Monday, May 31, 2010

Attention All You Commitment Phobes!

I've been struggling with this idea for some time: whether or not to offer sample sized products. In my mind, it's almost like giving something away for practically nothing. But through numerous requests and inquiries, I've discovered that people need to try things before investing in the full-sized product-especially when offering bath and beauty products online. That's weird to me because I've always been a feet first type of gal: If I want it, I"m gonna get it. When it's all said and done, I've come to the conclusion that it would behoove me to offer some things as a sample in an effort to lure in that potential full-sized purchase. Anyway, enough yapping, here's the deal: I'm now offering sample-sized offerings of these delights:


Stick-O-Butta Lotion Solids (Love, love, love these!)

Sugar Bubble Samples (I announced on FB that I was discontinuing these, but after being threatened with bodily harm, I've had a change of heart, lol) These will now be offered individually as opposed to a full set.

Oh yeah, Happy Memorial Day!

Friday, May 28, 2010

A Little Contest: Name This Soap and Win It!


For once in a really long time, I am stumped for a name for my latest soap! Here's the scoop: I intended for this batch to be another Edward Cullen, but I didn't have enough soap balls for the top, and I apparently didn't use enough scent, because it's virtually unscented. What I did use was bergamot & mandarin with blood orange essential oil, but it's barely detectable. Therefore, I need a cheeky, sassy name for it. It can be a play on words, a saying, whatever...The name just needs to fall in with my other stuff. The cheekier the better. Thank you Lisa for inspiring me because I have been spending too much time trying to figure this out...


The contest will end, oh, I don't know...a week?

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Stick-O-Butta: A Formal Introduction

Meet Stick-O-Butta...formally:)



Friday, May 21, 2010

Ok, Where's The Soap and Other Good Stuff?

Admittedly I've been in a funk, and I want to thank everyone who commented on my post about my feeling not good enough. I appreciate your support-I really do. I think I'm a pretty confident person when it comes to most things-like I never compare myself to others as far as looks, intelligence, and financial status goes, but I've always had a competitive spirit when it comes to things like sports, games, and creativity. I let that competitiveness overshadow my accomplishments sometimes, and I thank you all for knocking some sense back into me! Now, enough of the pity party, let's talk soap-and stuff! Actually, it's more stuff than soap.


I gave a sneak peek to my Facebook "likers" (what happened to fans?) a few weeks ago of my new perfume roll-ons. I first made these last spring, and they were okay, but I wasn't crazy about them. This time I decided to go for more "seductive" packaging, and  go with a black bottle. Love these! I'm still tweaking the label, but these are perfect for the warmer months. The oils are very lightweight (a mix of fractionated coconut and jojoba) so they absorb easily and quickly into the skin so you won't have a big ole oil glob on your neck, or wrist, or wherever you like to rub your perfume. These will be making their dee-but (as I vividly remember a kid in grade school pronouncing it) sometime next week. I can't quite get the label right, #@%$*!


Next up are my new Stick-O-Buttas. They were called Skin Quenchers, but I've revamped the formula. They're now made with added shea butter so they're super, uber (another favorite word) moisturizing.  I'm now offering them in a trial size of .75 oz. These are great for travel or trying before committing to the larger  2 oz stick.


Lastly, I'm expanding my Crack Is Wack ( (Whitney Houston: Thank you so much for such a memorable catch phrase!) line to now include three scents: Orange Chocoholic, Mangomaniac, and Pearilous. These multi-purpose butters come in a 4 oz tin (which will last for-practically-ever), and the best thing about them is you can use them everywhere-even the lips! The formula is the same as Stick-O-Butta, but the ratio is quite different-it's a lot smoother and softer.













Well, that's about it til now. I'll be back next week with more stuff!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

WTF Wednesday: You're #$*@ Embarassing Me!

Ummm, why do you people feel the need to take our pictures when I'm having a private moment and junk?  "Oh, lookit! Pepper's tongue is hanging out, let me take a picture...." Gimme a #@#$# break! I don't take her picture when she's pulling out that wedgy or scarfing down her food (Which I know she does just so I can't beg for any, but that's another day, another post.) All I'm saying is I'm a very vain species, and I do not appreciate being exposed and humiliated. C'mon man, WTF?!


