Skype Soap Tutorial with Emily Shieh!

On Friday, I was able to participate in a Skpe soap tutorial taught by Emily Shieh on a gradient technique using primary colors to create new hues. There were 4 other participants from all over the world and I had an amazing time!

This was Emily's 3rd trial for this sort of teaching format and I was lucky enough to be a part of her class. As soon as I knew I would be able to participate, I started preparing. I tried some recipes that would allow for slow trace, so I would have lots of time to play with the layers. I also bought new micas (non bleeding) and liquid Lab Colors (bleeding) just for the session, but I will get tons of use out of them!

There was some improvisation, and I ended up using both colorants, but I am quite happy with the results. There is always room for improvement, but I feel that Emily's technique was AWESOME, and although I have done quite a few gradient soaps, I had never done one in the way she taught us. I won't give away her secret in case she begins teaching this as a paid class, but it was genius!

Next, I hope Emily writes a book! Come one Emily! You know all us crazy soapers would buy it! 

Also, I am looking for a name for this bar. It is scented with an energizing citrus blend.

Farmer's Market!

She could sell me a million bars!

Sea Glass Soap, a beachy scent!

More Sea Glass Soap. a floral scent

Preparing for the Market!

Soap shavings are pretty!

Farmer's Market Display!

I had a great day at my first farmer's market. I was so nervous previous to the day, but it all turned out great! I was well prepared and had plenty of stock (over 160 bars). I was nervous that I would either sell out, or that I would not have enough stock. Well, I sold about half, so it was a good day.

The Lake Oswego Farmer's market is lovely. It is located on a lake and is full of friendly shoppers, great food and wonderful music. My location was off to the side a bit, not prime retail space at all, but I did well considering. I was just so happy to be there. I have grand dreams of doing a weekly gig once I am more established, but I will take what I can for now. I am still a newbie and am loving growing my business every step of the way!

I have started making sea glass soap, which is a result of leftover soaps that I have scraps of. Soapers never waste a thing, so even if I have a batch that is too vibrant for my liking, I can still use it in a sea glass soap, and I love the results! I will bring them to my next market and hope they sell well.

I am taking a bit of a break from making the soap and am focusing on selling what I have. I really do enjoy every aspect of this endeavor. I have found my passion!

My Lion and Rose

Pretty as a rose

Frisbee!

Cheese!

Swag

Drama!

This is my inspiration. Everything I do is for these two adorable faces and my husband Joe. My family is my rock and I love them so much. It only seemed natural to name my company after them. This is what really matters to me.

I'm Still Here

Lily of the Valley

Magnolia and Orange Blossom

Lemongrass

Lavender Mint

South Beach

Peonies and Possibilities

I have been keeping very busy. We had a computer malfunction, that caused me to lose all my soap art (boo), including my logo, labels, business card etc. I also no longer have Photoshop, so my photos will never be edited it any way. What you see is what you get! I am way behind on the blog, taking photos etc, but have been focusing on getting ready for the farmer's market. I have been making soap like crazy, packaging, making a tablecloth with my sister. It really is a lot to take on, but it is my passion.

I have noticed that my customers usually focus on the scent 90% of the time. Sometimes they will say a bar is pretty, or that they like my packaging, but the scent is what sells them and since I am in the business of selling, I try to find the best scents. Trying new scents can lead to disasters and frustrations, but I love when I find a winner. I made a chai tea soap yesterday and I must have picked up some of the scent because everyone ay work was drooling over the way I smelled. I think this might be a hit!

I love Brambleberry. Anne Marie, who is the owner, is such an inspiration to me. I buy from her often. I also have had good luck with Nature's Garden and I just placed am order with Oregon Trails, because I love to support local (reputable) businesses when possible. Reputation is so important with fragrance oils. I waste time and money when I buy a scent that backfires on me.

Peonie and Possiblilities, the shop that sells my soap, has done really well. It is a small, charming gift shop. Pam has averaged selling about 10 bars a month, which is great! I think once foot traffic increases, she will sell even more. I love this shop!!!

