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Monday, July 28, 2008

2nd post of the night - featured!

A mere 1 hour after posting my Instructable, I am featured on the FRONT PAGE!!!
Check it out here: http://www.instructables.com/
Here's a direct link to my instructable: http://www.instructables.com/id/Hot-Process-Liquid-Soapmaking/

Love is hard work.

I'm talking about my love of creating...you thought I was about to dish, didn't cha? Sike!
Anywhoo, I made my first instructable tonight, yippee! I did my instructable on liquid soapmaking. One might wonder why I would give away my secrets, if I'm selling the soap....
Don't worry, I'm no fool, I didn't give away any secrets. My process is just too great not to share with the world. The instructable is really just meant to serve as a pictorial. I know lots of people who won't try something until they see how it looks first. I'm thinking of developing this into a full-fledged e-book for sale. Keep your eyes peeled for more info.

Monday, July 21, 2008

It's the simple things...

For tonight's workshop with the wee-ones, we made cardboard flip-flops. I found this on family fun's website, and thought it was such a wonderful idea! It's simple, easy and the kids can customize to their hearts content. We actually started last night. I traced their feet onto the cardboard, and cut them out, then had them paint the bottom part of the flip-flops. Then tonight we came back and decorated the top using 2 inch wide strips of cardstock and various paints, appliques, glitter, markers and whatnot. The kids had a great time, and they are so impressed with their creations, they insisted on wearing them around the house. The trouble came when #3 (who didn't make one) flipped out because he wanted a pair. So you guessed it, I had to quickly make him a pair too. He literally did not stop wailing till they were on his feet. You would think they got hundred dollar presents or something. Proof positive that kids don't necessarily need all those fancy toys with the bells and whistles. Sometimes it's just just the simple things...















Here is Prince Focused decorating his flaps.











And Princess Snaggletooth decorating hers...
















Meanwhile Prince Rawkus scribbled and marked up my craft table...















Here is the finished product....

















Here are Prince Focused and Princess Snaggletooth modeling there creations.
And a great time was had by all!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

At the market


The Soap Queen in action at the Yellow Springs Farmer's market. I did okay.
I've got a frienemy at the market that I need to keep a close eye on. Competition is fierce! That's all I'm going to say about that.

In other news, I had my first international etsy order to Australia, yay!

Friday, July 18, 2008

My latest Etsy Listing


You would think my kitchen looked this good all the time. Check out my new item on etsy: Votive Shades Pattern E. The surface design is loosely based on the Adinkra symbol "Ananse Ntontan" which stands for wisdom and creativity. How divine!
The shades are great for dinner parties, and will softly illuminate your space to give a cozy bistro feel. Speaking of which, while in NY in February I met up with my dear friend S.W at a restaurant. Of course I don't remember the name of the place now, but I remember it was in the village, below street level and illuminated entirely by the candles on the table. They could've used these shades...hey, maybe they'll wanna buy some? Hmmm....new idea!
Anywhoos, these shades are also great as wedding reception centerpieces. Check them out!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Exhausted

Excuse me if this post is a little rambly. Sleep is seriously in short supply. This time tommorrow, I should be passed out somewhere after this whirlwind of a weekend. I'm trying not to fall off, trying to stay focused. Trying...to.....keep.......up................the....................work.
I'm off to bed for the next 3 hours before it all starts again.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

One Day I will laugh about this...

Tonight I was in the process of bottling my fresh batch of soap in preparation for this weekend's farmer's market, when in strolled my older two who are age 7 and 4. Of course they wanted to help. Of course my first inclination was a to scream a big, fat, NO. But of course, common sense, compassion, and a desire to be a good parent prevailed. I agreed to let them put the caps on the bottles for me. Everything was going swimmingly well, when inevitably, my 4 year old drops a bottle on the floor, spilling half its contents! I guess he lost his grip on the bottle because of drips on the side. Have you ever tried to mop up concentrated liquid soap off the floor??? You simply haven't lived! Of course I was vexed and wanted to have a screaming fit, but once again, I had restraint. All I could say was 'It's okay son, I know it was an accident.'
I wonder if there's been any sort of research statics on the amount of stress induced on parents from having to have so much restraint?

*On another note, my fabulous Votive Candle Shades made someone's treasury! Yay! I hope this translates into sales.

*My Taiwosoaps Etsy shop opened today, yay! I will be adding more items as I see fit, so stay tuned! Oh yeah, and shop too!
I'm equally passionate about both my product lines, but I didn't really see how to mesh the two in the same shop, so I opened a separate shop for the soaps.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Liquid Soap Pictorial

Here are my steps, documented in pictures. This should in no way be taken as a tutorial. If you need some info on where to get a bonafide tutorial, send me a comment and I'll point you in the right direction. There are so many tutorials out there, but most don't have step-by-step pictures.