Do you need a breath of SPRING for your doors and walls? Well, we’ve got you covered! Tami Forrest of Wreath Havoc is making a special appearance here at The Merc on SATURDAY, MARCH 15th 11-3

She will bring WREATHS and CENTERPIECES that will make your home beautiful! Come out and see what she has! First come gets the best selection.

PLAN TO ATTEND!! TELL YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS! Join us at this FREE ONE DAY event with expert presentations meant to inspire and educate about a variety of topics. We will have giveaways during the day and SWAG (goody) bags (one per household) til they run out, raffles and all kinds of darling spring decor and functional gardening tools and items. If you want a “Pinterest” garden, we’ve got the makings! The Merc will be having a sale and there will be Garden related Popups too.

Here is our line up of experts:

1030am Modern Herbalism

This talk will help integrate “old ways” with new to help you use herbs in an everyday way to benefit family & friends. Speaker: Joanna Jenkins, Certified Herbalist & owner of Busy Bee Herbals

1130am Biodiversity in a Pollinator Garden

Want to attract Birds, Butterflies & Bees to your garden or yard? Learn how easy it is when you plan your plant choices. *Free Gift for attendees of this talk while supplies last. Speaker: JoAnn Jones, Master Naturalist

1230pm Natural Farming

Hate Pesticides? Well, this talk about “Plant Juice” may be right up your alley. Time permitting, Vinegar extracts will be covered. Both can be used as Sustainable Soil Amendments. Speaker: Brandon Setzer, Master Naturalist

130pm Straw Bale Gardening

This talk will discuss “How to” straw bale garden and you’ll learn who might benefit from this method of gardening. Speaker: Leighton Jones, Master Gardener

230pm Endless Gardening

Want to garden for longer? This talk is for you! learn some hacks that will keep you in the garden longer to enjoy what you love. Speaker: Laura Lemmon, Master Gardener

330pm Harvesting, Arranging & Making Your Flowers Last

Learn from the experts - Local Flower Farmers share their TIPS & SECRETS! Speakers: Rachael Watman, Swans End Flower Farm, Tracy Yohman, Yellow Finch Farm and Bridget McMillan, Red Handle Farm

In this workshop, participants will learn a brief history of the Flower Crown and basic design principles including materials required, the best flowers to use and how to personalize and preserve your crown. Participants will then create a crown of their own with fresh floral bundles, greenery and ribbons. This workshop is a fun, engaging hands on opportunity to celebrate the oncoming of Spring!

A joyful spring beverage will be served. :)

Space is limited to a class of 20

$65 per person

**********UNFORTUNATELY CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER***********

Join us at The Merc for an evening of fun as we make Decorative Oyster Shell Ornaments. Choose your design and have fun with friends making a lovely ornament to keep or gift. These ornaments are versatile…could be used as a bottle tag or a trinket dish! Your imagination can go wild! Enjoy a glass of wine & nibbles too!

Cost $40 per person

Purchase online or in store - you can always call us and charge over the phone too. (804) 216-6648

Donna Salyers Fabulous Furs (Faux)

Join us here at The Merc for an evening of bubbles, bites and a preview of Donna Salyer’s new faux fur line. Fabulous Furs are a statement piece that will set our style apart! It’s FREE to attend, but call the Merc to make your reservation today!

804-216-6648 or CLICK HERE to Reserve Your Spot

Come celebrate with us (along with Three Crosses Distilling Co. celebrating their 6th Anniversary)

There will be live M U S I C, RAFFLES, GIVEAWAYS & a special S A L E for our customers !

We will also have pop up local home based businesses outside to check out.

Please be sure to stop by and mention that you saw this announcement here and give us BIRTHDAY1 code for an Extra 5% off!

LIVE MALE MODEL

Come for an evening of artful drawing and sketching. The Merc will provide the space, the MODEL, a GLASS of WINE and an instructor. Feel free to Bring Your Own art supplies or we can provide you with a sketch pad and a pencil.

Space is limited, so be sure to call in (804-216-6648), stop by or sign up below to secure your spot.

Cost of the Workshop is $35 You can sign up here

The Merc wants to celebrate with you the return of your children to their place of learning! Come on down from 9-11am on Tuesday (we’re closed on Mondays) and have a mimosa and a little adult time. We’ll have a little GIFT with PURCHASE while they last too! Special sale for the event also!

WHAT IS PERMANENT JEWELRY?

Permanent jewelry is more than just buying a bracelet or an anklet. It is an experience that can be shared. A memento for a right of passage, a special moment with another, or a celebration. This clasp free jewelry that is welded together around your wrist or ankle, can be worn to keep those memories with you wherever you go.

14k solid gold & sterling silver jewelry welded to your wrist, ankle, neck, finger…for a clasp-free wear-always, piece of jewelry. Visit spartstudiojewelry.com for pricing and more information.

CRYSTAL SINGING BOWLS: WHAT ARE THEY?

Primarily made from quartz, crystal singing bowls are musical instruments used for healing and meditation purposes. When played, they produce unique, resonant tones that consequently create a sense of deep relaxation and tranquility. These sound waves are said to resonate with the body’s energy centers, or chakras, helping to restore balance and promote healing.

THE SCIENCE OF SOUND HEALING

The therapeutic potential of sound is backed by science. Specific frequencies and vibrations can stimulate the brain, leading to various physiological and psychological effects. Research in the field of Neurology has shown that music can affect heart rate, blood pressure, and the release of stress hormones. This science extends to the sounds created by crystal singing bowls as well.

