Friday, September 13, 2013

South Coast Botanic Gardens Fall Plant Show and Boutique

South Coast Botanic Garden Fall Plant Show Display
I spent the morning setting up my booth.  I'll be hiding in the back corner again, but you WILL be able to find me...  just follow your nose!  Everybody who walks in comments on how wonderful all my soaps smell, although, they did give the plants credit for the lovely aroma until they found me.  

New and improved at the booth this fall - more scents for men.   You ladies might like them as well.  All men's soaps are made from goat's milk and cocoa butter, which are both superior ingredients for shaving.  New scents are barbasol, musk and aloe. 
Men's Shaving Soaps

Also new this fall is a new variation on my most popular Manhattan Beach Ocean Water Soap.  It now comes in molded varieties and is paired with mint in a new two-tone bar. 


I have to say that the plant section of the sale looks MUCH BETTER than it did in the spring.  Apparently they got their greenhouse issue sorted out, and it shows!  Here's the flyer with all the info.  Hope to see you there!




Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Shaving the old-fashioned way...

Whoooo Wah! Smell that barbasol! My workshop has smelled like a barbershop for weeks now and I'm finally gonna let you smell it too. Only the best for our manly-men... Goat's milk and cocoa butter base... Top quality gear! Come to the South Coast Botanic Gardens and grab yourself several pots of this clean smelling shaving soap!

Go here to see me at the sale: 
South Coast Botanic Gardens - Plant Sale and Boutique

Friday, May 31, 2013

Go fetch my cache! I've just placed this soap in a local South Bay geocache...

Feel like going on an adventure?  Bring the kids geocaching!  As my own cache is not quite ready for prime time, I've placed a soapy prize in another's local South Bay geocache.  You can find the particulars on its location here.  The name of the cache is "Honey, I'm going shopping..."  It's a popular one, and an easy find...
 

Or, if you really know what you're doing, simply go here:  N 33° 54.004 W 118° 22.872

Please let me know if you find it.  Also, remember, log in your find!
N 33° 54.004 W 118° 22.872

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Soap and Geocaching - Now That's An Odd Couple


The scavenger hunt that is geocaching is a great way to teach kids to solve puzzles, read maps, use compasses and utilize GPS devices.  Now what could be more fun than that?  I'll tell you.  Finding my cache!  Your lucky take-home prize will be one of my eclectic soaps.  Heck, you'll be sweaty after all that hiking and is a practical reward for your efforts.

I am currently scouting for suitable sites, so if you have a good suggestion please contact me.  (The site is important because the container will need to be slightly larger than most, and close enough to my house to be serviced on a regular basis).

In case you don't know how it all works, visit the Geocaching website:  http://www.geocaching.com/

Soon you will be able to find my coordinates under the username ---> chudleigh

Keep you posted..

Sandy



 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Spring Planting and Other GRUBBY Endeavors

It's that time of year... We're well into spring and it's time to get out there and tackle those projects.  I've nearly completed my planting in the garden.  Well established are sugar snap peas, pole beans, bell peppers and strawberries.  My soy beans and zucchini were planted most recently and have just popped their heads up. 


Whether you too are gardening, or are onto to other projects like crafting or spring cleaning, you can lavish your hands while washing up for the day.  Try a bar of my GRUBBY soap - made with almond and shea butter for moisture, it's infused with ground coffee for a quick exfoliation. You'll be cleaned up in a snap without over drying.

$6.50 on my website --->  http://www.soapexchange.biz/shbugahas.html

Friday, April 19, 2013

(Tomorrow) ---> A Grand Day Out - South Coast Botanic Gardens Spring Plant Show and Boutique

I have set up my display in the Frances Young Hall.  You can find me at the very back of the hall, behind the jungle of plant life that will surely block me from seeing you.  Pass the geraniums, clivia and lillies and please find me on the left...  I will be waving my little flag as to not be forgotten in that remote corner of the show....  <snif>

Here's a bit of my inventory...

Gardner's Hands? - Try a raw shea butter from Ghana OR raw avocado butter
Gardner's Hands? - Try a raw shea butter from Ghana OR raw avocado butter

Cha-ching!  Cash is good...

