Homestead Aromatics Essential Oils

10/19/2025

While taking stock of the butters and oils that I have ready to use, I was reminded that I have a LOT of shea butter. Shea is amazing for winter skin, but it has a very intense nutty aroma and can go grainy in a body butter blend. Here is an amazing, well researched blog post by Jade Shutes that helps navigate how to make a smooth butter without that grainy aspect. Basically, cool it quick!

So Why Does Shea go Grainy in Botanical Body Care Products? Understanding Melting Points and Fatty Acids While each plant-based butter is given a general melting point (e.g. Shea butter has a melting point of 89 to 100°F), the melting point can be a poor descriptor because butters are made up of fa...

10/19/2025

Fall is here. We are slowly putting the gardens and flower fields to bed for the winter. Que making balms, body butters, rollers, and body oils. My skin is ready for it!

10/04/2025

I did it! I broke out my last jar of minty foot fluff today. I will use it slowly until a fresh batch is made. It's far too hot right now, but by mid week next week the temp will drop again. I'll be itching to delve into making body balms and butters then.

08/11/2025

The sunflowers are coming on strong!

07/26/2025

If you're an early riser and local, please join us for a sunflower event! The weather is supposed to be beautiful!

Enjoy the magic of early morning with the sun and the sunflowers. Drink coffee, walk the fields, and pick 2 sunflower stems to take home.

07/06/2025

Making a chamomile and lavender herbal oil for soothing my skin and emotions. I use my own grown herbs and organic as it is shelf stable with low aroma. This will luxuriate together for about 6 weeks. Then we'll decant!
2 tbsp dried chamomile
2 tbsp dried lavender buds
8 oz liquid carrier oil like jojoba from
The finished product can be used plain, in a body butter or balm, or a salve.
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07/02/2025

Oh, I'm going to have to try this one!

Calendula helps with minor scratches, severe wounds, and even bacterial imbalances. Give this Gentle Calendula Lotion Recipe a try!

06/23/2025

The lavender is blooming! 💜 The lavender season is always too short. But, if you harvest the lavender now you'll get another bloom season in September. Not as many flowers, however still just as lovely!

06/23/2025

Lavender Class is June 30th at 5:30pm. We will explore different lavender essential oils, talk about the best lavenders for Ohio weather, and make 2 aromatherapy blends to take home. Class is held at Keller Market House in Lancaster, OH. If you enjoy lavender, then this class is for you!

06/17/2025

Trying to dry more flowers and herbs. The peony kept that gorgeous color!

06/10/2025

☀🔴Last chance to register for the Aloe for Summer Skin workshop with Homestead Aromatics! 🔴☀

You don't want to miss this one! Aloe (and the aloe gelly we will use in class) is perfect for all ages. You will make an amazing blend in class, full of skin supportive calendula oil from Deborah's own garden, and a couple skin loving essential oils.

Summer can be hard on your skin - the heat, intense sun exposure, and high humidity can all take a toll. Aloe is one of summer’s unsung heroes, and during this class a shelf stable aloe gelly will be discussed, as well as how to use the fresh aloe plant you may have at home. We’ll learn about two essential oils that assist summer skin, and each participant can use them in a blend you take home!

Additional recipes and resources will be shared. All materials provided.

Class taught by Deborah Zerkle, Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Aromatherapist. Deborah is owner of Homestead Aromatics, an Aromatherapy business that focuses on using local and global ingredients. She creates small batches of organic Aromatherapy products to support family, friends, and the community.

Thursday, June 12th, 2025
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Keller Market House
Cost: $30 ($25 for Friends of the Market members!)
Register by Tuesday, June 10th
Click here to register: https://square.link/u/x0bY12G3
Tickets are non-refundable after registration deadline.

06/10/2025

Calendula herbal oil decanted for the Aloe for Summer Skin class Keller Market House this Thursday. She's a gold beauty! Sooo nourishing for the skin!