bath and body products for themselves or as special handcrafted gifts. Together, we’ll explore how to bring plants and their incredible aromatics into everyday life.
Here’s what you’ll create in this workshop:
• 50ml Bath/Body Oil infused with dried botanicals and essential oils
• Oat Milk Bath Bag with botanicals and spices
• 10ml Uplifting Aromatherapy Roller for mood and wellness
Join us for a day of festive self-care, freshly baked morning tea, and botanical creations in the idyllic setting of Little Cottage on a Hill. Spaces are extremely limited, so gather some friends and book your spot today!
Sunday 10 November 2024
10am - 1 pm
Little Cottage On A Hill, Daylesford
Tickets via https://www.natashamorgan.com.au/shop/the-aromatic-garden
In conversation with Christiana
1. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind Mimosa Botanicals and how your journey into aromatherapy and botanical products began?
I am eternally inspired by plants, their beauty, their scent and their ability to heal, nurture and comfort us on so many levels. I have always found peace being surrounded by nature, even as a young girl growing up in the bush so my path to working with them, particularly in the scent world started many many years ago!
I've been making scented products since I was a teen and dabbled in it as a hobby for such a long time - I qualified as an Aromatherapist in 2010 after years of self study and the need to apply my learnings in a professional manner (I was working in a clinic as a massage therapist at the time).
I started Mimosa Botanicals in 2016 after moving to Castlemaine from Melbourne. My son was only 3 years old and it felt like the right time.
The name Mimosa came to me as a homage to my love of the French traditions in scent and aromatherapy and my love of our native wattle (which also grows in such abundance around Castlemaine!).
The French name for wattle is Mimosa, and I thought it was a lovely way to honour both loves.
2. What role do aromatic plants play in your creations, and how do you source the botanicals for your blends?
They are at the centre of everything here at Mimosa Botanicals! From the dried botanicals we use in our bath soaks to the extracted scents through steam distillation or solvent extraction that we use in our perfumes, soaps and skin care. Aromatic plants are our star performers!
We source our extracts from Australia and all over the world, depending on where they are grown and distilled. For example, we can source the majority of citrus oils here, as they are a byproduct of the citrus-growing industry! We also use divine sandalwood oil grown in Western Australia alongside some pretty special natives.
We also pick and dehydrate in our apothecary many herbs, flowers, and citruses from our garden, friends' gardens, or wild harvests in the local area, which we use in our bath soaks and infused oils alongside certified organic when we need to source from elsewhere.
3. What makes working with botanicals and natural ingredients so powerful in today’s world?
I think, ultimately, the power comes from the earth, air, and water that give these botanicals life, and we, as humans, are intrinsically connected to that cycle.
Nature is a healer, a grounding force, and an antidote to the modern world. As I get older, I seek time in nature more and more—it feeds my soul.
4. How does your philosophy of sustainability and mindfulness influence your approach to creating your products?
Every product or recipe idea comes from a mindful moment for me, and more often than not, it is when I am out walking in nature, when there is stillness. I say that my perfumes and products are inspired by nature—not only by the scent profile and natural raw materials that I use but also by the moment of creation—a little scent seed is planted in my brain when immersed in the natural world.
There's nothing more sustainable than utilising plants from your own garden or local surroundings. I love to venture out and wild harvest ingredients like rose hips, elderberries, herbs, rose petals, and citrus fruits, or visit local beekeepers for beeswax and honey or local olive groves for EVOO.
Not all ingredients can be sourced locally, though, so I always choose Australian-grown and/or certified organic materials to use in Mimosa Botanicals products.
5. What excites you most about collaborating with Natasha Morgan for the ‘The Aromatic Garden’ workshop? How do you see participants benefiting from this experience?
I get so much joy from working with others; that collaborative energy is so enriching when you spend a lot of your days as a solo worker!
I'm excited to see Natasha's flourishing spring garden, be inspired by her seasonal plantings, and incorporate those ideas into products on the day and in future recipes.
I hope those participating are just as inspired by getting in the garden, growing and utilising the fruits of their labour to create products for themselves and their loved ones.
I also love bringing a group of like-minded people together to spend time having fun, eating cake (Natasha's baking is YUMMY! I'm Looking forward to that, too!), and feeling enriched by the experience.
