When a swirl becomes a glop....

You'd think after a few years of doing this, I'd learn to resist the urge to do time consuming swirls with a new fragrance oil. 

You'd think.

I'm stubborn that way sometimes. 

Because so many of my customers looooove their LUSH dupes (at double the cost of other fragrance oils, which is fun) I thought I'd do a six color column swirl with a dupe of Creamy Candy.  This sucker moved lightning fast and I had near- soap-on-a-stick status in 3.2 seconds.   Ugh. Hate that.

So, I kindly removed my column and threw it across the room..... and began to chunk my mixture into the mold as little dollar signs, and small cartoon soapers, began to float above my head and giggle at me hysterically.  After dropping the mold on my countertop 700 times and beating it into submission, I got some semblence of a decent "swirl", but fo realz fragrance oil formulators - is this really necessary?  Can't we work this little kink out already?

Father's Day Sale!

In honor of Father's Day, and MY Father who's in heaven, please take 20% off your orders from now until sunday 11pm Eastern time...and kiss your dads for me this year, :) Use coupon code "EHalter" at checkout...

Unmolding (DEmolding?) Carrots & Honey soap...

All I'm missing is the big rubber nose and the clown car...

Go ahead.  Mock the blonde.  I would.  ;o)

I told ya there were new things brewin'...

I have loved bath salts forever.  Just by the very nature of their existence, they force you to relax and take a load off.   Kind of like an illness without the vomit......or something.

I haven't formulated any until now, because I didn't just wanna put out the usual scented sea salt...throw in some sodium bicarb....cornstarch...whatever, and call it good.  I wanted to really amp up the skin benefits. 

Meet my brand new bath salts with genuine, mineral-packed dead sea salts for relaxation, detoxification and aid in the fight against skin conditions.  Additionally, I have also included magnesium sulfate, a naturally occuring mineral compound.  Some of the countless health benefits include relaxing the nervous system, curing skin problems, soothing back pain and aching limbs, easing muscle strain, healing cuts, treating cold and congestion, and drawing toxins from the body.  Ahhhhh...

My secret (only not so secret anymore) ingredient is the addition of kukui nut oil.  Now, if you're alleric to tree nuts, these salts are not for you, as the oil is cold-pressed from the nut of a tree which is found througout polynesia.  What I love about this oil is it's skin-softening and moisturizing qualities, it's packed with vitamins A, E & F, and it never leaves a greasy feeling on your skin.  Great for this application, as well as many others.

 Bathing in these salts, with these specific ingredients leaves my skin feeling so insanely silky, and what a great way to get rid of minor aches and pains, and to heal minor skin troubles.   Kukui nut oil isn't cheap either, so you can be sure you're getting your money's worth.  It's a bit of a luxury oil, but the benefits far exceeded the cost for me.  I really wanted to bring you something extra special, and I think I have.  :)

It's available in every scent known to man (lol) so you can take a look at what I have or make special requests just by dropping me a message.  I'm always happy to accomodate you. 

Keep an eye out for an exclusive aromatherapy line of bath salts, as well.  All natural.  No colorants, rich with botanicals and essential oils.  Can't wait to get to work on those!

Until my next post...

Sale!

In honor of the holiday - how about a sale?? :) Use the coupon code GodBlessAmerica at checkout for 20% off everything in the shop. Now until 8 am tuesday morning (5/31/11)

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Small update...

I know that it's been far too long since my last blog entry.  To say that I have been busy is to say that Joplin, Missouri just recently had a little wind.  Lots of projects around the house to contend with and many new products and changes in the works for A Life Deliberate Soap Co.

First I'd like talk a little bit about a company most soapmakers are familiar with called Soap Hutch, with copius slobber and appreciation.  I recently made the decision to move up from my old handmade wood molds and freezer paper (that have served me well) and ordered one of their new Craftline Uber molds.  I've been operating my little business for about three years now and felt it was time to upgrade.  I just have to say that I could not be happier with this product and company.  The mold itself is handcrafted with quality that is just in a whole other league than other HDPE soap molds.  The proprietor, Rich Bartko, could not have been more communicative and accomodating and just does a fantastic job with his molds.  He really thought of everything with this line. No more lining, no leaks, no sticking, so easy to use and clean, he even makes a tool to help remove the side pieces from their base.  It can be configured to a divider mold, log molds, guest sized logs, small logs, mini blocks, big block slabs........I'm in heaven.  There are so many horror stories out there about other sellers that make molds that leak and warp.  It is an investment to purchase these molds, but it was worth every dime and I highly recommend Soap Hutch to anyone looking to add new equipment to their hobby or small soap business.

Now onto what's new!  Launched at the beginning of spring, I've introduced new soap gift packs called TRIOS.  Collections of three handmade goat milk soaps, boxed and beautiful for gifts or special splurges.  Normally our bars of soap are $5.00 apiece so it's really a deal to get three bars at $14.00 PLUS gift packaging!  Now that the end of spring is approaching (alledgedly), I'm debuting the (what else?) SUMMER TRIO!  Let's take a look:

Inside each heavy cardboard box you'll find three cells of additionally shrink wrapped and boxed goat milk soaps.  On the inside of the lid flap is a coordinating saying or quote with a cute graphic.  In the case of the SUMMER TRIO, you'll find an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini (hee) and a sweet saying about summer love. *cue sighs*  :)

This particular gift pack includes "Michigan Sweetgrass".  A really fresh, green scent that smells like lying in a field on a warm summer day.  I've created a "grassy" look to the bar, as well.

In the center cell of the gift pack is "Sand & Sun".  A dead on dupe of Yankee Candle's best selling scent by a similar name.  The beach, suntan lotion, ocean waves, sunshine....it's all here in a bar swirled with blues, yellows, ivories and browns, reminiscent of a day lying on your favorite beach.

Lastly, the final soap in your gift pack will include a crazy good, and self explanitory soap called "Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream".  It's a blend I created on my own, and smells so much like the real thing you'll be looking for the drips running down your hand.  What's more "summer" than ice cream?

Here's hoping you all enjoy the gift packs.  There are many more in the works for upcoming holidays and events. Looking forward to feedback.

Thanks and have an awesome summer!  Until next post...