THE CRYSTAL SINGING BOWLS SOUND BATH EXPERIENCE

A sound bath represents a meditative experience, wherein participants ‘bathe’ in the sound waves produced by instruments such as crystal singing bowls. An overview of what you can expect during a typical crystal singing bowl sound bath:

1. PREPARATION

You’ll be invited to lie down or sit comfortably, often with the option of using yoga mats, cushions, or blankets. The facilitator will guide you into a relaxed state, often beginning with a short meditation or breathwork exercise.

2. THE SOUND BATH

The facilitator will begin to play the crystal singing bowls, often starting with gentle sounds that gradually intensify. The facilitator typically arranges the bowls in a specific sequence to create a symphony of harmonious vibrations. You may notice the sounds resonate with different parts of your body.

3. INTEGRATION

After the sound bath, you’ll usually have a period of silence to integrate the experience. Some facilitators may guide you through a closing meditation or provide time for journaling.

THE BENEFITS OF CRYSTAL SINGING BOWLS SOUND BATH

1. PROMOTES DEEP RELAXATION

One of the most immediate benefits of a sound bath is deep relaxation. The soothing tones of the crystal bowls can help to slow down brain waves, shifting from a more active state to a more relaxed or meditative state.

2. SUPPORTS STRESS RELIEF

According to a study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, sound therapy can effectively decrease stress and anxiety levels. It allows your mind to focus on the sounds around you, creating a form of mindfulness meditation that can promote a sense of inner peace and balance.

3. ENCOURAGES EMOTIONAL RELEASE

Sound baths can facilitate emotional release. The resonating frequencies can help bring awareness to any emotional disturbances and release them, leading to a sense of harmony and wellbeing.

4. ENHANCES SLEEP

Sound therapy, including sound baths, has been linked to improved sleep. The relaxing effect of the sound bath may help to regulate sleep patterns and improve sleep quality.

CONCLUSION

The soothing symphony of a crystal singing bowls sound bath offers a unique approach to relaxation and wellness. As you bathe in the resonant tones of the bowls, you can experience a state of deep relaxation, reduced stress, emotional healing, and improved sleep. It’s a holistic, non-invasive therapy that supports both physical and mental wellbeing.

As always, personal experiences can vary, and it’s essential to approach sound healing with an open mind.

Fee $25. Your payment reserves your spot. You can call us at 804-216-6648 and we can take your credit card over the phone or just come in!

Wood Turner Al Kiebert will be at The Merc with his beautiful creations from wood. You have probably noticed & admired his items we carry in the shop - the BOTTLE OPENER, the WINE/BOTTLE STOPPER, the KEEPSAKE BOXES / SALT CELLARS and the gorgeous SALT or PEPPER GRINDERS. Albert will have additional items to show (and sell), so come on down and meet Albert, POWHATAN resident!

S O U N D S C A P E S with Susan

Relax to the sounds and vibrations of Crystal Sound Bowls

Join Susan for a 45 minute relaxing Sound Experience hosted by The Mercantile at Three Crosses.  Bring your own yoga mat, a pillow or throw- whatever will make you most comfortable as we will relax on the back deck of The Mercantile.  Physical requirements:  You must be able to get down on the deck, lay flat and get back up again.

What you can expect to experience:  Relaxation, peace, raising your energy vibration which results in

feeling rejuvenated and lighter than when you came in.

Cost:  $25
Space is very limited
Reserve your spot TODAY

Susan Forche has been a resident of Powhatan since 2017.  She has practiced dental hygiene for 32 years.  Susan is a student of the world, loves the outdoors and projects and adventures.  She loves learning about other cultures and learning new skills.  Susan enjoys yoga, paddle boarding and gardening.  Along with her family, Susan enjoys her cat, goats and chickens.

Susan began her journey with Sound Healing in 2022 when she attended a Wellness Retreat in Mexico.  She has been enchanted with how they can positively affect one’s energy and further studied with a local sound healer here in Virginia.  Susan works with crystal sound bowls, sharing their healing sounds and vibrations.  

The Merc is hosting a pop up BUILD YOUR OWN BOUQUET bar with locally grown flowers! Meet local flower growers from Yellow Finch Farm & Red Handle Farm. Come on down -Make your own bouquet or have one custom made for you! This is a beautiful and memorable activity to do with loved ones and to share as well! See you when you get here!

Everything F L O W E R related will be on sale!

We plan to welcome Spring the MERC WAY - by going overboard.

Mimosas - Raffles for Merchandise & Merc Gift Cards - FREE April Cornell Tote Bag w/$20 purchase

We would recommend coming early to make sure you don’t miss out as this event promises to be a barn burner!

We are also hosting a B O U Q U E T B A R to Make Your Own Bouquet $30

You can walk away with a gorgeous bouquet you made yourself and the knowledge of how to reproduce the results in the future! The B O U Q U E T B A R will be presented by local Powhatan Flower Growers! Join us and support local Powhatan Farmers

*All events and give aways are while supplies last

Join us in making a beautiful terrarium. No matter your skill level, you will be delighted with the glass terrarium sitting on a woven willow wood base. All materials are provided. You just need to show up with a willing spirit.

Join us for our first Meet The Maker on Saturday, November 25th! Come meet Joyce Wade of Mill Road Soaps from 12-2 and sample all of her Sweet Ass Products.