Sweet Scarlett Soap Co.

I've been busy making some custom soap batches the last few weeks, so I used the opportunity to try out a swirling technique that's new for me.  If you haven't seen any videos by  Clyde at Vibrant Soap , you are missing out on something really special!  He has a superb eye for color, and gives lots of great advice about developing your own "vibrant" color choices for your soap.  Clearly I need a little schooling on obtaining truly vibrant colors, but it's his unique take on swirling that I'm infatuated with. And I'm not the only one -   Amy Warden's soap challenge  is featuring the "Clyde Slide"  for September.  I'm not a participant - not yet! - but  I took a stab at the technique and these are my results. On top we have a batch of lavender (all essential oil) soap using some new micas from Mad Oils.  Here I used Guava Lava and Tempest micas.  The pink is very soft and feminine, but wish I'd used more of this incred...

In keeping my word about blending fragrance oils I already have on hand, here is a batch of soap I made last night.   It is a literal "mash up" of four scents:   A tiny smidge of Honey & Shea from WSP A bigger smidge of Tom Ford Black Orchid by Sweet Cakes Tahitian Vanilla by MMS   2 parts to Cashmere Woods by WSP 1 part I have had this bottle of Cashmere Woods for two years, and absolutely hated it from the first sniff.   But, with a more open mind, I felt a vanilla background might make it much more pleasant. So far so good!  I added quite a bit of titanium dioxide to the entire batter bowl, then mixed the green and midnight blue micas after. These fos all have a lot of vanilla, so I hope the td will keep it lighter as it cures.   As for the scent - it's very pretty!  The smokey wood component is definitively softened by the rich, fruity TVanilla, and the orchid adds an ever so slight floral note in the background.  Now w...

Hi everyone!  Yep, I haven't shared any photos for quite some time - but I'm getting back into the swing.  I've been spending alot of time latley restocking my basic bars - Miracle Mud, Natural Oatmeal, Shaving and Naked.  These are popular and wonderful, but soapers know that experimenting and playing with new ideas is always how we want to spend our time.  Don't get me wrong - I'm thrilled that I'm developing a little customer base that I've got coming back for more - but you gotta let the creativity out sometimes, too. I'm really, really trying not to purchase more fragrance oils (no really - I swear!), so I'm attempting to salvage some of those bottles with just a smidge of oil left and blending them into something new.  I also ran out of coconut oil so I tried some babassau and decided attempt changing my water ratio " aka discounting the water".  I basically raided my soap pantry and jumped right in. So here are the results!  ...

http://soworthloving.tumblr.com/ Hey all!  It's been awhile, huh?   Here's one of those cute little quotes we see everywhere, but this one hits home with me today.  As of now, my website is not finished as planned and I feel so disappointed in myself.  Truth is extra time is a real luxury at the moment, and it's simply not a priority.  For a little business hoping to grow, a webpage should  clearly be a priority, but I've put it on the back burner - way, way back.   Surely, I'm not the only soaper who struggles tith this type of thing, am I  ???????????? Today it's time to stop focusing on all the "shoulds" in my head and just do my thing on my own terms. I happily accept the fact that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be right now. We've been doing some home improvement projects, and I've loved painting and redecorating our living space.  I have one of the BIG birthdays coming up next week, and I'm getting some time off...

So life is kinda kicking me in the butt right now...the unexpected emotional  things that are tough for a family to deal with. (I'm doing a little venting here cause I know you my friends have all been there)   But real life keeps on flowing...demands of the necessary job and family responsibilities all on a collision coarse rocketing toward chaos!  That's what it feels like - so how does one work the additional demands of our soap busines successfully into the mix and stay on course?  I think I just need a little pep talk to get me closer to this:                                                             Other than massive sleep deprivation, can anyone offer some advice? 

Saturday was the first day of the farmer's market this year.  Of course here in Kansas City the weather is unpredictable, and it was pouring rain when I left home.  That's usually a bad sign, but it cleared up nicely within about an hour, and I had a great morning.  The first person to stop by my table said he's been reading my blog - so if you're seeing this post, please leave me a comment.  I'm planning a batch of Dragon's Blood soap especially for you.  :) The Parkville market is really like a little family, and they've welcomed me into the fold with enthusiasm - I'm so glad to be there.  I know many of my soaping friends and colleagues are working at various venues, and I wish them all great success this season. AND YES - I got all that soap wrapped with alot of help of my Mom, Jeannie Kreighbaum. Does anyone else out there have some helping hands when you bet bogged down, or are you mainly a one person operation?  I feel very lucky my Mom ...

My farmers market opens this Saturday in Parkville, Mo.  As you can see, I have a few bars still to wrap! (This is why Christmas stresses me out, too!) I guess it's time for me to come to terms and make peace with my procrastination issues.  The best way seems to be embracing it, and seeing it in a more positive light.  Is this possible?  I'm going with "works well under pressure" and "performs best with a deadline"! I don't think I'll ever change!  Lucky for me my Mom is coming to my rescue.  We're spending the day packaging on Friday. I'm looking forward to spending time together and just talking - and shrink wrapping!  Wish me luck, folks!