Soapylove Daily Ditties

New Soapylove online tutorial collection!

2011-09-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

After creating a full list of the tutorials I wrote for The Soap Queen, I realized that there wasn't one single place where folks could find all Soapylove tutorials. A list of links isn't very inspiring so I created a Flickr collection organized into four categories - Cute and Funky, Desserts and Soap Pops, Sophisticated, and Holiday. It's simple - each photo has a link to the tutorial! There are more than 100 projects to choose from. Click here to go to the collection. You can add any category to your RSS reader and get updates automatically. Enjoy!

Here's a slideshow of the Cute and Funky category. Click on any photo for the link!

Easy and Pretty Stenciled Soap Tutorial

2011-09-05T21:40:00.000-07:00

Do you know about Fancy Flours? They sell the most amazing baking supplies including beautiful cake and cookie stencils (and tons of other awesome stuff. Check it out!). From cute seasonal shapes like pumpkins and snowflakes to modern and fashionable designs like brocades and birdcages. Just search on their site for "stencil" and you'll find all of their styles.

I just so happen to have their Crystal Snowflake Cookie Stencils so here's a quick little tutorial about how you can use them for your next soap project.

First start with freshly made glycerin soaps. If you put your soaps in the freezer before unmolding, let them dry completely before using the stencil. Now get out some mica powder and a little cosmetic brush (like a blush brush) or soft paint brush. Choose a mica color that will contrast with your soap bar or else it won't be noticeable.

If you are using a jar of mica powder, you can just use the lid to get mica on your brush. Swirl brush in mica lid or dip brush lightly into mica and swirl on a little plate to evenly distribute powder on brush. I think it's best to build up color slowly so you can control the intensity of your design.

Now carefully place the stencil on the surface of your soap. Hold it still and gently apply mica powder to stencil, doing multiple applications to build up color. You can use multiple colors to create shading effects and dimension, too. Once you're done, your soaps are ready to wrap!

For another great stenciling tutorial using a different technique with glitter, check out The Soap Queen's version, too!

(Do you like my soap shape? I used the Soapylove Scalloped Round Mold from Bramble Berry. Check out the whole line here!)

Soapylove Article and Tutorial Directory from The Soap Queen

2011-09-05T12:01:00.000-07:00

You may already know about my Soapylove books and eZines, but I have also been a guest blogger for The Soap Queen for over three years. I have written many articles and tutorials but unless you know what to search for, they can be hard to find. So here's a link directory to all of them. I hope you find it helpful!
Articles:
Color Blending Frogs
Using Jojoba Beads in M & P
Tips & Tricks for Using Oxide Colorants in M&P
Labcolors and You: A Little Chat
Tips on Soap Photography
Dusting with Mica
Embed Problems
Less Can Be More – Using Sheer Colors
The Making of the Bicycle Soap
Using Silicone Molds with M&P, Part 1
Part 2: Using Silicone Molds with M&P – Tips and Projects
3 Color Fade
Do you want to sell wholesale? Be prepared!

Tutorials:
Cupcakes with a Cherry on Top
Birthday Cake Loaf Soap
Vivid Soap Blocks
Fiery Energy Bar
Katie’s Wedding Soap Favors
Take Me To Your Leader Soap
Bubbles from the Crypt
Textured Headstone Soap
Delicious Layered Soap Cookies
Lucky Star Soaps
Checkered Cookie Soaps
Ombre Heart Soaps
Rainbow Carnations
2 Scoops, Please!
Sweet and Pretty Parfait Soaps
I Heart Soap
Fluffy Frosted Soapy Cupcakes
Oh The Things You Can Do! Soap Frosting 3 More Ways.
Loteria Soap Shrines
Cute as a Button Soaps
Sparkly Strawberry Sorbet Soaps
Soapylove Neon Bonanza
Soapy Spooky Eyeballs
Making a Mini Cooper

For even MORE Soapylove (yes, there's still more!), click here for all the tutorials on my blog, and click here for my videos on YouTube!

When you're obsessed, you're obsessed! :)

So you want to try glycerin soap crafting?

2011-09-05T11:46:00.000-07:00

I often receive emails from Soapyfans who would like to try their hand at glycerin soap crafting. Here are some quick pointers about where you can start learning and how to get started!

The first thing I suggest is getting my book, Soapy Love - Squeaky Clean Projects Using Melt and Pour Soap.
or trying one of my fun eZines called Let's Get Soapy.

Once you try a project and see if you like the craft, then you will know if you want to do it more.

There are great videos you can watch on Soap Queen TV. These will teach you a lot in a short amount of time.

If you would like to discuss your projects, check out The Teach Soap Forum where there is an excellent melt and pour message board. It's an awesome place to get inspiration, research ingredients or crafting techniques, even get advice on tips and tricks!

Have fun!

Perfume Bottle Soap inspiration

2011-04-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is just a little over 2 weeks away, and you might be wondering what you should do for the Mom in your life this year. Flowers? Candy? She deserves something unique, made by you, and useful! I have just the thing: Perfume Bottle Soaps!

In my latest issue of Let's Get Soapy, I show you how to make your very own bottle mold. There are so many wonderful inspirations for bottle shapes and colors, including this photo from Martha Stewart. The opaque pastels are so beautiful!

For a very feminine version, try making your mold from an ornate perfume bottle. I did a quick search on Etsy for perfume bottles under "vintage", and found many gorgeous possibilities such as this old Avon Perfume Bottle from ForestDayDream.

When shopping for a bottle (a great excuse to hit up your local thrift store!), avoid bottles that get extremely wide since you will need to push your soap bottle out of the bottom opening of your mold. Also avoid overly ornate tops like swans since little necks or pieces can break.

This adorable little owl jar from ricracandbuttons has a great shape and its feather texture would show up perfectly! Another great thing about using perfume bottles is their size is usually just right for a soap - about the size of your hand.

For great places to shop for perfume bottles check antique stores, thrift stores, your local drug store, and of course online. Etsy has a vast vintage section and there are many treasures to be found. Plastic works just as well as glass, so you might even find some cute ones in your toddler's dress up box!

MP Challenge! Soapy Battenburg Cake!

2011-04-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of baking blogs. There is so much inspiration to be had, and delicious treats to tempt me! Today I saw the most wonderful cakey confection on Sprinkle Bakes - a Battenburg Cake! Better yet - it's a full tutorial. So for the bakers out there, check out the full post here. Sprinkle Bakes: Spring Battenburg Cake

For the MP soapmakers out there, check it out and then get ready for a challenge!

This is the first ever Soapylove challenge. I would like to see YOU try your hand at a glycerin soap version of this stunning cake, then go to my Facebook fan page and post a photo of your entry. This is based completely on looks - so take your best photo! I will judge the entries (and consult with some of my soapmaking friends) and pick a winner on Tuesday, 4/19. That gives you the weekend to give it your best shot! I have a fun prize to send you, and it's not soap! :)

I can't wait to see your entries, and if you don't want to enter please come over and check them out. I know this will be a lot of fun!

Now go get soaping!

New issue of Let's Get Soapy - now available!

2011-04-05T10:14:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to announce that the newest issue of Let's Get Soapy is now available! It's bigger than ever, with 25 beautiful pages, featuring these great tutorials and articles:

How to make your own bottle mold using brushable silicone
Tips and design ideas for creating amazing bottle soaps
Behind the scenes tour of Klean Spa's workroom
Floral Spa Bar tutorial featuring 2 kinds of skin-loving salts
An article to help you choose salts for your next soap project
How to make adorable soap sprinkles with brand new soap recipe
Full supply directory for everything used in the tutorials

Early birds get the worm! Purchase your issue this week at www.letsgetsoapy.com and get it for only $11.95 (regular price is $14.95!).

Do you prefer a hard copy? Or do you love the "virtual magazine" feel of flipping pages on your monitor? Now you can get your issue at Magcloud.com, too!

Tell a friend! :)

Exciting Class Announcement and Secret Project Revealed!

2011-03-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to announce that my 2 Day Boot Camp, being held at The (fabulous!) Nova Studio, is now being offered "a la carte." Take one or both days! Plus we have decided to reveal the secret bonus project which will be (drum roll) the filled creamsicle soap pop pictured above. I have never taught this style before and I will only be doing so for this class!

Check out the 8 awesome projects that will be covered at the Boot Camp, taking place on April 16 and 17 in beautiful Point Richmond, just east of San Francisco. If you're not in the area, this would make an excellent weekend getaway. I even made a little video during one of my trips there to teach.

For more details, click here for all registration info and descriptions of each project. It will be a grand time - and my only teaching engagement for the year. I hope to see you there!

New Soapylove video and awesome giveaway!

2011-03-11T15:38:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I was reading my favorite design blog - Design*Sponge - and watched an adorable stop motion video (check it out here). I contacted the talented couple behind the video, called Tiger in a Jar, and we started a lovely collaboration on a Soapylove video to celebrate the addition of our new bath bombs and gift sets. It is now done and ready to share with you! I hope you like it!

They are sweetly giving away 2 gift sets, too. Just head to their blog to enter and to see their other great videos. I'm sure we'll all be seeing a lot more from these two!

Best Handmade Soap Blog Award - Rock the Vote!

2011-03-05T13:49:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! You may be stopping by because my blog has been nominated for "Best Information about Making Melt & Pour Soaps" in the Best Handmade Soap Blog Awards at Great Cakes Soapworks. Thank you for all who nominated me! If you're wondering what kind of information you can find about M&P soaps here, check out this list of posts that include tutorials or other soap techniques: http://soapylove.blogspot.com/search/label/tutorial

If you love soap making, reading about soap, or soap porn, head over to the list of nominees to find many wonderful blogs you may not yet know about and vote for your faves! I have placed my votes! :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Love Surprises? Check Out Fair Ivy!

2011-02-26T18:37:00.000-08:00

One great part of owning Soapylove is learning about so many other cool businesses. Recently I was contacted by Lucy Fairweather, the savvy entrepreneur behind Fair Ivy. Her concept is so cool: order 1, 2, 4, or 6 months of packages and receive a surprise box each month, full of awesome goodies! You can choose between 4 customer types - Fun Ivy (girls and teens), Fair Ivy (for women), Fred Ivy (for men), and Fur Ivy for pets (you can choose from 3 types of pet)! I love that she has packages for pets!!

So the next time you want to get something for that person who seems to have everything, check out this very unique and special option. If you place your order this month, you just might find a little Soapylove in your package! ;)

Two Scoops of Pink Sparkle, Please!

2011-02-22T08:04:00.000-08:00

New step-by-step tutorial for these super happy Sparkle Strawberry Sorbet Soaps now posted over at The Soap Queen! Click here to see!

Have a nice day!

New Soapylove Gift Sets - now available!

2011-02-10T10:02:00.000-08:00

If you think Soapylove soaps make great gifts, you will be overjoyed to see our new boxed gift sets! Each one has a coordinating set inside: Soapy Pop, Cupcake Bath Bomb, and box of Mini Bath Bombs, neatly packaged in our glossy logo boxes and tied with luxurious polka dot ribbon! Most of the styles have matching character pin buttons as well (the Happy Birthday set has a Vanilla Icing lip balm. Yum!).

