Well, the nest isn't quite empty, but close. Last week we took Vicky to USF and got her settled in her dorm. Her roommate wasn't arriving for a few more days, so it was hard to just leave her there in this monastic little cell of a room all by herself, where she doesn't know anyone. We have had some teary phone calls and minor financial crises, but things are starting to sort themselves out.
She's got a meal plan so we know she's not going to starve. Even though all the kids profess to hate the meal plan food, every time we talk to her she's telling us about some yummy thing she just had for lunch or dinner. I miss her so much sometimes my head hurts. She's coming home for the Labor Day weekend tomorrow night. Yay!
I've added a bunch of new soaps to my Etsy shop, including Cedar and Saffron, Lavender Amber Sonnet, Night Blooming Jasmine and Dragon's Blood. I've also added back my hand crocheted Bath Pouffs, which are really nice and create mounds of rich lather no matter what soap or body wash you use with them.
I got this link from a soaping forum today and if you love ballet and incredible feats of gymnastics as much as I do, check out this Chinese dance troup in Swan Lake -- unbelievable!
More time-wasting fun links: Cake Wrecks and Engrish Funny.
Ever since the Olympics are over, I feel like I got drunk on TV and had a hangover. I had to prohibit myself from watching TV for a few days. That Michael Phelps, wow! I got such a kick out of watching his mom watch him swim. :D
In the last couple of weeks I've made the most darling little crocheted baby dress in green and pink Patons "Grace" yarn. My husband's granddaughter, Summer Joy, is expecting her first baby in November. Now I'm working on a blanket, very soft with a rainbow of pastel colors. I love making baby clothes!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Irish Mocha Soap
Today I added Irish Mocha handmade soap to my Etsy shop. It smells Mmmmmmm...
My Watermelon Herb Granita handmade soap is in a Watermelon treasury today, here. Go give it some love, if you've got time.
My Watermelon Herb Granita handmade soap is in a Watermelon treasury today, here. Go give it some love, if you've got time.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Arabian Spice Soap
Today I added Arabian Spice Handmade Cold Process Soap to my shop on Etsy. It smells soooo good! :)
Yesterday Vicky and I went to the movies together. I was flattered that she asked me to go with her. We went to see "Step Brothers" with Will Ferrell. OMG was that funny -- filthy, crude, juvenile and hysterical!
Yesterday Vicky and I went to the movies together. I was flattered that she asked me to go with her. We went to see "Step Brothers" with Will Ferrell. OMG was that funny -- filthy, crude, juvenile and hysterical!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
New Stuff
I heard from an old friend the other day that I haven't seen in almost 30 years. It's so great when old friends get in touch! Kathy and I used to work in the same office at the UM's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. Now her kids are all grown up and mine are ready for college. It just doesn't seem possible that time goes by as fast as it does!
Last night our air conditioner stopped working. In South Florida, this means a crisis. It was over 90 degrees in here today. Lowell was able to find a repairman who came out on a Sunday morning to fix it. You don't even want to know how much it cost. We are probably going to have to get the whole a/c system replaced in the very near future. Right now, I'm just thankful to be cool again.
It's hard to believe but I grew up without air conditioning, right in hot and muggy Miami. I can remember sleeping on terrazzo floors in front of giant box fans just to try to cool off. I didn't have a place with a/c until I was in my 20's. But I can't live without it now. Nope.
The last couple of days I worked on crocheting a new bag for Vicky, who is crazy about red, green and yellow Rasta colors. I lined it with some very groovy Laurel Burch fabric, a bright tie dye with little animals sketched out in black. This is the best thing I've ever crocheted, I think. I should've taken a photo. She shrieked and gave me a big hug, so I think it was a success. I'm going to try to get a picture tomorrow.
I'm trying to think if I've added anything to my shop lately. Hmmm. My newest soaps are Fine Young Cannabis (a Cannabis Rose duplicate) and Ahoy Matey (incredibly expensive but a divine ocean scent). I've been soaping like crazy to get caught up on replenishing my inventory, plus adding new soaps. Coming soon: Arabian Spice, Irish Mocha, Polar Express, Lilac, Cedar and Saffron and Dragonsblood.
My favorite new time-waster: Fail Blog. OMG. I could laugh myself into a coma.
