The Power of Homemade

In these economically challenged times, it is increasingly important to remember our roots. Go on then, take the handmade challenge - buy handmade and support the "little guy" this holiday season. The quality and expertise you receive is well worth the monetary investment. Since I've started crafting my own products, I will never go back to the grocery store brand again. I've learned to read labels and I personally love being in charge of what goes on my skin, or what is good enough for my family. I pledge to never sell a product that is unsafe or not good enough for my own family. Can the big corporations promise that?

Here tis!

Here's the beautiful nameless soap. I might call it something like Earth Sense or heck I don't know yet.. going to wait and see if the scent mutates any at all as it cures. I'm glad at it turned out like I'd pictured. If anyone has any name suggestions - I'm game!

Now I need to get busy on some laundry and get my business brochure up to date. I'm thinking about turning it into a smallish catalogue instead. We'll see what I can come up with in MS Publisher.

I'm also eyeballing new laptops - maybe Santa will bring me one this year. I've been good, I promise!

Finally!

Relief! I have finally been able to get a design out of my head and into the soap mold the way I wanted it to look! This is the end of my soaping run as of late, all of my inspiration is now curing, waiting to be ready for your shower (or mine!). Today's soap still needs a name - its an earthy essential oil blend, and was created to be part of the 100% natural soap 3 pack. Right now the fragrance is hard to describe, though its said to be a blend of citrus, geranium, oakmoss and cedarwood. I smell the citrus, but mostly the geranium right now - as it cures it should be a pretty earthy and sexy scent. This particular soap is 100% natural - including the colorants. I have made it with oatmeal, goat's milk and shea butter to be extra kind to troubled skin and people with sensitivities. I just peeked at it and the colors are becoming more muted and earthy as it gels. Of course, a picture tomorrow once I've cut it - how could I not?

Here is the Mango & Papaya that's been giving me the munchies all night long. Its very pretty, very creamy and smells wonderfully! My dining room smells like a fruit salad factory today especially with the warm breeze. It is going to make a nice addition to my curing rack.

I'm looking forward to being finished with the soap escapades of the weekend, kicking back and relaxing some between filling orders this week. The weather here is absolutely beautiful and I love this time of year so I'm hoping to be able to get outside and enjoy some of it with the kids before it turns too cold for good.

Oh the Frustration!

Its been a long day trying to get around to doing my Mango & Papaya soap today. I don't know what it is about cold weather that makes me crave summery scents. I'm almost nervous going into this one because I've seen it in my head for so long that I am worried it won't turn out like I've envisioned. Well, it didn't turn out at all like I'd planned, the colors are wrong, the pattern is all wrong, its just... WRONG. *sigh* It smells great, but I'm getting very frustrated because I can't get what's in my head out into the mold.

I cut the Strawberries (and creamless) Cream last night - mmm boy! That is a fine set of swirls, each bar is so very unique. I can't get over how differently each bar actually looks, its amazing.

Soapmaking is all about art to me, its a release of the creativity that becomes pent up inside of me. My friends think I'm crazy because I tell them I dream my soaps. If it comes to me in a dream, I feel compelled to make it. I do it because its enjoyable, and I love knowing that the products I'm using are safe and good for my family. I'm in charge of what goes into it, and if it weren't good enough for my kids, I sure as heck wouldn't bother trying to get everyone else around me to use it.

Happiness is...

...a freshly cut bar of soap. The 100% natural Lavender soap turned out beautifully. I couldn't be more thrilled with it. Now for the month of time to truck by so we can start using it and sharing it with the world!

Today's batch is already sleeping, and has been for about 4 hours now. Strawberries and cream - well the strawberries part. The cream will happen in a couple of weeks after it's at least half cured.

I have the doors open and I keep getting whiffs of lavender and the occasional strawberry whiff coming from the kitchen. I feel like I've died and gone to soapy heaven!


I keep seeing people looking at the website - thank you for shopping with me! As a thank you to any of you who are actually reading - you can receive 15% off of your first order with me by using the coupon code NEWCUST08 at checkout.

I hope you all enjoy the new soaps as much as I'm enjoying exploring my more artistic side. Its a great outlet to break up the monotony of stay at home moming. Not that'd I'd ever complain about being here all day, I absolutely love it!


My friendly UPS guy brought me another box today as well. It had a bunch of new soap colors in it, and I can't wait to use most of them this weekend. I have 2 more batches planned - one that is yet unnamed but is a beautiful earthy floral essential oil blend, and also a mango & papaya soap. The weather turns cold and my nose turns to spring and summer, what can I say?

Adventures in Essential Oils

Hooray for Soap!

I finally was able to make the 100% natural Lavender soap that's been lurking in the dark, dank corners of my mind. The fragrance is from Lavender essential oil - boy is my kitchen heavenly smelling right now. While I was able reproduce the colors in my dream, the design was not as I had originally planned. Its still turned out beautifully, however. This particular soap is good for sensitive skin - it has Oatmeal, Goat's Milk and Shea Butter. The dyes are also completely natural so that it won't dry or irritate. I can't wait to cut it tomorrow.

Wait wait wait...

You know, waiting for the UPS guy is a lot like watching paint dry.. or soap cure. My soaping inspiration usually comes from dreams. If I dream a soap I have to make it. I've dreamed 3 now, but I did not have the supplies to make them. So now I wait.. and wait.. and wait. Oh the agony waiting for UPS to deliver - and the boxes aren't even due until Thursday and Friday! Now, on to our kitchen correspondent...

.... Thanks, and welcome to "Whaz up down there?" The part of your morning where we look down there and see.. whazzup? Get your minds out of the gutter. Down there is under my kitchen sink. Yep. Its still leaking. Even after $155 and a week's wait on the plumber. The wood inside the cabinets is growing moldy and splitting. I've called the plumber back but the can only promise me Friday between 1 and 3. Joy. I was hoping to be making soap about then.

In other news around the house... My coffee doesn't taste good today. More on that later.

I need to get up and take a shower before Sleepin Boodles decides he's ready to be up and attem today.

Heeeeere we go!

Ok I thought I'd give this whole blog thing a run. We'll see how it turns out. I hope you enjoy reading it. I'll likely post things about the business, my life, my wonderful husband and great kids.

What can I say? Life is good. :)