This month has been a sad one. Things don't always go your way, but soap making can be very therapeutic. I made a tribute soap. I won't go into the details, but it helped me work through some feelings. I am hoping that the upcoming months bring some joy and comfort.

Newest Soaps in Stock!

Relaxing
A blend of Spearmint and Eucalyptus

Pearadise
A floral pear blend

 

Magnolia and Orange Blossom

Lavender Mint

Crisp Apple Rose

Buy 3 and I will package them like this!

 

Newly in stock! I also have Fresh Cut Rose and Love Spell, an intoxication fruity blend!

I am so happy to be making soap again! There will be many more posted as I make them. :-)

Divine Intervention

So I started to make soap the other day after a bit of a hiatus. I had just received some new fragrance oils and was eager to start making soap again. I had my lye water, and my oils were mixed. Everything was at just the right temperature. I was armed with my gloves and goggles, and pressed the start button on my stick blender. I think you know where this is going. My stick blender was broken and no amount of fussing would fix it! My kind and supportive husband ran to the Goodwill, but there were no stick blenders to save the day.

Well, I wasn't going to give up, so I rolled up my sleeves and started to hand stir with my whisk. Luckily, it didn't take as long as I anticipated and the rose scented soap I made seems to have turned out great!

Today, the family and I were on a mission... to find mommy a stick blender! Everyone wanted to prevent soap making mommy's withdrawals. We hit up 3 thrift stores with no luck, Craig's List was also a bust.

I have run my new soap business very conservatively. I never spend money from my family's account and unfortunately, my soap account is almost empty. I am prepping for the market and Peonies and Possibilities, so I know money will come, but I need to be smart and responsible.

As a last reort, we checked out Bed Bath and Beyond. As I pulled into the parking lot, I spotted what looked like a bill. I cried, "Joe, I think that's money!" There was no one in sight and the lot was empty, so there was no one to claim it. It turned out to be a $20 bill! I went into the store and found that there was 1 clearanced Cuuisart stick blender, and if I went home to get my coupon, it would cost me exactly $20! After Somerset was tucked in, I went back to the store and they offered me a 10% discount because it was a floor model, so it actually cost me less than $20!

I think at times we experience divine intervention. I have been so responsible and have worked so hard to cultivate this business. The stick blender breaking was a small road block, but I feel like I was handling it the best way I could. I didn't rush out and impulsively buy a replacement. I searched high and low for a good deal and then, when that didn't pan out, a $20 floated in my path, with just the right deal on the product I needed...and there was only one left!!!

I love this blender, I think she needs a name. I used her for the first time tonight, and it was an amazing experience. The soap I made turned out great too!!! God is good!

Farmer's Market!!!

My booth banner!

I

I want to make these to sell as gift bags!

Hello all! I have been bust prepping for my first farmer's market! Lake Oswego, a beautiful community, accepted me into their farmer's market on the dates of June 29 and July 13. I am so thrilled for this opportunity! I had a banner made, bought my own table and shoebox crates (I had borrowed many supplies before). I also plan to make a custom tablecloth out of burlap and of course, many soaps have been made!

I feel I have a good handle on the soap making, I have a recipe that works every time and I have chosen not to let my soap gel. For non soap makers, this means that I slow down the reaction between the alkaline solution and the oils, so that the soap does not get super hot and go into a gel like phase. I do this by putting my soap in the freezer after I make it and keeping it there for 12-24 hours. So far I have had success every time.Not gelling the soap make the cure time a bit longer, but I love the creaminess of the bars.

I have also purchased a bunch of new fragrance oils....yeah for summer scents! I am going to add more florals to my collection because I know how some people adore those. I am finally adding a rose scent to my collection...duh, I am Lion and Rose Handmade soap! I have never been a fan of rose scents, but I am aiming to have a rose scent that is like freah cut roses and not a purfumey rose.

I will be busy the next few months with soap making, and booth prep. I would also love to make burlap/lace gift bags for the booth. I think I could charge a couple bucks as an add on. Aren't they cute? I should probably learn to sew. It's a good thing I have a very talented seamstress in the family, my sister Tiffany!