The gift sets are offered in Peppermint Twist, Neapolitan, Orange You Cute, Candy Carousel, Happy Birthday, and Mint Chip. There's definitely something for everyone. Come on over and check them out - and keep them in mind for the next birthday on your list. They're a sure a thing!

Delivery! You can still get Soapy Pops for Valentine's Day!

2011-02-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

Just because your favorite little (or big!) friend doesn't live close enough for you to hand her a Valentine this year doesn't meant that you can't treat her to a special surprise! Soapylove Soapy Pops are adorable gifts and we'll ship them anywhere you like. Order soon and they can still arrive by Valentine's Day!

Of course the Cupcake Bath Bombs and Mini Bath Bombs would also be perfect! :)

Have a great week!

5 years.... they've been exciting, that's for sure!

2011-02-01T08:33:00.000-08:00

5 years ago this month I was working full time, adjusting to motherhood, and tingling with excitement over my new hobby - glycerin soap crafting. During a family walk in the neighborhood, I discussed the possibility of starting a website to sell my soaps and my husband encouraged me to give it a shot. Here's a picture my sister took of one of my first items, called the Rainbow Stacker.

Every year has been action packed, full of excitement and sometimes intense heartache. I had an incredibly lucky break in November of 2006. One of my soapsicles (that's what they were called until I was sued by Uni-someone - heartache #1) was featured on the Etsy homepage the day before Thanksgiving. Back then the homepage items were picked by Etsy admin and Friday items would stay up all weekend. Since it was a holiday weekend, my soap was featured from Wednesday before Thanksgiving until Monday. As you know, this is retail gold, so I worked my tail off relisting and making soaps all weekend! My soap was in the top 10 best sellers on all of Etsy. That's how I got a lot of new wholesale inquiries and my business really started rolling.

Press opportunities were fast and furious. I appeared on Craft Lab on the DIY Network, my soaps were photographed for a feature in O Magazine (which was cancelled at the very last moment - heartache #2), presented for consideration on the Martha Stewart Show (turns out she's not so into glycerin soaps - heartache #3), and many fabulous blog features (super high moments - all of them!). Magazines from Japan to Amsterdam have loved Soapylove, and I love them too!

As a result of appearing on Craft Lab, I was approached by a publisher to write a Soapylove book. This was an amazing opportunity, but I was so amazed that it took 2 years to get published! So in the meantime I launched Let's Get Soapy, which has been a very gratifying part of my business.

Speaking of business, I have learned a lot about that, too. From contracts to hard negotiating, I have learned from trial and error. For example, when I wasn't able to lower my prices enough for a UK customer, they went to China to have them knocked off. Luckily the UK customs noticed that all of those items said "made in the USA" and seized them. I found out what Chinese factory made them and contacted the owner, who kindly told me what company had ordered them. Sadly, it was an employee of a trusted business contact who was trying to swindle money from her boss and handle the order without her knowledge. It's amazing the kind of drama that has happened as a result of Soapylove! As my friends and family will tell you, there's never been a dull moment.

So as my 5th year of business begins, I feel like I've earned my stripes and have clear perspective on where I want Soapylove to take me. I'm going to steer this ship - not the other way around! :) So, first I want to celebrate! Look for lots of newness over at the Soapylove site this month, from new photographs, to new products, and an incredible sale week starting February 14. Don't miss a thing and sign up for the SoapyClub here. It's going to be a great month and 5 more great years!!

Thanks so much for the fabulous friendships and support I have gotten through my adventures. You've always been there for me, and I couldn't be more grateful! Hugs and kisses!!!

We hit 2000 Facebook fans! Come chuckle and win!

2011-01-31T11:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the Soapylove fan page hit a great landmark - 2000 fans!! We can't let a monument like this go unrewarded so I'm having a fun little giveaway. Just head over to the contest post (you'll need to quickly "like" the Soapylove fan page first to enter) and comment with your favorite corny (rated G!) joke and you'll be entered into a random drawing for a Candy Carousel gift set (pictured above) which are not yet available on soapylove.com!

The yuk-yuks are rolling in, so come on over and read a few then dig up your best! I'm accepting entries through the end of the day tomorrow and will announce the winner on Wednesday. Good luck!

Getting Back in Touch With My Products at Pine Tree Road

2011-01-27T14:19:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, my brother's friend saw a Craigslist ad asking for soapmakers who wanted to consign at a shop in Ocean Beach (San Diego). He thought of me and told me about it. So I contacted the shop owner and it turned out to be Jackie, who I met in Denver at the HSMG Conference last spring. She was looking for some new lines to try out in her shop - Pine Tree Road.

Normally I don't consign but since I have Cupcake Bath Bombs, Super Fizzie Mini Bath Bombs, and some great displays I wanted to try them out in her shop. Jackie was so nice and said I could pick where I wanted them to be. So naturally I asked for the window! :)

Since I do all of my business online and at least 50% of my orders are international, I rarely get to see Soapylove in shops. It was so much fun to set everything up exactly the way I wanted. I even made up some new gift boxes which I'm just trying out there.

So, anyway, I was just really surprised by how much I miss being more in touch with my products. I think I'll look into doing a summer festival or fair. There's nothing more gratifying than hearing how adorable or yummy something you made is, right from your customers! :)

Tutorial: Springtime Rainbow Soaps

2011-01-20T11:29:00.000-08:00

Rainbows and hearts... I can't seem to get enough! One of my favorite looks lately is graduated color. Several years ago I taught at Otion's Soap Weekend Intensive and was thrilled to attend a class by Paula of PJ Soaps (she'll be teaching again this summer!). She showed how to make her beautiful moon soap (click here for tutorial), where she tilts the mold to get a lovely fade between the moon and midnight sky.

I have used this several times with a single tilted color, but realized if you use one on each side and then fill the center, that you can get a 3 color fade! Here's how to do it:

Prop your mold up on one side or corner. I used the Soapylove Striped Heart Mold. Next, melt and color a small amount of clear soap using non-bleeding red mica (I used TKB's Pop Micas). Spray your mold with alcohol, then pour a small amount of soap into one side, allowing it to only cover 1/3 of your mold surface.

It's okay if your color doesn't line up perfectly with the stripes. Allow to harden. Now turn around your mold so the opposite side is propped up. Melt and pour some blue soap into the opposite side, again only covering 1/3 of the mold face. Allow to harden.

Move your mold to be flat on the table. Color your third batch of soap yellow, spray mold with alcohol, and pour in soap so it fills the center area and covers a bit of each side color. Allow to harden. Spray with alcohol and top off with fragranced white soap. Voila!

Here's a tip: color your soap with a light hand - if your colors are too dark then the background color won't show through. When I do this project again, I'll use a little less blue so the green tone will be more noticeable.

Enjoy!
-Debbie

(Check out the Soapylove Book Shop where you can find my Soapylove book and the new The Art of Soap!)

A Little Bit of Spring Greenery - Chia Tea Cups!

2011-01-07T13:52:00.000-08:00

As part of the kids' Christmas haul, they got Chia heads. One batch of seeds made so many more than we could put on the Shrek and Donkey heads that I decided to use them for a little kitchen decoration. Chia Tea Cups! If you would like to have a little spring greenery to brighten up a room, too, here's how to do it:

First, ball up a paper towel and stuff it into a tea cup, about 1/2" below the rim. Add water so the towel is super wet. Soak the Chia seeds per the packet, and put them evenly over the paper towel surface.

Put the cups in a warm area of your house, make sure to keep the paper towel wet, and watch the magic happen! My cups went from seed to tall sprouts in only 5 days. Very gratifying, and so much easier than gardening! :)

Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!

Soapylove: A Hit With Tricky Kids and Tweens!

2011-01-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

This year my son started kindergarten, and his school has a small craft fair every December. So I got a table and showcased my brand new Super Fizzie Mini Bath Bombs along with the Soapy Pops. It was so awesome seeing the elementary school kids come in and buzz around my table, oohing and aahing over the scents, new characters on the boxes, and the matching pin-back buttons!

Their parents weren't far behind (the fair started right when school let out), and they were more than happy to pick up a few gift sets for their kids and kids' friends. Being able to get something adorable, yummy smelling, handmade, and totally practical is a nice change from hunting for gifts at the mall.

So the next time you need a birthday or holiday gift for a child between 3 and 13, keep Soapylove in mind! The gift sets include a free matching pin-back button (which will find a new home on a backpack or purse), and you get a price break from buying the items individually.

And for the month of January, get 20% off your purchase! Just use the promo code: JANCLUB when checking out. It applies to books and eZines, too! Click here to go to the Soapylove Shop.

Have a nice day!

Great Soap Packaging Tip - Printed Tape!

2010-12-13T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody! I have been meaning to post about printed tape for weeks now, but you know how it is as the holidays approach - busy busy! So today I stumbled upon TapeSwell, an amazing shop where you can find printed tape, labels, coordinating combo packs... all in gorgeous patterns.

What is so great about this stuff is that they have the look of ribbon with the polish of a professionally printed label, so your soaps will look amazing in a snap! Whether you wrap it around a shrink wrapped bar or around a soap box, you will be so impressed by how "jazzed up" your packaging looks. TapeSwell even has a "Tacky Ideas" page for inspiration.

If you like super sweet designs like I do, check out KawaiiYa which has all Kawaii style printed tapes (called "deco tape" in the Japanese stationery world).

For a sophisticated look, try washi tape, which is a beautiful paper tape (like masking tape) that you can tear. It has a matte look and feel instead of glossy like the above tapes. Cute Tape has an awesome selection, and an incredible gallery of customer photos.

Feel like going on a Google adventure? Try these searches to discover the world of pretty tape:

Deco Tape

Decorative Tape

Washi Tape

Printed Tape

Kawaii Tape

MT Masking Tape

Have fun!
(Psst! Still looking for some super cute gifts? Check out the new Soapylove gift sets with Soapy Pops and matching Mini Bath Bombs! Super new and super awesome!)

8 ounces of Soapylove!

2010-12-08T11:55:00.000-08:00

Hi Soapylove fans - I have some great news! Bramble Berry is now offering 8 oz sizes of the Soapylove fragrance oils. So now you can get more of the Tutti Fruity you blew through from the Candy Jar Fragrance Set, or the mouthwatering Strawberry Jam from the Delectable Desserts Set! 8 oz is a nice size which will last you quite a while. Don't forget to check out the great Soapylove molds, too. (Dare I say that Valentine's Day will be here before we know it? I can feel the tomatoes being hucked at me already!).

Click here to go to the Soapylove supply line, and click here to go straight to the refill sizes. Happy shopping!

P.S. Would you like to make those soaps in the picture? Click here for the full tutorial!

Have a Fun Weekend!

2010-11-26T17:39:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I hope you all had great Thanksgiving dinners with your friends and families, and have plenty of left overs to save you from cooking for the weekend! We live near both sides of the family, so we did Turkey Day at with my in-laws yesterday and will do a big "Lavigna" dinner tomorrow (my side).

Today I've been entertaining the kids while my poor husband nurses a horrible sinus infection. I dug up a good Christmas craft recipe for Cinnamon Ornaments. It's really fun and surprisingly cheap to buy 1 cup of cinnamon (about $2 at the grocery store). It's a nice way to kick off the holiday season!

Click here for the recipe if you're looking for something to do. We used the last recipe and now I'm baking them in the oven at 200 degrees for 2 1/2 hours to dry them out.

