Natural handmade skincare oils by Leila's, Markham Ontario
The Journal

Notes from the kitchen table.

Natural skincare, honestly explained — plus the craft and meaning behind everything we make.

A handmade gift guide — crochet and gemstone jewellery
Gifts · Guide

A handmade gift guide, for the people you love

Crochet and gemstone jewellery gifts sorted by who you're shopping for — from a small keepsake under $30 to an heirloom piece.

Read the guide → 7 min read · July 2026
What is a mala and how to use one
Jewellery · Malas

What is a mala, and how do you use one?

What a mala is, what its 108 beads mean, and how to use one for a quiet few minutes — or simply wear it.

Read the guide → 6 min read · July 2026
Handmade crochet baby blankets and keepsakes
Crochet · Baby & Gifts

Handmade baby blankets and keepsakes, made to be kept

Why a handmade baby blanket becomes a keepsake, how to choose one, how to care for it, and how to order a custom piece.

Read the guide → 6 min read · July 2026
Choosing handmade gemstone jewellery by intention
Jewellery · Choosing

How to choose gemstone jewellery, by what you're drawn to

A gentle way to pick a piece — by the feeling you're after, calm, grounding, warmth or clarity — with the traditional meaning behind each stone.

Read the guide → 7 min read · July 2026
Handmade sage lace crochet dress for a wedding
Crochet · Weddings

Crochet for weddings: a softer way to dress the day

Handmade lace for the bride, for guests and for the little ones — plus how to order a custom piece in time for your date.

Read the guide → 7 min read · July 2026
Gemstone meanings guide — handmade healing jewellery
Jewellery · Meaning

Gemstone meanings: a gentle guide to the stones we use

The traditional meanings behind turquoise, jade, amazonite, citrine and more — shared honestly, as beauty rather than medicine.

Read the guide → 6 min read · July 2026
How to wash and care for handmade crochet
Crochet · Care

How to wash and care for crochet, so it lasts for years

Hand-washing, drying and storing handmade crochet the gentle way, so blankets, dresses and knitwear keep their shape.

Read the guide → 6 min read · July 2026
How to use a facial oil with a gua sha
Skincare · How-To

How to use a facial oil: a simple routine, with a little gua sha

When to apply it, how many drops, and how to add a few calming minutes with a gua sha stone at the end of the day.

Read the guide → 7 min read · July 2026
Natural face oil for dry skin, by Leila's
Skincare · Dry Skin

The best face oil for dry skin: how to choose one, and how to use it

Why dry skin loves an oil, the difference between dry and dehydrated skin, and the richer plant oils that make skin feel comfortable again.

Read the guide → 8 min read · July 2026
Applying natural facial oil — jojoba oil for the face
Skincare · Ingredients

Jojoba oil for your face: what it does, who it suits, and how to use it

The plant oil that behaves almost like your skin's own — a plain-language guide to using jojoba on your face, morning and night.

Read the guide → 8 min read · July 2026
Natural plant-based skincare — natural versus organic explained
Skincare · Clean Beauty

Natural vs. organic skincare: what the labels actually mean in Canada

"Natural," "organic," "clean," "chemical-free" — what's regulated, what isn't, and how to read a skincare label honestly before you buy.

Read the guide → 9 min read · July 2026