Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Your Daily Dose of Cuteness


Easter Egg Cake Pops, originally uploaded by Bakerella.

Bakerella is one of my ultimate favorite blogs. When I see that there's a new post, I excitedly click to see what it will be. Today I was rewarded with eye candy galore! Just wait until you see the Easter Cake Pops she has created. So much color and SUGAR!

What is so cool about Bakerella is she posts instructions on how to make all of her pops. There are great articles about types of sugar decorations, variations on each design, and so much more.

Definitely add Bakerella to your blog feed at www.bakerella.com, and click the above link to see her awesome Flickr album, too!

New Soaps at The Soap Lab!

Hot out of the molds! Here's a new experiment for The Soap Lab. Would you like to learn how to make them? Leave me a comment on the Parsons Soap Blocks post!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Do You Know About The Soap Lab?

If you were visiting my blog late last year, you probably read about The Soap Lab. It's my side project where I discuss modern design (like these gorgeous Soap Stones by Jean Pelle) and feature soaps I have made with a more grown-up feel. I've been so busy this year with Soapylove, Let's Get Soapy, and life in general that I haven't been posting there since December.

Happily, I am inspired again and have reopened The Lab. This time I won't be selling any soaps, though - just discussing modern design and showing new soaps I have made. I guess if I get really jazzed I will sell some, but I'll worry about that if/when it happens!

Anyway, I hope you'll check it out. I'm a Statcounter fiend and check my hits obsessively, so your hit will make me that much happier! :) Thanks!

Friday, March 27, 2009

This is the Last Day, Everybody!

Don't miss out on the Sneak Preview rate of only $12 for the new Summer issue of Let's Get Soapy! Starting tomorrow it will be $15, and my site will (finally!) be updated so this is still for you in-the-know peeps!
I must say - the real show stopper in this issue is the Strawberry Shortcake Loaf Soap. I had it out on my dinner table for a few days while I was working on the tutorial and photos, and everyone who saw it wanted a bar. The wow factor is pretty high and for those of you that sell at shows, you might want to add it to your product offerings! Selling by the slice is really fun for customers and makes a beautiful display.

Speaking of shows and displays I'll be posting about that soon. So make sure to add my blog to your RSS feed for some great tips and resources coming up!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

...And The Winner Is...

I gathered all of the commentors' names from my DIY Soap Party video and drew a name today! I tried to make a spiffy little video about it, too, but the quality isn't all the great. Sorry!

I'll let you view the video to see who the winner is. If it's you, please email me so I can send you your free copy of the new Let's Get Soapy.

Thanks for playing, everyone!

Start "Swirling with the Best!"


Remember the cool swirling contest over at Saponifier? The winners were featured in their latest issue, and now there's a great book dedicated just to swirling techniques called "Swirling with the Best!" I have a copy and it's full of great tutorials on how to swirl. It's mostly CP methods, except for one melt and pour tutorial (my Sugar Plum Ornament Soap). You'll love all of the beautiful photos and insights from lots of great soap makers.

You can get it as a printed book or pdf, and there's even a calendar available! Check it out over at Saponifier. Have fun!

Monday, March 23, 2009

I'm Feeling the Love, Craftzine! Thank you!

I'm so excited that Let's Get Soapy and my humble video have been featured on Craft: zine's Blog today!! Thank you so much!

For any Craft: readers who are here because of the post, you can find the Summer issue of Let's Get Soapy here. I hope you like it! Glycerin soap crafting is so fun and best of all, it gets completely used up, so you have room for your other crafts, too! :)

Thank you, Average Jane Crafter, the author of the post!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Ta Da! Let's Get Soapy is Here! Don't Miss the Sneak Peek Week!

Phew! After months of planning and lots of fun soapmaking, the new Let's Get Soapy is here. But it's in a sneaky place where only those in-the-know will find it (that's you!).

This week only, you can get the Summer issue for only $12. After Friday, it will be the regular price of $15. So don't miss out! Go straight to the Let's Get Soapy shopping cart here to pick up your copy. You'll learn how to make the beautiful rainbow heart soaps you see above, and so much more!

I'll be picking the winner of the free copy from all those who commented on my new video and will announce who it is later this week. Good luck to those who entered!

Thanks so much and enjoy!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Mmmm... Soapy Slices!


I just finished writing the tutorial for the Strawberry Shortcake Loaf Soap for the Summer issue of Let's Get Soapy! I included a few extra helpful tips that you can use for any soap project, like:
  • finding your mold capacity in a snap
  • deciding which layers to fragrance when making multi-colored soaps
  • fixing your red color (see Tuesday's post!)
  • and repairing loaf soap decorations

I hope you check it out! Stay tuned to see even more peeks of the next issue, which will be available to Soapyclub members on Monday. Make sure you sign up, too!


Tuesday, March 17, 2009

How to Turn Watermelon into Strawberries

Right now I'm working on a Strawberry Shortcake Loaf Soap tutorial for the Summer issue of Let's Get Soapy. While making the strawberries, I made a little tweak that might help you on your next project.