Beach water soap w/lemongrass EO
Sweet

Sweet and Nutty


Manly

Foodie

Sultry


Fruity

Relax

Saturday, April 13, 2013

South Coast Botonic Gardens

The South Coast Botanic Gardens offer both tai chi and yoga on Saturday mornings.  This morning I tried tai chi from 10:30 - 11:30.  Yoga starts at 11, which I want to try as well. 
 

Tai chi was bit tame for me, however, an enjoyable experience considering my surroundings, (and the better choice considering that I'm almost paralyzed from playing volleyball last week).  Have a look at some of my lovely encounters and consider trekking to the gardens next Saturday to see for yourself... Don't forget to drop into the Francis Young Hall to check out my soap!  I won't complain if you bring me a coffee...  (cream, no sugar) 

 South Coast Botanic Gardens










Thursday, April 11, 2013

Spring Soap, (I mean Plant), Show - South Coast Botanic Gardens



I haven't posted much lately and it's because I've been frantically preparing for my next show.  Please join me at the South Coast Botanic Gardens on April 20th from 10 - 4.  Not only will you be able to buy my wide variety of soaps, other interesting vendors, including those gourmet food trucks, will be on hand.  

The gardens are in full bloom and it should be a grand day out.  The annual spring show brings vendors of flora and fauna from far and wide just so YOU can stock up on that kinky Dahlia you've always wanted.  Learn to propagate for heaven's sakes... there will be somebody there to show you how!  Hope to see you...

Go here for more details:  South Coast Botanic Gardens


Sunday, March 24, 2013

Chocolate Soap!

Chocolate Soap
This soap has turned out to be a big hit with the kids, but you foodies will appreciate it too.  Slather up in chocolate and luxurious cocoa butter!  Heavenly and unique, you'll want to eat it... but not a clever idea.

I have only a few available in my shop right now... but more available next week.

Shop The Soap Exchange 

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

My New Display For The Upcoming Season

I am preparing for my first ever booth at a local event.  Please join me at The Rolling Hills General Store this Saturday, March 16th, from 9-4 for their annual garage sale.  There will be 15 other venders offering a wide array of crafty and equestrian-related items.  Hope to see you there!





Thursday, March 7, 2013

Raw Shea Butter From Ghana and Avocado Butter

As a soap maker, I have accumulated quite an array of butters and oils necessary in the soap-making process.  These oils are also used in the manufacturing of lotions and other moisturizing products.

As a person with my hands in either soap or dirt all day, (gardening), I have been in drastic need of a super moisturizer for my hands.  My store-bought lotions are good, but after raiding my stash of raw shea butter and avocado butter, I'll never go back to store-bought lotions.

Think about it..  lotions not only include a moisturizing element such as an oil or butter, but they also contain stabilizers, waxes and preservatives.  Why not put the real-deal on your hands in its most potent and unadulterated form? 



Avocado butter has a mild scent, almost undetectable,  and is so lovely and creamy - easily emulsifying onto warm hands.  Adding your own scent, such as lavender or rose, wouldn't compete at all.  It's SO yummy!  Light enough to wear all day, it promises you won't  feel like you're wearing an oil slick.


The shea butter I bought from Ghana is raw, natural and Fair Trade.   As it is unrefined, it is thicker than the avocado butter, however, has a bit more staying power... especially for rough feet and cuticles.  Shea butter comes from the shea nut, and unless you've smelled it before, the best comparison I can make is that may remind you of sunflower seeds.  Adding a scent over the top is do-able, but I'd suggest something earthy.  

Both of these products are now available here in my shop and they won't disappoint.  At least  1.5 oz - you'll love 'em!

~Sandy



Saturday, March 2, 2013

Recipes - Two Essential Oil Facial Serums

It has been a month since I posted about replacing your expensive skin care regimen with some simple essential oils, (EOs).  I spoke about the two least expensive and easily obtained EOs, lavender and tea tree.  If you would like to read that article before starting this one, you can view it here.  

