Meanwhile Chris, who is also from the East Coast, moved to Orcas’ Olga community in 1993 to be with Eliza, initially using his art and design skills both in construction jobs and for Island Thyme’s production facilities. For example, the soap production is based in the original homestead farm’s chicken coop which was totally reconstructed. Now fully devoted to Island Thyme, he participates in all aspects of the business but is particularly involved in the soap production.Įliza began Island Thyme as a part-time off-season business to supplement the seasonal organic flower farm, which they had bought from Wendy Thomas. Like many island families, they supplemented their farm income with multiple part-time jobs, but when their oldest daughter was born thirteen years ago, they decided to take the leap to focusing all of Eliza’s non-maternal energies on Island Thyme. She later studied organic agriculture and apprenticed under an herbalist on Cortez Island in Canada. She was looking for another location similar to Cortez, an island of 700 year-round residents, but a little less remote. She moved to Orcas Island in 1992 to run an organic flower farm and subsequently discovered her interest in soap-making from natural ingredients at Rainwater Farm. Growing up in New Hampshire, she majored in philosophy at Bryn Mawr College outside Philadelphia, then pursued an environmental studies masters degree at Evergreen State in Olympia, where she met Chris. Island Thyme is an Orcas Island business founded in 1996, building off Eliza’s environmental studies and experience in organic farming, and utilizing Chris’ creative skills in art, design and building expertise. Always passionate about aromatherapy and the healing properties of plants and herbs, the couple have built a thriving enterprise from a small-scale, home-based business.Įven before Island Thyme, Eliza cultivated her interest in herbs and plants. Island Thyme soaps and salves, balms and lotions are dreamed up and produced at their Olga farm and apothecary studio by entrepreneurs Eliza and Chris Morris, who seek ingredients from around the globe to create a line of products rich in natural and beautiful scents. Eliza and Chris Morris at their Island Thyme workshopĬardamom, cucumber, jasmine, lavender and sandalwood: these are a few of the natural ingredients which are incorporated into Island Thyme’s botanically-based skin and body care products.
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