I just got the sweetest note about the Yahoo posting. Hi Anne-Marie, I just read your story at http://finance.yahoo.com/smallbiz/article/featuredbiz/26545. I found it very inspirational. And it just goes to prove that we should be living our passion, and the success will come. And, having a … Continue Reading
Soapmaking Studio Set – Ups
It takes a lot of work to set up a soapmaking studio. My first one was in the guest bedroom of my old house. It was about 400 square feet and even that wasn't enough room. I still exploded out into other part of the house with my growing soap business. The living room had a dining room table made … Continue Reading
Very cool log mold cutter
I think this cutter pretty much rocks. It's well loved in the soapmaking industry already because of its sturdy design and straight cuts every time. It's a bit more pricey than some on the market but for the durability and the precision it gives, I'm hearing that it's worth it! The best soap … Continue Reading
Hungarian Lavender Essential Oil
Our latest crop of Hungarian Lavender Essential Oil is in the warehouse and it is absolutely divine. It's smooth, mildly camphorous and sourced from a very small family farm. We're proud to add this Lavender to our line and think it's an essential part of anyone's EO toolkit or bodycare line. The … Continue Reading
Tips for layering melt and pour
Someone recently asked me about troubles with layering melt and pour soap. Here are my tricks for helping to adhere layers of melt and pour soap. Layering solid melt and pour colors is difficult but not impossible. There are a few tricks that I use when making fun loaves. (1) Pour the soap … Continue Reading
The Moral of the Story, Part Deux
I promised the photos of the sad, ruined wood from my lying, glopping soap experience. Here they are. The wood is not going to ever go back to its normal blond hue. That's not oil. The brown is softened, ruined, permantly stained wood. The wall, in the before-mentioned post by the way, was protected … Continue Reading
And the moral of the story is …
Lying is bad. I know that. I try not to lie. In fact, I make it pretty much a rule: no lying. So, when I spilled (well, mostly flung) fresh soap on the beautiful, cherrywood floor that my lovely (normally supportive!) spouse installed in our house, I naturally was panicked, scared and galvanized … Continue Reading
Hey! You could be making soap!
It's official. We are now watching more t.v. than ever as a nation. The numbers are astonishing. The average US household watched eight hours and 14 minutes (what, only half of a show?!) PER DAY last official t.v. season according to Nielsen Media Research. Not to worry, each individual American … Continue Reading
Super cute soap stamps
We've just gotten in some adorable soap stamps designed by Catherine Failor. They are a totally affordable way to personalize a bar of soap or make it stand out on a craft fair table. The best soap supplies on the internet are found at Bramble Berry. Click here to browse Bramble … Continue Reading
Basic Melt and Pour Soap
I chatter on in this blog as if everyone knows and loves soap already. Just in case you're not up on melt and pour soap, here's a link for a basic primer on melt and pour soap. It's incredibly easy to do, takes just about 30 minutes and is totally kid safe and family approved. The best soap … Continue Reading
Small Business Tips from PBS & Cool Interview with Cowgirl
PBS is doing a small business channel show that is available to everyone to watch regarding starting and running a small business. And as a bonus, they interviewed the gal (Donna Baase pictured above) from Cowgirl Enterpriseswho really is quite impressive. Her passion for small, handcrafted goods is … Continue Reading
Love, Elsie
For bright, fun, whimsical and very trendy papers for wrapping your soap and making your labels, check out Love, Elsie. She has some wonderful heavy-weight pop-out, 3-D paper that would make for good sign backing or label frames. She's got a great blog that shows all her goodies as well. The best … Continue Reading
The Soap Fairy
One of my favorite and longest-time customers is Scott Blackson from The Soap Fairy. He's been a customer for going on seven or eight years! First of all, I love his name. But it's not just a whimsical name that sets him apart. He follows it up with a comprehensive line of soaps and toiletries and … Continue Reading
Deathcake Cupcake
My great friend Jody, over at Verite Coffee just made the most amazing, decadent chocolate cupcake suitable for two! For an ultra amazing Valentine's Day, never-to-forget, pop on down to one of her three shop locations (Ballard, Madrona and West Seattle) and grab a treat for you and your … Continue Reading