We learned a few weeks ago that the beds in the dorms at USF are an odd size, so regular sheets won't fit them. Fortunately there is a handy little company that makes sheets for this custom size, and they sent us a brochure. The other day a huge box arrived filled with sheet sets, comforter, pillows, foam egg crate pad, towels, portable shower kit, under the bed storage, pop up hamper, and hanging clothing and shoe organizer thingies. I think Vicky is going to be all set in the linen department. I still have to find a lock for her laptop, so it doesn't get stolen. According to the orientation we went to, laptops and bikes are the two most frequently stolen things from dorms.
I cannot believe that in less than a month she will be at college. I'm so not ready for it.
Last night our air conditioner stopped working. In South Florida, this means a crisis. It was over 90 degrees in here today. Lowell was able to find a repairman who came out on a Sunday morning to fix it. You don't even want to know how much it cost. We are probably going to have to get the whole a/c system replaced in the very near future. Right now, I'm just thankful to be cool again.
It's hard to believe but I grew up without air conditioning, right in hot and muggy Miami. I can remember sleeping on terrazzo floors in front of giant box fans just to try to cool off. I didn't have a place with a/c until I was in my 20's. But I can't live without it now. Nope.
The last couple of days I worked on crocheting a new bag for Vicky, who is crazy about red, green and yellow Rasta colors. I lined it with some very groovy Laurel Burch fabric, a bright tie dye with little animals sketched out in black. This is the best thing I've ever crocheted, I think. I should've taken a photo. She shrieked and gave me a big hug, so I think it was a success. I'm going to try to get a picture tomorrow.
I'm trying to think if I've added anything to my shop lately. Hmmm. My newest soaps are Fine Young Cannabis (a Cannabis Rose duplicate) and Ahoy Matey (incredibly expensive but a divine ocean scent). I've been soaping like crazy to get caught up on replenishing my inventory, plus adding new soaps. Coming soon: Arabian Spice, Irish Mocha, Polar Express, Lilac, Cedar and Saffron and Dragonsblood.
My favorite new time-waster: Fail Blog. OMG. I could laugh myself into a coma.
We learned a few weeks ago that the beds in the dorms at USF are an odd size, so regular sheets won't fit them. Fortunately there is a handy little company that makes sheets for this custom size, and they sent us a brochure. The other day a huge box arrived filled with sheet sets, comforter, pillows, foam egg crate pad, towels, portable shower kit, under the bed storage, pop up hamper, and hanging clothing and shoe organizer thingies. I think Vicky is going to be all set in the linen department. I still have to find a lock for her laptop, so it doesn't get stolen. According to the orientation we went to, laptops and bikes are the two most frequently stolen things from dorms.
I cannot believe that in less than a month she will be at college. I'm so not ready for it.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
EAST Gypsy Challenge
I've added some new flower lip balms to my shop on Etsy -- Honeysuckle and Jasmine. Go check them out!
The EarthPath Artisans Street Team (EAST) is having a Gypsy Design Challenge! Team members have taken their interpretation of what the word "Gypsy" conjures up for them, and created new pieces in a variety of media.
The purpose of this challenge is not to win prizes or compete with each other; rather, it's a way to build team camaraderie and inspire us to explore new themes and stretch our creative muscles. And for the winner, it means a little extra attention from an adoring public! Winners will be posted on the blog and on Etsy.
So stop by the EAST Challenge page on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/groups/earthpathchallenge
to see pictures of the entries, and then go vote at the EAST blog
http://earthpathartisans.blogspot.com
You can also see many of the entries in the members' shops by visiting the team shop's favorite items page.
http://earthpathartisans.etsy.com
I won't tell you who I voted for, but I'm a sucker for florid colors and mysterious little pouches. :D
The EarthPath Artisans Street Team (EAST) is having a Gypsy Design Challenge! Team members have taken their interpretation of what the word "Gypsy" conjures up for them, and created new pieces in a variety of media.
The purpose of this challenge is not to win prizes or compete with each other; rather, it's a way to build team camaraderie and inspire us to explore new themes and stretch our creative muscles. And for the winner, it means a little extra attention from an adoring public! Winners will be posted on the blog and on Etsy.
