One of my favorite local places to shop is our local Amish market, Mountain View bulk foods in Chuckey, TN. They make fantastic breads and bakery goods, and my husband adores their jerky.
I am excited to announce that I will e attending their craft fair this weekend, Oct 27 from 9am-7pm.
If you are in the area, come by and see us! There will be great artisans and crafters and delicious food!!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Felted Soap
I've been seeing a lot of felted soap lately. I've seen it on Etsy, and I saw TreatMeBathandBody felting soap on Instagram. What finally pushed me over the edge to try it was having more than two people asking about felted soap at Heritage Days last weekend. So, I grabbed a few skeins of wool yarn and some stray bars of soap, and went to town!
I started first by cutting the yarn and pulling the strands of fibers loose. I laid them flat and pressed them into "sheets", similar to the fibers that I've seen others using on YouTube. I then felted my soaps by using hot water and my hands... and voila!
I'm in love with the felted soaps! I am hoping to start listing them on Etsy before November, and I am going to have them for sale at the Greeneville Woman's Christmas Expo and Craft Bazaar the first weekend in November.
Happy Creating!
I started first by cutting the yarn and pulling the strands of fibers loose. I laid them flat and pressed them into "sheets", similar to the fibers that I've seen others using on YouTube. I then felted my soaps by using hot water and my hands... and voila!
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| Felted soaps! They look like mossy rocks! |
I'm in love with the felted soaps! I am hoping to start listing them on Etsy before November, and I am going to have them for sale at the Greeneville Woman's Christmas Expo and Craft Bazaar the first weekend in November.
Happy Creating!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Heritage Days 2012
Heritage Days was last weekend in Rogersville, TN. I've been going to
Heritage Days since I was very little and it was always my favorite part
of the fall. I've always dreamed of having a booth, and after 28 years, I finally did it! And it was a blast! I cannot wait to go back next year!
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| It isnt Halloween without Candy Corn soap! |
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| Bath Bombs: Rose, Vanilla, Lilac, Green Apple, Blue Coconut |
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| Regular soap, goat's milk soap, and lip balms |
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| Cupcake soap! Loads of people thought they were edible! |
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| More soaps! |
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Soap displays (aka, why my Dad rocks!)
With two days until Heritage Days in Rogersville, TN, I thought I would take a moment to brag on my sweet and creative Dad. I have been scouring East TN for months trying to find the perfect display, to no avail. I knew what I wanted... I just couldn't find it! That's when Dad stepped in...
My dad made me some fantastic displays put of some salvage wood in his workshop! The displays are 16 inches long by 4 inches deep and over a foot high! They are exactly what I needed!
I cannot wait to display these beauties this weekend!
My dad made me some fantastic displays put of some salvage wood in his workshop! The displays are 16 inches long by 4 inches deep and over a foot high! They are exactly what I needed!
I cannot wait to display these beauties this weekend!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
2012 Greeneville Woman's Club Holiday Expo and Craft Bazaar
I am super excited to announce that I will be showing at this year's Greeneville Woman's Club Holiday Expo and Craft Bazaar! This will be my third of four shows this season... for someone who was a total newbie to craft shows just two months ago, I have really jumped in head first!
If you are interested in learning more about the Expo and Bazaar, here's a link to the event page on Facebook! I am so excited that my bath and body products will be there. My friends Jeri and Lisa will also be there, so if you happen to stop by, go check them out, too!
I'm off to wrap a bajillion soaps! Happy crafting!
If you are interested in learning more about the Expo and Bazaar, here's a link to the event page on Facebook! I am so excited that my bath and body products will be there. My friends Jeri and Lisa will also be there, so if you happen to stop by, go check them out, too!
I'm off to wrap a bajillion soaps! Happy crafting!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Less than 2 weeks away...
Heritage Days, my biggest show of the year, is less than two weeks away! (12 days, in fact!) I have been making more soap than I can store, and ended up buying a second crock pot to cook my hot process soap in. Whew! I am looking forward to January!
