Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Whipped cream soap

I have been searching for a long time for this recipe for whipped cream soap. I have seen so many soaps that look like they were made out of frosting with such awesome swirls on top. I'll have to order stearic acid and potassium hydroxide before I can try it out. I can't wait. I'm so excited! Today I'll be making some unscented soap for customers who want soap with no scent because of skin conditions and also to purchase so they can make their own laundry soap. I was considering making laundry soap myself. The one recipe I came across says you only need like 1 tbs. for a load of laundry. That sounds quite economical. With two teen boys (they will throw anything in the laundry basket-like clean clothes that fall off the hanger) I have always so much laundry to do. I also have a recipe for a stain stick. Now I just need the time to do all of this. I was browsing around and found the Soap Making Forum. They have some great soap pictures and some really good advice from websites to soap recipes, etc. Check them out.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Lemon Biscotti has a mouth watering scent and love the look
of this soap. It's soo pretty. It smells up the house.


Juicy,wake up scent of Tangerine Grapefruit has a sweet lather!
 

Beer soap is made with Guinness beer and has an awesome
head of foam on top! No added fragrance

Tea Tree & Peppermint is made with witchhazel and all
the good stuff that will suck the oil off of your face!!

This batch of Serious Hand Soap is made smaller with Apple
berry spice fragrance with apricot meal. I love the packaging!

Patchouli Citrus with yogurt is a great facial soap made with
thick, natural greek yogurt

Jasmin has that wonderful floral scent made with mostly olive oil


Cranberry Fig is one of my best sellers-it looks soo cool too!


Wild Bayberry comes in 2 sizes and is one of my favorite scents

Sweet Seduction has an unbelievable romantic scent

Monday, June 13, 2011

New Soaps

I have been busy adding new soaps. I'm in love with Tangerine Grapefruit. It's such a clean, refreshing scent. I have also made Lemon Biscotti-soo yummy!A new Beer soap that I made with Guinness beer, did not add scent ( but it does have a faint sweet yeast-y scent) and has bubbles on top which looks so cool.I made some smaller bars of lavender and the serious hand soap is also offered in the smaller size. I have some new soaps curing and have to get the pictures of new soaps up on the sites.
Today, is going to be all about yard work. I am planting those grape vines today-no excuses! A lot of work to do! I need to get some tomato plants. Love the homegrown taste of tomatoes. I love to slice, toss them in olive oil, oregeno & sea salt and oven dry them! They are soo flavorful in pasta or brushetta.


Yesterday, we celebrated my son, John and daughter Janelle, grand daughter, Cody, and grandson, Daymons' birthdays together at the Packard Grill. It was a nice time with family and good food! If you live in the area, check them out. Very nice owners, Al & Chuck. They are located on VanDyke, between 22 & 23 mile roads in Shelby twp., MI. Have a great day.It's sunny-enjoy it!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Sugar scrubs & bath salts



I just had to stop my soap making and show you the sugar scrubs in the margarita glasses. They look soo good! I had wanted to make orange scrubs and add those with the strawberry and limes but I didn't have enough time. Then I made some bath salts with lavender essential oil. I didn't add color because I like all natural in the bath.I made five of lavender and I'm on my way to make Tangerine Grapefruit bath salts. That will be invigorating! Have a great day!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Juggling home and business

Since I have been selling my soaps, I have found it very difficult to have time for cleaning, making dinner, and relaxing. I haven't planted any flowers or the grapes that I purchased in early spring. If I don't plant them soon, they're going to die. I do some laundry in between making soap. I asked my son Nathan who is 12 to fold them for me- well lets just say that I'm re-washing them because I don't think I could iron out all the wrinkles.In the evening I try to do packaging and ingredient labels while Mr. Happypants watches his westerns then flips to NCIS then flips to the food channel then flips......He would help but he doesn't make soap and he can't help package but he does encourage me "You do a good job honey!". I know since I'm new at this, it's going to take a little adjusting to get everything done. Now we may be doing a farmers market in Oxford and maybe Canterbury Village. We are supposed to go to the one in Allen Park on Friday. It's still very exciting and I do look forward to the markets. I just don't like coming home to a mess. If anyone has any tips for me, please give me your advise.
 My puppy happens to like sleeping behind the toilet.(I think it's cooler there) but he's too big to fit anymore and he keeps getting stuck. My husband shoved a quilt back there but Bear pulled it out with his teeth. I have to watch him like a toddler and if I have to go downstairs to make soap, someone has to take over and watch him. I would let him outside but we need a new fence. The storm from last year took out two sections from our neighbors tree falling on it. But it's an old, old picket fence and we have to get a privacy fence so Bear can't jump it when he gets big.His chewing and biting our legs are not fun. He doesn't realize how hard he bites. I could use some advise on him as well! Well, lunch is over. Back to work. Have a great day!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Come to The Village Trading Post


This is the store that will be carrying my soaps, not to mention many Michigan made products. The owner is the nicest man named Jim. Stop in and see what the store has to offer. Please support Michigan made products! The store is not yet fully stocked but it contains many wonderful treasures. Take a leisurely ride out towards Romeo, MI. and see what these stores have to offer. There is also a General Store with old fashioned candy and resale shop, a salon, candy shop, antique shop, etc.








Thursday, June 2, 2011

Thanking God


I had always thought I had no talent in anything. My sister could sew, another person had great imagination and inspiration, others were artistic, and even others had such a wonderful personality that they were blessed with.I wanted to be blessed with a talent too. So, I started to pray. Every day I asked Jesus to please give me a talent that would help my family.My husband has two full time jobs which only allowed him 4-5 hours sleep at the most. His health started to faulter and his Dr. told him that he can't keep doing both jobs.God answered my prayer. I never thought I would love to make soap like I do. It's like cooking to me. I have always loved to cook. I would tweek recipes by substituting this for that and make them my own or not even have a recipe. It was a good prep for soap making.I have just started to sell my soaps. In fact it's been about a month. I love to interact with the people at the farmers markets and see their reactions when they pick up the soaps and smell them. It amazes me and humbles me when they say"These are so nice! or you are very talented"- That's when I silently say" Thank you Jesus for answering my prayer".

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Packaging decisions

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My cousin, Marie has been working on some ideas about "fashion dressing" the soaps. We have decided that it would be great to offer two different packaging looks for the soap. If someone is purchasing for a special gift, they may want to purchase a fancier packaging (which will cost more), or they can order the more simple packaging. It will be great for showers, weddings, or any small get together. And of course, we strive to keep costs down so you don't have to pay a ridiculous price. I have also decided to make some the soaps in smaller bars for customers who would like to purchase soap at a lower cost. I think it is better to have a smaller bar instead of having a bar that is so huge that it doesn't fit in a soap dish.Customers may buy more bars of different scents to try at the lower price.