Ah, serendipity! I love stumbling across foodie topics in unexpected places. Two events I attended in Charm City over the weekend provided fodder to chew over (sorry!).
The first was Darkover, a convention devoted to fantasy literature that has been held annually for 34 years on Thanksgiving weekend. This was my first time at this small, laid-back event in a hotel near the Timonium fairgrounds. In addition to a program of discussions around fantasy literature, author readings, music, art, workshops, and fellowship, a large dealer’s room sold everything from books to clothing. And Auntie Arwen sold herb and spice blends.
Auntie Arwen (aka Jane Sibley) has been selling an amazing variety of seasonings since the very first Darkover. She has a devoted customer base here and at other events, and sells online at www.auntiearwenspices.com. She attributes her success to the use of honest ingredients and fair prices. Most blends sell for $5.00 or $6.00 a jar.
Since she began her career in selling seasoning blends with a formulation of garlic salt for her garden club in Haddam, Connecticut, she has branched out to sell hundreds of varieties at farmers markets, craft fairs and historic re-creationists’ events. She has a line of pre-modern herb blends for those re-creationists, and will produce custom blends to order, including salt-free blends. Everything is sold in heavy glass jars to preserve the potency of the ingredients. A customer returning an empty jar is rewarded by a discount on the next order.
Here is a partial list of her wares: curry blends, peppers and salts (both varietals and blends), grilling mixes, sweet blends, flavored sugars, hot spice blends, seafood blends, ethnic blends, blends for specific meats; also, coffee from a local Connecticut roaster, tea and tisanes. Also, cough syrup and sore-throat syrup made from her own blend of healing herbs. Also, soap; and, just added: fudge.
And, oh, yes, she still sells that original garlic salt.