Have a nice relaxing weekend and I'll "see" you next week! :)

New Items and Great SoapySale!

2010-11-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

As we speak, my kids are doing their best to undo my house cleaning efforts, so I'll make this quick. Soapylove is now offering amazing Cupcake Bath Bombs and adorable Super Fizzie Mini Bath Bombs - we even have gift sets! They all coordinate with our Soapy Pops so you can indulge your favorite fragrance in 3 wonderful ways. The new packaging features custom designed Soapylove characters, too!

To make them even sweeter and to help get your holiday shopping under way, I am offering 20% off everything in my Soapylove shop including books and eZines! Just enter HOLIDAY20 as the coupon code during checkout. Offer only good on retail orders and through next Friday (12/3). So don't miss out!

Click here to start shopping!

...and have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

New Typography Soap in Black Coffee!

2010-11-17T21:21:00.000-08:00

Over the last couple of months, the Typography Soap has enjoyed a renewed popularity! Featured in the holiday gift guide in Fine Books & Collections Magazine, it is easily my most popular soap in my Etsy shop. In fact, it might as well be the only thing I sell there!

So I have finally introduced a new color and scent offering. This stark white version is a perfect match for the bold letters, numbers, and punctuation covering the top and sides of the soap, and the sharp Black Coffee fragrance is great for both men and women. Like the Crushed Ice version, it is packaged in a clear acetate box with a matte cigar band label, making it a unique and polished gift.

I only have 2 of them made right now, but I plan to have more available through the holidays. Click here to find the listings and see more photos!

A Day at The Spa - Not What I Expected

2010-11-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

On Saturday my husband and I got a "date day." We dropped off our kids at their grandparent's house and off we went. Jim had the day planned starting with a trip out to Jacumba, about an hour's drive east of San Diego. We were heading for some hot springs.

We knew it was going to be quirky, but we had no idea it was going to be completely bizarre. First we pulled off the highway into a town that was hidden behind some hills and nestled right against the Mexican border wall. Jacumba seemed to be a dusty, forgotten town, practically deserted. We found the Jacumba Hot Springs sign and pulled up.

This little hotel has been around since the 20's, and I don't think they have redecorated much over the years. Everything was broken, sun damaged, and deteriorating. There was even a coffin in the front patio. It was so fascinating - I wanted to take pictures of everything! There weren't many people around except for the owner and some locals. We went into the restaurant and had a quick lunch.

Next we were ready for some hot springs. Natural sulphur hot spring water is piped into one large hot tub and 2 lukewarm pools. After paying for our day pass ($15 each), we were shown where everything was. We went out to a room made of metal siding. We ducked into some changing rooms, got into our bathing suits, and eased into the hot tub. This area was great. The ceiling was rusty, the paintings of the Spanish Armada on the walls were completely warped from the humidity, and the cement was rough from mineral deterioration. A great wicker chair from the 70's was in the corner, most of its canes breaking and brittle. A local man talked our ears off about hunting, auctions, and politics. I mainly floated around while Jim entertained his conversation.

We took a dip in the pools outside but it was getting chilly (surprisingly) and we were happy to get back into the hot tub again. After a couple of hours we were ready to seek out a nearby chocolate shop (which sadly was not open for business yet), and head back into San Diego for a romantic dinner.

I loved our little adventure. I'm quite sure the owner loves how weird the "spa" is, and wouldn't change a thing. I appreciated its total authenticity. Plus we got to sit in natural spring water, which is a rare treat. If you're ever passing by Jacumba or need a truly bizarre experience, I highly recommend it!

Last minute Halloween inspiration!

2010-10-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Anne-Marie's post today using soap eyeballs brought to mind some Soapylove projects - and it's not too late to make them! Here are some of my faves:

SOAP SLIME - this is a super fun project using stuff you probably already have! It would be a great way to make something slimy for a haunted house, too.

SOAP EYEBALLS - these creepy soap eyes use realistic eye colors and are complete spheres, so they look super real!

GOTHIC PUMPKIN SOAPS - this sophisticated project uses chocolate transfer sheets, but you could make a similar effect with soap embed paper, too (featured on Design*Sponge!).

ALIEN SOAPS: these 3D soaps have glowing eyes!

I have 2 kids - a 5 yr old and a 3 yr old, so we will be celebrating Halloween every day this weekend, starting today! I hope you have a great weekend, too. Happy Halloween!

Check out Soapylove's newest book, The Art of Soap, available in the new Soapylove Book Shop!

The Art of Soap is now available!

2010-10-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

Many of you who follow The Art of Soap blog and my Facebook page may have heard that The Art of Soap is now available! Featuring gorgeous photography by Erin Pikor and the incredible soaps made by 24 of the most inspiring soapmakers today, you will love this book. Each feature includes a personal write up by the artisan, sharing their inspirations and more. The book has 108 pages of full color photos (over 100 of them!) including many soapmaking methods and styles.

You can check out the official site to learn more about the soapmakers and see many photographs from the book, and to buy your very own copy! Or head over to the new Soapylove Book Shop and pick up both of my published books. Yay!

Calling All October Soapylove Studio Workshop Attendees!

2010-09-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! If you signed up for my October 8 Studio Workshop class at my home in San Diego, I need you to email me right away to reconfirm. I had an email crisis and lost your info! So please forward me the email confirmation you recieved from me and I'll put you back on the roster.

Thanks so much!

Sneak Peek of The Art of Soap! Flip through SV Soap's Beautiful Feature.

2010-08-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I have been working on a new book called The Art of Soap. It is going to be a real printed book (not an eZine), and 24 incredible soapmakers will be featured. I have 3 out of 4 chapters done and I want to share an actual feature with you! This one comes from the Technique chapter, showcasing the beautiful work of Silvia Victory, owner of SV Soaps.

Open publication - Free publishing - More soap

Make sure to sign up for The Art of Soap newsletter so you will know when the book is published. With approximately 100 pages of stunning soap photography and inspiring stores, it will be a must for ever soap maker's (and crafter's!) library!

New Soapylove Studio Workshops!

2010-08-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

Would you like to learn how to make Soapylove soaps with me, in person? You're in luck! I have just added 2 new classes that will be held at my home in San Diego. Space is limited to only 4 people per class, so it will be like having a personal Soapylove lesson! There are 2 workshops scheduled so far:

September Workshop: Using Molds Creatively

Learn how to create very unique effects with fun detailed molds. We'll cover a range of techniques using multiple colors in each project, from double molding to intricate details. All materials are included and you'll go home with all of your beautiful creations!

When: September 18, from 1:00-5:00
Where: my home in San Diego, California (details provided upon registration)
Cost: $100, all materials included.
To register: Email me to sign up. Limited to 4 students!

October Workshop: Artistic Techniques

Channel your inner artist for this inspiring class. Learn how to make one-of-a-kind texture sheets, paint soaps within the bars, engrave, and more. You will be amazed by what you can do! All materials are included and you'll go home with all of your beautiful creations!

When: October 9, from 1:00-5:00
Where: my home in San Diego, California (details provided upon registration)
Cost: $100, all materials included.
To register: Email me to sign up. Limited to 4 students!

And don't miss out on this class at The Nova Studio, which always sells out!

Soapy Holidays Gift Workshop

When: Sunday, December 5
Where: The Nova Studio in Point Richmond, CA (East SF Bay Area)

Get ready for the holidays with this great hands-on workshop where you will make 5 original Soapylove projects, perfect for holiday gift giving. Or make them for your family - can you imagine how impressed your guests will be to see these soaps in your bathroom at the holiday party? No experience is necessary to create these adorable gift-worthy soaps.

We will supply everything you need - just show up ready to have fun & learn at the same time. You'll receive handouts that include written instructions for all soaps made in class. Arrive empty handed and leave with a bag brimming with soapy goodies (all wrapped up cute & ready to use or gift). Children above the age of 8 are welcome to attend with a registered adult (2 paid registrations total).

For details, go to The Nova Studio site.

Keep up on all Soapylove classes and events on my main site. You never know what might pop up! :)

Rainbow Bright Project Inspiration

2010-08-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

If there is one thing Soapylove is known for, it's rainbow bright colors! So when Anne-Marie (founder of Bramble Berry) and I started to work on the Soapylove line, the first one was the Jewelry Box Colorant Kit. From just one kit you can make every shade of the rainbow! I had so much fun testing it out that I made this little froggy diagram to show how to mix them all.

Then I had a blast coming up with loads of projects, too! It even comes with a special superfine glitter that suspends beautifully. To pick up this must-have kit, head over to Bramble Berry's Soapylove shop (click here).

Here are the projects featured above. Have fun!

1) Parfait Soaps: these gelatin inspired soaps include little soapy fruits, too. Click here for tutorial.

2) Ombre Heart Soaps: You will love how easy it is to get a perfect color fade with this neat little technique. Check it out here.

3) Lucky Star Soaps: Sweet little embeds are layered into this candy-bright star. It's a perfect match with the Candy Jar Fragrance Set! Click here for the project.

4) There is even more you can do with the colorants besides soap! These beautiful carnations were dyed every shade of the rainbow. Pick colors to match a party theme or your own favorites! Click here to see how.

To find ALL of the Soapylove tutorials at The Soap Queen, check out this great "mash up" that Anne-Marie put together recently (click here). Have fun!

Thank you, Doolittle Mag!

2010-08-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much to Doolittle Mag in France for their very sweet blog post featuring my Soapy Pops ("bain gouramand")! This illustration is just to die for. I wonder if I can buy a print? I would love that!! Check it out at Doolittle Mag.

Ladies Only Summer Camp!

2010-08-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago it occurred to me that many of us spend our summer sending our kids off to fun camps, but where are the camps for moms? So I threw a little party for all the ladies (moms or not) with crafts, lunch, drinks, and even home made ice cream. Here are a few pics that my sister took (thanks, Cher!!). Maybe you'll be inspired to throw a little summer camp day of your own - you deserve a break, too! :)

First we did a tie dye project (because what's more summer campy than tie dying?). I got some white cotton gauze at a fabric store and made some really basic scarves. Then I got dyes and supplies from Dharma Trading Company in Olive Green, Dusty Rose, and Black. We all knotted up and rubber banded our scarves then went to town with lots of dye.

After the scarves sat in the sun for a while (the heat speeds up the color setting) I rinsed them out with the hose (like my new dark hairdo?). Then we laid our scarves out on the grass to let them dry, admiring each other's neat designs, and grabbed another Watermelon Margarita.

After that we made Erin Pikor's Solid Sugar Scrub Cubes. They were fun and easy to do. I put out the basic ingredients (sweet almond oil, fragrance oils, sugar, additional exfoliants such as ground loofah and jojoba beads) plus a rice cooker of melted soap base. So it was easy for people to mix up their scrub and pour it into clam shell boxes. No freezing or unmolding to worry about. Everyone's scrubs came out beautifully - it's such a great recipe!

Finally, I made a batch of S'Mores Ice Cream. You can't really go wrong with anything that has Marshmallow Fluff, right? The Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker made it go really quickly, plus it was fun for people to watch.

