The Handmade Soap Blog

Do you Facebook?

I have had a Facebook account for quiet a while, but it wasn't until this year that I really figured it out and spent more time on it. Now of course I am hooked! I love communicating with my family, friends, and fellow crafters. I swear I learn something new each day!

I also recently set up a Fan Page for Pixie Soap over on Facebook. In order to name my url I needed to get 100 fans. So, what better way then to invite everyone and hold a raffle when I hit 100. And woot woot, I did!!

Here is a photo of all the lovely fans of mine all put in a bowl: (an awesome square bowl I purchased from Montezumamudd:

 

Mind you, I actually had to give away two bars of free soap because both children wanted to draw a name. :)

So, please feel free to become a fan. I am offering 10% off till 9/19 for all fans, go check details on my Facebook Fan Page.

Pixie Soap on Facebook

What exactly is EGCG? - A blog post I had on the EGCG Blog

Here is a blog post I did for my Etsy Street Team - The Etsy Green and Clean Guild. I thought I would share it here also:

For the longest time, whenever I thought of EGCG, to me it meant the Etsy Green and Clean Guild. This Guild is a fabulous group of skilled crafters over on Etsy who joined together to promote quality handmade bath and body products.

After many months of mentally succumbing to my world around me, in my steps to “get myself back on track” I have discovered a different EGCG, epigallacatechin gallate whose abbreviated term is also EGCG. This EGCG, in technical terms, is an ester of epigallacatechin and gallic acid and a type of catechin. In simple terms, it is a very potent antioxidant abundantly found in green tea and other plants. Unfortunately, from what I have read and learned, it is not available in regular tea.

I have started replacing my morning coffee with Matcha green tea. For me, after reading about green tea, I chose this form because it is finely ground into a powder which means you are actually consuming the actual tea leaves. Japanese tea ceremonies center around the preparation, serving, and drinking of Matcha tea. Studies say that one cup of Matcha is equivalent to 10 cups of brewed green tea in terms of nutritional values.

Not all antioxidants are created equal. EGCG has been shown to be the one with the most cancer fighting properties. From researching I have read the medical benefits of green tea help with the prevention of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, infection and impaired immune system. It is said to be great for diabetics and has many benefits in health and beauty products.

With all the information I have gathered to make my own choice, I could probably write a novel on all the benefits of green tea, but I won’t do that here (I have already babbled on enough). I am not a doctor or scientist so what I have shared is only what I have read and felt since my own change to consuming this wonderful product. I can honestly say I feel more focused, lighter and just better overall since I started drinking it. I highly recommend doing some research of your own, you might find you will feel like me.

I now find it really cool to be part of a health and beauty team called EGCG. I think it is fitting to be linked to a great antioxidant with such healthful benefits because that is our goal in the products we all make.

One thing I have failed to mention thus far is how fabulous green tea is for your skin. I love green tea in lotions and other bath and beauty products. So, go do some of your own research on green tea, then check out some of the great EGCG products containing this fabulous gift from nature.

 

OMG, almost time for back to school!

Ok, we all know I have been a total blog slacker for a while, but hey, we all need a mental break away.

What have I been doing? Well trying to not spend as much "business" time on the computer, that is for sure.

I have been spending more quality time with the family. My youngest, Ben, who turned 5 this past June will be starting Kindergarten this fall. I am trying to look forward to having 2.5 hours a day with no children, but it still is sad.

They grow so fast. This is a time I will never get back again, and being blessed to stay home with them, I really wanted to take advantage of it. So I have spent time doing crafty things, working on ABC's, and of course spending every warm moment in the pool. I am proud to say Ben is doing a fabulous job of swimming without any swimmies at all!!

I hope everyone has been having a great summer also!

So look forward to some more blog posting, and if there is anything you want to see or talk about, give me a shout!

I Just Got Crabs! Hermit Crabs, that is.

I love animals and after my cat Phil passed away in 2005 (after having him almost 15 years), we really haven't had any major pet. We had a few Beta Fish with each one not lasting long no matter what we did. We do have two guinea pigs the children got for Christmas in 2007, which are adorable and fun. Even though I am the one stuck cleaning their condo.

My daughter has a little fear of dogs, due to our neighbor having two schnauzers, with one of them being a bit crazy aggressive. So I am not going to run out and get one just to ease her fears, though my husband and I couldn't agree upon a breed anyways. Another reason is we do like to go to Florida to visit the kids grandparents, so having another cat or a dog is a bit harder than smaller animals that you can bring to a friends house.

What I have always wanted was hermit crabs. I just think they are very cool little pets and not a lot of maintenance. So last week I went out and got 4 new hermit crabs and some accessories to go with them. Of course I did a lot of research (junkie that i am) before getting them so I would know how to take care of them. Believe it or not, they are very social creatures and live in groups of 100 or more in the wild. Their name is a bit deceiving.

They enjoy fairly warm temps and humidy over 70%. I only have  a plastic cage at the moment, still a good size but I eventually would like to set them up in a bigger glass terrarium. I have to break my husband in slowly....lol.

