Trying To Find My Way Back...

SURPRISE!!!!

Guess who's back?! Sorta... I've abandoned this blog, and it used to be such a source of joy for me. Storytime:

I started this blog and making soap and stuff as a form of self-medication. I was at the lowest point in my life and needed a hobby, a diversion. And it worked! For five or so years, I immersed myself into soaping and blogging and even selling a few things. I thought at one point, I would turn this into a second career, but it soon downgraded to a glorified hobby, and then to sometime-hobby, and eventually, oh yeah, I make and sell soap...

As I started to feel better, this all became an afterthought. I kept my Etsy shop open and even sold a few things, but then I began closing it more than I did operating it...ugh. I haven't made soap since...March? It was real pretty too, and as we approach fall and holiday season, I'm starting to feel like I want to get back into the groove of things-slowly...

I'm revisiting all my favorite soap and bath & body blogs for motivation and inspiration. The soap making bug never really goes away. It was just dormant.

A New Resource For Snewbies!

Yes, I made that word up! A snewbie is a soap making newbie. I get questions all the time about how I do what I do, or what the science is behind making soap and so forth. Believe it or not, it's hard for me to articulate how I do what I do because I don't follow the rules. I initially learned how to make soap from the ground up-meaning I've read books, and I've watched video, and I've practiced, practiced, and practiced some more! Now that I'm comfortable and confident with the process, I've made changes, adjustments, and bent-more like twisted-the rules to suit my own personal style. Because of that, I've admittedly abandoned some of the fundamentals. I was recently given the opportunity to read a brand new e-book all about making soap. It's called The Super Soap Making Book: A Beginner's Guide To Soap Making.

Let me just say that I was very skeptical about reading yet another book on how to make soap because everyone does things differently, and I have a one-track mind. In other words, don't confuse me or try to make me go against everything I already believe in! I can't take it LOL! But I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It's both entertaining and informative-just my type of instructional read. I especially love the section on the history of soap. I did not know (okay, did not put together in my feeble brain) that Palmolive soap was named so because it's two main ingredients before it became commercialized were palm and olive oils-DUH! I just thought palmolive was a real word-double duh!

I also love how this book breaks down the main types of soap making: cold process, hot process, melt and pour, and re-batching. Everything is detailed in plain speak-You know how us soapers tend to speak a language only we know which in turn confuses the hell out of a non-soap maker. This book also offers easy, doable beginner recipes, as well as entire chapters on the business of soap making and useful tips and resources.

Enough yakkity-yak. Snewbies (and you old-timers), this is a worthwhile read, and no, I was not paid to write this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Comical Soaps

I like soap makers with a sense of humor. There are some raunchy ones out there who shall remain nameless, but there are also some truly hilarious ones too who remind me of, well...me. Here are some of my favorite soaps with some of the funniest descriptions ever!

Pedicure by Dirty Sanchez

"imagine thunderdome here... but instead of two men entering and one man leaving, it’s your nasty-ass jacked-up feet versus my totally rad pedicure bar. the opponents face off... the battle rages... the crowd draws a collective gasp... who wins?"


Lonely Loser Soap by SepticSoap



Horses Butt Soap by Krugers Creation

Booger Soap by anniepoo

Tools Of The Trade: Saponifier Magazine

If you are a soap maker or even thinking of becoming a soap maker, then you need to add Saponifier Magazine to your arsenal. This magazine is published bi-monthly and is sent via e-mail in PDF format. I love it! It offers invaluable information on latest trends, techniques, and industry standards.

They recently held a Best Swirl contest, and congratulations to Balsam for coming in 1st Place! She even gives a tutorial on how she made her prize-winning soap. I've always wondered how some of these incredible artists achieved their fantastic looking swirls, and Saponifier also offers a book on how to swirl. I'm definitely buying that one because my swirls suck!

Another cool thing about Saponifier is all the wonderful suppliers who advertise there. You get to discover some you may not be familiar with or meet some old favorites. Well, I'm off to re-read the latest issue. I've got some studying to do!