She'll be back on Friday with a real blog post. I don't know what her problem is lately...

Friday, May 14, 2010

Trying Not To Compare...

 (Image courtesy of navedz.wordpress.com)

I follow a lot of soap blogs. One because I love to read about everyone else's addiction, and two, I like to obsess admire all the unique creations I see. But as hard as I try not to compare what I do to others, I do! I know beauty and creativity is subjective, but I can't help but think that my stuff is not good enough sometimes. For instance, I'll look at a soap made by someone else-same scent and ingredients (almost) as mine-and I'm like "How the hell did they do that!?" They have these incredible swirls, chunks, curls, or spirals embedded in their soaps, and I get insanely jealous-seriously! It's like grade school all over again. 

But then, I look back at all my wonderful customers who have since become what I consider friends, and read the feedback and blog reviews, and I'm brought back to reality. I must be doing something right. Right?

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

WTF Wednesday: What Happened To A Home Being A Cat's Castle?

Hello Humans. It is I, Pepper. Miss Pepper if you're nasty. On this edition of WTF Wednesday, I just wanna know why my muva takes it upon herself to bombard my dwelling with all this smelly crap. There are boxes and tubs and crates full of useless stuff I can't even get near. I used to have free range of this joint. Now certain areas are off limits?? For example, I can no longer go into the kitchen when she's preparing soap and and other gooey messes. That stuff smells like flowers and fruits and stuff. P.........U! Where's the delicious aroma of fried chicken and pork chops? And she's constantly vacuuming. She knows that thing terrifies the hell out of me. My hair is supposed to be all over the place. And why is she always wearing those sausage casings on her hands when she's handling that stinky soap? She's really changed, and I don't know if I like it....WTF, people?

Friday, May 7, 2010

Finally...A Coconut That Holds Up in The Lye Monster!


I'm a day late and a bubble short, but last fall Joanna at The Soap Bar had this contest for the best coconut soap. I have tried many coconut fragrances, and each time they morphed in the soap-either you couldn't smell it, or it was just off. I did make a semi-successful batch with mango coconut although that one was really faint. I decided to try one last time, and you know what? The dang fragrance has been discontinued!!! It's Coconut Cream Pie from Wholesale Supplies Plus, and it's gone!

The holes you see in the soap are not lye pockets, but a design experiment gone horribly awry. I attempted to put some cut soap in between, but it reached trace really quickly, and it just looked horrible. I tried to swirl the holes out, but it was too thick by then, but it's all good. I channeled Holly over at Sparklebrook and sprinkled some glitter on top to jazz it up some. I'm very pleased with the turnout. It actually smells like coconut!!!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

WTF Wednesday: Clothes Are For Humans!


 (It's allergy season, and my eye is a runny mess.)

Before I rip her a new one, I must graciously thank my human mother for allowing me to vent on this blog. While we don’t always see things eye-to-eye, I love her dearly although I don’t always show it. Now, on to the clawing!
 
I do not like “things” on my luxurious fur. I may just be a cat to you, but my fur belongs to me, and I get warm enough as it is without her covering it with human crap like scarves and sweaters and junk. It's bad enough she makes me wear that damn collar with that stupid bell on it, but I’m hip to the game. If she even comes near me with one of those things, I haul tail! Look at this nonsense she draped around me for this photo. I look and feel ridiculous which is why I refused to cooperate for this photo. Not even the sweet aroma of chicken-flavored treats could entice me to let her tie this crap around me. I’m like, “I’m a cat! WTF….”

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Flashback; My One and Only Craft Show


When I first started crafting, I went by the name of scentsations by pmh-real original, I know! And I exclusively made and sold candles only. I am notoriously shy, and my sister had to force me to go through with this show. I was still grieving the loss of my fiance Spencer who had died less than two months before the show, and I just did not want to be bothered-with anything or anyone. Needless to say, I think I was one of the more successful booths at that fair because no one else had anything like my pie and fruit-shaped candles. Still though, I haven't done another show since...
 
Wow!!! Look how far I've come...