Meet your Maker {soapmaker, that is}

It dawned on me this weekend that everyone likes to see the face of those that they are buying from. I think it helps us "know" who we choose to buy from. Knowing someone helps us trust that what we are buying is what they say it is. There is a lot of talk out there about knowing where your food comes from, hence buying more food from Farmer's Markets (knowing your food grower) and such. So I thought we could do a little "meet-your-maker" post. I'll tell you a little about me, and those that help support me, and have helped me realize this dream of owning my own business and being an "artist", instead of sitting behind a desk just because it makes money (probably more money). So, hello, my name is Susan:

I am a new transplant to Santa Rosa, Ca. due to a job for my hubby, the opportunity to own a home of our own and great schools for our two boys. Speaking of boys, we have two: Aiden, 6 1/2 years and Liam, just turned 4. We moved in the Summer of 2010 and renovated (almost done, but is it ever done?) our house heavily for the first 4 months. After the dust settled (literally) and we got into the groove of our new schedule I dove back into my soap making. I made it official (you know, with all that paperwork) and am now working from home as a soapmaker. Of course, this all wouldn't be possible without the boys (and man) in my life. This is Lucas (and Liam), my hubby:

He's an auto technician and has been a great supporter to me starting my own business. He helps me think of ways to make sales and possible new soap scents to add to the line-up. Most of all, he believes in me, which means the world to me.

And our boys, oh them boys. Our oldest, Aiden, is a first grader. You all know how first graders look, right?! Well, they are generally toothless, and mine is no different. Meet Aiden:

 And we can't forget little brother, Liam. Liam's been through a lot in his 4 years (two heart surgeries and multiple doctors visits, needle pricks and probes). He is a very strong, courageous boy, which helps me stay strong too. Meet Liam:

So, this is my team. They are my backbone, my support. Without them none of this would be possible or worth it. They push me along with love. So, thank you team, I love you big time.

So I hope you enjoyed hearing a little bit about me and my team. Tell me about you, readers! Where are you from? What keeps you going?

{In the Kitchen} With Coffee and Mocha

Yesterday I was in the kitchen making some coffee soap and mocha too. I made up some coffee a couple of days ahead of time and then after it had cooled a bit, put it in the fridge to keep it fresh, out of the way, and keep its temperature down for when I mixed it with the lye. This is a really simple soap with no colorants (other than the coffee itself) and no essential oil. The top is sprinkled with microground coffee for some scrubbiness for your feet (because we all know Winter is a killer on our skin- especially those feet.

A little about coffee. Coffee is known to promote the appearance of smoother looking skin, especially in places prone to cellulite. Coffe has a PH balance similar to that of the human body, meaning it is better able to clean and performs as an effective astringent.

Take a gander at the Coffee Bar:

Also made that day was Mocha, a sweet side addition to having coffee on hand.

Mocha is 3/4 coffee with a top of chocolate, making delicious mocha. Once again, there are no E.O's in this soap or colorants, just the natural ones (coffee, chocolate). Here is Mocha:

These are on the curing racks as we speak and ready for sale around mid March, so until then have a real cup and when March rolls around you can have your "cup" in the shower too!

Any other favorite drinks you would want to see in soap form? Take it to the comment section and you just might see in my store before you know it.

{In the kitchen} with Orange Rose and Rose (Geranium)

The other day I cut the Rose (Geranium) and Orange Rose into bars and cut a few sample sizes too. The color of the bars aren't exactly what I wanted, but I think overall they turned out very close to what I wanted in every other area other than color. I am trying out plant-based ways to color my soaps to keep them as close to natural as possible. Every now and then I use oxides or ultramarines- but as rarely as possible. So these bars were colored with hibiscus powder and a bit of paprika to add a bit of orange color. I wanted the rose to be a faint pink (from the hibiscus powder) but that didn't happen. Here are a couple examples of what they turned out like. Above is a 1 oz. sample of Orange Rose as well as the two pictures below

 Above are the bigger chunks of both the Rose {left} and Orange Rose {right} and below is a shot from above.

 Below are some samples of the Rose {Geranium}

They are available in March.