I thought I would give you guys a sneak peek at my latest little creations: soap cupcakes. My hot process soap is the perfect consistency for piping soap to look like icing, so I just HAD to take advantage!
You will be able to grab up these yummy soapy treats in my Etsy shop in mid October, but for now...
Top: left- pumpkin cheesecake, right- lemon berry
Bottom: left- pomegranate/vanilla, right- country Christmas
I thought I would give you guys a sneak peek at my latest little creations: soap cupcakes. My hot process soap is the perfect consistency for piping soap to look like icing, so I just HAD to take advantage!
You will be able to grab up these yummy soapy treats in my Etsy shop in mid October, but for now...
Top: left- pumpkin cheesecake, right- lemon berry
Bottom: left- pomegranate/vanilla, right- country Christmas
Friday, September 21, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Heritage Days, 2012
I'm excited to announce that I have been accepted to show at Heritage Days in Rogersville, TN on October 13-14, 2012!! Come out and see me! 
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Brambleberry S.O.A.P. Team, Fall/Winter 2012
I am so excited to announce that I have been chosen to be part of the S.O.A.P. testers team for Brambleberry.com! I was over-the-moon excited about getting chosen... To be part of such an elite group really validates me as a soap artisan!
Brambleberry sent me a huge package of 10 mystery fragrance oils, all smelling like the delicious smells of autumn and winter. My job was to evaluate the fragrances at first sniff, then test them out in a few different mediums, like cold process soap, bath bombs, or candles, and report back on the fragrances (how they performed, scent changes, my favorites, etc.).
So, after loads of thought, I decided to test out my fragrances in cold process soap, and I took video of the entire process!
I've been taking photographs of the different soaps as they cure, and I made a small bar of soap off-camera to act as my control bar to compare each fragrance to. I plan on making a fourth video in the next few days to see the results of my tests... I cant wait to see the final products!!
Brambleberry sent me a huge package of 10 mystery fragrance oils, all smelling like the delicious smells of autumn and winter. My job was to evaluate the fragrances at first sniff, then test them out in a few different mediums, like cold process soap, bath bombs, or candles, and report back on the fragrances (how they performed, scent changes, my favorites, etc.).
So, after loads of thought, I decided to test out my fragrances in cold process soap, and I took video of the entire process!
Part One of Three: Making my base soap
Part Two of Three: Fragrance Oils #1 - #5
Part Three of Three: Fragrance Oils #6 - #10
I've been taking photographs of the different soaps as they cure, and I made a small bar of soap off-camera to act as my control bar to compare each fragrance to. I plan on making a fourth video in the next few days to see the results of my tests... I cant wait to see the final products!!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Stick Blender Goodness
I have finally broke down and got myself a stick blender!
However, it is not what you would think. I have actually been given a used stick blender from my dad! Even though the stick blender is second hand, it works really well with soapmaking. I have already used it once, and it looks like I am never going back to the whisk!
My new to me stick blender is a Braun 200 W blender. It also came with a chop attachment, which is convenient! The bottom P's of the blender comes off and is dishwasher safe, which makes it great for cleanup.
When using a stick blender to make soap, you want to make sure that you "burp" the blender before you start using it. When you burp the blender, you tap the blender in the oils lightly to bring out any air bubbles. This prevents any splashing made by the blender. Always make sure to "burp" your stick blender before mixing!
However, it is not what you would think. I have actually been given a used stick blender from my dad! Even though the stick blender is second hand, it works really well with soapmaking. I have already used it once, and it looks like I am never going back to the whisk!
My new to me stick blender is a Braun 200 W blender. It also came with a chop attachment, which is convenient! The bottom P's of the blender comes off and is dishwasher safe, which makes it great for cleanup.
