Friday, October 31, 2008

Cameo Soap Tutorial for Halloween!

Ivy Long, of Edera Jewelry, put together this very cool, very goth, Halloween treasury. She let me know that she chose my Cameo Soap Tutorial as part of the collection! I love all of the different items she put together. Thanks, Ivy, for including Soapylove!

Have a great Halloween everyone! Don't get a tummy ache (and let your kids have some of their candy, too!).

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Hello Soapy Fans in the Middle East!

Soapylove must have appeared in a publication in the Middle East, because I have been getting lots of great emails from new Soapy Fans looking for some Soapylove in their area! I still do not offer international shipping from my main site, but there is a boutique in the Kingdom of Bahrain that stocks my soaps called The Pink Diamond.

Farrah is the owner of the boutique. If you are in Bahrain, you can visit her shop at: Shop 18a, Road 1401, Riffa 914. Call her at 973 17 666636, or email her at pinkdiamondboutique@gmail.com. She will be happy to ship soaps to you anywhere in the Middle East.

Thanks so much everyone!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

8 Tutorials Now Available! Get Ready for the Holidays!

For all of you avid Daily Ditties readers, I promised you new holiday soap tutorials, and now they are ready! I just posted 4 brand new soap tutorials in my Etsy shop. Soon they will also be available on my main site, but for all of you getting a head start, I didn't want to make you wait!

You will find:
Frosty Vintage Tree Soaps (under the tree)
Sugar Plum Ornament Soaps (on the tree)
Fancy Ball Ornament Soaps (in the middle under the tree)
Glittery Glass Ball Ornament Soaps (not pictured)

If you go to my shop and click on the Soapy Tutorials section, you will find these and my year-round soap designs. Once you make your purchase, I will email the tutorials to you as PDF's which you can print at home. Fast and easy!

All of my supplies came from Bramble Berry except the ball molds ("Cheap Soap Molds - Round"). If you get a project and have a question please feel free to write me. Each project has great photos to help you along, but I'm always available to help.

Thanks and I hope you like them! Happy Soaping!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Thingsicles - My Favorite Things on Sticks!

As you can imagine, I find myself attracted to things on sticks. Making soapsicles has given me an appreciation for how sticks seem to make anything more charming! So, in my compulsive internet surfing, I've come across some other people making things-on-sticks that I just had to share with you!

First, let me introduce you to Bakerella. She has combined 2 of the best smile-makers into one amazing edible creation - Cupcake Pops! Bakerella is not a secret. She's even been on Martha. I read her blog and am floored by the cool variations of this idea that she is constantly posting. But what is really cool about Bakerella is that she teaches you how to make them, too! Check out the Bakerella site for recipes, entertaining posts about baking, contests, and baking supplies. It's so great!

Next is my super favorite candy site called Lollyphile. It is a small San Francisco based company that is just one year old and has made quite an impression with their Absinthe and Maple-Bacon Lollipops! They even have a new flavor called Wasabi-Ginger. Their goal is to "make the most interesting and unique lollipops in the world." I admit - I haven't ordered any for myself yet, but their pops would make an amazing gift for those hard-to-shop-for types!

Lastly, my ultimate favorite for total color and sweetness inspiration is the classic Whirlypop. These psychedelic and totally happy rainbow lollipops have set the standard for color on a stick. Plus you can get them in enormous 8" diameter versions! Search "Whirly Pops" and you'll find lots of online shops that sell them. This beautiful photo is by Sofia Kateriina on flickr.
Now that I've poured my heart out about things on sticks, are there any that you think I missed or that you'd like to share, too? Please comment here and tell me about your favorite stick-suspended creations. Thanks!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Super Spooky Soaps from PJ Soaps!



Paula from PJ Soaps taught at Otion this summer, so I was so excited to meet her there in person. We hit it off instantly - she's just as crazy about soap as I am!!

Well, she was curious about my Glow in the Dark Soap Chips, so I sent her some, and this is what she made. They are Tree Spirit Soaps. I think they're so cool!! The glowing faces are so spooky - reminds me of Blair Witch Project! :)

You can get some for yourself at PJ Soaps. Don't miss these and all of the other super artistic, jaw dropping soaps she makes.

Oh - and you can also get her soap paints there, which I used on the Day of the Dead Soapsicles. I can't tell you how fun they are to use. Paula has oodles of great stuff on her site, including tips and tricks about soap making - even packaging! It's a must!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Fun with Soap Paints!


Day of the Dead Soapsicles, originally uploaded by soapylovedeb.

FYI - these are now available in my Etsy shop. Since each is one of a kind, I will list them singly until each color has been taken.

I tried soap painting quite a while ago, but wasn't happy at all with my results. I gave my set away and hadn't thought about it again since.

But last Friday I was so delighted to get a very special package from my friend Paula - the artist behind PJ Soaps. Inside the box, wrapped in the most beautiful iridescent cellophane, was a complete set of her custom formulated soap paints. She even included the Neon Set! Be still, my heart!! There were paint brushes, tools, and instructions, too. I was SO excited!!

