Just Shoot Me!

Today I made two bottles of liquid soap from a concentrate base. One is Lime Sugar scented and colored pink sparkle mica and the other is Spearmint/Peppermint colored purple to match her bathroom colors. Wish I could make the liquid soap from scratch but......


I BROKE MY SOAPMAKING ARM!!!!

Yes, just shoot me. I fell playing volleyball at a graduation party. Now life is such a challenge for the next few weeks. Getting help on a shower project because I am not a lefty for anything. Gotta go get the gun. ughhh.

More About the Conference

As requested:
E-Commerce Diva, Jamila White, was amazing. One suggestion she had was to buy your own domain name. I did this for a birthday gift and for a graduation gift for a couple young entrepreneurs and they LOVED it. You can get yours at Yahoo.com for a small yearly fee.

Here is an easy recipe from a vendor:

Softening Face Mask
2 oz Aloe vera gel
1 Tablespoon of clay (any kind - white, green, etc.)
1 Tablespoon of Quaker Oatmeal

Soap Everywhere

Sometimes there is nowhere either table or countertop space to set a dish. Oh well, out to dinner it is. Small price to pay when the house is one big aromatherapy pit. Pink grapefruit, almond, lavender, frank n myrrh and tea tree. Has anyone tried Patchouli herb in their soap rather than the Patchouli essential oil that has gone sky high? I tried to find some eo and the lowest I could find was $15/ounce plus shipping. The herb is very aromatic and a nice substitute for now. I have lots to share. If interested, notify me and I'll send you a bit along with some freebies from the conference. How bad can the day be when there is soap? xo Ri

Norwich Master Soapmaking Creations

A small class but big ideas! Some split their batches, layered and made white bars with titanium dioxide. I now suggest that TD be added to the lye water solution rather than at trace for more control. Lots of dead sea mud and clays were enjoyed for extra healing bars. I joined them and made an oatmeal honey vegan pet soap with cedarwood/citronella/tea tree for my son's dog, Roxie. Isn't she a cutey?

Soap Maker vs. Soapmaker

"Soap Maker" vs. "Soapmaker"

Did you know this?

"The membership overwhelmingly approved a motion to establish the official title of a person who makes soap as a "soapmaker" (one word, no spaces) and to proactively advocate and promote this title as the standard and recognized term in the industry."

Annual Conference Stats

Expert's Panel

That's Lori Nova on the left. She teaches classes through demonstrations in California.

On April 28 - 30, 2008 The Handcrafted Soapmaker's Guild held the 12th Annual Conference at The Inn at Essex, Burlington, Vermont. The Conference was a huge success; it was the highest attended conference in HSMG history and the largest soap conference in North America with 220 attendees from 35 states and 6 countries. Over 60 suppliers and manufacturerers contributed to the conference by sponsoring or donating and the results were evident.

Norwich Master Soapmaking Class This Saturday

Did you guys know that this is one of very few "hands on" soapmaking classes in the country? Lots of places give demonstrations but we get to actually make soap together. Another chance to get creative if you hurry to sign up for this Saturday's class at the DCMO BOCES in Norwich. I will be sharing information and samples from the recent Conference. Hope to see you there?

Soapmaker Certification in Vermont

Here is a photo of me with Marie Gale, the President of the Homemade Soapmaker Guild receiving my CP/HP Level I Soapmaker Certification. OK class, now you do know what CP/HP means, right?

WOW! What a Great Conference!

The conference was better than any soapmaker could imagine. It was well worth the trip and the networking was excellent especially being a volunteer. I met my counterpart on the other side of the US and shared lots of ideas. Wait until you guys see what I brought back for you. Wholesale Supplies Plus leftovers are our gold. I'll talk in detail as soon as I get settled. xo