Big News!

Bastille Buttermilk Baby Bar!

This is not necessarily soap related, but it has been a very exciting event that has brought our family much joy! Please click on the link below called "Big News" to see how we shared surprise with our kids.

Big News!

In honor of the new baby, I also made a buttermilk "Bastille  Buttermilk Baby Bar." I got the recipe from Bramble Berry. I made 2 variations, one with no scent and one with a scent I love so much! It is the Huggies type Lavender Chamomile fragrance from Bramble Berry. I am so in love with this scent and am considering making a batch for myself. To me, it is such a great scent, even if it is intended for babies.

I plan on having this bar have a nice long cure since it is mostly olive oil, so it will be ready when my baby is born (June 20th or so) Also, since I have so many mommy friends, I am excited to share this bar.

I  have not mixed my own lye water since I found out I was pregnant. I still make soap, but have been very cautious abut the health and safety of my and my little one.

I still am very excited to keep moving ahead with the business. I figure that this is the perfect career for a stay at home Mommy. I do have a slight dilemma though. My company was named after the kids, Leo, the Lion and Somerset Rose, thus "Lion and Rose." I don't want to rename the business, but how can I make the new baby feel included?

Oops!

Ok, so now that the holiday soap selling season is over, I am thinking of new ways to keep my soap business thriving. I want to generate enough business to help with family finances. I have never owned a business, so this is all new, and a bit scary to me. I really don't know what to do next (help!). My Etsy shop has not been a big revenue generator. I know that many soap makers do well on Etsy, so maybe I should try to tap into that market. I feel lost in the huge Etsy sea of sellers!

Wholesale accounts would be good too. I am so clueless about how to do all this though! I have been blessed with how well things have been going, and I know that a lot of it is because I have worked very hard to learn my craft and have sought out local bazaars and markets.

So you may be wondering what the "Oops" photo is all about. Well, it is 2-fold. First it represents how I feel currently. "Oops! What do I do now?" I feel so lost and clueless. "Oops" is also a new listing that I have on Etsy for soap that I am selling at a highly discounted rate. This "Oops" soap is great, it just isn't as perfect as I would have liked.

If you have any advice on what steps I should take next to cultivate this small business, I am all ears!

It's Over!

Months of preparation and my Christmas soap selling events are finally over! What a great season it was too. It so so tricky trying to plan how much inventory to make since there are no last minute soap making opportunities, but I think I did a good job. I still have soap left, but this means I can be very generous with gifts and donations.

After making soap everyday, I took a month hiatus to work on packaging and selling. I am now ready to start making soap again for spring. It has been too long!

Beer Soap!!!

Who new my most popular soap would be beer soap? It sells so well and I have now been featured in a local brewing amazing as a great gift for beer lovers....cool!

http://www.oregonbeergrowler.com/december-2013.html

I am also now selling my beer soap at a local home brew shop that my husband Joe frequents called Above the Rest.

Well, I think I know what soap to make next!!!

Christmas Bazaar Craziness!!!

Citrus Burst!

smells earthy and masculine

Beer Soap, with ground hops and malted barley!

I just wanted to stop by and let you kbnow that I am still alive!!! It seems that even though the blog is quieter than ever, I am busier than ever. In fact, I am so busy with Christmas bazaar craziness that I haven't taken a picture of soap, or my children for a whole month!!!! However, when I started this post, I felt so guilty, that I snapped a few photos of the few soaps that are yet to be packaged.  Everything I am ,making is being sold locally at these wonderful events. I am having the time of my life, but after making soap daily, packaging and caring for my family, I am left little time for anything else!

God bless those who read the last blog post. It was suppose to go on my family site, but after I learned of the mistake, I said, "what the heck!"

Also, the local home brew shop that my husband buys his supplies from will start selling my beer soap!!! They are called Above the Rest and they are awesome!!!!

Please stay tuned. There will be many beautiful soaps to see in the near future, along with some BIG NEWS!!!!! Now, that's a teaser!!!!

Little Girls!

My, a lot happens when you are in a family with 2 young children. For one, you let the blog slide! I really must not let that happen! So much has happened in the last few months! Somerset turned 3, My sister and Martin had baby Aria and we are busy with life in general.

Somerset's birthday was a blast. This was probably the last year we were able to keep this an all family affair. Grandma Laurel came to visit and Uncle Aaron came down for the day, so Somerset was surrounded by family! The day was all about her. We took her to the park in the morning where she collected acorns and played, next we took her to the Children's Museum where she ate a cookie the size of her head. In the evening, everyone went to Papa's Pizza, where she felt like princess and thoroughly enjoyed all the rides, pizza and attention. At home, we had a few neighbors over, amongst family and she had ice cream cake (she tried to blow out the candles with her new toy hair dryer...clever girl).

The party was a My Little Pony extravaganza! She has more ponies and pony accessories than she knows what to do with, but even a month later, the ponies still get their fair share of play.

