Let Them Bathe In Cake?

Okay. You know I must have much to much time on my hands when I start making soap that looks like cake but I don't and I have, so here it is. As a matter of fact, I kind of borrowed the idea from a few friends that make all sorts of delicious looking soap cakes, cupcakes and pies. Why do we do this?...because it's cute, a novelty and believe it or not, people ask for these things for showers, parties, anniversaries, etc. They put them on the tables as center pieces and use as party favors and the guests seem to love them.

I used cold processed soap, of course, iced with m&p and candy sprinkles from the craft store. It is scented with almond fragrance which makes it really smell like cake.

This Time, Lotion

A few weeks ago I took a lotion making class at The NY Open Center with La Shonda Tyree from Homemadesoapcoach.com It was a fabulous class and her instructions were so thorough that I was able to go home and make lotion right away. Of course I had bought most of the ingredients before hand but just didn't know how to start nor did I have any idea about preservatives.

I whipped up a 32 oz batch for my own personal use. I used sweet almond oil, Shea butter, hemp seed oil, castor oil and Optiphen as a preservative. Lime essential oil from Brambleberry and coconut fragrance oil to scent. It turned out thick, rich and creamy. I tell you it is out of this world, but before I market it for public use I will first have it tested at a lab.

Cabernet Grape Soap

If you are a soapmaker, or know a soapmaker personally, you know how we can sometimes get a little bored with making the same soap over & over. Well, I'm one who comes up with crazy ideas all the time. This time I was sitting around drinking some delicious grape juice and thought what a great soap this will make. I know I wouldn't mind taking a shower with it. But what would I do about fragrance.

I know, I had received a 1 oz. sample of Cabernet F/O from Lebermuth that smells like grapes. I've been waiting for the opportunity to use it and now was the time. I didn't use any colorants because I wanted to see what color the juice would give. The result is a nice tan shade of brown. I guess mainly because of the sugar content of the grape juice. It's been two weeks now and the fragrance is actually reminiscent of fruity grape wine. Can't wait to test it out.

Soothing Lavender Soap

Any Soapmaker worth her/his salt will have a lavender soap in their product line. It is by far the most asked for soap when I sell at my markets. I wouldn't feel quite right if I didn't bring lavender with me. Over the years I've tried lavender essential oils from several different suppliers and liked them all but have decided to use a blend of Lebermuth & Essential Wholesale for this soap. I've also added dried lavender flowers grown in my back yard to give it that extra oomph of fragrance.