I know many kids will be heading back to school soon, so don't miss a chance to get your friends together and have some grown-up fun. There are tons of great projects online that would be perfect for a craft party. Here are some sites I used to get ideas:

Craft Zine
Soap Queen
Martha Stewart (great Summer Crafts section)
Dharma Trading Company

Have a great Monday!

Sweet Treats Inspiration!

2010-08-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I have been eating a lot of ice cream lately! There seems to be a never ending rotation of yummy creaminess in my freezer: mint chip, strawberry, triple chocolate, french vanilla... Of course these all make excellent soap project inspirations, so today I'm featuring Soapylove projects using the Sweet Treats Colorant Kit, available from Bramble Berry. The colors are deelish, and the jumbo Rainbow Sprinkle jojoba beads are icing on the cake - I mean, ice cream! (To check out all of the supplies featured in this post, click here to be taken to Bramble Berry's Soapylove shop!)

This is one of my favorite Soapylove molds - the Double Scoop Ice Cream Cone. It has so many creative possibilities! Switch out colors and "mix ins" like poppy seeds or soap shavings for realistic ice cream flavors. Of course, the Chocolate Fudge fragrance from the Delectable Desserts Fragrance Kit is a must! Click here for project tutorial.

Who can resist ice cream sandwiches? The scalloped rectangle mold is great for both ice cream sandwich and layered cookie looks. These two styles can be made with just the Sweet Treats Colorant Kit! Click here to go to the tutorial.

It's fun to be inspired by ice cream but not necessarily use it literally. Neapolitan colors are classic and always look great together! These Checkered Heart Soaps have raised squares which make it a cinch to create perfect checkers. And since the Sweet Treats Colorants are all non-bleeding, you know that the checkers will be as sharp as the day you made them! Click here for the step-by-step project.

And here are even more. You can see how versatile the set is. Cuteness is guaranteed! Enjoy!

1) Hot Chocolate Loaf Soaps: found in the Winter 2009 issue of Let's Get Soapy. Click here.
2) Romantic Embossed Soaps: found on my blog. Click here.
3) Fluffy Frosted Soapy Cupcakes: from the Soap Queen blog. Click here.
4) S'More Soaps with whipped soap marshmallow filling: found in the Summer 2010 issue of Let's Get Soapy. Click here.

Thanks and have a great weekend!

New Pops and New Kokeshi Dolls!

2010-07-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of newness at Soapylove! New styles are being cranked out faster than I can melt soap! So here they are...

Rock N Roll Soapy Pop: this awesome swirly style has electric blue marbled into hot pink with a mouth watering Black Cherry fragrance. Definitely the coolest Pop on the block!

Island Style: Summer is in full swing and what's better than a little tropical treat? The swirly pinky-orange wave of color in a clear yellow bar looks like a Maui sunset, and the Pineapple scent is just like those awesome Big Sticks of our childhoods!

And then in my Etsy shop, I have brought back the popular Kokeshi Boxed Soaps. This time the background colors are a little more subtle to show off the beautiful details of the doll illustrations. The Peach and White Ginger scents are sweet and sophisticated.

From now until August 29, the new Soapy Pops styles have free shipping, and they're available for wholesale orders, too. So don't miss out (click here)! Get your summer ice pop fix every day! :)

PB&J Marshmallows, anyone?

2010-07-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

Last week's Bubble Gum Marshmallow Soaps sold out in one day, but there's more where that came from! This week's Marshmallow flavor is PB&J. Yummy peanut butter and grape jelly scent (just like those great 80's scratch n' sniff stickers!) will tickle your nose whenever you use one of these light and airy little blocks.

Each 1" cube soap marshmallow lasts one or two washes, and you'll get 27 of them per box! In beige and grape, their colors are as sweet as their fragrance. They would make a perfect gift for your favorite back-to-schooler or candy fan in your life.

Hurry over to my Etsy shop and grab one - there are only 3 boxes available! Click here.

Introducing Mini Marshmallow Soaps, new from Soapylove!

2010-07-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

After weeks of testing and experimenting I am thrilled to roll out my brand new Mini Marshmallow Soaps. My 5 year old son said, "You get to play while you wash your hands!" He loves them (and so do my cousins, my friends, and my mom)!

Each little block (about 1" cube) is light and airy just like a real marshmallow, and lasts 1 or 2 washes. They look adorable displayed in a cup or on a plate and will make your bathroom smell delish! You get a box full of them - 36 in this case. They'll last you quite a while!

Like my Soapy Pops, these are SLS and phthalate free. Check out the entire listing in my Etsy shop. I only have 2 boxes of the Bubble Gum scent available, but keep your eyes open for more varieties coming soon!

Curious about Let's Get Soapy? Come take a look!

2010-07-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

If you like the looks of the projects featured in Let's Get Soapy, but weren't sure what an eZine is or what else would be included, I have now made the Summer 2009 issue (my best seller) available for you to see. I guarantee that you will enjoy the articles, photos, and tons of tips packed into every issue. Check out all seven, including my brand new Summer 2010 issue, at www.letsgetsoapy.com.

To view the video on the Issuu site where you can download, rate, and comment on it, click here. Thanks!

Open publication - Free publishing - More bath

Summer is Delicious in the New Let's Get Soapy!

2010-06-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

Summer's sunny days are here, and the new issue of Let's Get Soapy is bursting with sunshine! With 3 great tutorials inspired by the delicious treats of the season, you'll be soaping in no time.

This issue features Fruity Soap Kabobs (an adorable way to display your soaps!), Juicy Striped Soaps (with tips on how to streamline your loaf soapmaking), and the cover project: Soapy S'Mores! The chocolate coated graham crackers (which you will make the mold for - it's easy!), filled with fluffy soap marshmallow is almost too real looking. But based on how many of my friends are asking for S'More, I know they're a hit!

In this issue, you'll get:

Full tutorial for mouthwatering Fruity Soap Kabobs
UV Inhibitor Test and Product Review
Vintage Juice Glass Inspiration Board
Eye catching Juicy Stripes Soap Loaf Tutorial
How to make your own Graham Cracker Silicone Tray Mold
S'More Soaps Tutorial including soapy marshmallow fluff
New M&P Head Scratchers Advice Page
Complete Resource Directory for all Articles
and much more!

Upon your purchase of this article and photo packed 18 page issue, you will receive a confirmation email with a link. Follow this link to download your copy and get soaping right away!

Don't miss your early bird discount!

If you get your issue by Wednesday, July 7, you'll get the Early Bird Rate of only $12! That's $3 off the regular price!

Click here to see even more pictures of what's inside. I know you're going to love it!

Thank you, LMNOP!

2010-06-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

Today is already a great day! First I got the new issue of LMNOP in my inbox (which I must say is so beautiful it hurts) then I was surprised two times! My Soapylove Peace, Love, and Soapiness was featured twice!

Thank you so much to Jenny Lacey for inviting me to be in your eZine. I'm so glad I know about LMNOP now. It will be the source of inspiration for many projects to come!

For those waiting for my eZine featuring those delicious S'More Soaps, it's in the final stages of publication right now and should be ready in a few hours! Thanks for your patience!

The Art of Soap - my new book coming this fall.

2010-06-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

I am overjoyed to announce a new project I have been working on for the last 2 months. It is a book called The Art of Soap, which will feature the work and stories of 24 incredible soap makers. Full of breath taking photos by Erin Pikor, a wide range of styles, methods, and philosophies will be represented. The Art of Soap will introduce the public to the beauty of soap making, and be a must for any soap maker's library.

Make sure to follow The Art of Soap blog where you will get sneak peeks of the featured artists and the beautiful photography. Available both in soft and hard cover, it will be available this Fall!

New Summer Issue is Looking Tasty!

2010-06-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

I am madly working on the new issue of Let's Get Soapy for Summer. It will be full of wonderful summery inspirations such as fruit, juice glasses, and s'mores! The S'More Tutorial is packed with techniques - making your own graham cracker mold, realistic melted chocolate, and fluffy marshmallow filling!

Also there will be a new question and answer section to help you with your most challenging melt and pour dilemmas. Please post your best head scratchers here and it may be picked for the eZine!

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks!

Thank you, Etsy Finds!

2010-06-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

Today I was suspicious about all of the new hearts I was getting in my Etsy shop, until a friend on Twitter let me know my Soapy Pop Party Pack was featured in Etsy Finds! Yay! Thanks so much to Emily Bidwell who put together this great collection for kids. Check it out here!

Video recap of 2010 HSMG Conference

2010-06-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

Whether you made it to the HSMG Conference in Denver or not, take a few minutes to watch this excellent video produced by Darryl Johnson. It really captures what the conference was about!

To read more about the video, please click here to go to the Indie Business Blog with Donna Maria!

Now Available - New Boxed Soap Designs!

2010-06-04T12:50:00.000-07:00

I have a little Boxed Soaps collection, and I must admit - they're some of my favorite soaps ever. I LOVE building designs in these great little boxes which show off the details perfectly and make them instantly gift worthy.

I have several designs which I just listed in my Etsy shop. The Sakura Butterfly is shown above. I also have 2 mandala inspired styles and a beautiful Lotus design. They're feminine and sophisticated, and each feature the dissolving paper that I am totally infatuated with. I know you will love the fragrances which fit each design specifically.

Head over to see them all (click here). Some have only one left, so don't miss out!

Fun Summer Party Idea - Make Soap!

2010-06-03T14:50:00.000-07:00

Last year when I launched the Summer issue of Let's Get Soapy, I made this little video to show how much fun it is to host a soap making party. It works for every age group. A teacher did this with her kindergarten class, and it would make a great bridal shower project!

Don't forget to grab your issue of Let's Get Soapy, which comes with the printable name tags and station signs. With the new Soapylove Jewelry Box Colorant Set and Candy Jar Fragrance Set, it's easier than ever to get the supplies together for a great party (the colorant set was completely inspired by this eZine issue!).

Have fun!

Back to my Roots

2010-06-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

Running a business is hard (both my husband and I are self employed). Being a mother of 2 kids and depending on my little business is even harder. It's so hard to know what to do. One day I dream of having an office and a large workshop, and the next day I fantasize about traveling to amazing indie craft fairs and keeping things tiny and personal.

1 1/2 years ago I put my Etsy shop on a very long vacation. I didn't have any help with the kids at that time and the task of managing it was too much. Instead of making soaps to sell, I switched to writing and publishing my eZine in addition to blogging here and at The Soap Queen. But you know what? I put A LOT of pressure on myself and that has created a new set of challenges.

So now that things at home are much more under control and my desire to make soaps just for fun is coming back with a vengeance, I have reopened my Etsy shop. The thrill of making sales is just as exciting as it was 4 years ago when I first signed up.

Just like in the past, you will find my Soapy Pops as well as my little experiments which are ever changing. Check it out and if you see something you like, help a mom out! My soapy spirit will be rewarded and your soap dish will be, too. Thanks so much!!

The Contest Has Begun - 1 Day Only. Don't Miss It!

2010-05-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

To celebrate a huge milestone - 1000 fans of the Soapylove Facebook page - I'm having a contest! Head over quick to the fanpage and make a guess. You could win a $50 Soapylove gift certificate!!

Getting Close to 1000 - Tell Me How To Thank You!

2010-05-21T11:14:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh - we are almost at 1000 fans at the Soapylove fan page! I am so excited that I don't know what to do! So I need your help - what can Soapylove do to thank you?

