Poppy Swap: A New Source for Handmade Organic Products

Reader Contribution by Press Release

Poppy Swap is a new website that provides handmade, organic products. Site hosts herbalists from all over the country to create virtual 24-hour farmer’s market. 

Poppy Swap is an online market place of herbalists, gardeners, farmers and sustainable wholesalers. The site hosts hundreds of vendors who specialize in organic products and handmade items. The market includes everything from soap to seeds and allows vendors to create a unique storefront to sell their products. The site only promotes products that are made by artisans using sustainable practices and 100% natural ingredients.

Poppy Swap was founded by Ellen “Kiki” Geary, a certified herbalist from Anacortes, WA. A graduate of Bastyr University, she has been practicing acupuncture and herbal medicine for ten years and is passionate about helping people find products that are made without dangerous chemicals. “We all know that we need to adopt a natural lifestyle if we want to have a healthy life and healthy environment,” explained Geary, “On Poppy Swap, we have provided a resource for people hoping to make those choices for themselves and their families.”

For vendors, the site offers an affordable solution for expanding their businesses and a way to stay connected to customers during the winter months. For consumers, it provides access to an enormous selection of quality organic products and the opportunity to support small business and truly green commerce.

The site also offers the unique opportunity for vendors and customers to engage more personally. Customers can ask questions to the vendors directly through the site.  “I know from working with my patients that “going green” can be overwhelming. Walking into a co-op or health food store doesn’t really help much when you don’t know what anything is.” On Poppy Swap, customers can ask the herbalists questions about their products before they make a purchase. “The exciting thing is that not only can people find out more about the specific herbs being used,  they can also find out more about where it comes from and how it was processed. Believe me, when you meet the person who hand picked the rose petals used in your face cream or grew the mint that is in your teacup, it transforms the experience entirely. It instantly becomes more about connection than consumption.” 

And the herbalists are thrilled. In its first week of launch, Poppy Swap attracted vendors from Maine, Virginia, St Louis, Florida, Colorado, Texas, Montana, Oregon, California and Ontario and received endorsements from prominent herbalists such as Susan Weed and John Gallagher.  “I actually don’t support every site I get in front of me, as I get many every week. But with [Poppy Swap] I liked the vibe and the mission,” said Gallagher of learningherbs.com. “I think the best way to learn is to make stuff. We need places where people can sell and trade things that are not from a generic storefront or just one company’s stuff. It also challenges people to be more creative and gives something for folks to aspire to as well. So, it fits into our paradigm and mission very well.” 

There is no shortage of creativity on Poppy Swap. Herbally infused truffles, natural first aid kits and fresh batch cosmetics fill the site. There is even a section for herbal magazines and self-published books. “It’ been amazing to see the passion and dedication people have for this environmental movement,” says Kiki. “I’ve become even more inspired to make this site a success.”

3% of the site’s earnings will go to conservation projects and the development of herbal studies. The free forum offers discussion boards where people who are learning about herbs can have their questions answered by expert crafters. It is also a centralized hub for herbalists to meet one another, get help with their businesses and make new friends.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. The Herb Companion does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.  

  • Published on Mar 24, 2011
Tagged with: Reader Contributions
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