It is wonderful to have a three year old. My Somerset is so sweet and sassy. She is the sunshine that brightens all of our days. She is funny and smart, and just about the prettiest little thing I have ever seen. I am completely in love with my little girl.

Speaking of little girls, another little girl has come into our lives! Aria Reine was born 3 weeks early! She came while me, the kids and my mom were in Vegas visiting with my Grandma and Uncle, so we missed her birth.

She stayed in the NICU 2 weeks, but she is home now and is as cute as can be, an such a good baby too!

Leo is going to be tested for TAG (Talented and Gifted). We knew this would come some day. He is so far beyond his age academically; he amazes Joe and I daily! He started doing square roots and he is practically reading now. He is crazy gifted and we  are so proud of him.

I am fully immersed in holiday bazaar season. I am so busy, but it is fun! I am starting to build some money back into the soap account...yeah! Next year I plan to try to get some wholesale accounts.

Ok, that is the briefest synopsis ever! I will try harder to be more diligent!

Baby, Vegas and Soap!

Peppermint and Vanilla Cream

Love Spell

Apple Jack N Peel

Getting ready for Bazaars!

Soap Packaging! Handmade tags (ingredients on the back), rustic ribbon wraps the soap, followed by tying jute twine. I also use cello bags to wrap the bars with pretty decorative tape. It's a labor of love!

 Life is busy! Really busy! October has been very wonderful and chaotic!

The kids and I went to Las Vegas with my Mom, where we met my Grandma and Uncle. I really wanted the kids to spend time with Great Grandma, so we tackled Vegas! The kids loved the pool and the fun characters on the strip. I even got to see Donnie and Marie's Vegas show.

As luck would have it, my sister had her baby while we were in Vegas. Little Aria Reine showed up 3 weeks early, much to our surprise, so we missed her birth. We had lots of time to catch up. She has been in the NICU with breathing issues. We are praying that she can come home soon.

In addition to all that life has blessed us with this month, I continue to make soap EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! 18 bars to be exact. In addition to that, I have been packaging about 50 bars a day to get ready for the bazaars. I am so busy, but I love it!

I'm Still Here!

I have added holiday soap bags to my collection.

I started making Wax Tarts!

Santa's Spruce smells amazing!!!

Honestly, I am still here! Actually, I am busier with my soap making than ever! I am so busy, that I don't have time time photohgraph and blog (did I mention I also have 2 young children!). Anyhow, I make soap everyday to prepare for all the holiday bazaars I have going on! My first event is next Sunday and then from there, almost every weekend or so is filled with something soap related. All my money currently is going into supplies, since I am making for more than I sell, but I have tons on great inventory! I probably have almost every scent you could imagine (well, we all know that is impossible!). I am currently making 18 bars a day and I am feeling pretty good about that!!!

Future Events:

St. Anthony's Holiday Bazaar: October 26 and 27 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
9905 SW McKenzie St  Tigard, OR 97223
Elk's Lodge Bazaar: November, 2 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
21865 NW Quatama Rd  Hillsboro, OR 97124

Pop-Up Bazaar: November 3 from 10 a.m.- 4p.m., & November 7 from 9a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.
2111 NW Jessamine Way, Portland, OR 97229

Lake Oswego Farmer's Market: November 23, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Millennium Plaza Park

200 First Street

Lake Oswego, OR 97034

Garden Home Bazaar: December 7, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

7475 SW Oleson Rd  Portland, OR 97223 

So Simple, yet so Divive!

People often ask me what my favorite soap is. That is a really difficult question. I love so many of the scents that I use. Some favorites that come to mind are Lavender Green Tea, Teakwood and Cardomom, Fresh Snow, Chai Tea, Lemongrass....it's really a difficult question, but I think my all time favorite is the one I tried first: Oatmeal, Milk and Honey. It is such a comforting, soothing scent and makes me happy! I use Bramble Berry's version of this fragrance, although many soap supply companies offer various versions. This soap is so simple. It's easy for me to make....no real bells or whistles, but sometimes the best thing in life are the simple things.

In Love

My Beautiful New Soap Cutter (Angel's sing!)

My Primitive Cutter (YUCK!)

Lemongrass Lavender

Fruity Loops

I am in love. I need to clarify. My first loves are my husband and children and then extended family and friends, but close behind is my new soap cutter! I had been hearing the praises about a wonderful wood crafter named Bud Haffner, who sells soap cutters on Etsy. My wonderful husband Joe, who constantly observes how I struggle with my primitive cutter, offered to buy me a "Bud" cutter as a gift... it wasn't even my birthday. He is just that great.

The cutter came in the mail earlier this week and it is the BEST soap making investment I have ever made (although technically, it was Joe's investment). Not only are the bars all consistent in size, the cut of the soap is extremely clean.  Now, I only press down the handle over the loaf, and the cutting is done. What a time saver!!!

I also am posting a few photos of recent soaps. I am also in love with my Lemongrass Lavender soap. It smells so good! I have started making kid friendly soaps too because kids love handmade soap. This one smells just like Fruit Loops...in a very good way. I get a little crazy with the design because it is suppose to be FUN!