Left - Day Serum, Right - Night Serum
Over the past month I've created two new blends which I find both effective and pleasantly aromatic.  Neither of these are as inexpensive as lavender and tea tree, however, offer a host of benefits for my particular skin type - (sun damaged and still prone to break-outs).... yes, wrinkles AND pimples at the same time.  Mother nature can be cruel at times.

Remember that I mentioned some EOs photo-sensitize your skin?  There are many that do and that is why I have created two recipes, one for day, and one for night. Luckily for me, the daytime serum has turned out lighter than the one for night.  Easy-peasy...
   Daytime
For daytime, I have come up with with a simple Frankincense and Myrrh blend.  Frankincense is used in aromatherapy for blemishes, dry and 'mature complexions', scars and wrinkles.  Yeah, I have all of those!  Frankincense is non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.  

Myrrh is good for chapped and cracked skin, 'mature complexions,' and wrinkles.  It is an antiseptic and astringent, among having many other beneficial qualities.  Mixed together with a carrier oil, (I have chosen Meadowfoam), you have a facial serum of biblical proportions.  Myrrh is a non-irritant and non-sensitizing but should not be used during pregnancy.

Used in your handmade recipes, Meadowfoam Oil is known for its moisturizing and rejuvenating properties. This oil has a non-greasy feeling, blends well with other carrier oils and has binding qualities, allowing it to help your products retain scents longer.  

On left for day - Myrrh EO, Frankincense EO and Meadowfoam Oil
On right for night - Rose Absolute, Neroil EO, Bergamot EO and Rice Bran Oil

Night

For night time use, I have chosen three lovely smelling and functional EOs...  Rose Absolute, Neroli and Bergamot.

Using rose absolute for mature skin is a widely touted favorite amongst aromatherapists.  Valuable for all skin types, it's an excellent treatment for the face, hands, neck and lips.  It is moisturizing and stimulates cellular regeneration  It helps to clear blotchy skin, along with a host of other benefits relating to women's health.  Great before bed, it is sedating and an aphrodisiac.  Non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.

Neroli, aka Orange Blossom, is used in aromatherapy for mature skin, as it improves elasticity.  On top of that, it is antibacterial, anti-depressive and guards from or prevents the spread or occurrence of disease or infection, (immuno-stimulant).  On top of that it aids in sleep, making it perfect before bed.  Non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.  

Great for acne-prone skin types, Bergamot clears up loads of other skin ailments such as psoriasis, eczema and cold sores.  Mixed with the other two, you've got your wrinkles and pimples covered.  And like the others, it is a mild sedative making it great for bed-time use.  Non-toxic and low-irritant factor.  Photo sensitizing.  

With the night-time blend, I have chosen Rice Bran Oil.  Cold Pressed Rice Bran Oil is rich in Vitamin E and anti-oxidants. This oil has long been used in Japan as a base for soap, skin moisturizer and protector. It is said to be an effective substitute for lanolin. Rice Bran Oil is especially used for treating dry and mature skin.

If you are unsure as to how these should be mixed, please refer to my prior blog, located here.  I recommend mixing up your serums in roller bottles like the ones pictured above.  They are extremely handy for application and airport friendly.  

Coupling this EO regimen with a nice salty soap, and this DIY goat's milk facial cleanser/scrub recipe - you should be completely good to go.  

NOT INTERESTED IN BUYING ALL THIS STUFF?  BOTH FACIAL SERUMS ARE AVAILABLE ON MY WEBSITE.

Before starting any regimen,  a patch test should be tried in an out-of-the-way place to test for allergies or other sensitivities.    


Saturday, February 23, 2013

Cameo Love


Throughout history, persons of royalty have set the tone for jewelry fashion. It is said that Queen Elizabeth loved to wear cameos and it is noted that Catherine the Great had a very impressive collection of them. The cameo survived the whims of changing fashion during the Nineteenth Century in England.  Since Queen Victoria favored cameos, the cameo was quite popular during and since her reign. They were popular as pins and pendants usually worn on a black velvet ribbon.

