Get ready to scrub!

I'm not sure what took me so long.  I finally came up with a nice scrubby soap.  Customers have been asking for years...for a gardeners bar, for a mechanics bar, for something to scrub feet...etc.

I think I've come up with something that fits the bill for all these uses.  It's aptly named "Brimstone" because this thing will scrub the skin right off the devil himself.  I've loaded it with red clay and bamboo charcoal, and lots of pumice of various grit size.  The essential oil blend helps with cleaning too: eucalyptus, pine and lemongrass.

I've been having my mechanic friends try it out with great results. And I use it after I make soap.  Making soap can be a very dirty job and I sometimes end up with oil and clays all over my hands.  I also have a veggie garden, I'm a no-gloves kind of gardener which means that dirt really gets embedded.  Using "Brimstone" and then slathering on my shea butter balm (coming soon), my hands are baby soft and ultra clean.

This photo is the test batch so it's a bit rough looking, the final version will be similar just a prettier.  On sale in July 2011!

Shave and a hair cut?

Ok...I can't help you with the hair cut part, but shaving?  Got you covered!

Last year I carried a nice men's shaving soap.  The reason I stopped carrying it is because I was having a hard time finding a decent brush to go with the soap, and I really want my customers to be happy. I'm thrilled to report that the search for a good brush is finally over!  I recently purchased some badger hair brushes (SO much better than those cheap boar bristle brushes that shed).

Father's day 2011 will be the relaunch of my shaving soap PLUS a good starter brush.  We will also sell the soap without a brush, for those who just want to restock their shaving mug.

About the soap...it's scented with a cooling blend of menthol and eucalyptus and I've added a touch of spice (clove and cinnamon).  It's also got clay and Irish moss for "slip" so you get that extra smooth finish.  This year, I've added beer to the recipe (hey, this IS a guy's soap), plus it adds to the lather.

So ditch those cans of shaving foam/gel and go for something more natural.  You'll also be doing our landfills a favor since our soap is wrapped in biodegradable paper.  Look for the soap to be available on our website about a week before Father's day.  We'll also carry it at our farmers markets.

We love Dad!

North Star House Festival

The North Star house in it's hey-day.

May was an insane busy month for me, as was April.  June is looking pretty busy as well.  But that's good because that means that the soap biz is booming!  In April, we did Green Fest in San Francisco, it was an amazing event!  We hope to return in November, but I gotta see if that will fit into our schedule.  More on that later.

I also taught a couple soap making classes.  I had awesome students because everybody did a fabulous job of making soap.  I'm hoping to squeeze in another class in June and/or July, we'll see.  If there is any interest out there, please let me know and I can notify you directly when class dates are set.

All that aside, there is another cool event coming up on Saturday, June 4th, 10:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.  It's the North Star House Festival and the theme is "Race day at the house".  There is a historic story behind that theme and I'll get to that later.  For now, all you need to do is put this event on your calendar.  Here's what's happening that day:

• Live music!
• Antique cars!
• Free activities: games, prizes, magic, arts & crafts!
• Picnic on the lawn (BYO or buy there)!
• Growers market!

Pretty cool, eh?  No fees for parking or admittance (how cool is that? a rare free event).

If you've never been to the North Star house, you'll want to check it out.  Did you know that this historic structure was designed by Julia Morgan (of Hearst castle fame)?  Built in the early 1900's by the Foote family, it was once a grand manor but over the years has fallen into disrepair due to neglect and vandalism.  Such a sad story!  But, thanks to the North Star Conservancy, it is slowly coming to life again, starting with the beautiful grounds.  

Just one mile from historic downtown Grass Valley, it's easy to get to.  If you're coming from out of town, come up highway 49 and take the exit for McCourtney Road / Nevada County fairgrounds.   Turn left on Old Auburn road and drive about 1/2 mile.  The entrance to the house is on the left, a gated gravel road.  Head up the drive and be amazed by this jewel in the rough.

And the historic event?  It's a celebration of the 100th anniversary of A.B Foote’s Model T race to Tahoe City in 1911.  Pretty cool!  So pack up the kids, grandma and grandpa, grab a blanket and a picnic lunch and head on up to the house on June 4th for a super fun time. 

We will be there with our soap booth, since we're part of the growers market.  So I hope you'll come by and say hello!  

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Just a heads up that we will be vending at the Green Fest in San Francisco this spring! Here are the details:

Saturday and Sunday

April 9th & 10th, 2011

SF Concourse Exhibition Center

635 8th Street (at Brannon Street), S.F.

