Hello

Made in Rentzschmühle

What a wee voice in the vast expanse of internet I am, how small and meek, and yet I open this blog with confidence and resilience - this is my corner, my space, my place to share all things crafty, home-made, made with love in the Rentzschmühle. And if the occasional political or environmental comment slips in, so be it.

So on this auspicious day, with birds loudly greeting the morning sun which is slowly slinking down the Elster Valley walls, with the White Elster river gurgling nearby, bubbling white over the weir before disappearing on its journey towards the Saale, with my son still sleeping in the adjacent room and my husband slowly waking, I, still pyjama-clad, declare Made in Rentzschmühle open for business.

Who is this pyjama-clad "I"?  Let me introduce myself - I'm Jacqueline Seidel, language and training specialist by day (running my own business), crafting and creating in the evenings and on weekends. I'm a teacher, author, Oxford comma convert, wife to a fabulous husband, and mum to an awesome son.

And what on earth is Rentzschmühle?  A peaceful wee hamlet, nestled deep in the Elster Valley in the Vogtland region of Germany (think: just north of Bavaria, just west of Czech). We straddle the border between the states of Saxony and Thuringia, the forest in which we live teems with wildlife (deer, wild boar, foxes, squirrels, hedgehogs, woodpeckers) and the river is home to swans, ducks and the occasional water rat.

It's hard to quantify how special this place is, how unique, how simultaneously isolating and embracing, how calming and inspiring. My husband says living here is like being on holiday all the time.  And it's that spirit of calm and inspiration which has pushed me to grow beyond simply being a training specialist, to embrace that creativity which has simmered beneath the surface since I can remember.  So let's talk creativity!

Blanket inspired by the textured bark of Australian gum trees.

Crochet. Sewing. Soap-making (my new thing!). Lip Balms. Bath salts. Skin care. And more.

Here I'll document the creative process, share new products, and of course, take requests and orders.

If you'd like to join me on this journey, meet me in Facebook or follow me here.

See you soon, Jacqueline