I immediately started brainstorming ideas. Graffiti soaps? Tattoo soaps? Aquarium soaps? So hard to choose! After sleeping on it, I woke up knowing what I wanted to do - sugar skulls for Dia de los Muertos, in soapsicle form, of course!

I made the soapsicles first. Neon colors with a sprinkle of soap glitter, scented with "Hello Sweet Thang" fragrance from Bramble Berry, and handcut skull embeds. Yesterday I spent the day at my in-laws' house for a family gathering and brought my soaps to work on. I got these 3 done. The paints are wonderful to work with. The paint brushes are key. Paula's set includes a few widths, but they're all quite tiny, which is best for this type of paint. I added some soap glitter for a little extra "bling" and let them dry.

Now I have to "glaze" them - seal the surface with a clear coat of soap. I'm so nervous! I don't want the paint to smear! But Paula assured me it should be fine. If I chicken out, I can dust them with arrowroot powder and forget it.

I'll have these listed in my Etsy shop soon. There's also a lime green one I need to paint. So make sure to check in and see! :)

Monday, October 13, 2008

They Forgot To Move The Bodies!!

Do you remember that line from Poltergeist? Where they're in the pool and all the coffins start bobbing up, spilling out their grizzly contents? Awesome!

Well, if you like that you'll like this creepy soap, too. It has a white soap skeleton hidden inside a muddy brown soap bar, just waiting to emerge as you wash, wash, wash. This is my newest soap tutorial just posted on The Soap Queen Blog. There's even a funny way to display this soap until you're ready to start using it. Definitely check it out!

Olá, amigos no Brasil!

Provavelmente você me achou por causa de uma recente característica minha sabonetes recebido em uma revista aí. Obrigado por vir! Eu também tenho recebido muitos e-mails de brasileiros muito agradável se perguntando onde pode comprar meus sabonetes desde o meu site principal não oferece navegação internacional.

Você pode comprar o meu sabonetes e tê-los enviado, em qualquer parte do mundo da minha loja Etsy em http://www.soapylove.etsy.com/. Existem muitos estilos disponíveis lá. Se você tiver um pedido especial, por favor email mim em mailto:debbie@soapylove.com. Se você tem uma loja e gostaria de vender meus sabonetes, meu mínimo é de 24 sabonetes, em qualquer combinação de estilos. Ficaria feliz e-mail para você com um completo catálogo de preços por grosso e informações de pagamento.

De agradecer aos meus novos amigos no Brasil, tenho 4 especiais criados Soapsicles Bandeira brasileira! Eles são banana perfumada e têm handcut detalhes. Você pode encontrá-los na minha loja Etsy tão bem! Muito obrigado!


Hello, friends in Brazil!

You have probably found me because of a recent feature my soaps received in a magazine there. Thank you for coming! I have also received many very nice emails from Brazilians wondering where you can buy my soaps since my main site does not offer international shipping.

You can buy my soaps and have them shipped anywhere in the world from my Etsy shop at http://www.soapylove.etsy.com/. There are many styles available there. If you have a special request, please email me at debbie@soapylove.com. If you have a shop and would like to sell my soaps, my minimum is 24 soaps, in any combination of styles. I would be happy to email you a complete catalog with wholesale pricing and payment information.

To thank my new friends in Brazil, I have created 4 special Brazilian Flag Soapsicles! They are banana scented and have handcut details. You can find these in my Etsy shop as well! Thank you so much!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Glow Powder Soap Chips Now Available!


Intrigued by making glowing soaps? Have some ideas but don't want to invest in the powder? (Do you feel the sales pitch coming?) Well, I just listed glow powder soap chips in my Etsy shop! They are mini bars of clear soap loaded with glow powder - each chip will easily color a pound of clear soap base! You'll get 2 chips: one yellow/green and one white/purple. They're only $5 for the set. Get yours TODAY! ;)

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

New Alien Soap Tutorial!

Check out this cool new alien soap, perfect for fright night! It has real glow-in-the-dark eyes and a greenish opalescent head. The mold is 3-D, too!

Go to The Soap Queen Blog and learn how to make it (and see a daylight picture), or keep checking my Etsy shop to see when I'll be listing some. I had so much fun making this soap that I'm going to try several variations. I might even do a Spider Man, but I'm not sure how to make the black web design on his face.

I digress... get your supplies now so you can make these for Halloween!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Soapylove Grand Re-Opening!

After a long break, I have decided to reopen my Etsy shop! Just like before, you'll find soaps you won't see anywhere else, and specials that can't be beat!

For starters, you can get "special" Ice Cream Truck Soap Dishes for just $6.00 each. The perfect ones are $17 each in the Soapylove shop! Soon I'll be listing lots of soaps Ive made and are just waiting to be sent to a happy home. So make sure to stop by to see the latest and greatest!