Better yet, visit the official website for more details! SF Green Fest!

We'll be in booth #847, I hope you'll come visit. We've got soap for sale and our usual free samples. It's a great show, we visited the November show and were just amazed by all the green vendors. Plan to spend all day, there's so much to see, learn, and do!

Flowers & Candy

How can it be almost valentine's day? We'll it's true, the day is right around the corner. Are you ready? If you want to make it easy on yourself and give a truly special gift, take a look at our version of flowers and candy.

We've made up a special bar of soap, mint and chocolate. Sweet peppermint and real cocoa, trust me, it smells amazingly yummy. Pair that with our "Wild Irish Rose" and/or "Lavender Fields", there's your flowers and candy...no calories and your honey will be enjoying these soaps long after the flowers have wilted and the candy has been eaten.

We've also got a sale going on. 14% off until February 14th, just use voucher "LOVE2011" upon check out (or mention the code over the phone). And to sweeten the deal further, any order of 3 or more bars gets dressed up on a red box with a pretty white bow with tiny hearts.

We love our customers and this is just our way of saying 'thank you' and happy valentines day.

Buy Local this Holiday Season

In these economic times, doesn't it just make sense to look to your own community for holiday gifts? It makes perfect sense to me and I always feel great when I can find exactly what I'm looking for in my own home town.

Why buy local? Well, for starters, you're helping a local business to grow and prosper. These are your neighbors, they live in your town, maybe even next door. Doesn't it feel great to know when you're buying a product that you're helping someone to pay their mortgage or put food on the table?

If that doesn't give you a warm fuzzy, then how about the benefits to your pocketbook? Buying local means never having to pay shipping. That not only saves you money, but the environmental cost of those delivery trucks zooming up and down the highway. Spare the air, ya know? How about when you can buy directly from the manufacturer of the product...you can look into their eyes, chat about family or maybe just about what crazy weather we're having. There's nothing like the face to face sale to make the seller and the buyer feel special.

Anyway, those are just some of my random thoughts on the subject of buying local. I'm sure there are other equally valuable reasons that currently escape me. But all in all, it's a really good thing.

Enrich your community by supporting your local artisan, crafter, designer, or small business. Happy holidays!

Cornish Christmas: A Grass Valley Tradition

I don't know how it went from October to end of November so quickly! But here we are, the holiday season is officially upon us. I just wanted to take a moment to remind folks of a really fun event that happens every year in Grass Valley. Cornish Christmas, I believe it's in it's 40-something year. It's a vintage Christmas themed street fair, with food, kids activities, local arts and crafts, and music!

This year marks our 5th year in attendance, our booth is in it's usual spot at the exact corner of Mill and Main Streets (right in front of Dave's Shoes).

This is a real special event for us. Nothing is more heart warming than hearing how someone's daughter put our goat milk soap boxed set on her wish list, or how a family is heading out of town for the holidays and they want to take "a piece of Grass Valley" back home for the relatives. And the general good mood of all the shoppers, really puts us in that special holiday spirit.

So we hope you'll join us, come early because parking is limited and the streets do get crowded. Oh, and be sure you bundle up, it gets down in the 30's-40's here at night.

Cornish Christmas

Friday nights, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

November 26, December 3, 10, & 17, 2010

Historic downtown Grass Valley

http://www.historicgrassvalley.com/Cornish.html

Fall Home & Garden Show, Oct 16 & 17

Anyone coming to our soap making demos this weekend? Unfortunately we have to miss our regular Saturday market at the North Star house in Grass Valley, but you can find us all weekend long at the Nevada County Fair Grounds.

We'll have our soap display there for purchases and we'll also be doing one demo each day. Check out today's paper (The Union) for the special insert with all the details.

Here's a photo from last years demo, all chairs filled and folks standing in the back! Who knew so many people were interested in soap making?? I think it's great. Soap is like any other product, if you use it you should know what's in it. This year, I'm going to talk a little bit about why you'd want to make your own soap. I only get 20 minutes per demo, so I'll have to talk fast. I'm always available after the demo to answer any of your questions.

Should be way fun, see you there!!

Fall Finally!

I don't know about you, but I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of fall. After braving temps in the upper 90's to low 100's, I think it's finally come! Cloudy and cool weather, my mind turns to thoughts of soft alpaca scarves, peppermint mochas, red, gold, and orange leaves, and something yummy (preferably with apples or pumpkin) baking in the oven.