I don't just want to reward my 1000th fan - I have all of you to thank. So what would you like? Free stuff for a few? An amazing deal for everyone? A fun contest (you guys seem to really like those!)?

Please make some requests and don't be shy. Leave your ideas as comments here. This is a big moment!

I can't wait to read your suggestions - so lay it on me!

Some Inspiration from Oh Joy!

2010-05-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Over at the Oh Joy! design blog today, Becca put together this beautiful pairing of a yellow wedge and a modern pendant lamp. The box frame is a classic modern design, which is not too hard to recreate in soap. Last year I was inspired by the Parsons Tables being sold by West Elm, and I made a tutorial video making a Parsons Soap Block. Here it is! :) (Sorry it's so up close. I was just learning how to use my Flip.)

Have a nice weekend and Mother's Day!!

Heading to Denver!

2010-04-28T18:40:00.001-07:00

airplane follies., originally uploaded by carbonated.

Bye everyone! I'm heading to Denver tomorrow evening for the HSMG's Soap Conference (http://www.soapguild.org/industry/conference2010.php). I went last year and it was so much fun. I left motivated, energized, and much more educated!

This year I am attending as many workshops as I can, plus I'm teaching 2 of them: Artistic Techniques and Melt and Pour Crash Course. If you will be there, please come to one or both! I want each to be as informative and entertaining as possible. I'm super excited!

If you're not attending, I'll try to snap lots of pics and share with you when I get back. Have a great weekend everyone!

Beautiful Mother's Day Soap Idea

2010-04-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is May 9, and for us crafty types that means we should make plans for our special projects pretty soon. I got my weekly email from Dover Publications today, telling me about this week's clip art sampler. I LOVE these because they're all royalty free and their weekly picks are also free of charge! You just right click and save to your computer, and you're ready to go.

This week's selection includes beautiful botanical illustrations from Redoute Flowers and Fruits. These would be perfect to use in place of the butterflies in version 3 of the Butterfly Soap Tutorial from Spring '10 Let's Get Soapy. Mom would love these all natural soaps, featuring these pretty floral images printed on dissolving paper (which actually lasts for many many uses of the soap!).

And if you're wondering how to wrap your special creations, check out this great Flickr group dedicated to soap packaging. Enjoy!

Get a Soapy Pop, Help a Baby!

2010-04-16T14:29:00.000-07:00

Our family friend, Linda, is walking in a fundraiser for the March of Dimes next weekend. This excellent organization gives hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money raised supports programs in our communities that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies.

To help her and this excellent cause, Soapylove is donating all profits from the retail sales of our cute Candy Carousel Soapy Pop until April 23! It's a great chance to grab a few soaps for a friend or birthday gift and help a baby, too! Click here to be taken to the Soapylove site, or click here to go directly to Linda's page and make a donation. Every dollar helps!

A Soapylove Contest - Celebrating Soapy Fans!

2010-04-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

We have passed 900 fans at the Soapylove Facebook Fan Page! The 900th fan has won a prize and you can, too! Just head over to the fanpage and check out the contest details. If you are a good researcher and know where Soapylove can be found online then you may be the next winner! Good luck!

Thank you to Ani-Bee for making her great photo available via Creative Commons.

In Loving Memory: Phil Lavigna 1963-2010

2010-04-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

Phillip Mario Lavigna, my brother, died on April 1, 2010. Born in Yonkers, New York in 1963, Phil and our family moved to San Diego, California in 1977. He attended Serra High School and later enlisted in the Army and National Guard.

Phil was an artistic and creative person, who worked in graphic design and eventually became an authority in Linux programming and Ulteo. He authored "Test Driving Linux" and "Fun with Fink." He even set up a free WiFi network in Little Italy, one of his favorite neighborhoods in San Diego.

I'll always remember his loud laugh and sarcastic sense of humor. Phil will be missed.

If you are a friend or associate of his, and would like to get in touch, please comment here or email me at debbie{at}soapylove{dot}com. Thank you.

Amazing New Soap Designer: Cleaner Science

2010-04-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

Being a HUGE Flickr fan, I am active in many soap groups there and recently something completely new caught my eye. A petri dish. This seemed very out of place in the collection of soap photos, but when I clicked on it I found out this it WAS soap! I immediately had to know all about this incredibly innovative soap artist. So please enjoy my interview with the brain behind Cleaner Science - Sara.

Okay, first of all, who are you and where have you been all my life?

Haha! I have been buried in books my whole life it seems. I'm Sara, I'm currently a first year Pharm. D. (pharmacy) student from Houston, Texas. I've been creating my whole life, but I have only just recently gotten into soap, and I am absolutely loving it.

What made you think of creating soap that looks like bacteria growth?

The idea sort of just came about one day. Everyone is always asking me that same question, and it's always hard for me to give them an exact answer. I've had microbiology classes in the past, so all that information has been stored somewhere in the back of my mind for a bit. We had just finished up an immunology class this previous fall semester, and I was in the middle of studying for our pharmaceutical care class... I was just thinking it would be hilarious to have something that cleans, but is also representative of something dirty. What's better than "dirt" in one of it's purest forms: growing on a petri dish?

The glowing bacteria are so awesome. What is your most popular style? Which one is your favorite?

Most popular, I would say, is the fluorescent cyanobacteria. It has three different glow colors that really go together well! AND! It glows in the dark. How could it possibly get any better. My personal favorite (second to the cyanobacteria) is the aqua glow E. coli transformation petri dish.

Have you been making glycerin soaps for long or is this a new kind of craft for you?

Completely new! The idea of petri dish soaps was first, so learning to work with soap just came along with it. I have to say, though, I am absolutely loving working with soap. It has so many possibilities, and needless to say, it has an added bonus of having clean hands all the time.

It seems I've been making things my whole life though. I'm not even sure if anyone in my family has received any birthday cards or Christmas presents that weren't in some way made myself. I like to start new projects all the time, and usually when I discover some new technique or form of art, I just dive right in and try and become the best as I can be with it.

My mom likes to tell me frequently that I was somehow "destined" to be making soap. I once, when I was little, me and my best friend figured out that the color of bar soap looks a lot like the color of teeth. And then we figured: Soap = Teeth = Money. I think my parents, the generous tooth fairies, even gave me money anyway because of the effort and the great idea haha.

Not sure if this means I was destined, but I must say that I think I finally found something that I'll be sticking with for quite a while! There are so many possibilities and combinations, especially with just petri dishes alone. Soap is also very useful and functional.

Do you only sell online or do you sell locally as well?

I sell primarily online, but I may have some big news coming soon, but I can't exactly say what it is right now! :) I know! It's killing me to not tell everyone in the world right now... but it definitely will be 'local' :)

Are your soaps scented, too?

Yes! All of the soaps are scented, but the natural honey soap on a rope has a completely natural honey scent, no additional fragrances added.

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you, your business, or your soaps? Inquiring minds want to know!

Right now there's a giveaway for some free soap! Once we reach 200 fans on Facebook, I'll be having a giveaway for any soap in the shop.

Also, CleanerScience.com is coming soon, and you can visit the site now to join the mailing list for news and updates.

Links:

www.cleanerscience.com - still under construction, but you can sign up for the mailing list to receive news and updates

www.cleanerscience.etsy.com

www.facebook.com/cleanerscience

www.twitter.com/cleanerscience

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48398577@N02/

Thanks so much Sara! We will certainly be looking out for your announcement. Keep on doing what you're doing, and best wishes on your Pharmacy program!! :)

"Wash My Back and I'll Wash Yours" Giveaway!

2010-03-31T16:22:00.000-07:00

It has been just a few days since the new issue of Let's Get Soapy has been launched and I'm thrilled by the response. I think a whole issue dedicated to all natural ingredients has been long overdue, and I'm really happy to share what I have learned about them! Now I would like your help!

If you tell your friends, followers, fans, or blog readers about the eZine, I have a special thank you gift for your efforts - a special bonus tutorial! It's for the Zen Soaps pictured here - a 3 page tutorial full of photos, and using molding materials I'm sure you have in your kitchen right now. The ingredients are all natural and both versions (Honey and Aloe Vera) are explained. This will not be posted in any future eZine or on my blog. It's exclusively for my Soapylove sharers!

All you need to do is spread the word about the Spring "Let's Get Soapy" whether it's on Twitter, Facebook, your blog, on a forum... any social media you like. Then email me a link to your post at debbie[at]soapylove[dot]com. I'll email you the 3 page Zen Soaps Tutorial! That's it!

Thanks so much for your help! And if you haven't gotten your copy of Let's Get Soapy yet, make sure you get it by Friday when the Early Bird Rate of $12 will expire. For over 20 pages of Soapylove info, it's a great deal!

Spring issue of Let's Get Soapy is now available!

2010-03-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yay! The Spring eZine is now ready for you! There are 21 photo and info packed pages, all focusing on natural ingredients and specialty soap bases. I'm especially excited about the Budding Leaves Loaf Soap Tutorial where NO colorants are used at all - just botanical additives in specialty soap bases!

You'll also find:

Product review of some gorgeous all natural colorants
Butterfly Soap Tutorial with THREE unique versions
How to use soap embed paper
How to use cosmetic clays in MP soap
How to successfully suspend stubborn exfoliants
Inspiring exfoliating soap board
Budding Leaves Loaf Soap tutorial
Printable butterfly page
Complete Resource Directory for all Articles
and much more!

Remember my Boxed Soaps? This issue tells you where to get that cool dissolving paper and how to use it!

The early bird gets the worm, and in this case the early birds get $3 off! Head over to the Soapylove site to see more photos from inside and get the new issue for only $12 if you snap one up by Friday.

I also have an amazing sale on the Boxed Soaps - only $4.99 each, but they're selling out quick so pick out your favorite today!

New Spring eZine Coming Along!

2010-03-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I've been very busy lately, finishing up the next issue of Let's Get Soapy. It's a special issue dedicated to all natural colorants and specialty bases. The projects all use essential oils for fragrance, too!

This issue is bright, beautiful, and creative, plus there are loads of articles to tell you more about many of the fabulous options we have. Here's a photo from version 3 of the Butterfly Soap tutorial (yes, THREE versions!).

Some of the tips and articles included are:

Using soap embed paper
Using cosmetic clays to color soap
Some new and exciting all-natural colorants (featured on the cover)
How to suspend stubborn seeds and other exfoliants in your soap

There is a lot more, including a printable page full of the same beautiful butterflies shown here, so you can get started with no trouble!

Make sure you are signed up for the Soapyclub to get your early bird discount. I'm thrilled with how this issue is coming, and I'm sure you will be, too!

(Don't forget to hit up the great Spring Break Sale on our new Boxed Soaps, too. Styles are selling out quickly!)

Spring Break Sale!

2010-03-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

Don't let Easter sneak up and catch you empty handed! Fill your baskets with Soapylove's new Boxed Soaps, all lovingly handmade and packed with beautiful details. With styles great for girls, boys, and grown ups, you will find something for everyone.

Now through March 31 you can get them for only $4.99 each! That's a huge discount from the regular price of $9.00 each. A couple of styles have already sold out so head over and pick yours before they hop away!

Soapy Cupcakes Video Tutorial a la The Soap Queen!