I also updated my Etsy shop. Check it out!
Lion and Rose Handmade Soap Etsy Shop 

On a personal note, My son Leo started Kindergarten this week. He also read The Cat in the Hat on his own and learned to ride his bike. What an amazing week for Leo...I am one proud Mommy!

And the Winner Is!!!!

The winner of the Soap Crafting Book Entry
and Calendula Cleansing Bar are:

1st place and Winner of Soap Crafting: Distracted Housewife
2nd place and Winner of a bar Calendula Cleansing Bar Soap: Jennifer Smith
3rd place and Winner of a bar Calendula Cleansing Bar Soap: Sonoran Scents

This little girl likes to read Soap Crafting too!

Lavender Green Tea

Head in the Clouds, Scented with Fresh Snow fragrance oil.

Fun with Soap Balls

My Cute Husband!

Fun in the Sun!

It's Fun to be a KID!

Picking Daddy's Hops!

Hop Picker!

Ready for Kindergarten!

My family is very important to me, so I like to interweave photos of them in my blog. They inspire me daily! 

I guess we are a real d.i.y. family. My husband is a homebrewer, who also grows hops! Today was harvest day, and the kids were super excited to help Daddy pick Hops. 

I continue to make soap daily, hoping that all the holiday bazaars I have signed up for pay off. It is so tricky trying to figure out how much to make!

The big news is that my first born, the boy that made me a Mommy, is starting kindergarten! I am so proud of him!

Once again, congrats to the winners, and all the others who participated in this contest. It has been a delight! Thanks to Bramble Berry, for allowing me to make this awesome soap and help promote the new book.

Soap Crafting Book Recipe Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

Bramble Berry has always been one of my favorite soap supply companies. When I first started making soap, I learned so much from Bramble Berry and owner Anne-Marie Faiola's Soap Queen blog and youtube videos. I watched so many Soap Queen videos that I and my family had the theme song stuck in our heads.  Heck, "glop" is practically a household word in our home. 

In addition to watching tons of videos, I learned to make soap from reading many soap-making books. I loved these books and learned the essentials of soap making, but they always lacked something. I learned recipes and technique, but what was missing was the artistry involved with soap-making.

As an artistic person, what I love so immensely about soap-making is that it engages all my senses. I love the swirling, the gradients, and the color combinations, all while making something that smells fantastic that I can give to loved ones as a gift that I made. 

Until now, I have not been able to find a book that embraces both the technique and artistry of soap-making.

 In her new book  Soap Crafting, Anne-Marie not only provides all the soap making basics, but also techniques, such as the Mantra Swirl, Funnel Pour, Gradients, Linear Swirls and many others. These are all the things I wanted to learn as a beginner, but could never find in book. Soap Crafting includes recipes for natural colorants as well as fun, bright colors with micas, Lab Colors and oxides.

Where was this book when I started making soap? I would recommend this book to anyone who makes soap. It is equally appropriate for the novice soap maker or the advanced artisan who wants to try some new, more complex techniques. 

When I was contacted about making a recipe from Anne Marie's new book, I was thrilled! I have been anticipating the release of this book for months.

A few weeks ago, I was provided everything needed to make the Calendula Cleansing Bar.

This recipe challenged me to do a few things I had never done before: Using Calendula petals as an additive in 3 different ways in one soap (Calendula petals infused in sweet almond oil, added to the batter and then used on the top for added aesthetic appeal!).

The recipe was easy to follow and the bars turned out amazing! The recipe only uses 2 oils, sweet almond oil and olive oil, so it is extremely gentle on the skin. The Calendua petals also act as a gentle cleanser that is perfect for those with sensitive skin, maturing skin or young skin.

Here are some photos from my soap making session:

After the infusion, I used cheese cloth and a strainer to remove the Calendula petals.
This oil added a beautiful, natural yellow color to my finished soap.

Ready to get started,. I have everything I need! On a side not, this 10"
silicone loaf mold sold by Bramble Berry is awesome!

Blending!

After I reached light trace, I added some of the Calendula petals.

Pouring!

The final step was to add the remaining Calendula petals to the top of the soap. Naturally beautiful!

The cut bars look and smells incredible. Everyone who sees this bar loves it!

This bar is scented with Lemongrass essential oil and smells divine! This is the perfect bar for those that don't want artificial colors or fragrances. It is also the perfect choice for people with sensitive skin. I will definitely be making this recipe again!

Please check out these other blogger who have also made recipes from Soap Crafting!

http://oilandbutter.blogspot.com/

http://soapandrestless.blogspot.com/

http://www.greatcakessoapworks.com/handmade-soap-blog/

http://craftsanity.com/

http://lustercanyon.blogspot.com/

Giveaway!!! 

Please follow me and leave a comment and I will randomly draw someone to win the new Soap Crafting book (can only mailed to U.S)! You must enter by 10 p.m. PST., Sunday, September 1st. The second place winner will receive a free bar of this amazing soap!