The Rowan Craft opens in Southold

 Ellen "Bunnii" Buglione has been making soaps and candles for over a decade. Her handmade creations have been given as favors and used as centerpieces at hundreds of weddings and parties. But over time, the hobby has become a bit of a labor of love inspired by her mother, Lisa, who has celiac disease. The condition caused her skin to become sensitive to certain commercial soaps, detergents and creams. To help ease some of her mother's sensitivity, Buglione started making face scrubs, face lotion and laundry detergent made with all natural ingredients. 

The Southold resident wanted to create products that were "better for her to use and better for me to use," she says. 

The crafter sells her creations at The Rowan Craft, an eclectic boutique in Southold that opened in August.

Her soaps and lotions utilize three bases: goat’s milk, shea butter and olive oil. Other ingredients in her soaps are pure essential oils, natural clays, oatmeal and salts. Laundry detergents are made with baking soda, washing soda and vegetable soap.

Buglione collaborates with her artistic community of friends and family. Customers will find tomahawks made by Buglione’s boyfriend, Jarod Falek, quilts made by her mom, Lisa, and jewelry and original prints made by her sister-in-law, Kristen Nieves.

"That’s kind of how we decided we were going to do a store," Buglione, 34, says. "We all live together and we would do craft nights just to de-stress."

The name of her shop also gives a nod to her family. "Rowan trees are considered the Tree of Life. They represent courage, wisdom and protection," she says, adding that Rowan happens to be her nephew and godson’s name.

Customers will also find crystals, clothing, mugs, throws, tea towels, dog treats and spiritual books. The shop hosts occasional workshops like crocheting, candle making and readings by a psychic/ medium.

Prices start at 25 cents for a crystal or jewelry from a gumball machine and go up to $52 for a cotton dress.

The Rowan Craft, 53345 Main Road, Building II, Suite 2, Southold, 631-452-8506.