2010-03-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

How to make Soap Cupcakes with Whipped Frosting from Soap Queen on Vimeo.

I was so thrilled to see this great video tutorial of the Fluffy Frosted Soapy Cupcake tutorial I created for The Soap Queen. You will LOVE how easy and fun it is, as you will see! For the full list of ingredients, check out her blog post here.

Thank you Anne-Marie for making this. I'm so happy that you felt my project was video-worthy!

When Things Get Complicated, Keep It Simple (Easter Tutorial!)

2010-03-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

The other day I was grocery shopping and passed by the Easter section. There was a great display with molds on it, so of course I bee-lined it right over. It turns out that Jell-o offered two 4 cavity molds for FREE with the purchase of 3 full sized Jell-o products. They didn't have to ask me twice!

Later, when I got home and checked out my score, I realized that these molds were WAY too detailed to fill with multiple colors. It would take the patience of a saint, so I had to rethink my plan.

First, I got out my bowl of scrap soaps. Every time I make a project I pour my left overs into my silicone heart mold. It's great to have tons of colors handy for times like this. When I want to experiment I just pop a few in a cup, zap them, and I'm ready to go.

I decided that for molds like this, it would be best to keep it simple. This is not usually my approach as you know! Here is what I made:

First, I made the marbled soaps. These are super easy and fun! Take two separate cups of soap (as cool as you can), colored with non-bleeding colorants, and pour them simultaneously into the mold. Do a blob here, a blob there, to make different areas of color. It might be a little messy and the back might look kind of worrisome, but the front will be great!

Next I did a batch of natural ingredients. One is white soap with lavender colored ground loofah stirred in, and the other is cream soap with Calendula petals. I like how the texture makes them interesting without hiding the details of the mold.

Next, I decided to choose one detail that was the cutest from two of the molds. One was the yellow beak on the duck (chick? My son and I had a little debate about this). Just drop a bright color to highlight that feature and then fill the rest with a pastel version of that color. Easy and sweet!

Finally, my favorite method for making very special soaps with that super colorful look - brushing with mica. This would be great for kids because the color goes on gradually and they use a regular paint brush. The basket has so much texture that it's perfect for this technique.

Make some soaps in solid colors. Then take a dry brush, dip in mica (any color, and it doesn't need to be non-bleeding), dab on a napkin to get off the extra, and brush on! I used copper sparkle on the basket and a mix of other shades for the eggs. The Opalescent colors make very pretty egg colors. You can even use glitter! If you get the Bramble Berry mica sampler, you'll have a great selection.

There you have it! A handful of easy methods to use super detailed molds. Have a great day!

(Don't forget to check out the great line of Soapylove supplies available at Bramble Berry!)

Hugs and Kisses From Around the World!

2010-03-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

Recently my Typography Soap was the lucky winner in the "Innovative Design" category of the Handmade Olympics. Along with that wonderful title came gift certificates from 3 amazing Etsy shops!

First was from Theme Fragrance based in Brooklyn, New York (Brooklyn is definitely where it's at these days!). I ordered the Mini Spray Perfumes Set and the Keep Calm and Spray (or Carry) On Set. Not being a fragrance wearer (I'm still reeling from the gag-worthy colognes that guys in high school used to wear), I was really interested to try some all natural fragrances. I am delighted to say that I LOVE Theme's scents. They're all very pleasant and uplifting! Check out their fragrance line as well as some beautiful soaps and lip balms!

Next I headed over to Michele Maule from Portland (also coolness central). Being a WAHM with 2 kids, I rarely treat myself to art. I couldn't have been more lucky than to get to shop from Michele. Her paintings and artwork have soft, soothing colors but have great modern themes like typewriters and city scapes. I chose 2 subjects that dominate my life - time flying and coffee. They're perfect for me and I can't wait to put them up in my house!

Finally I went to Papermode from Paris (need I say more?). This incredibly creative collection of accessories and jewelry feature her intricately folded paperwork. It was so difficult to pick from so many fabulous designs! At last I chose some really cool dangles and some edgy earwires. They are truly as amazing in person as they are in her photos, and she went above and beyond in her very special packaging. You could feel the love pouring out of the envelope!

Thanks so much to Rik Rak Studios for hosting the Handmade Olympics and to the wonderful shops that spoiled me rotten! I am so flattered and grateful. xoxo!

Two Tutorial Tuesday! :)

2010-03-09T09:07:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I have been madly making soaps lately and haven't been posting as much, but today I have a "2 fer!" Since I have kids jumping on my bed I'm going to make it quick!!

First is a new tutorial now posted over at the Soap Queen. If you love ice cream then you'll love this new Soapylove mold! The color combo possibilities are endless. Make sure to add one to your collection! (but first head over and see how I made those adorable ice cream embeds, too!)

Next is a truly awesome tutorial from Roots and Wings Co - how to make Lego soaps! This mom is so crafty. She used real Legos and urethane to make her own molds. This tutorial is so chock full of great tips and techniques. It's a must read!

Thank you Rebecca for letting me share your project with my readers!!

Have a great day everyone!

Yay! New Soapylove Soaps!

2010-02-26T16:43:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I know I haven't been writing as much as usual, but that's because I've been working on something brand-spanking-new behind the scenes. I have a new collection of soaps that are now available at Soapylove!

They are divided up into 4 little groups - Kokeshi Dolls, Spring, Retro, and Sweets for your Sweet. They all have printed graphics on fun dissolving paper and the Sweets even have real Japanese Iwako erasers! Another fun thing about these soaps is that they all come packaged in clear boxes which show off the soaps' designs, protect them, and preserve their fragrances.

These soaps would make perfect gifts. To see each one up close, head on over to Soapylove and check them out! Thanks so much!

Woo hoo! Soapylove Wins the Gold!

2010-02-18T09:20:00.000-08:00

Yay!! Thanks to your votes, my Typography Soap won the gold medal for Fave Innovative Design at the Rik Rak Studio. I'm thrilled to be sharing the podium with such beautiful handmade items. I think this exposure is great for the soapmaking community, too. It's going to show so many folks just how great soap can be!

I can't wait to start shopping for my prizes which are being graciously offered by michele maule, papermode, and themefragrance. I'm going to be totally decked out in indie fabulousness!!

I encourage you to head over and check out the winners of all eight events. From kid's items to favorite bloggers, there are many indies that you should know about! Thanks so much to Rik Rak Studio for holding this fun contest, where everyone is a winner!

(And if you'd like a Typography Soap of your own, I'm taking orders through Sunday only. Then it will be a part of Olympic history! You can find the link on my blog page. If you're using a reader, click here to see it!)

A Gallery of Glycerin

2010-02-16T20:24:00.001-08:00

handmade soap, originally uploaded by mari_arti.

I love Flickr and am in awe of the many amazing photographers out there. I also can't get enough of beautiful soap photos, so I put together a gallery dedicated specifically to clear soaps. As I picked all the images, it reminded me that soap designs do not need to be complex to be gorgeous!

Check out the entire collection, which I'm calling "Gorgeous Clear Glycerin Soaps." Enjoy!

The Typography Soap Available for a Limited Time!

2010-02-10T09:42:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: Thanks for its feature on Craftzine, I am now permanently offering the Typography Soap on my blog. (Retail only for now!). Thanks!

Thanks to its nomination for Innovative Design in the Handmade Olympics, I am now taking orders for the Typography Soap! These soaps are made one at a time using my own mold, and come beautifully boxed and labeled. It is scented with "Crushed Ice" which is a very refreshing peppermint. ~~All orders will ship on March 1.~~ Snap one up today! :)

To reserve your Typography Soap, check out the "buy now" button at the top left side of the page (for those using a blog reader, click here to be taken to the blog site).

Let the Games Begin! Soapylove Competing for Innovative Design.

2010-02-08T10:52:00.000-08:00

The Olympics have arrived - the Handmade Olympics, that is. Rik Rak Studio is hosting an awesome showdown of handmade wonderment. There are 8 great events, celebrating innovation, blogging, fun design, and more. The winners will be chosen by YOU! Each event has been narrowed down to 10 finalists, and I'm excited to say that my Typography Soap is in the running for Innovative Design. Yay!

So head over by February 18 to vote, discover some new artists, and see the work of many you may know. It's a great collection of handmade and handwritten work from all over the world.

Paperlili + Soapylove = Great Give Away from Giftfully Simple!

2010-02-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Paperlili is a gorgeous blog that I just discovered the other day. She writes about fashion, decorating, and more. It's great for those of us with kids because she finds really cool stuff like this Heart Breaker T-shirt in the picture, modeled by her too-cute daughter!

Courtney, writer of Giftfully Simple and fellow Paperlil reader, loved the rainbow popsicle in the photo and wrote to Paperlili to see where she got it. Well it turns out that wasn't a real popsicle, but a Soapylove "Peace, Love, and Soapiness" Soapy Pop! So she found me and asked if I'd like offer her readers a giveaway on her site. I said, Sure!! So you can enter to win 2 Soapy Pops of your choice. Click here (enter by February 11!)

Thank you to Paperlili for letting me borrow her photo. It's so great!! Your pics are really awesome. I'm a Paperlili follower now for sure!

Flavor of the Month: I'll Give You a Hint!

2010-02-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

1. It's a Mint Chocolate Chip World, 2. Mint Chocolate Cupcakes, 3. Mini Chocolate Mint cake, 4. Mint Chocolate Brownies, 5. Chocolate mint soap bars packaged, 6. mint chocolate chip, 7. Miniature Mint & Chocolate Cupcakes, 8. ebi, 9. mint chocolate cookie sandwiches, 10. Mint Chocolate, 11. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice cream Cubie, 12. Mint Chocolate Minis

I hope that after looking at all of those gorgeous photos that you're in the mood for Mint Chip, our Flavor of the Month. Having a line of ice cream inspired soaps makes this one a must, and yet it's our newest style! The minty bar is full of chocolate scented soap chunks, hand cut and mixed into every batch. It's a perfect follow up to our other classic style, the Neapolitan.

Definitely give it a try since Soapyfans agree that Soapy Pops are even more adorable in person and the scent will win you over the moment you open your box! And we're happy to ship them right to your favorite sweetie.

This one is only on sale for the month of February, so head on over to the Soapylove Pop Shop!

You Already Clean Your Hands, So Now Clean Your Liver!

2010-02-03T11:31:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like you're eating too much junk, too much fat, sugar, and/or carbs? Or maybe you have a sneaking feeling that you have a food allergy but aren't sure to what kind of food.

A great way to address both of these concerns is with a liver cleanse or "detox". If you've never heard of this, it's where you go on a special diet for a fixed amount of time, eliminating all foods that stress our systems, and gradually reintroduce them. This both gives our liver a break, allowing it to catch up on all the filtering it does on a daily basis, and isolates certain foods so you can see if you react to them once they are reintroduced.

As with most diets (or changes in our routine) it's easier to do with support. My husband, Jim Chialtas, is leading a 7 day "group cleanse" starting the week of February 15. He made sure it starts after Valentine's Day so you can still enjoy your favorite restaurant! If you are in San Diego you can attend a meeting he is holding to kick off the cleanse. If you are not local then he will call you to discuss the diet and answer any questions.

