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Like many women today, Cynthia Grano, the owner of Cynthia Alexander Designs, has had more than one career. After years working in the financial world and traveling in Europe and the Far East, Cynthia settled in Wilton with her family and cast about for something to occupy her time.
Remembering the first lavender sachet she had bought on a trip to the south of France, Cynthia tried her hand at making her own, more as a hobby than anything else. She gave one of her lavender pillows to a neighbor as a gift, and this neighbor happened to own a store on Marthas Vineyard. She asked Cynthia to make a few more for her to sell -- and just like that, a business was born!
Cynthia imports all her lavender from Aix-en-Provence in France. I use between 150 and 200 pounds of lavender every year and try to buy my suppliers entire production. The quality of the lavender is crucial to my final product. Each sachet or pillow is made of lustrous Dupioni silk, then bound with hand-loomed organdy ribbon from Japan and adorned with a semi-precious stone. People use my pillows in many different environments on a mantel, in a powder room, on a bed or sofa. These works of art are also natural air fresheners for the home.
Lavender is famous in the world of aromatherapy for its many beneficial qualities. It is reviving, it promotes restful sleep, it soothes, and it helps maintain one's sense of well-being. Those who suffer from sleep problems might find it useful to keep a lavender sachet under their pillow. A quick squeeze of the sachet on waking is often all thats needed to send you back to deeper sleep. Lavender can also help relieve stress and anxiety, and is a natural moth repellant.
Semi-precious stones and crystals have long been thought to have absorbed unique healing powers from the earths energy. Many believe that these healing powers are channeled to the user of the stones. For example, rose quartz is thought to promote relaxation, inner peace and tranquility. Jasper is credited with boosting physical stamina and reducing fear. Many of the stones have intricate carvings, which are also full of symbolism. Cynthias pillows are all carefully labeled with descriptions of the stones and carvings.
The Cynthia Alexander line of lavender designs has recently expanded to include silk tissue box covers, shoe trees, silk pajama cases and silk lingerie bags, all of which have a tiny lavender sachet tucked into them to keep the contents fresh.
Lavender retains its fragrance for up to five years. All thats needed to revive the aroma is a gentle squeeze of the pillow or sachet and the fresh scent will permeate your home.
Cynthia sells her pillows and accessories, as well as her line of stunning jewelry, at craft shows throughout the northeastern United States, and on her website.
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