When using a stick blender to make soap, you want to make sure that you "burp" the blender before you start using it. When you burp the blender, you tap the blender in the oils lightly to bring out any air bubbles. This prevents any splashing made by the blender. Always make sure to "burp" your stick blender before mixing!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Featured in Etsy Gifts!
I am so excited to announce that I was featured in Etsy's email, Etsy Gifts on Sunday! My green apple bath bombs were featured in a collection of bath and body Christmas in July Gifts! <3 You can view the email here.
What a fantastic opportunity! <3
What a fantastic opportunity! <3
Friday, July 13, 2012
Christmas In July 2012
This year, I have decided to join in with my Etsy bretheren and I am participating in this year's Christmas in July sale!
You can catch my entire shop discounted to 10% off from now until July 22!
Take advantage of this great offer!
PS: I'm so sorry that I have been neglecting my poor little blog! Look for more exciting content coming soon!
You can catch my entire shop discounted to 10% off from now until July 22!
Take advantage of this great offer!
PS: I'm so sorry that I have been neglecting my poor little blog! Look for more exciting content coming soon!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Lip Balm Tubes
I love my lip balms! Seriously! I use my lip balms all the time, and I usually have at least 3 floating around in my purse. However, after talking with a few customers, it has come to my attention that most of my customers prefer my lip balms in tubes, rather than my lip balms in tins.
So, I am officially taking my lip balm tins off the market, and making all of those great flavors in lip balm tubes.
The flavors and balms will be the exact same. Just the packaging will change.
I am also going to be debuting some more lip balms made with natural flavors, such as lemon, lime, clove, and licorice!
My plan is to have the current flavors replaced on Etsy and Zibbet by next Friday (June 22), and my new flavors will start to roll out starting on Monday, June 25.
So, if you prefer the lip balm tubes, make sure to grab them up before they are gone!
So, I am officially taking my lip balm tins off the market, and making all of those great flavors in lip balm tubes.
The flavors and balms will be the exact same. Just the packaging will change.
I am also going to be debuting some more lip balms made with natural flavors, such as lemon, lime, clove, and licorice!
My plan is to have the current flavors replaced on Etsy and Zibbet by next Friday (June 22), and my new flavors will start to roll out starting on Monday, June 25.
So, if you prefer the lip balm tubes, make sure to grab them up before they are gone!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Summertime Lip Balms
If you are like me, and you are hopelessly addicted to lip balm, then this PSA is for you!
Lip balms are wonderful! They help to soothe capped or sore lips, and they keep our lips soft and supple! Lip balms can come in a variety of fragrances and with different ingredients, but handmade lip balms are quite different from the store bought brand. My lip balms are made with a combination of beeswax, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or cocoa butter to create wonderful, natural balms. The addition of edible fragrance oils or edible essential oils gives a little flavor to the balm.
My lip balms are pretty solid in their tubes or jars... However, in the heat of the summer, the balms can sometimes become mushy... And no one likes a mushy lip balm!
So, when you order lip balms from me during the hot summer months, before you open the seal on the tubes or tins, just pop your lip balm in the fridge for about an hour, and the balm will harden right back up! You can do the same thing for your store bought lip balms when they get left in hot cars... we've all been there!
Happy summer, everyone! Keep those lips moist!
Lip balms are wonderful! They help to soothe capped or sore lips, and they keep our lips soft and supple! Lip balms can come in a variety of fragrances and with different ingredients, but handmade lip balms are quite different from the store bought brand. My lip balms are made with a combination of beeswax, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or cocoa butter to create wonderful, natural balms. The addition of edible fragrance oils or edible essential oils gives a little flavor to the balm.
My lip balms are pretty solid in their tubes or jars... However, in the heat of the summer, the balms can sometimes become mushy... And no one likes a mushy lip balm!
So, when you order lip balms from me during the hot summer months, before you open the seal on the tubes or tins, just pop your lip balm in the fridge for about an hour, and the balm will harden right back up! You can do the same thing for your store bought lip balms when they get left in hot cars... we've all been there!