Included in the $100 cost is a kick-off meeting (choose from 2 sessions) or a personal phone call, the cleansing drink powder and supplements, literature, and email support during the 7 day cleanse. Jim is even setting up a discussion board on his Facebook fanpage for participants to share recipes, tips, concerns, or anything else with eachother.

For more information or to RSVP, check out his events at his Functional Medicine fanpage. Thanks!

Flavor of the Month: Clearly Lovely - Don't Miss It!

2010-01-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

January's Flavor of the Month is the Clearly Lovely Soapy Pop, just in time for Valentine's Day! This is one of the most popular styles we carry, and you can see why. Its sparkly pink bar features a floating white heart, and the Raspberry Fizz fragrance is as sweet as it sounds!

Our Flavors of the Month are always at a great price, so pick some up for your favorite sweetie (or teacher, or office friend, or neighbor kid!). They'll be tickled pink!

Getting Ready for CHA!

2010-01-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

Over the last two days I've been working on soaps to give away on Sunday at CHA. CHA is the Craft and Hobby Association and they hold seasonal trade shows for the crafting industry. I will be doing a demo to promote my book at the F+W Publications booth. Thanks to Kelley at Soapies Supplies I will be using a rice cooker to melt my soap there. Have you tried a rice cooker? They are amazing at melting soap!

But I digress. So I was trying to think of a way to promote Soapylove in a fun and memorable way. I thought of postcards but that seemed kind of generic and easily tossed. So I decided to make soaps instead and found a great way to include lots of information and have a durable soap that wouldn't get banged up in a tote bag full of other freebies: I discovered clamshell boxes.

Considering the amount of supplies and things I have tried since I began obsessively making glycerin soap 5 years ago, it's really amazing how there are still new things to play with. I mean, clamshell packaging is not a new innovation at all but this is the first time I am trying them out. If you are a fan at the Soapylove fan page, you may have seen my excited posts about them. I am REALLY excited, in fact! They are so fast and easy, and provide a very safe little home for the soaps which are beautifully visible on all sides! LOVE it! Plus I made a nice big sticker with loads of info that fits nicely on the back. Done and done.

You can see some of my soaps in the picture above. I got 50 of them so I want to use every single one. It's been really fun picking styles and techniques from my book to make in the boxes.

So if you're going to be at CHA on Sunday, please find the F+W booth (#4228) and come by at 2:30. I'd love to say hi, and hopefully I'll have a soap to give you, too!

Great Time at Soapies Supplies!

2010-01-17T15:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I taught the All Day Melt and Pour Boot Camp at Soapies Supplies in Scottsdale, Arizona. We had a great time and made lots of soap!

I drove to Scottsdale Friday afternoon through the impressive desert. Kelley - the owner of Soapies - and her husband, Bronson, were wonderful hosts and even let me stay the night at their beautiful home. I got to meet their adorable new grandbabies (teeny little Chihuahuas), too!

The next day we got up and got ready for a fun, all day class. We had 6 great students who traveled from as far away as Las Vegas! Jackie was my TA and she helped me melt lots of soap base and lend a hand whenever needed. In the class we covered almost every topic imaginable: kinds of soap bases, fragrances, colorants, melting temperatures, types of molds, using unusual tools from other crafts, and lots lots more.

There were 4 separate projects ranging from transfer sheets to engraving. I was really impressed by everyone's enthusiasm and excellent questions. Having 6 hours of work time allowed us to carefully go over all of the steps, and I was able to give lots of one-on-one attention, too.

I truly love teaching and being able to talk about soap crafting all day! It's a rare treat! If you would like to host a class at your home or shop, please email me for more information. There are many options in topics and class size and length. I hope to hear from you soon!

New Tutorial over at The Soap Queen - Ombre Hearts!

2010-01-07T11:21:00.000-08:00

Brand new Soapylove tutorial now up at The Soap Queen! This neat fading effect is actually very simple. You'll love how they turn out. See you there!

Common Question: Where to Find Shiny Silicone Pans

2010-01-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

In the Soapylove book, I repeatedly use my favorite soap making tool of all time - my silicone brownie pan which I found in a discount store over 4 years ago. It's not just any silicone pan, though. It's shiny on the inside, which creates a super slick and glossy surface to all soaps made in it.

That's important to me because when projects involve embedding, layering, clear effects, or swirling, I want that to be easily seen. A pan with a dull or matte inside will make the surface of the soap seem like you're looking through frosted glass. If you would like to pick one up, they might not be easy to find. The pans from Wilton are matte, for example.

Here are some that will work great. For the same exact pan I use, pick the one from Orka. For a less expensive version, the line from SiliconeZone all are shiny. Then, for fun, you can also get shiny silicone loaf pans which are very super easy to unmold and amazingly durable, and tons of other shapes! Happy shopping!

Fan Page Celebration!

2009-12-23T09:45:00.001-08:00

42-16587355, originally uploaded by stephanieyfh8.

Last night we hit the 500 fan mark! To celebrate, I'm having a Soapylove giveaway. Win a box of goodies including an ice cream truck soap dish, logo tee, and more!

To enter, just head over to the Soapylove fan pag e and post your favorite fashion trend from your teenage years. I will choose a winner at random on Saturday, so hurry and enter now! I can't wait to read all of the entries. See you there!

(Thank you stephanieyfh8 for sharing your great photo on Flickr!)

New Soap Books: From Informative to Terrifying

2009-12-21T10:29:00.000-08:00

In the Winter issue of the Natural Soap News, three new soap books were reviewed.

One is noteworthy because it is possibly the very best, most completely accurate and informative book ever published about beginning soap making. The second is fascinatingly artistic and the third is a devastating nightmare that may prove dangerous and worthy of a lawsuit.

I am very happy to be included in the books, and relieved that mine is not the "devastating nightmare!" LOL

In the newsletter are also articles about oil rancidity, organic palm oil, and soap labeling. At only 2 pages, it's a quick read. I highly recommend it!

If you do not have a Soapylove book yet, I just added signed copies to my website. I only have 10 in stock, so grab your copy soon!

Have a great holiday week!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

2009-12-17T19:37:00.000-08:00

1. Colorful Christmas, 2. 6/7 - Annalie's Christmas stocking, 3. Colorful Christmas Decor, 4. I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, 5. Bouquet of Christmas Lights, 6. colorful christmas tree!, 7. "it's a small world holiday", 8. Colourful Christmas Tree, 9. Candy canes, 10. Rainbow Hearts Christmas Trees, 11. Rainbow Tree, 12. Christmas Star Sugar Cookies

Many online sellers are signing off for the holidays, and as I realize the immensity of Christmas projects I have on my list, I must also take some time off of the computer.

So in my absence, here is a mosaic of fabulous photos I found on Flickr. For those celebrating Christmas - Merry Christmas! Otherwise, have a great winter solstice! See you again on December 28!

New Soapylove Tutorial Over at the Soap Queen!

2009-12-14T12:34:00.000-08:00

Check out this sweet, cookie-inspired version of the checkered hearts. The full tutorial is now posted at the Soap Queen blog!

I encourage you to add the checkered heart soap mold to your collection - the squares are nice and deep, making it very easy to make super clear checkers. The potential with different color combinations is awesome. Lots of room for creativity!

Have a great day!

Your Ticket to a Bountiful Soapy Gift Basket!

2009-12-07T14:43:00.001-08:00

When I was making the tutorials for the winter issue of Let's Get Soapy, I knew that many of you would also want to build your soap gifts into complete gift baskets. So you will find coordinating sugar scrub, lotion, bath gel, and bath salt recipes to go with each soap project - even suggested packaging!

And of course you will find every ingredient you need in the supply directory in the back along with supplier coupons. Happy crafting!!

Some Soapy Eye Candy for the Weekend!

2009-12-04T09:50:00.001-08:00

Today I received an email from a customer in Russia, telling me about the Russian Soap Cup. I went to the site and was blown away by the creativity!! It's all in glycerin soap and you will not believe how amazing the work is, like the Lily Pad Soap above.

For the original page in Russian, click here.

For the site translated into English, click here.

Enjoy and have a nice weekend!

Talk About Frosting!

2009-12-03T14:03:00.001-08:00

Just the other day, Tammy Brodbeck of Milk and Cookeez posted this great photo over at the Soapylove Facebook fan page. Little did we know that this simple birthday greeting would turn into a major discussion (click here to read it)!

This is actually a soap cupcake. Can you believe it? That delicate, towering frosting is incredible! She based her recipe on the one from my Fluffy Frosted Soapy Cupcakes tutorial I posted at The Soap Queen a little while ago. She tweaked it a bit and has done some rigorous testing. The best part is, she is sharing all of her information and we are having quite a nice conversation about it.

If you'd like to read about her tips, other soaper's experiences, and more, click here for the discussion, or here to be taken to the Soapylove fan page. Join and start your own discussion - it's a Soapy Love In! :)

Soapyfans Unite!

2009-11-30T15:06:00.001-08:00

Do you know what I love even more than writing tutorials? Seeing what you all do with them! All of the above photos were made by Soapyfans, and I could not be more proud. Here's more about the artists behind the soaps!

The plaid tree is by Erica Pence of Bonnie Bath. She used the Plaid Soap tutorial which is in my book and can be found as a video at Bramble Berry. I love how Erica used a touch of gold in her design, which adds such a beautiful dimension! Check out her active fan page here.

Next is a great use of the new Checkered Heart Mold by Rose Carbajal. She submitted her photo to the fan album over at Soapylove's Facebook page. Thanks, Rose!

At the bottom left is a very impressive cold process version of the Hot Chocolate Loaf Soap by The Coffee Soap Company. Look at that incredible soap foam - it puts mine to shame! I couldn't resist - I had to buy a bar for myself!

Last but not least are yummy ice cream sandwich soaps made by my friend Alison and her 4 year old son. This was their first solo soap project! After seeing my soapy cupcakes in my kitchen, she got some Soapylove supplies and made her own awesome designs. They're so great! I love how they put sprinkles on the sides of the filling. Her son said his favorite part was peeling the leftover soap frosting out of the bowl. I'm sure many of us can relate!

Thank you so much everyone who has sent me emails and links to their projects. If you have some pictures, please show them off in the Soapylove fan album. It will really make my day!

Soapylove Cyber Monday Sale!

2009-11-29T13:50:00.001-08:00

You're back to work and ready to do some internet shopping! We wouldn't want to let you down, so our 2 great Christmas styles are marked down to $7 each just for Cyber Monday.

The Candy Cane is a Christmas favorite, and the Winter Wonderlan d is beautiful for any December holiday. They make great gift toppers, stocking stuffers, or inexpensive gifts for your friends and coworkers. Grab a few of these sweet treats while the gettin's good!

Winter 09 Small Magazine

2009-11-28T09:03:00.000-08:00

Back in the day, a friend and I started a children's clothing line called Mink & Ambrose. We had a collection of knit coordinates and we also made one-of-a-kind pieces from vintage fabrics (didn't know I could sew, huh?). At the time neither of us had children, but we genuinely loved the freedom and playfulness of children's fashion.

Although I have packed up my sewing machine and shop for my kids at Old Navy now, I still admire children's designers. Recently I discovered Small Magazine - an online zine for kids' fashion (or really the adults that love it). Many indie designers are featured, and the photo spreads are incredible! Definitely check it out here.

