Almost forgot........

I was testing a few batches for mildness, and left this piece of Peepshow sitting by the sink. Lo and behold, I come back later and..... FOSSIL. Does anyone else see this or am I crazy?

The other side.... ehh... not so much....

Now if only I could figure out a way to do it purposely!!!

Contenders in the ugly soap Hall of Fame (shame?)

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've had a tremendous problem with soda ash lately. No idea why. I've taken all the preventative measures. *sigh*

Also, some of the springtime scents I've received have caused lots of heat, therefore causing huge crater-ish cracks straight down the middle of my soap logs. Now, I COULD cry and say oh-why-me and throw them out, but I'm embracing the ugly. Wrapping my arms around it and calling it mine own. YES!!!

(And besides, they still smell good!)

So, without further ado, on the rack as we speak...........

DROSTA: A tempting brew of pomegranate tea, darkened by smoky wood, and garnished with a sweet mint leaf.

 

BAILEY: A complimentary soap for my Barnum perfume (of course). Blood red wine sweetened just a bit juicy berries, tobacco, spice, and a insinuation of pitch black.

VAUDEVILLE:  Sugary, honeyed black tea, infused with mint and lemon, on a base of musky polished wood.

MADELINE: The complimentary soap for my Delina perfume. Spiced merlot, a hint of cocoa, and a flowery moonlight path.

Bella's Big Day

My daughter had a program at school. She stood on stage holding a giant blow-up ant and talked about the different body parts of insects. She did sooooo good, but was so nervous! Here is her nervous face:

I'm so proud of my baby!

Prototype packaging for my soapies!

Okay, remember this is just a prototype. The final labels will not be white - more of an antique brown. I didn't photograph the back, because it's just boring ingredients and such. :-)

I would really like feedback. For some reason, I'm nervous about their big debut!

Soda Ash Goblins

*sigh*

There must be something environmental that's causing MAJOR soda ash on my soaps lately. I've done everything possible to prevent it, but the ash has been showing up 3-5 days into curing.

Every. Single. Time.

I'm frustrated and wondering what the hell I'm going to do now. I've thought about moving the curing rack somewhere else, but because I don't know what's causing the ash, I don't know where to move it.

Batches and batches of beautiful soap ruined.

My Newest Crop

ABSINTHE

 

NATALI:  Sweet, ripe orange marbled with creamy vanilla and a hint of sandalwood, cloaked in rich black chocolate.

SOAPIES

Here are a few of the cold process soaps I'm putting in the shop starting around April 1st.

MENAGERIE:  Lush espresso and decadent milks mingled with sweet wood, dark cocoa, and velvety hazelnut vanilla.

 

PEEPSHOW: Juicy apricot and bittersweet red tea, swirled with sweet milk,  a delicious ribbon of fragrant cinnamon and teasing undercurrent of wood smoke.

 

  

  

  

BIGTOP: Oak leaves, green moss and floral