So stop by the EAST Challenge page on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/groups/earthpathchallenge
to see pictures of the entries, and then go vote at the EAST blog
http://earthpathartisans.blogspot.com
You can also see many of the entries in the members' shops by visiting the team shop's favorite items page.
http://earthpathartisans.etsy.com
I won't tell you who I voted for, but I'm a sucker for florid colors and mysterious little pouches. :D
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Happy Etsy Anniversary to Me
Today is my one year anniversary of opening a shop on Etsy. I had planned to do something memorable, maybe a sale or the like, but like John Lennon said, "Life is what happens when you are busy making plans."
I did add a new Herb Garden soap today, made with flecks of dried herbs and calendula petals. I'm going to package it with a Gardener's Balm and herbal lip balm soon. Also back in stock is my Calabrian Violet and Bergamot soap.
The kids were all busy with their own stuff today, work and friends. More and more it's just Lowell and I at home. You can tell when we're bored. We watch a lot of Food Network and true crime shows, in between doing yoga and gardening. Warming up for Empty Nest Syndrome.
I did add a new Herb Garden soap today, made with flecks of dried herbs and calendula petals. I'm going to package it with a Gardener's Balm and herbal lip balm soon. Also back in stock is my Calabrian Violet and Bergamot soap.
The kids were all busy with their own stuff today, work and friends. More and more it's just Lowell and I at home. You can tell when we're bored. We watch a lot of Food Network and true crime shows, in between doing yoga and gardening. Warming up for Empty Nest Syndrome.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Catching Up Again
Well, it's pretty bad when my visitors have to remind me to post, eh? I've just been swamped lately with family and work stuff. I've added Plumeria handmade soap back into my Etsy shop, plus some new soaps: Celtic Moonspice, Lemon Verbena, Cuppa Chai, Sandalwood Patchouli and Vanilla Amber. I've got even more fragrances to soap (Stella, Kerala Spice Amber) and have got to reign in my fragrance oil jones. It's a sad thing when you know your VISA number, expiration date and security code by heart.
Coming soon from the curing rack -- Herb Garden, Watermelon Herb Granita, Cannabis Rose (seriously!), Love Spell and Beer Soap made from Samuel Adams Cream Stout. Yeah, it was hard to sacrifice a bottle of the Sam Adams for soaping, but this soap is so fantastic, lots of lather and the sweet smell of hops with a titch of bay rum for the boys!
My son, Geoff, has been studying martial arts since he was 5 and has two black belts already in USA Karate and Aikido. For the past year he's been taking Brazilian jiu jitsu from instructors who have studied with the Gracie family, the ones who started this particularly effective school of jiu jitsu. Here is Geoff in his new gi, trying to look superbaaaad.
Only 6 more weeks or so until our Vicky goes off to USF. She's busy working every day and out partying every night. We barely see her anymore but she's under our roof to sleep, do laundry and eat (occasionally). It's going to be so hard when she goes off to college. I don't know how I'm going to stand it. Thankfully, it's only a 2-1/2 hour drive up there.
I've been trying to post more in the Etsy forums to make my presence known there. Lots and lots of people are selling B&B products! I have seen so many people jumping on the soapmaking bandwagon and just selling the first batches of soap ever, not testing it or perfecting their craft. People who want to make salves and make outrageous healing claims who haven't even ordered their supplies yet. People selling hot process soap the day after they make it, instead of letting it harden up and dry out.
It gives me the willies to think of the risks some of these imprudent newbies present to buyers and to themselves, in terms of liability. There's folks selling jewelry or potholders who suddenly want to add powerful essential oils to M&P soap and sell it as dog or cat shampoo, who have no idea how bad tea tree oil can be for cats, especially. People who think grapeseed extract is a "natural preservative" and they don't need to put a real preservative in hydrous products. People who don't list all the ingredients in their products and who clearly don't even know what's in the stuff they're selling.
It honestly scares the crap out of me. It reduces the credibility of real soapmakers if they sell inferior junk that melts in the soap dish in 2 days or burns the hell out of someone's skin because they didn't get their lye calculation right or someone's cat has a seizure from licking itself after being bathed with the nice free cat shampoo bar they received with their earrings.
Listen, it's not about competition. I don't care about competition. I'm not trying to put Dial out of business. I want to make and sell a certain amount of soap, I'm not killing myself. But what I'm seeing more and more is carelessness and greed, an underestimation of the amount of experience and skill it takes to make good, safe soap and other body products. It's making me want to be snarky in my forum posts and often I have to bite my tongue.