And if you have kids that love to color, each month Small commissions an artist to create a line drawing that you can download for free. Get the Winter page by Julia Pott here.

Hope you're having a cozy day!

Soapylove Moving Sale! A La Carte Tutorials All Marked Down!

2009-11-26T19:50:00.000-08:00

Earlier this month I moved all of my eZines from my old Cerizmo site to soapylove.com, but you can still get find them there until December 1, and they're marked down!

You can get individual tutorials for $5.00 each and last year's Holiday Tutorial Bundle for only $9 (there are 3 great projects in there!). Click here to check them all out, before they're internet history!

Back from Gotham!

2009-11-18T18:33:00.000-08:00

Last night I got back from my first trip to New York City since I was 13. Earlier this year I started consulting for a company in New York so I went there to do some work. Even though my family is originally from New York (Yonkers, to be exact), we moved to San Diego when I was only 2, so I'm really a California girl.

Since I'm working on a retail project, a lot of the trip was spent discussing and finding inspiration in successful retail stores. Although I was only there for 1 1/2 days (the rest was flight time), I visited Sabon, Dylan's Candy Bar, Max Brenner, Toys 'R Us, Crumbs, and ate at impressive restaurants such as David Burke Townhouse and Serendipity. Melody (the other consultant working on the project) and I were staying at the Dream Hotel in midtown so the major landmarks such as Rockefeller Center and Times Square were very close by. I got really lucky and met up with a friend who was on a fun NY trip, too.

What did I learn on my trip? LOTS. But mainly I learned that the sky is the limit in New York. To be "over the top" is hard to do among so many incredible shops! But having a very strong point of view and running with it is key to standing out.

I also learned that I am not a big city girl! I was so excited to get back to my quiet suburban house and relax with my family.

I will be going back a couple more times until the project is launched and I really look forward to it. There's nothing like Manhattan!

New Tutorial Tomorrow at the Soap Queen!

2009-11-12T15:44:00.001-08:00

Get ready for a brand new Soapylove tutorial over at the Soap Queen! Tomorrow afternoon you will learn how to make these cute and easy Lucky Star Soaps. Check it out then! :)

Flavor of the Month: Candy Cane!

2009-11-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

November is here (I can't believe a whole week has already passed!) and holiday decorations are already starting to show up in stores. The best sales usually happen after Thanksgiving, but at Soapylove we are starting our sale early!

Today we are kicking off our Flavor of the Month promotion. Whether it's inspired by the season, an upcoming holiday, or just a great way to celebrate a new style, you'll find one special Soapy Pop that is marked down all month.

For November we have chosen the classic Candy Cane. It's a perfect stocking stuffer or affordable gift in itself! The sweet yet snappy scent is realistic and refreshing. Regularly $8.00 each, you can now get them for $7.50!

The New Soapylove Website and Winter eZine Have Arrived!

2009-11-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

I am beyond excited to announce that my new, super fabulous* website is now live! You can now find everything in Soapyland under one roof, including all Let's Get Soapy eZines!

If you have a minute, please head over and check it out. It looks completely different! New features are:

Entire collection of Soapy Pops, including the brand new Mint Chip and 2 holiday styles.
An exclusive area for wholesalers so shop owners can now place orders online anytime.
A registration option so you can save your payment option and make future orders super quick.
All eZines can be purchased right on my site instead of at a secondary site.
Entire area dedicated to soapmakers where you can find Soapylove class schedule, links to Soapylove supplies, and sites where you can buy the book.
Finally, a whole page dedicated to all the social media where Soapylove appears.

It's all designed to make it easier and more fun for you to find just what you need! And right now I have TWO great specials to celebrate!

Get free shipping on all Soapy Pops through November 6. Just enter SOAPYLAUNCH during checkout to get the discount!
The new Winter issue of Let's Get Soapy is on Early Bird special for only $12 through this Friday, too. Don't miss it!

I would love to hear what you all think. Please comment here and let me know! Otherwise, I'll see you there! :)

*The super fabulousness is completely due to my sister, Cheryl Jackson, who took the amazing new photos for the site and the super talented website design team at Aeolidia. I could not have asked for a better experience from design concept to site implementation.

Skulls Lurking Underground a la MirandaRanda!

2009-10-28T12:11:00.001-07:00

I am always really excited to see soap makers use the tutorials that I post, and recently Miranda of Alt-Soap/Miranda Randa contacted me to make sure it was okay to sell the projects she made from the "Bubbles from the Crypt" tutorial on the Soap Queen blog. Of course it's okay - it's strongly encouraged!

When I went to check out her soaps, I was really impressed! She not only made the full skeleton like I did, but she also has this cool skull version (pictured above). I spotted the soapy eyeballs, too, but with added red veins - super creepy and awesome!

Thank you so much Miranda for contacting me, and thanks for doing such an amazing job with the projects!

I love hearing from all of you when you try out a project from my book, my blog, or the Soap Queen. Please keep me posted!

Soapylove Spotted on Martha Stewart - sort of :)

2009-10-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

I just got a call from my friend, Alison, who DVR's the Martha Stewart Show. She said, "Debbie! I just saw your soaps on Martha Stewart!!" I was like, OH MY GOD (channeling my inner valley girl, in true Soapylove fashion)!

So it turns out that Robert Mahar of Mahar Drygoods was recently a guest on Martha, showing how to make awesome Sock Skeletons (episode is available to view online, where I got the above image).

Interestingly, Robert was my first ever wholesale customer. He found me on Etsy, and I had to come up with wholesale pricing FAST because I had never given it any thought before! He was a customer for a couple of years and has now sold out of most of my soaps. But luckily Martha got a screenshot of his site, with my soaps included, before that time! :)

If you'd like to read about his awesome experience as a guest on her show, click here. Either way, you should definitely know about his awesome store for your next truly special gift for the little person in your life!

Very Exciting! New Soap Frosting Recipe!

2009-10-26T11:38:00.001-07:00

Honestly, I haven't been this excited about a soap tutorial since the texture sheets. I've always been attracted to soap cupcakes but didn't want to get all sorts of special ingredients I would only use for one project. So I decided to tackle soap frosting myself.

First I tried mixing melt and pour with coconut oil, loads of glycerin, and I don't even remember what else. What I got was a ball of soap so rubbery I could have bounced it on my kitchen floor. Soap rubber would be a really fun project but since I added so much oil it had no lather. Bummer.

So I started over and tried just glycerin soap base and liquid soap (which is also very handy for the Soap Slime project!). To my delight it was the perfect marriage! Not only is it a super fast and simple process (click here for the full tutorial on the Soap Queen), but it's very forgiving since you can remelt it if it's overwhipped or starting to harden before you're ready.

I really hope you'll give it a try and let me know what you think. This project just goes to show that the potential of melt and pour soap base is so vast and that there's still an endless supply of fun things that we can do with it! Let's keep pushing the soapy envelope! :)

Romantic Soaps Tutorial, a la The Soap Queen

2009-10-23T09:54:00.001-07:00

Today I watched the latest video over at the Soap Queen, using rubber stamps to make cool debossed designs in glycerin soap. I love how she used 3 colors to create a lot of dimension and make the design really stand out! Check out that great video here. Here is a project using the same general technique, but with just one pour.

Click on photo to enlarge.

First, find some cool little nick nacks with a flat back. I had a field day shopping for mine over at Snap Crafty. Check out the plastic charms section for loads of tantalizing goodies!

Then, take a basic mold with a flat face. I used the new Soapylove scalloped molds in rectangle and heart shapes*. Use a dot of rubber cement or a glue stick to glue down your trinkets with the design side up (these types of glue either come off or wash off easily so your mold is unharmed). Try to get the edges well seated so soap won't seep under.

Now, simply melt some white or clear soap. Color and scent any way you like! I used the Soapylove Naturally Clear soap base and the pink and cream colorants from the Sweet Treats colorant set (find all supplies here).

Fill your mold, allow to harden, and unmold. If the trinket comes out of the mold into your soap, just pick it out carefully with a toothpick or other fine item. Smooth edges with your finger. Voila!

Make sure to check out the Soap Queen tomorrow, since I'll be guest blogging! A brand new project will be posted that I'm super excited about. If you like cupcakes or anything with frosting (hint hint), you're going to love it!

*I had a special tester mold that had one of each shape on it. This exact mold is not available, but each design is offered a la carte.

Winter "Let's Get Soapy" is Coming Together!

2009-10-21T10:08:00.001-07:00

I am feverishly working on the new tutorials and articles for the Winter issue of Let's Get Soapy! I'm finding lots of inspiration from white Christmas trees and colorful ornaments this year. The focus is on holiday gift giving and using sparkle and shine in your designs!

This issue will launch on November 1, and you'll find these great projects and articles inside:

Polka Dot Party Soaps (on cover)
Shimmery Snowflake Bars
Candy Cane Loaf Soaps
Feature article about soap glitters
Easy ways to expand your soap design into a gift basket
and a product review of TKB's Pop Micas!

As usual I will be offering an early bird special for the first week, so make sure you are signed up for the Soapyclub to get an email notification when it's ready!

Happy soaping!

More New Soapylove Molds from Bramble Berry!

2009-10-18T20:58:00.001-07:00

There are 2 new additions to the Soapylove supply line from Bramble Berry! You'll find the Stacked Star (shown above) and the Striped Heart. These are both very 80's inspired but still have the great versatility of the scalloped molds also available.

When I was working on these designs, I wanted to have molds that helped make multi-colored soaps easy. So the star has 3 sizes of stars, stacked up, so you can fill each layer separately. The Striped Heart has diagonal grooves that you can fill with different colors (perhaps a rainbow, may I suggest?).

In the above photo I made a batch of green soap colored with the Jewelry Box colorant kit, then put aside an ounce of soap which I added a heavy dose of the Sparkle Dust glitter to*. I used this as my top star layer. Once that layer cooled I topped off the mold with the plain green. This simple detail really makes the stars stand out and catch the light! I did something similar with the blue version but used Super Pearly Mica for my top stars instead.

If any of you have tried supplies from the Soapylove line, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to comment here or email me at: hello@soapylove.com. Thanks so much!

*Little fact about the glitter: the Sparkle Dust in the Jewelry Box set is a super fine grade that suspends very easily and has a beautiful sparkly shimmer that isn't chunky at all. It's a special type only offered in my kit. I know you'll love it!

Brand New Soapy Pop and More, Coming Soon!

2009-10-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

Just like my tarot card reader said it would be, this year has been amazing for Soapylove! So many exciting developments! To celebrate, we've decided to step it up a little bit.

The Soapylove site is getting a huge renovation which will include an improved shopping cart, exclusive wholesale customer area, eZines that you can buy right from my site, new photos, and a very exciting new look!

As part of the unveiling, we will be offering a brand new Soapy Pop - the Mint Chip! It's sweet minty color, hand-cut dark chocolate soapy chunks, and mouth watering scent will bring you back to your childhood. We know you'll love it!

The new site, and the Mint Chip, will be ready around early November so keep Soapylove in mind for your holiday gifts. We'll have the popular Candy Cane and the Winter Wonderland, too! Until then, have a wonderful day!

(Psst... if you are interested in placing a wholesale order, the Mint Chip is actually available for you right now! Email us at hello@soapylove.com for a catalog!)