The kids think they are cute but won't hold them, which is fine with me. I enjoy telling them about them and the whole science aspect of it for them, but I do like calling them mine. With two kids who want to share everything with me, there isn't much I get to call my own anymore.

I named one, and the kids named the others. The most social is Mr. Eugene Crabs, then there is Anikan, Padme and Shelly. Anikan, Padme and Shelly are starting to socialize a bit more but it will probably take some time. Plus they are nocternal so they don't really wander around till later in the evening.

Well here are a couple of pics I took so far. I will try to get the others out of their shell, but the only one so far is of course Mr. Crabs, he always has to say hello.

 

Valentines is on the Way!

I am not even getting into what has happened this month, but needless to say, 2009 is only going to get better for me! Darn strings of bad luck and I swear they come in 3's!! If you follow me on Twitter or chat with me on Etsy, you have probably caught some of it.

I have been busy catching up on my soap making and hope to have some new pictures soon. In my house we are already getting ready for Valentines Day! With two kids, 7 and 4, you know we will be busy with this upcoming holiday.

Rather than the cheap store bought Valentines for the kids we have decided to start early and make our own. Check out this kit I just bought from Kits & Kaboodles, over on Etsy:

Is it not a beautiful kit?? Call me a bit crazy, but I fell in love with this the first time I saw it. The store is fabulous and has some truly amazing kits for all those who would love to try out a new craft! Plus the owner is a doll and very friendly to convo!

So with this beautiful kit and some things I have around the house the kids and I are sure to make some truly beautiful Valentines!

Did I draw a winner??

Yes, I did actually draw a winner. I did it today while the kids were both in school. I am given 2 1/2 hour rest during preschool. Woo hoo!

I used Random.org for the first time. I assigned all posts their number and also any additional ones from threads on Etsy etc.  It is a pretty cool little system, but I still think I like putting the names in a hat and having one of the kids pick it. I will save that for next time!

Now off to contact the winner, I will let you know what they choose!

Halloween is Fast Approaching!

It is really hard to believe Halloween will be here before I know it. Every store I walk into already has isles of halloween candy, bags of apples and big ole jugs of apple cider. I have already started to think when we will go apple picking and pumpkin picking. I am making soaps for fall and winter. The only thing lacking is the "smell" of this upcoming season.

Living in New Englad I have always just felt that fall has this crisp smell. Gorgeous autumn colored leaves falling all around. A slight nip to the air, warm, fire places going. It is just hard to describe, but when you smell it, fall is here.

While I am waiting for that smell, Etsy has shown me some great items for projects to do with the kids. Check out Etsy Finds: Halloween Crafting.

Look at these beautiful felted pumpkins! These come from a store Fairie Bling over on Etsy.

It is a kit you can purchase and make your own, it is called the Magic Pumpkins. Definitely on my want list, I think the kids would love this activity.

Acrylic Ghosts, set of four! Aren't these just fabulous? There are so many things you could do with these! Spooky ghosts comes from a great store called YMBD Scrapbooking.

We always make cool ghost pictures and ghosts to hang around the house so these would make a great addition for tracing or stamping.

Now all I have to do is start some shopping, make some crafts and that smell of autumn will be in the air in no time.

I want to go to Friendy's!

Yup, do you know that commercial "I want to go to Friendly'S?" The song just gets in your head. If you haven't seen it, it a jingle to attract the young ones:

It is a family place the kids love. My kids love it and that is where we took them to dinner. How great is it for kids to have a lot of choices for them to eat AND they get to finish it off with ice cream!

So after a great night out with the cute munckins, I wish someone would shoot me as I cannot get the darn jingle out of my head!!

To Bevel the Soap Edges or Not?

Beveling the edges of handmade soap is done by many. Some  do it because they like the feel and others do it because they just feel it looks better. Either way, it is a personal choice.

I myself like the look of rustic, just cut handmade soap. To bevel all the edges of my soap would require a lot more of my time, and with two young children, I would rather be out playing. Also there is all that extra soap that shouldn't be wasted.

I do know a lot of great soapers who take the extra shavings and build them up. Then they make confetti soap out of it. That is a fantastic way not to waste!!

The topic always comes up from time to time. The only thing that annoys me is some people who do bevel, will make comments that they care more for the presentation of their soaps and that is why they bevel.

I care how my soaps look, but most importantly is how it works. And one thing I do know is, I do make good soap. I do have to toot my own horn from time to time. :)

But no matter how you like to lather up, with beveled smooth edges or rustic square, your soap will always get smoother upon more use.

How do you like to rub soap all over? - Poll - The final stats!

Kind of a fun question. :)

Results from a recent poll:

What do you like to use while taking a bath or shower:

1. A Washcloth - Received 15.7%

2. Nylon Bath Poof - Received 39.8%

3. Your Hands Only - Received 33.7%

4. Other - Received 10.8%

So, that means the majority of people use a Nylon Bath Poof to lather up with.

Thank you everyone for participating! I had a feeling the nylon bath poof would be the winner.

I look forward to some more polls in the future!