This time of year with my business means that everything pumpkin turns up on the "to do" chalkboard in the workshop. Pumpkin soap and pumpkin sugar scrub...made with real organic pumpkin, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon essential oils.

Why pumpkin? Well, not only is pumpkin the quintessential vegetable for this time of year, but it's also good for you. It contains lots of anti-oxidant vitamins A and C, as well as zinc and beneficial alpha-hydroxy acids. So lather up with pumpkin soap, slough off dry skin with our frosting like sugar scrub, end up smelling slightly sweet/spicy, and enjoy softer, healthier skin. A great way to start the season!

An Event for Your Calendar

Here's an event you don't want to miss! October 16 and 17 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds is the Fall Home & Garden show.

Even if you don't have any plans for home improvement projects, come for the "Back to Basics" section of the show. Demos and workshops will be going on all weekend, here are some of the subjects you can learn more about:

• Weaving
• Quilting
• Soap Making
• Canning
• Sustainable Living
• Jam Making
• Composting
• Gold Panning
• Raising Livestock
• Organic Gardening

I don't know about you, but ALL of these subjects sound super interesting to me. For the soap making demo part, well, I'll be your instructor. I'm on the schedule to do two demos, one each day. Here's the schedule:

Saturday, October 16, 1:15 - 1:45
Sunday, October 17, 2:00 - 2:30

Thirty minutes doesn't leave much time for question and answer, so if you have something specific you want to me to talk about, please post it on our facebook fan page and I'll be sure to address it during the demos.

The event is free (might have to pay for parking, I'm not sure about that). I'll also have my full line of soap (etc.) for sale at the event. So if you need to start your holiday shopping, we'll be there to help you out.

We had lots of fun at this event last year, hope you'll come on out and learn how soap is made...among other cool topics.

New Soap!

Summer has been busy for us! We acquired a couple more stores (A.P.P.L.E. in Nevada City, Eco Centric in Graeagle, and Davis Food Co-op in Davis) so I've been quite busy keeping things in stock.

However, I was able to carve out some time to create a new soap. I've been getting requests for a patchouli soap, just patchouli. If you are a customer of ours, you know I like blending essential oils and I don't use any single notes in my soap. However, I listen to my customers because they know best! So here is "Granite", steam distilled dark patchouli from Indonesia mixed with real (and it's beautiful stuff) Dead Sea mud from Israel. My inspiration for this soap came during a leisurely swim in the Yuba river this summer. If you're a local, you know that granite is sprinkled all over the river bed, it's just gorgeous. Anyway, I cut the soap today and it should be available in a couple weeks.

I'm mixing it up with my goat milk box set. I'll be keeping three of my original soaps: "Chilled Lavender", "Lemon!", and "Sweetheart". But the two other slots in the box will be filled with two new soaps! Not announcing them until they're ready, but they'll be nice compliments to the existing three.

In September we're launching a new product. It's been in development and test phase for over a year now, and I believe it's ready to meet the world. The clue is to "think outside the tube".

Summer cleaning

We did summer cleaning today in the workshop...since I missed spring cleaning. Average temps of 95 degrees, hubby and I were out there doing our twice yearly clean up. Wiped down counters, scrubbed the floor, installed a big new fan, put down an anti-slip mat (yeah!), and consolidation of supplies. It feels great to be organized and I cannot wait to get out there later tonight and make soap!

You'd hardly think I'd have the energy, I mean it was HOT today and we were both getting pretty sweaty and very dirty. But I've got a clean and organized workshop. I cannot express how happy and energized that makes me!

I have a long list of things to make this week. Starting with 'Pacific Blue' and 'Lemon Bouquet', then moving on to 'Yuba Wild' and 'Garden Mint'. Our shaving soap is coming back as I've had quite the demand for it lately. Pretty low on goat milk soap, all flavors. And I'd like to make a couple new ones...something with coffee oil and something with almond. This may not seem like a very big list to some, but for a one-woman-operation like mine, that's a pretty tall order.

I may be absent for several days, as it appears my schedule is fairly full.

Eco friendly packaging

I've been thinking about product packaging and shipping material a lot lately. Once you start down the road of all things eco-friendly, there really is no end. Once you find one solution, you want more!