Happy summer, everyone! Keep those lips moist!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Blackberry and Sage soap preview
Today, I cut one of my finest loafs of soap to date! Actually, it started off as a disaster! My purple colorant morphed into pepto-pink, my green faded to cream, and I spilled a few ounces of soap batter all over the counter! (it's always a good idea to keep some vinegar handy for spills like that!) By the time I slopped the soap into the mold, I was so frustrated that I could have tossed the whole thing!
Instead, on a whim, I decided to oven process my soap. Basically, I put my soap in my warm oven (under 200 degrees) for 2 hours, then let it sit undisturbed overnight, forcing the soap to go through the gel phase.
And my results were worth it! My fragrance is strong and stable, my pink colorant has really popped, and the creamy color seems to have recovered some of the list green! I am over-the-moon excited about this soap!
Look for it in my Etsy shop in 4 weeks... But here is a preview to hold you over:
Instead, on a whim, I decided to oven process my soap. Basically, I put my soap in my warm oven (under 200 degrees) for 2 hours, then let it sit undisturbed overnight, forcing the soap to go through the gel phase.
And my results were worth it! My fragrance is strong and stable, my pink colorant has really popped, and the creamy color seems to have recovered some of the list green! I am over-the-moon excited about this soap!
Look for it in my Etsy shop in 4 weeks... But here is a preview to hold you over:
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Michael's Clearance Score!
Before my trip to Mississippi, I wrangled my toddler and took a quick trip to Michael's craft store to stock up on some yarn. I knew that the car ride was going to be at least 8 hours long, and I figured I would need a way to keep busy, and my crochet needle was the way to go!
So, I kept my kiddo happy with music from my iPhone and picked out 8 gorgeously colored skeins of yarn. And then I did what I always do in craft stores: head to the soap making department!
You can imagine my surprise when I saw all the new soap fragrances and new packaging that Michael's in carrying! New fragrances in larger bottles, new colorants in bright packaging, new molds and cutters and all kinds of things to make me feel giddy!
Then... it hit me... Michael's has a clearance section!
So, I raced with my son and my buggy full of yarn, only to find that the supplies that had been replaced were all marked down considerably! So, after I stopped squealing, jumping, dancing, and receiving strange looks from the other customers, I had scored 6 bottles of rose fragrance oil, 5 bottles of plumeria fragrance oil (my husband's favorite!), 3 bottles of pearberry fragrance oil, 3 tubs of pearl shine, and 4 tubs of glitter!
I've already started making pearberry scented bath bombs and drying rose petals for soap!
And I'm already making plans to visit a few other stores to see if I can get this lucky again!
Life is great!
Happy Creating!
So, I kept my kiddo happy with music from my iPhone and picked out 8 gorgeously colored skeins of yarn. And then I did what I always do in craft stores: head to the soap making department!
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| My haul! :oD |
Then... it hit me... Michael's has a clearance section!
So, I raced with my son and my buggy full of yarn, only to find that the supplies that had been replaced were all marked down considerably! So, after I stopped squealing, jumping, dancing, and receiving strange looks from the other customers, I had scored 6 bottles of rose fragrance oil, 5 bottles of plumeria fragrance oil (my husband's favorite!), 3 bottles of pearberry fragrance oil, 3 tubs of pearl shine, and 4 tubs of glitter!
And I scored them all for... $0.79 each!
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| $0.79!! |
I've already started making pearberry scented bath bombs and drying rose petals for soap!
And I'm already making plans to visit a few other stores to see if I can get this lucky again!
Life is great!
Happy Creating!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Tutorial: Homemade Deodorant
Homemade deodorant? Man, Milly must have really gone off the deep end...
Nope! I promise! You are going to LOVE this homemade deodorant! There are no aluminum or any other nasty additives. And it actually works really good! It took me about 10 minutes total to make my deodorant, and I even had some left over... Plus, it is super cheap!
