Makers gotta make!
I LOVE quilting, sewing, machine embroidery and everything else relating to it. I am passionate about it and have been since about 10th grade (that my friends is a l-o-n-g time!)
But on the rare occasion I get to go to a summertime outdoor craft fair or market on vacation or trips to the lake I have been so in awe of handmade all natural artisan soap.
I love to smell them and I especially liked to use them and relish in the soft lotiony suds and lather and how it make my skin feel afterwards, not to mention the wonderful scents coming from my sink or shower.
Well a bit over a year ago I decided to give it a try. Mistakenly I thought I would have more time during pandemic when we had to close the shop. (BUT thankfully all our wonderful peeps came the rescue with online orders and our family was back in business cutting, packing and shipping!)
Nonetheless, I began watching soapmaker YouTube channels when I was in my sewing room piecing quilts and stitching items for the shop. I watched and watched and watched as my machine hummed along. Then once I had identified a couple of my favorite soapmakers I ordered some recipes, molds and supplies from their etsy shops. Once I had accumulated enough to get going I gave it a try and as they say the rest is history, I am hooked.
Family, friends and co-workers have been the recipients of all of my "fun" thus far. Everyone seems to love it and have asked for more, so I keep making and gifting.
Then they asked if I could/would offer some bars in the shop so they could gift and give as well.
Well I am getting closer to putting out a basket of these all natural handcrafted bars of suds.
Below are some pictures of the progress,
It really is quite a lengthy process with a 6-8 week "curing" process to get a hard long lasting bar.
.....and just like sewing and embroidery this too requires "tools of the trade". I know have a multi-bar cutter, a soap stamp and a shrink wrapper...
Tom asked...and the answer is NO, you cannot make soap cheaper than you can buy it, far from it. But is is fun for me to create in another medium and I love that there are no chemicals or other additives, even the colors and the occasional sprinkling of glitter are eco friendly and biodegradable. I love the process and especially how the bars look after they are cut. I am learning so much with each batch.
So there you have it - quilting, sewing, machine embroidery and now a soaper!
I will post more about this again later on and give you a tour of how I have taken over the basement kitchen, including a new professional stainless steel table (among other fun things)
Watch for a basket of of Pine Needles Soap Co. all natural, artisan soap bars coming in 2022 to the shop. Both in lovely scents or unscented and uncolored.
Blessings,
M
I have also loved soaps for many years! I am looking forward to seeing if you have made some of my favorites.
Those soaps are lovely. I have a bad addiction to hand made soaps. Every craft fair I go to I buy some soap. So yay, another outlet for me to go crazy in. I can’t wait to buy some.
I am impressed, Marcia! I bet they smell as wonderful as they look!
Good for you! I have been making soap for years. It gives a feeling of great accomplishment after 4-6 weeks and you get to try it!
I had no idea!!! They look amazing. Can hardly wait to try one.
These are beautiful Marcia. I also love the homemade soaps at craft fairs and I purchase many of them. I will not venture into making my own. Kudos to you!
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Susan
January 03, 2022
How wonderful! My very favorite soap vendor on Etsy has closed up shop and I’m so sad! She made an awesome pumpkin pie soap that I absolutely loved…maybe you’ll make pumpkin pie soap???