I'm a huge fan of Bramble Berry's non-bleeding red liquid colorant. It's what I use for my Squeakymelon Soapsicles. It's a great watermelon color. After unmolding my first batch of strawberries using the liquid red, I realized the shade was a bit too pink for a convincing berry.

To make the color a bit richer and deeper, I added one drop of blue ultramarine. Even though my heart stopped for a second as the color went from a very strong purple back to a slightly darker red, it was just what I needed. You can see the before and after berries, above.

I just threw my pink berries back into my cup and remelted them to make new berries. No waste! Gotta love melt and pour!

The Summer issue will be ready next Monday, so make sure you have signed up for the Soapyclub to get your special discount! You will love the full Shortcake project! The sign up box is on the left hand side of the blog, or click here to sign up on the Soapylove site.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

New Video Tutorial and Class Dates!



If you're a regular Soapylove Daily Ditties visitor, you have read that I recently got a new Flip camcorder and am totally hooked! For my first real full-on movie, I have made a DIY Soap Party tutorial. And since this is a teaser for the Summer issue of Let's Get Soapy, if you leave a comment on this post or on the video at YouTube, you may be randomly chosen to win a free copy, available March 23!

Also, I have 2 soapmaking classes coming up! One is at the Nova Studio in Point Richmond, CA, on April 11. I'll be teaching how to use molds of all different kinds. Each student will be taking home lots of great molds and tools, and plenty of soaps you'll make right there! We had an awesome time when I taught the Bubbly Holidays and Sweet Treats classes in December, so don't miss this one! For more info, click here.


In July I will be at the Soapmaking Weekend Intensive in Bellingham, WA. I'll be teaching how to make Plaid Soaps and Soap Cookies, both of which will be in my new book coming out this fall. See the whole line up of teachers for this great weekend of bath and beauty bliss here. And if you've never been to Bellingham, you'll love this very charming and cool town! Hope to see you there!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Inspirational, Useful, or Funny?

As some of you may know, I'm working hard to promote my article for Intuit's "Share and Win" business grant contest. But I need YOUR HELP to get there!

40% of the criteria for winning is based on ratings. So if you love Soapylove, and would like to see many more exciting things from us, please take a moment and read my article, then rate it "Inspirational, Useful, or Funny (or all three!)." Believe me, if I get to be one of the 50 businesses selected, you will see the results!

Thank you so much for your time!!
-Debbie

Friday, March 6, 2009

Summer eZine Coming Right Along!

Hello SoapyFans! I am so excited about the Summer issue of the Let's Get Soapy eZine. It's going to be full of tutorials, tips, a really fun new technique (if you like polka dots, this is for you), and lots more! Make sure to join the SoapyClub so you'll get a special discount. Let's Get Soapy will be available on March 23 using my new shopping cart here.

I have also made lots of "a la carte" tutorials available now, too. Check them out here!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Soundtrack du Jour


Betzwhite tweeted about this great music video today from the Dorfmanorama YouTube channel. I loved it. I hope you will, too!

If the screen seems cut off, click here to go to YouTube and see it better.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

New Let's Get Soapy Shopping Cart - Much More Friendly!

For those who were interested in getting the Spring issue of Let's Get Soapy, but were turned off by the "Drop" site, I have changed to a much nicer shopping cart system. Now you will be able to use Paypal to buy the eZines instead of registering with Amazon, and you'll automatically get an email reply with a download link once your purchase is completed.

Also, all issues of Let's Get Soapy will be there so you can get multiple issues if you wish. Check it out at http://letsgetsoapy.cerizmo.com/. This is now the link from my main site page, too.

FYI, I'm working on the summer issue right now and plan to have it available to Soapyclub members on March 23 and the rest of the world on March 30. Make sure to sign up to get the special Soapyclub rate during the early release as well!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Flipping Out!


Sunday was so much fun. We had a soap making party at my sister's house, which is going to be the featured tutorial in the Summer issue of Let's Get Soapy (how to throw your own soap party). It was an opportunity to take lots of pictures and record a promotional video.

Recently I had a coaching session with Donna Maria of the Indie Beauty Network. She encouraged me to get a simple camcorder and start making videos. Once I started looking into them, I fell in love with the Flip! You can see us all oohing and aahing over it in the picture above.

It is such a cinch to use and I'm really happy with the video quality. The price is definitely right (under $200 for a camera with my own picture on it!). I posted my first "tutorial" video last week. Check it out here.

I will be uploading all of my videos to my new YouTube channel, called Soapylove Videos, so make sure to subscribe and keep up to date on the latest and greatest!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Thank You, Now What Baby!

Thanks so much to Melissa at Now What Baby for her very nice review of our Confetti Cupcake Soapsicle! My son agrees - the stick is great for kids learning how to wash their own hands. I personally love the light scrubiness of the jojoba bead "confetti", too. That stubborn kid-dirt needs a little extra help sometimes!

If you'd like to win a Soapylove Soapsicles of your choice, head over to Now What Baby and comment on the review. A winner will be chosen late this month!