Getting Down With The Swirl!

(Pic taken from Burnt Mill Candles & Soaps)

That's a little play on words because this phrase actually means different things to different people. I'm using this term to mean swirling soap colors. One of my biggest challenges as a soap maker has been how to achieve all those beautiful swirls that you see in many of your favorite cold processed soaps. I briefly mentioned this a few posts back when I talked about Saponifier mag's Best Swirl Contest. I also mentioned that they were offering a book dedicated to the various swirl techniques: cold and hot processed swirling, swirling in the pot, swirling with multiple colors, even m&p swirling! I had to have this book! It was available in 3 formats: booklet form, cd form, and a PDF download. You know which one I got right? The instamatic PDF download baby!!!

I tore into this book, and guess who was one of the guest "swirlers"? Misty from Burnt Mill Candles & Soaps! Misty, you didn't tell me you're a published star!!! I always wondered how you made your soaps look so beautiful, and now I do. It's going to take some practice, but I'm going to give it a try. I'll post pics soon!

These Bath Bombs Are The Bomb!

I love surprises. No, I'm lying. I don't love surprises because I have to always know what it is. Don't tell me it's a surprise because that'll make me all the more curious. I use to find my Christmas gifts as a child and carefully peel off the taped edges so I could see what the package was. I'm terrible, and I digress.....

So, I actually got a surprise in the mail on Inauguration Day to be exact. It was from my good friend Misty over at Burnt Mill Candles & Soaps. I happened to comment on her blog post about her bath bombs, and she so graciously made me one of her surprise testers. First of all I'm thrilled that she would even consider me, and secondly, I love bath and body stuff-especially free bath and body stuff:-D

Let me tell you right off the bat, I do not like taking baths. I've said it a million times on this blog. I have a thing about soaking in my own filth, and it dates back to my childhood. Anyway, I decided to use the bombs in a slightly different capacity. I used them as a soak for my long overdue pedi. I love watching bath bombs twitch and sizzle when I drop them in the water. I only used half of a bomb which was plenty, and not only did it make my water smell divine, it softened the water and welcomed my crusty feet with open arms! I tend to neglect my tootsies when the weather is cold because I wear socks or tights all season long. I probably let my feet soak about 20 minutes, and the flakes literally slid off when I touched my feet. There was minimal effort-just a few swipes with my trusty pumice stone, and I was done!

I recommend these bombs highly-for bathing or for mani/pedis. I don't know where she gets her yummy scents from, but all of Burnt Mill's stuff-candles, soaps, bath bombs.. are good enough to eat. Check her out today!

I'm Verklempt-The Soap Seduction Has Fans!

See what happens when Obama gets sworn in? Good things happen to me!

I love the name Milk & Cookeez, and I love Tammy, the owner. She's been one of my biggest supporter for the longest, and I appreciate it and her friendship. We follow each other's blog, and I faithfully check my blog roll daily. When I first saw the picture, I was taken aback. "That's me!!!" I said to myself. What am I doing on Tammy's blog again? I read the post, and Tammy's done her own Favorite Things list (a la Oprah Winfrey.) For anyone, regardless of fame or popularity, to publicly state that they love something you do or make, is truly flattering but for me, humbling. It's so hard for me to write this post because while I like to personally revel in attention, it's hard for me to accept public adoration. I always feel like there's stuff out there so much better than mine or I could have done something differently or better....Anyway, I'm going to accept this token of appreciation from Tammy, and to her, I say, you are the greatest!

Next, I'd like to thank another friend, Misty over at Burnt Mill Candles & Soaps. She is my candle goddess, and she's another favorite of mine. Last week, she posted about her bath bomb making efforts, and I was truly impressed, so I made a casual comment that while I don't like baths, I have another idea in mind for them. Well, lo and behold, I get a nice little package in the mail yesterday from who else but Ms. Burnt Mill herself. "I didn't order anything..." Then I opened it, and Holy Sh*t!!!! This sweet woman made me one of her surprise testers! All I can say is YUM!!!! I haven't even used them yet, and the bath bombs smell DELISH. I think Lemon Bundt Cake is my new favorite scent. I cannot wait to dig into these (I'll be posting on this next week-not as a tester, but as a fan!) By the way, they arrived in tact! Thank you Misty!

Lastly, I have a new friend, and I'll call her Ittybitty after her blog. I found her purely by accident. She is the follower of another blog that I frequent, and her photo just beckoned me to click on it. Ms. Ittybitty is a budding soapstress, and she blogs about her trials, and I look forward to them:-) She made this batch of soap now called Mintal Forest. This is a cool, funky-looking soap because it's filled with tons of peppermint leaves. Again, I casually, okay, I blatantly say, no insist, that she send me a bar when it cures. She's sending it to me! I'll blog about that too. Thanks Itty....!

See, basically all ya have to do is ask, and ye shall receive. I love my friends! Thank you all, and I look forward to all the good things to come.

Flame Porn

No I aint talkin' about gay porn you pervs (smile), I'm talking about candles! Everyone in the soaping circle knows that soap porn is a popular feature, but dangit, I want some candle porn! I love candles, and I want to spread the love! First up, someone I consider the queen of flame, Misty-owner of Burnt Mill Candles and Soap. This gal's got skills! Check these candles out! I am so jealous right now I could scream! Look at the craftmanship and the color. These are awesome. I actually ordered some from her that are waiting for me at the post office (can't leave work earlier enough to pick them up-will get them this weekend for sure!)

I'm gonna make this a weekly feature. Chandlers need love too!