Yeah, making soap isn't rocket science, but it takes a good long while to get it right enough that you'd charge someone else for it. I made soap for over a year, several times a week, before I sold any of mine. I have a soaping journal I've kept from day one in 2000, in which I record every batch I've made, the ingredients, how the soap reacted to the fragrance, any acceleration or discoloration or other problems, etc. I'm on Volume 2 now, hundreds and hundreds of pages of documentation I can refer back to if needed. I've thrown a lot of soap away because it clearly wasn't good enough. I didn't rebatch it and stick it up on Etsy the next day.
I guess everyone who takes their craft seriously is offended by people who don't. I wish there was a guild system in place where new soapmakers had to be mentored or serve as apprentices for a certain period of time before being allowed to sell their products. That's not going to happen though. In the meantime, my best advice to anyone who wants to make soap or other B&B products is to go to the Soap Dish forum and start reading from page one. Learn and absorb. Get honest feedback. Be humble. And don't sell crap you just made yesterday for the first time.
Coming soon from the curing rack -- Herb Garden, Watermelon Herb Granita, Cannabis Rose (seriously!), Love Spell and Beer Soap made from Samuel Adams Cream Stout. Yeah, it was hard to sacrifice a bottle of the Sam Adams for soaping, but this soap is so fantastic, lots of lather and the sweet smell of hops with a titch of bay rum for the boys!
My son, Geoff, has been studying martial arts since he was 5 and has two black belts already in USA Karate and Aikido. For the past year he's been taking Brazilian jiu jitsu from instructors who have studied with the Gracie family, the ones who started this particularly effective school of jiu jitsu. Here is Geoff in his new gi, trying to look superbaaaad.
Only 6 more weeks or so until our Vicky goes off to USF. She's busy working every day and out partying every night. We barely see her anymore but she's under our roof to sleep, do laundry and eat (occasionally). It's going to be so hard when she goes off to college. I don't know how I'm going to stand it. Thankfully, it's only a 2-1/2 hour drive up there.
I've been trying to post more in the Etsy forums to make my presence known there. Lots and lots of people are selling B&B products! I have seen so many people jumping on the soapmaking bandwagon and just selling the first batches of soap ever, not testing it or perfecting their craft. People who want to make salves and make outrageous healing claims who haven't even ordered their supplies yet. People selling hot process soap the day after they make it, instead of letting it harden up and dry out.
It gives me the willies to think of the risks some of these imprudent newbies present to buyers and to themselves, in terms of liability. There's folks selling jewelry or potholders who suddenly want to add powerful essential oils to M&P soap and sell it as dog or cat shampoo, who have no idea how bad tea tree oil can be for cats, especially. People who think grapeseed extract is a "natural preservative" and they don't need to put a real preservative in hydrous products. People who don't list all the ingredients in their products and who clearly don't even know what's in the stuff they're selling.
It honestly scares the crap out of me. It reduces the credibility of real soapmakers if they sell inferior junk that melts in the soap dish in 2 days or burns the hell out of someone's skin because they didn't get their lye calculation right or someone's cat has a seizure from licking itself after being bathed with the nice free cat shampoo bar they received with their earrings.
Listen, it's not about competition. I don't care about competition. I'm not trying to put Dial out of business. I want to make and sell a certain amount of soap, I'm not killing myself. But what I'm seeing more and more is carelessness and greed, an underestimation of the amount of experience and skill it takes to make good, safe soap and other body products. It's making me want to be snarky in my forum posts and often I have to bite my tongue.
Yeah, making soap isn't rocket science, but it takes a good long while to get it right enough that you'd charge someone else for it. I made soap for over a year, several times a week, before I sold any of mine. I have a soaping journal I've kept from day one in 2000, in which I record every batch I've made, the ingredients, how the soap reacted to the fragrance, any acceleration or discoloration or other problems, etc. I'm on Volume 2 now, hundreds and hundreds of pages of documentation I can refer back to if needed. I've thrown a lot of soap away because it clearly wasn't good enough. I didn't rebatch it and stick it up on Etsy the next day.
I guess everyone who takes their craft seriously is offended by people who don't. I wish there was a guild system in place where new soapmakers had to be mentored or serve as apprentices for a certain period of time before being allowed to sell their products. That's not going to happen though. In the meantime, my best advice to anyone who wants to make soap or other B&B products is to go to the Soap Dish forum and start reading from page one. Learn and absorb. Get honest feedback. Be humble. And don't sell crap you just made yesterday for the first time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
