Lavender Luvies

It all started with a bunny. Lavender Luvies owner Gina Jordan made a bunny filled with lavender for her daughter's nap-time. The comforting creature was nicknamed a "Luvie." As the bunnies multiplied, Jordan sold them at Pike Place Market and conceived of dozens of other uses for the fragrant and soothing herb. The soft-spoken and talented proprietress now fills her new shop on top of Queen Anne with all things lavender.

The gift haven has everything from edible lavender goodies to sleep aids, bath and body products and candles. One of her top sellers is the squishable lavender stress ball ($6). "Everyone from nurses to teachers to executives loves these," says Jordan. Smush these fragrant fabric-covered balls filled with lavender to relieve tension. Also popular are eye pillows filled with lavender ($20), lavender-filled neck and shoulder bags that can be heated up in the microwave ($30), and pretty organza scarves with beaded fringe filled with just a bit of lavender hiding in the folds of the fabric ($33.95).

You'll also find Dream Pillows ($40), great napping pillows filled with lavender and mugwort (the latter is said to be a dream enhancer); lavender linen spray ($6.50); handmade and hand-painted pottery featuring lavender sprigs for a reasonable $15 to $35; body lotions in three scents including lavender, lavender and nutmeg, and lavender and sage ($10.95); and lavender soy candles in all three scents plus a special holiday scent of anise and lavender ($8.95). If your gift recipients prefer consumables, buy them locally made Coco Chai lavender truffles by Ivy Chan (two for $4.25), or lavender hot chocolate mix, lavender biscotti and lavender honey. Can't decide? Jordan has some ready-made gift bags filled with a French lavender sachet, linen spray, air freshener, and a stress ball in a pretty organza bag for $16.50.

French and local bulk lavender is also available for cooking and projects ($1.05 to $1.50 per ounce).

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