| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| urban chickie |
Posted - Apr 28 2010 : 10:06:51 AM
Anyone interested? It seems that there are a lot of farmgirls who make their own soap and I haven't been in a soap swap for a while, so I think it's time I step up to the plate and host my own. Here's what I am thinking:
I'd like to limit this to lye based, true handcrafted soap. Cold-process, hot-process, and all variations thereof would qualify, as well as liquid soap and cream soap, as long as you actually make the soap and do not start from a melt and pour base or grated soap. There are folk who can bring melt and pour to an art form, I know, but it just isn't real, lye based soap. And some folk - me, for instance - have some sensitivity issues with even the best quality melt and pours. So, this here is for soap from scratch! 
Sign-ups will be through May 20th, and you will need to send out your soaps by June 24th. This will give us plenty of time to cure formulations that need it, especially with the season's growing humidity. You will need to include return postage as well. Soaps should be the typical 4 ounce bath size. (If by chance we get more than 15 participants, we might make that 2 ounce bars so everyone can try everyone's soaps, but for now let's stick with the 4 ounce bar as a guide.) I know many sell their soaps so I do not think it fair to ask for formulations, but I do expect all gals to label their soaps as you would for selling. This includes your name, contact info, location, and whatever ingredients may be common allergens (a true ingredient list is nice but I know it is not required by law so we won't require it here.) I will sort all soaps and send back to you one soap from everyone else within a week of getting the last box. I will try my best to get it out within a day or so but I need to be upfront here. I work retail and my schedule can be real wonky sometimes, and I don't drive. So, the arrival of the last box will interact with my work schedule to determine how fast a turnaround I can make. But it will take me one week at the absolutely longest, that I can assure you.
I would love to see a range of talents represented here, so come on and let's have fun with this! Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned soapmaker, come join the party! Maybe there's a technique of swirling you are real good at, or maybe there's an additive you have been wanting to try out. Maybe you have a scent to end all scents and want to tell the world. Here's your chance! And if you are just beginning, trust me, we all remember those first wonderful steps of alchemy that transformed some dangerous lye and greasy oil to our own, glorious soap. Celebrate this transformation by sharing your creations!!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| urban chickie |
Posted - Jul 16 2010 : 6:55:01 PM
OK, as promised here are pics of the soaps we all made for our swap. Be kind - I am not the best at indoor still photography!! It is a dream on mine to take a class in that one day, but whatever LOL. First a pic with labels, then without:
Here's the description I put on Flickr: We have lower left going clockwise: pumpkin yogurt castille, princess potion #9, summer spa salt bar, sweet southern magnolia, grandma's rose, peppermint tea tree, pure castille, and in the center is oatmeal milk & honey.
I also realized while typing in the descriptions that I forgot to tell you gals about the salt bars. They are a whole different beast from regular soaps and if you haven't encountered them before, they take a slightly different approach. They really work best used with a bath pouf or rough washcloth, the extra friction is sometimes needed to work up the lather. The lather isn't bubbly at all, but rather like a lotiony lather, if that makes sense. But the effect is worth it many think, it can leave your skin feeling real smooth. I love them and hope you do too!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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| urban chickie |
Posted - Jul 12 2010 : 10:46:59 PM
Good, both packages arrived safe and sound. Whenever it's something handmade or handcrafted,
I always worry. Can't put a price on the love that goes into these things! I will post pics Th when I have more than a few minutes to spare.
Victoria, I wasn't at all disappointed! I love true Castille - it's a pet peeve of mine that so many have taken to erroneously calling vegetable oil based soaps Castille - and I am amazed at how hard yours is. I was very happy to get both yours and Becky's soaps. I live alone but you would think a dozen folk live here by how many soapies are in my bathroom LOL!!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Jul 12 2010 : 06:00:54 AM
Catherine I recieved the package. WOW! They are all beautiful. I feel so bad that I only make one kind of soap. I have thought about making other kinds but castile is the one everyone asks for so I pretty much stick to it. I hope you ladies are not disappointed that you only recieved one kind from me. Thank you Catherine and Becky.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 7:35:54 PM
I'll let you know as soon as I get the package.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| urban chickie |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 9:35:00 PM
No worries Victoria, postage is all good :)
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
|
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Jul 07 2010 : 7:20:58 PM
I'm looking forward to getting the package. Thank you Catherine for organizing this swap. Did I include enough return postage? Please let me know if I need to send you any additional moneys.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| urban chickie |
Posted - Jul 06 2010 : 10:52:24 AM
OK, so luckily before I went out in the heat yesterday I found out the post office was closed....no need to melt over nothing! The packages went out today, so look for them in the mail by week's end. I hope you both enjoy your new soapies as much as I have! This was a lot of fun. I'll post some pics after you both get your packages :)
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
|
| mayamade |
Posted - Jul 02 2010 : 09:34:33 AM
ohh i am waiting to see those pics. i am a soap crafter too. |
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Jul 02 2010 : 03:43:32 AM
Sounds great Catherine. Thanks for hosting this swap. I look forward to trying new soaps. Let me know if I did not include enough postage. You're the lucky one if only this week has been nuts. Seems like lately every week has been nuts around here.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| urban chickie |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 1:57:31 PM
Victoria, I received your soapies today. Lovely, lovely! I cannot get to the post office today but I will send out both return packages either tomorrow before work or Monday morning. It all depends on how early I can wake up tomorrow - this week has been nuts!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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| urban chickie |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 8:15:58 PM
That sounds like a nice combo, Sarah! I will definitely post pics once all is received...don't want to jump the gun on surprises :)
I hear you on the post office schedule, Victoria! I work retail and me and the post office just don't see eye to eye LOL. Looking forward to getting your soapies!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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| Sarahpauline |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 7:14:24 PM
Boo, I wish I had seen this before, I just finished a big batch of knot garden soap, rosemary, mint and orange peel. (its so fresh for summer!)
