Clean the World!

I learned of a non-profit yesterday called "Clean The World". They collect used soap and shampoo from hotels, clean them, repackage the bars and ship them to poor countries like Haiti. It's a win/win situation...everyone knows that hand washing with soap helps prevent disease, and by repurposing this soap, it's less garbage in our landfills.

With the recent disaster in Haiti, the need for soap is even more essential. This weekend, I'm packing up a big box of soap to ship to Florida, and then it goes on to Haiti. I am thrilled and feel so blessed to be able to help in some small way.

Check out this youtube video to see more about "Clean The World" and their efforts in Haiti. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7LzNOXKi0A&feature=player_embedded

Weather Watching

I am a compulsive weather watcher. I love going online and checking out the forecast, the live radars, I even watch the Caltrans live traffic cameras for clues on what's going on up the hill. Okay, so that's one weird thing you now know about me. Why am I mentioning it? Well, we've got some severe weather ahead next week and I'm concerned about getting orders out. I will, of course, get them out. I mean that's what four-wheel drive was invented for! But gee, navigating roads where the residents are not accustomed to driving in snow (we only get 3 or 4 good snows per winter), it can be nerve wracking. So here's hoping the weatherman is exaggerating!

Good news, though. I got the oil that I needed so desperately, it came today. That was good news to wake up to, I tell ya. So I'm back out in the workshop tomorrow! Yes! A few restocks, 'Yuba Wild' (very popular) and 'Lavender Fields' (an oldie but goodie). Then I can play with new scent blends, and THAT is what I'm really looking forward to.

Until next time, stay warm and dry out there.

Inspiration and Impatience

I am bursting with ideas for new soap...I should be thrilled, right? One big problem: I am out of one of my main soaping oils. Argh! Ok, no problem, quick on the phone and order up some oil from a fine semi-local supplier. Since this particular supplier isn't that far away, I expected a quick turn around. A few days later, no oil. After several calls and several promises to get it out asap, I am still looking for a delivery. I am praying it shows up tomorrow, because I am (almost literally) on fire to get down to the business of making soap!

Well, I suppose it's my own fault...in all the frenzy of getting the holiday orders tied up, I missed restocking ONE item. Not too bad considering all the different raw materials I use. However, this one oil, I cannot make soap without it, it's critical to my formula. So I'm waiting and watching...patiently.

On the positive side, in all the long hours of waiting for my delivery, I have brainstormed yet another new soap to my long list of possible new flavors. If I love them all as much as I'm thinking I will, half will be launched in late winter (February-ish), and the rest just as the summer markets kick off in May.

Can you be patient with me? It will be worth it, I promise!

Happy New Year!

Twenty ten! Yep, it's gonna be a good year I can feel it in my bones. I am so energized and ready to hit the workshop, but the end of year chaos left my workshop and office in disarray. So it's organizing and cleaning this weekend, only then can I begin creating my spring soap line. And I'm very excited to get started, but the dirty work first.

Just because I can't get out to the workshop doesn't mean that I've been idle! No sir. For the past week, I have been brainstorming every free moment I get, consulting old notes and jotting things down. I think I have a good workable list of possible new soaps ready to be tested.

Right now, I'm looking at six new soaps; 2 old favorites and 4 brand new blends. I'm leaning pretty heavy toward citrus this year...I'm bringing back an old favorite (I just got too many pleading requests to ignore it any longer), 'Ginger Lime'. No fancy name here, just good fresh ginger and snappy lime. It's a pretty soap too, half green, half peach color. All natural colorants, of course. It costs me a bit more to make, but I feel it's worth bringing back into my regular line.

Also, another soap returning is 'Lemon Bouquet': lavender and lemongrass. Sweet and fresh smelling in a mosaic of colors. No reason it dropped off my radar, except that it's a bit more labor intensive. That was probably it. I happen to love this particular blend, but my hand aches for days after I make it. Why? Because of all the hand cut pieces of colored soap (see photo). I have to chop up LOADS of it. It's worth it though, it's a lovely soap.

Now you'll have to wait for the other four. I have to keep some suspense going here! Plus these last four are truly brand new blends. Somewhere between paper and creation, some things might need to be tweeked before final release. I am a perfectionist and I have to hit a blend exactly how I "visualized" it, or it won't make the cut to final production.

Another change I'm planning is to up the amount of shea butter I include in my soap. I love shea butter...unrefined, raw, fragrant and good for you shea butter. I think we can all benefit from just a tad more shea in soap, so I'll hang the extra expense and go for it. After all, I use this soap too and want only to use the best.

What changes will you be making this month?

Holiday Break!

Our website is officially closed for the year. I want to thank all my faithful returning customers for their continued business this year, and to all the new customers that have found their way to our little soap business. Welcome and thank you too!

I am not done working, not by a long shot. My wholesale customers are still clamoring for more soap before "the day" arrives. The last of the web orders are going out tomorrow (Saturday). And a few miscellaneous orders are to be delivered next week about town. Busy, busy!

I can fit in that very last minute order up to the 24th if you live in Nevada County, just give me a call. After that tho, I will be incommunicado from December 25th through January 4th. Hey, even your humble soap maker needs a rest.

Anyway, thank you again for supporting our business with your purchases. I look forward to a busy 2010, I'm already planning my spring soap line, very exciting!

Merry Christmas from all of us at Frontier Angel Soap. May 2010 find you healthy, happy and prosperous.

Rained Out...

For the first time in *four* years vending at Cornish Christmas, we were rained out. Bummer. I hate missing a show. We actually did set up our booth. It was exciting getting the lighting plugged in and up while pools of water were collecting in the roof of our awning. I count it a blessing that no one got electrocuted. I put out my shelf displays and noticed that everything had a fine mist on it already. I looked up, my two faithful and non-complaining helpers were drenched, as was I, and I knew it was time to call the game on account of rain.

I hope no one was disappointed and looking for my soap. I'm hoping that next Friday, our last night vending, will be much more pleasant. If anyone needs soap before Christmas, please call 530-274-3711. I can get it to you if you are in or around town.

The photo posted is from Cornish Christmas 2007.

Signs of the Season

Winding down now to our last two shows of the year. December 11th and December 18th are the last two nights of Cornish Christmas. Join us in historic downtown Grass Valley for some holiday cheer the old fashioned way...roasted chestnuts, carolers and more.

A fine selection of local crafts are being sold, a few of my favorites; bags of handmade toffee, yummy baked goods, reindeers made from twigs, and faux fur head warmers with matching scarves. In the food department, it's hard to beat our neighbors to the left of our booth, they sell the most amazing tacos. Down on Main Street, look for the deep fried pretzels. Sinfully good, I ate two of them last Friday night.

So see, there is plenty of old time holiday fun to be found in the heart of the gold country.

I forgot to mention, we got our first nice snow of the season. You might catch a glimpse of the white stuff on the way up, but rest assured, the roads are clear and safe to travel.