I make a pretty good soap that meets my idea of sustainability, and a few years ago, I decided to change my soap wrappers to paper that was made with 75% post consumer waste and 25% hemp fibers. Awesome! But I wasn't satisfied to stop there. When I ship orders to my out of state customers, I used to use recycled packing peanuts (non dissolving kind). Not good enough. So recently I found this new packing product that I can get behind with a clear conscience. It's called "paper nuts". According to the manufacturer, they are:

"PaperNuts® are made from 100% recycled materials - old corrugated cartons (post consumer) and paper processing production waste (post industrial). PaperNuts® will begin to degrade when exposed to moisture."

So next time you mail order from Frontier Angel, you will find paper nuts in your box. Please recycle, reuse, or put them in your compost. I will still recycle traditional packing peanuts that I receive from supply vendors. A local shipping company takes these off my hands and puts them to use.

What's next in my journey down the path to sustainable packaging? My goal is to get rid of as much HDPE plastic packaging as I can. I am confident that I will find solutions for my eco-friendly packaging needs, I'm a pretty good problem solver.

Castile Soap

Have you ever tried castile soap? Traditionally, "castile soap" is a name used in English-speaking countries for soap made with olive oil originating from the Castile region of Spain.

My castile soap is made from locally grown and pressed olive oil...so what would you call that? Grass-tile? Anyway, it's 100% olive oil, which makes this soap super gentle. The kind of stuff you can safely use on babies and folks with extra tender skin.

In this batch, I have infused lavender, yarrow, chamomile, calendula, and nettle. Each of these herbs gives off it's own skin pampering essence. There is no scent to the soap, just a clean soapy smell. It's really quite decadent in it's simplicity.

Some extra care is to be taken with this soap. Since it is 100% olive oil, if you let it sit in a pool of water, the soap will get "snotty". Yes, a gross term but it is an accurate description of castile soap as it dissolves. Be sure to keep this one well drained and you are assured a long lasting, beautiful bar.

It's not ready for sale yet, since it will need a few weeks to cure. I'll be sure to shout it from the roof tops when it's ready. And as always, once it is ready, free samples at our market booths.

Our Newest Market...

I thought I'd post a photo of our set up at the Nevada City Farmers Market. Since I work the Grass Valley North Star House market at the same time, my husband Ivan works the Nevada City one.

We were at this market during it's very first year in 2008, we skipped 2009 but missed it so much (and the wonderful people that organize everything so well) that we decided to split forces and do both Grass Valley and Nevada City. So far, it's been going great!

Hope to see you at one of these markets, they both run every Saturday morning, 8:00-12:00 for Grass Valley and 8:30-12:30 for Nevada City.

Where did the time go?

Wow...was my last posting really in April?? Well, I apologize to anyone who may be out there reading. I'm more active on Facebook, it's easy to login in there and post a one or two liner. If you care to join me over there, just search for "Frontier Angel Soap" and "like" us. I'm on just about everyday for a minute or two, so I'm always available to answer any questions.

What we've been up to? Getting ready for the markets and finally working them all. We have quite a busy schedule this year. Check it out:

May through October
Nevada County Farmers Market
Every Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Northstar house off McCourtney (follow signs), Grass Valley, CA

June through October
Downtown Nevada City Farmers Market
Every Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
off Broad Street in Nevada City, CA

June through August
Thursday Night Downtown Farmers Market
Every Thursday, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Downtown Grass Valley, CA

June through October
Folsom Certified Farmers' Market
Every Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
East Natoma and Blue Ravine Road, Folsom, CA

I am loving these markets! Each one has it's own specialness and I really enjoy getting a chance to meet my customers and talk a bit. Hope you'll come see us and please feel free to ask for a free sample. We always have 'em, unless it's late in the day, we do eventually run out.

Spring Open House!

Last November, a couple crafty friends and I put on a holiday open house that turned out rather well, so we thought we'd do it once again for spring.

If you live in Nevada County or surrounding areas, you are invited to our open house! Here are the details:

When: Saturday, April 24
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: near downtown Grass Valley

Not only will you find Frontier Angel soap for sale, but lovely re-purposed vintage items and beautiful handmade jewelry, all made by local artisans. My friend Feather, she makes the vintage items, is leaving for China this summer, so this will be the last opportunity to purchase her amazing work.

Our focus is on spring and Mother's Day (which is May 9). Bring Mom with you and share in some free refreshments, shop at your leisure or just come by to visit. Since this is mainly my shindig, my soap will be discounted for this event only.

You can contact me on my website for directions (www.frontierangel.com). Hope to see you there!