You will need:
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup corn starch
3 tsp coconut oil (you can use shea butter if you prefer. I havent tried it, though)
1-3 drops of essential oil or body safe fragrance oil
Mixing bowl
Container (I used an empty deodorant container and it's working great)
1. Combine the dry ingredients together.
2. Add your coconut oil and fragrance. I combined them together using my hands, but a spatula would work well, too. The coconut oil may melt a little if you use your hands.
3. When it is fully combined, spoon the mix into your container. Put the container in the fridge for an hour or so to harden your mix.
When using your new deodorant, make sure to apply it lightly. A little goes a long way!
Nope! I promise! You are going to LOVE this homemade deodorant! There are no aluminum or any other nasty additives. And it actually works really good! It took me about 10 minutes total to make my deodorant, and I even had some left over... Plus, it is super cheap!
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| Your Supplies |
You will need:
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup corn starch
3 tsp coconut oil (you can use shea butter if you prefer. I havent tried it, though)
1-3 drops of essential oil or body safe fragrance oil
Mixing bowl
Container (I used an empty deodorant container and it's working great)
1. Combine the dry ingredients together.
3. When it is fully combined, spoon the mix into your container. Put the container in the fridge for an hour or so to harden your mix.
When using your new deodorant, make sure to apply it lightly. A little goes a long way!
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| Deodorant! :o) |
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Crinkle Cut
I recently purchased a brand new soap cutter... I've been using knives and dough scrapers for so long, that I had almost forgotten that there are really cool crinkle cutters out there! For months, I have been drooling over crinkle cutters online and searching through thrift stores and kitchen supply stores for a crinkle cutter, only to find one in my local Michael's when I was not even looking! Score!
I have finally gotten a chance to break the cutter in on a new batch of Sandalwood soap. For my sandalwood soap, I used freshly rendered tallow (big thanks to my meat cutter bro-in-law for the suet cuttings!), olive oil, and coconut oil, with some gold colored dye and sandalwood fragrance oil.
I added an interesting touch in a moment of worry. Usually, when I use a large amount of hard oils (tallow, coconut), I get loads of soap ash. In order to combat the ash, I wrap up my loaf in saran wrap... but I found out that I was out! So, instead, I covered the top with bubble wrap, and it made a great looking honeycomb effect! Awesome!
So, after letting the soap sit for about a day and a half, then a few hours in the freezer, the log was ready to cut... And I think that the combination of the bubble wrap/honeycomb with the crinkle cut has given the soap a whole new look!
I am in LOVE with the effect!!
Look for the soap in my Etsy shop and Zibbet shop around mid-June!
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| Before the cut! |
I added an interesting touch in a moment of worry. Usually, when I use a large amount of hard oils (tallow, coconut), I get loads of soap ash. In order to combat the ash, I wrap up my loaf in saran wrap... but I found out that I was out! So, instead, I covered the top with bubble wrap, and it made a great looking honeycomb effect! Awesome!
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| After the cut! |
I am in LOVE with the effect!!
Look for the soap in my Etsy shop and Zibbet shop around mid-June!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Vacation Time!
I just wanted to let you all know that I will be out of town this week. My parents, my sister, my son and I will be visiting my grandparents in Columbus, MS. We are really excited to go and see our family!
We are leaving Monday evening, and we will be back late Thursday night.
I will have my laptop and iPhone with me, so I will still be in contact with everyone. However, any orders that come in after Monday at 5pm EST until Friday will be shipped on Friday. I am sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.
I hope you all have fantastic days! <3
We are leaving Monday evening, and we will be back late Thursday night.
I will have my laptop and iPhone with me, so I will still be in contact with everyone. However, any orders that come in after Monday at 5pm EST until Friday will be shipped on Friday. I am sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.
I hope you all have fantastic days! <3
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