Coming Soon...

 All of these below are honey oat. They have no colorant or essential oils added for scent. The honey naturally colors the soaps a deep honey color and they smell slightly sweet. Soothing, natural and great for sensitive skin.

 All of the green soaps below are Slice O' Lime. They are colored with spirulina powder, so there isn't any oxides or ultramarines for those with sensitive skin. The essential oil used is mainly Lime with a bit of Litsea Cubeba essential oil for extra staying power. They smell so good- a great "pick-me-up" in the shower before work, or just to start the day. Inside of these is a small bit of loofah for extra scrubbiness and lather, and it looks like a slice of lime once you get down to the loofah. Both of these soaps will be up for sale on March 1 (about 3 weeks) in my shop (www.cloud9bathbody.com). The Honey Oat will be 5.00 and the Slice O' Lime will be 3.00 (they're on the smaller side). Hope you enjoy the pics.

Learning Curve

Not that I think starting anything new is easy, and well, a business, not at all. There is a huge learning curve. I can get around when it comes to computers, you know, figure things out as I go. I also ask lots of questions when it comes to other things, or tough it out until I find out what works best for me. The thing is that there are so many questions that I am being asked right now. Whether it be related to shipping, or the layout of my website or the labeling of my soap. A lot of questions all at once is a bit much for me. One thing at a time I am good at. I noticed when I had my first son I was a really good teacher. I had time to show him that the triangle went into the triangle shaped hole. Once I had my second son, whoa! Two times the questions in half the amount of time. Then and there I determined I don't do well with a lot: a lot of questions, a lot of stuff, a lot of people, a lot of anything. Right now it's a lot of questions, and I am without a lot of answers for those questions. This will all seem silly in a month and even sillier in a year, I know that. Knowing that is good- it keeps me from feeling too serious, it keeps me lighthearted. We all need to stay lighthearted, right?!?!

What challenges have you overcome lately? What are you scared of but pushed through?

The Beginning

Last year around this time I was taking a soaping class at Nova Studio with Lori Nova herself learning all about soap. I came away from that 2-day intensive Soap Boot Camp armed with knowledge and a bunch of pages of information. I had already made one batch of soap before the class that hadn't turned out so well, mostly due to there being no electricity and my arm feeling like it was about to fall off after whisking soap for over an hour. I really had no clue about so many things at that time. After the class I went home, and although I didn't have any essential oils, I was so antsy to make that first batch of soap with my head filled with all this new information. I decided it would be plain with a little bit of cocoa powder as a top layer, with that being the only thing coloring and scenting it. I loved the way it turned out. It was simple and creamy and perfect for my kids during bath time. I was hooked. After that came a large order of essential oils and lots of time making soap while my kids were at school. I started stocking my racks and thinking, "Hmmm, what am I going to do with all this soap?" So I started giving it away to friends and family. They were my guinea pigs, whether they knew it or not. I asked for their feedback and their favorites and based on what they told me, I either kept the recipe for later use or got rid of it. Over that year, 2010, I kept experimenting and getting my recipes in check. Halfway through the year we moved to the city- Santa Rosa, ca to be exact. We bought a home close to good schools and took on the biggest only renovation we had ever done. Let's just say it was more than we expected. We slept in our backyard- in a tent- for two months. We got new bamboo floors, new paint, a new kitchen, and finally got to move in. This whole "project" kind of got me off the soapmaking job and into the hammering and ripping out job. Now that our house has all the major projects out of the way I am back to soapmaking.

I officially sent in my papers to sell merchandise and am able to sell my products. I got a website up and running and am now on the verge of "starting" this business, although the train has been going for a whole year already, it is officially official.

I am looking in to the Farmer's Market close to our house for Springtime and trying to figure out how to get my products out there.

So here it is- My beginning. I've been known as only "Mom" for the past nearly 7 years and it feels a bit weird to be working. The boys ask what I am doing and I tell them I am working and they say, "Oh". All they know is that this working bit is taking their playtime with mommy away, or at least making it shorter.

So there you have it, the beginning of Cloud 9 Bath & Body.