Originally, cameos were carved from bone, shell or glass.  I am not nearly that talented, so my exhibit of cameo love comes in the form of a beautiful silicone mold and a few excellent soap recipes.  I have three varieties, one made from shea butter, another made from a milk base - half & half, and the last made from the very luxurious cocoa butter.  All are extremely high quality, hand-made soaps befitting a queen.  

Due to the high milk fat content in my milk soaps, they are much softer than those made from cocoa or shea butter.  If you intend to use this soap strictly for your face, I'd recommend the milk soap.  For the rest of you, the cocoa and shea butters are longer lasting, but equally as excellent.  All three should be guarded from husbands and kids...   (My neighbor's husband unceremoniously completed his hand washing by laying my fair lady face-down in a puddle of water and left her there to drown).  Shame on him....

Available on my website for $5.50/each and come wrapped in a lovely floral fabric.  Also available is a cameo sampler, (get all 3), available for $18 in a lovely wrapped gift tray.  Check my website for details ----->

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Happy Chaps

Happy Chaps now available in my store.  They are the cutest little guest soaps made with raw cocoa butter, coconut oil and olive oil.  (Definitely a superior quality soap).  They are lightly scented with oatmeal, milk and honey fragrance, making them universally appealing.  Three for $6.00 - comes wrapped in darling fabric and tied off with jute. 

Monday, February 18, 2013

No Dragons Were Injured In The Making Of This Soap

Several soaps I posted about earlier are now ready to go.  One of these is my new favorite, Dragon's Blood.

Created with a shea butter base, it has warming notes of amber, incense, Madagascar vanilla and patchouli, the Dragon's Blood Fragrance is lightened up with layers of romantic notes such as rose, jasmine and lilac. Top notes are the colorful, light touches of blood orange and grapefruit. If ever a fragrance made you want to go out and get a tattoo, this one is it.

The curing process has rendered it dark and earthy, just like you would expect.  Here it is in all its glory, available on both my website or on Etsy for $5.50.    

On a geeky side note, I investigated the actual Dragon Tree.  My travels brought me to the South Coast Botanic Gardens, located in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.  An African native, the injured tree runs red with sap, (resin), from its wound.  The red resin was used in ancient times as varnish, medicine, incense, and dye.  So there you have it...  more than you ever wanted to know.

~Sandy

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Rustic Almond Soap Sticks

Now for sale in my shop are these very cute and rustic Almond Soap Sticks.  Each is approx. 3 oz.

Lightly scented with almond, it is a combination of two soaps, (chunks added for fanciness), it's made with distilled water, olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil, and palm kernel oil.  It's a hard soap and will last you a lifetime...  well, a good long while, anyway.

Click the link over on the right to head to my website for ordering.  It's on special through the weekend. --->

Friday, February 15, 2013

DIY - Goat's Milk Facial Scrub Recipe

I am a Do It Yourself kind of person.  Coupled with that, I like a good deal.  In my travels around the web, I have come across a stellar recipe to gently exfoliate your face, (arms, back etc.), with some lovely, earthy ingredients readily available at the supermarket.  Best of all, it's inexpensive and works great... even for the most sensitive skin.

DIY Goat's Milk Facial Scrub Recipe

Ingredients: 

2.5 oz. powdered goats milk
2.5 oz. colloidal oatmeal (or oat flour)
2.5 oz. baking soda

1 oz. salt (optional - but you know how much I love it)
1 small jam jar or similar



Directions:

Weigh out all of your ingredients using a scale, (or simply ratio it out into larger or smaller quantities), and combine in a  bowl. Mix well. Then spoon into air tight containers for storage.  That's it!

To use, simply remove a small amount of this all natural facial scrub from the container and mix with just enough water or honey (up to one Tablespoon) to form a paste. (For extra dry or mature skin, try mixing this scrub with rice bran oil or olive oil.) Then apply to facial skin in a circular motion for up to one minute. Alternately, you can use this scrub as a mask by applying and letting set for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with water to remove and pat dry. Store your scrub in a cool dry location.

What Conditions Are Helped By Colloidal Oatmeal?