Follow up: Laundry and Deodorant

Busy out in the workshop today...restocking 'Pacific Blue', 'Garden Mint' and 'Lemon Bouquet'.

I also whipped up a batch of 100% coconut oil soap. While this might make great soap for sailors (it's the only soap that will lather well in cold, salty water), I actually made this batch for my laundry. Once its ready, I'll grate it fine, add some washing soda and borax, then give it a spin (literally!). We're planning to use our laundry greywater for the garden this summer, so I'm looking for something without artificial fragrances, sulfates, or preservatives.

I'm on to formula #3 for my version of body deodorant, and I think I've found a keeper. The first two versions were to "wet" feeling, batch #3 feels just about right. It will go into testing mode (on us, friends, and family) and if I get thumbs up, then it will be added to our summer product line. So far, I've been loving it. The ingredients are all food grade items and the essential oils were chosen for their anti bacterial properties. Here are the ingredients:

Mango butter, coconut oil, arrowroot power, tapioca starch, kaolin clay, essential oils of sage, lavender and cedar.

I plan to make one other scent, tea tree/lemongrass. And, I have this awesome idea to save on packaging waste! I'll share that another time...

Green Living - Laundry

As long as I can remember, I have always had what I like to call 'a pioneer spirit'. I love having a vegetable garden, tending fruit trees, putting up the harvest, sewing, baking my own bread, and living as frugal as possible. So I'm always on the look out for articles on how I can go even further in my effort to live simply.

Here's my latest find: dryer balls. In the summer, I line dry all our clothes. But on the wet and cool days, I've got to use the electric clothes dryer. It takes at least an hour for my clothes to dry...just think of the energy that's being used there!

I ran across an article in the paper today about dryer balls. Basically, they are felted balls of wool that you throw in the dryer with your wet clothes. They supposedly help reduce drying time, reduce static cling and soften clothes naturally! Sounds good! You can buy them online at places like etsy, or if you're like me, try your hand at making some. You can use 100% wool yarn from old sweaters and socks. I just happen to have a small stash of wool scraps from a previous felting project that I think will work great.

I can't vouch that these dryer balls will work, but I'm willing to give it a try of it will help reduce my energy bill! For those who use commercial dryer sheets, you really ought to give these a try. Those dryer sheets are made from petroleum, plus they're loaded with artificial fragrances and have been linked to headaches, rashes, nausea and other health concerns. Try a more natural alternative for your health and that of your pocketbook.

Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls

The Great Deodorant Debate

To antiperspirant or to deodorant? That is the age old question. Do you buy into the marketing hype of the big commercial companies and the tag line "never let them see you sweat"? Or do you prefer a more natural product? What choices do you have today and are they really safe? Good questions!

Since I am a big proponent of using real soap with essential oils for scent and products that don't need a preservative, I've always got my mind on the big picture. If it's important to make healthy life style choices, why am I using potentially dangerous after shower products on my body?

Hence our antiperspirant boycott! My husband and I have shelved our previously preferred antiperspirants (those big brand named ones, I won't mention them but it's no Secret and I'm Sure you know which ones I speak of). My husband has chosen to go au naturel. Me? I'm a bit of a chicken, so I have picked up a fairly well known brand of deodorant from our local natural food store. Here are the ingredients:

Propylene Glycol, Water (Aqua), Stearic Acid, Cyclomethicone, Talc, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed OiI, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander) Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinal (Ginger) Root Extract.

Hmm...most of these ingredients I can identify, but there are a few which concerned me and I felt they really didn't belong in a supposedly "natural" product. Here are a few:

Propylene Glycol

A cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. In the skin and hair, propylene glycol works as a humescent, which causes retention of moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. The Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

Talc

Talc is a mineral, produced by the mining of talc rocks and then processed by crushing, drying and milling. Processing eliminates a number of trace minerals from the talc, but does not separate minute fibers which are very similar to asbestos.

I think this product will soon be shelved as I don't care to have antifreeze ingredients in my arm pits! So why do I mention all of this? Mostly to help educate and encourage others to question the ingredients in their personal care products. Don't take any one's word for it, do your own research.

I didn't mention much about antiperspirants...for me, it's a no brainer. Never forget the link between aluminium chlorohydrate (the active ingredient in commercial antiperspirants) and Alzheimer's disease. Pretty scary. I've even read about a possible link to breast cancer.

So what's next in our natural deodorant quest? Something made in my workshop, most likely. I'll share more as I continue with my research and testing. In the meantime, what are you using and have you ever read the ingredient label?