Oh c'mon girls, post some pics!
Oh Mr Darcy!
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com
www.whimsyscents.com |
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 1:14:47 PM
Catherine I sent you an email the soap package is on it's way to you. Sorry about the delay. I just wish I could find a post office willing to work around my schedule instead of me having to work around theirs.LOL.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| urban chickie |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 09:48:40 AM
Mmmm...my living room smells sooooo good right now!! Becky I received your package this morning and I love everything you made! Your packaging is real darn cute, too. I love seeing what folks do with labeling, there's just so many ways to go.
Victoria wasn't able to send till today I think it was, so it will be either late this week or next week I will be sending your goodies to you but they are coming! We may be a small swap but gosh I think we are one of the more fun ones LOL.
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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| urban chickie |
Posted - Jun 22 2010 : 9:16:42 PM
Goodness but life has been busy lately! I realized today that it is the 22 already....how did that happen? I am going to email you all here shortly with my addie. Remember, the 24th is the mail date!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
|
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Jun 08 2010 : 3:56:22 PM
Sounds great Catherine.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| urban chickie |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 12:44:58 PM
OK, we have four farmgirls now!! I am thinking that with four, we should go back to the original shipping idea for the least cost to all. Usual swap process: everyone ship everything to me, and I will distribute the soaps and send the correct assortment back to all. We decided on three bars for each gal since we have such a small group, so that would be a total of 9 bars you send and you will get 9 different ones back. Ship date is June 24 and fast approaching! I'll email you all later with my addie but if anyone is ahead of me and needs the info sooner, feel free to email and I'll give it to you. I just figure it's more likely to get lost if I send now....at least that's the way MY life has been lately LOL!!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
|
| raglady |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 12:03:29 PM
Sure - that would be great - my soap will be ready when you guys are ready to ship - just let me know how many bars and where to send. Yes, I am the same Becky who wants the SCOBY! |
| urban chickie |
Posted - Jun 02 2010 : 10:44:40 AM
Mmm...somehow I missed your post Becky but I saw Victoria's, weird! Becky, are you the same Becky that just contacted me re the kombucha SCOBY? If so, small world!! I would love another swapper, it seems that most of the gals here make melt and pour and few do true lye based soap. There are only three of us so you would be the fourth! We are sending out our soaps by June 24, so you'd still have time to participate if you want. Just let me know!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
|
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Jun 02 2010 : 06:29:22 AM
Hi Catherine just checking in to see where we are. Becky, Catherine is the host but I would not object to having you in.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| raglady |
Posted - Jun 01 2010 : 01:23:37 AM
I'm sorry I missed the swap - we had one last year on this forum - about 8 or 10 people - only a couple were actually old-fashioned lye soap but they were all pretty and smelled good! I've been making soap for about 10 years - used to sell wholesale and retail in Texas before we started moving around so much. I now only do one show a year - Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming - starting to make the soap for that show now. Becky |
| maggie14 |
Posted - May 25 2010 : 10:18:59 PM
Well I'm not really sure. It just said a unscented beauty bar. Maybe something close to it?!?
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
| urban chickie |
Posted - May 25 2010 : 9:17:38 PM
Channah, I am not sure what you mean by a beauty bar...do you mean a moisturizing facial soap? Or something else?
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
|
| DuckGirlMass |
Posted - May 25 2010 : 4:38:39 PM
elisabeth I would be interested in a melt and pour swap
When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.....
Farmgirl Sister # 1507
www.etsy.com/shop/SomethingWiccan
http://stores.ebay.com/Something-Wiccan-Buffalo-Carvings
www.somethingwiccanwares.com |
| maggie14 |
Posted - May 25 2010 : 09:23:52 AM
Hi Girls! I was just wondering if anyone makes unscented beauty bars?!?
Thanks so much!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