Colloidal oatmeal works great to help relieve dry, skin patches (Eczema), psoriasis, acne, bug bites, sunburns, and other minor skin irritations. It also helps relieve chicken pox, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and other itching and scratching rashes. Since colloidal oatmeal has an anti-itch property that helps reduce the “need to itch,” soaking in the bath brings soothing comfort to those infected. When your skin is itchy and irritated, its pH level may be higher. Colloidal Oatmeal helps bring the pH back to normal levels, taming "the need to itch."

And What About Goat's Milk?

Goat's milk is a natural emollient that helps soothe and moisturize the skin. It contains vitamins A, B6, B12 and E. Goat's milk has 3 times more beta-casein than cow's milk. Caseins are easily absorbed into the skin and allow for quick hydration of dry skin. The content of triglycerides, capric, caprylic and caproic acid helps balance the skin's natural pH and promotes natural exfoliation of dry skin. Goat's Milk Powder is an excellent ingredient to include in bath, soap, cream and lotion formulations.

Baking Soda?

This stuff is awesome at not just scrubbing away dead skin cells, leaving your skin soft and smooth; it’s also an excellent contender against those nasty, pesky blackheads. And because baking soda helps neutralize your skin’s pH, your skin will start to produce less oil, and eventually, with regular treatment, your blackheads will take a hike!


~Sandy

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

A Day In The Life Of Me


Using all those fancy and super smelling soaps is so luxurious, but what is it like to make?    

On a normal day, UPS will arrive with a bunch of supplies.  Received today:  35lbs of unrefined coconut oil, 10lbs raw cocoa butter, a myriad of beautiful new molds and other peripherals necessary to do business as a soaper. 


Once the unpacking is done, it's time to get down to business.  As I have been waiting forever for my cocoa butter to arrive, that's what I'll be using in my two recipes today:  "Cocoa Butter/Hazelnut Soap", and my new most favorite soap, "Brownie Bars," which is cocoa butter and cocoa powder mixed up and wrapped like a brownie.  Looks like a brownie, smells like a brownie... must be a brownie.  Be careful not to eat it! 

Next step is to clean up the lab, I mean kitchen, so that I have some working space.  I prepare the mold, measure out the ingredients and make sure I have all the other junk I need.  

Getting all the ingredients just right is key.  Liquid oils cold, solid oils hot and melted.  Mix them together and make sure they're stable at 110 degrees.
Soap-making attire - Holding liquid Cocoa Butter

Next I mix the lye solution. Modeling a highly fashionable respirator, I tie a long sleeved t-shirt around my head to spare myself from the fumes I'm about to create. (Amazing that I was so color-coordinated... I really didn't plan this).  

Lye solution
The action of mixing lye with a liquid creates extreme heat.  It is dangerous and can severely burn you.  (This lye is about 180 degrees F and must be reduced to 110 degrees F before it can be added to the oils).  The vapors created aren't visible, (but the steam is), and can really irritate your lungs and cause headaches if you're not careful.  The action, (saponification), that takes place between the lye, (a base), and the fats in the oils, (acid), creates soap.  Now there's your bit of science for the day.

Left - Oils and lye still separate.  Right - Oils completely mixed
Once you've mixed sufficiently, the soap goo is ready to be poured into a mold.  In this case, I've made a double batch and will use a lined wooden loaf mold.  After about 20 minutes, the soap has solidified sufficiently to go back with a knife and decorate the top by swirling it.



Now I wait impatiently for 24 hours before I remove the soap from the mold and slice it into bars.  Once it has been sliced, I wait again, (sigh), for at least two more weeks.  During that time, the soap cures, becoming milder and harder.  

Imagining this process over and over will explain the current state of my house.  It is no longer a house, it is a workshop that is clearly not big enough.  Is that a piano in there?
I do love the process of making soap.  So far I've enjoyed all aspects of starting up this business - (creating logos, websites, blogging, pushing my soap on prospective retailers)... all good stuff!  But I'd have to say that the best thing of all is getting to shower at the end of the day and having so many lovely soaps to choose from! ~ Sandy