Oregon Series

Northwest Homebrew Beer Soap

Painted Hills

Oregon Coast

Forest Park

City of Roses

Oregon Farmers' Market

My family and I are so blessed to live in the beautiful state of Oregon. I am so inspired by the beauty around me, so it only seemed fitting that I create soaps reminiscent of the state that I call home. The lucky thing for me is that Oregon has so many memorable and scenic locations, that I have loads of other soaps that I want to make. Next up is Mt. Hood, Crater Lake and Wine Country. Any other requests?

How Making Soap Changed Everything!

Our cloth diapered Rosalie

This spunky girl loves to make melt and pour soap!

Best Soap seller in the world. A charmer at the local farmers' market.

Baby's Bar, for my baby!

It seems funny that something as simple as soap could change my world, but it has.
I started this glorious adventure as a soap maker after my second child, Somerset was born. I needed a creative outlet. After the first batch was made, I was hooked. Obsessed. Unstoppable.
I researched like a mad woman. I checked out every book I could from the library, watched YouTube videos like they were the latest Downton Abbey, and eventually took a class before I made my first batch solo. I was unfettered by the countless mistakes and botched batches that came with the territory as a newbie. I just kept thinking that it takes "10,000 hours of doing something before you become an expert."
Something else amazing happened. Once I realized how much better my soap was for my family's skin, how I was no longer slathering a "mild detergent", filled with unknowns, I started making other changes. I looked at labels more carefully, started shopping locally and tried to reduce our carbon footprint.
With the birth of our third child, a sweet angel named Rosalie Jane, we made some new parenting choices. She is the first child we have cloth diapered (why didn't we do this before? My husband and I are amazed by how easy this has been). We also have made most of her foods, much of which is organic. We also make out own counter spray. The changes continue.
I can't wait to see what other changes I will make in the future. It all started with soap. 

Business Goals for 2015!

With the new year comes inspiration! This is the year of learning every morsel I can about business. I have so many goals for the new year:

1. Join the Indie Business Network and learn everything I can from Donna Maria. I love her podcast that has taught me so much about running a handcrafted business. Donna Marie is a new hero of mine.

2. Read as many business book as I can. I have started with Anne Marie's Business E-book from Bramble Berry, and Lela Barker's book, 155 Words you Need to Know. Anne Marie is still my business hero. I plan to read every business book she has recommended. I have a pile waiting to be picked up from my local library.

3. Start a YouTube channel and record videos. Please watch my first one!!!

How to Make Beer Soap

4. Have my own e-commerce website. I am actually building one now, and it should be launching at the end of this month. This has been a big challenge for me, but I am up for it!

5. Get some wholesale accounts! I have the soap making down...now I need to get out there and meet store owners!

6. Reach out to the media for some publicity opportunities.

7 Reduce my product line to my top sellers.

8 Be more thoughtful about the events I participate in.

9. Join a local business organization. Maybe the Chamber of Commerce.

I am psyched for 2015! I am sure I have more goals, but these are the ones that come to mind.

The following is a sneak peek at the carousel images from my new website, which will launch soon!

What are your goals for 2015?