Follow The Sirona Springs Blog to our new location!

I will no longer be cross-posting on this blog AND my new blog over on Wordpress. So PLEASE click over to the new address: bookmark it, subscribe to it, RSS it, whatever you're into (live and let live, I always say). But don't miss out on any more posts! I'd miss you. :(

Selling at ArtFire Just Got More Interesting

Until very recently, I was seriously considering closing my Sirona Springs studio at ArtFire, but they have come through in the clutch and I am a believer again!

(Read the rest of the blog post at the new Sirona Springs Blog.)

Soapmaking Design Results

Cutting a new batch of soap is always a thrill. Will it look good? Or will it even look at all how I envisioned it would look? But cutting into the batches that we made in my recent Advanced Design class was extra exciting because I knew that there were several other soapmakers that were just as invested in the outcome as I was. And (yeah!) I'm really pleased with them. They are all different but so interesting in their own way. I could never pick a favorite. (A good sign, I think.) If you missed my last post, you can read about the class here, but now let's look at the results!


A layered bar with a wavy top

Some bars from a funnel swirl batch

"In-the-pot" swirl

Embedded soap shapes add real interest

Can you pick a favorite? Feeling inspired? Which of these would YOU like to make (or buy)?

Moving Blog to New Address

Attention readers (and especially followers): I will be moving my blog to a new address starting now. I will continue to double-post for a while (hopefully, I won't regret that) but for now head over to my new blog site and sign up for email delivery or RSS feed so that you don't miss any posts.

This is a bit of a nuisance for you all, I know, and I considered it for a long time. But once I got familiar with Wordpress I couldn't resist. I hope you will feel the same way.

So head on over and leave me a comment, good or bad. I can take it.

Teaching Advanced Techniques in Soap Design

Yesterday was a full day of soapmaking and teaching and teaching soapmaking. It was the first time that I taught my brand-new class "Advanced Cold Process Soap Design with Loaf Molds" at The Nova Studio. (With a title that long, no wonder we needed 5 hours of class time!) I showed a great group of students lots of techniques and ideas for jazzing up their soap with some color and design. And we even made four batches of soap in that one class -- a personal record for me!

It was a great group of students, some coming from as far away as Truckee and Arcadia!

Some of the sample bars that I brought to explain different techniques.

Coloring some soap with ultramarine blue.

Alana, the TA for this class, was indispensible.

I put the students to work, making shapes to be embedded in a new batch of soap.

I had a great time, and I think that the students did, too. Tomorrow I'll cut the soap into bars and get ready to send every student a bar from each batch.

I'll be teaching this class again soon, so check with The Nova Studio now if you'd like to join me next time!

And many thanks to Rick (one of the students) for all the great pictures.

Chunky Crayons for Chunky Toddler Fingers

While browsing for all things crafty, I came across this great idea from Tiph for revamping all those broken crayons that never get used and instead get slowly relegated to the bottom of the crayon box. Making big, easy-to-hold crayons is so clever, and her photography made me smile. I was instantly drawn in (they look a lot like soap, don't you think?)
Check out her simple tutorial and make some this weekend!

How to Test Soap Colorants

I was recently helping Lori Nova of The Nova Studio with testing different kinds of soap colorants. She was preparing for a presentation at the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Annual Conference called "Coloring With Confidence": a survey of over 70 different kinds of soap colorants: oxides, ultramarines, herbs, spices, lakes, dyes... It was a great presentation with loads of great information. For anyone near enough to the Studio who missed the Conference, Lori has turned her presentation into a class being offered this summer.

Anyway, this all got me thinking that what would really help me is to know how much of my colorants to use to get the shade that I want. I typically use oxides, ultramarines and micas. I don't want to use too much and waste it (or worse, get colored lather - especially red - ewww) or use too little and not get the effect that I want. So I've designed a procedure to test different concentrations of my colorants. I have used it to test four different colors so far and am happy with the results.

Step 1: Decide what to test.
Pick which concentrations you want to test. Four different concentrations seems to give a good range of color. I recently tested some oxides at 1 teaspoon(tsp) per pound of oil (ppo), 1/2 tsp ppo, 1/4 tsp ppo and 1/8tsp ppo. The same concept can be used to test other colorants (that may need more or less) by adjusting the amount added to each sample.

Step 2: Prepare your containers.
I used paper cups as soap containers and prepared them by labeling them with the colorant and the concentration for each cup. This picture shows the cups for testing 3 different oxides in 4 concentrations each. (I was feeling productive!)



Step 3: Make a 1-pound batch of unscented soap for each colorant that you're testing.
Since some scent will affect color, it's best to start with no scent. Calculate the total volume of your soap batch (depending on your lye and water amounts) and divide by 4. This is the amount that will go into each cup.

Step 4: Add colorant to each cup.
Remember, the amount of colorant that you want to add is enough to get the right concentration in 1/4 pound per oil. So, in my example, the first cup gets 1/4tsp of colorant (because I want the concentration to be 1tsp ppo and I'm going to put in 1/4 pound of soap, right?). The cup labeled 1/2tsp ppo gets 1/8 tsp of colorant and so on. Hint: if you are using a dry colorant, like oxide or ultramarine, it's a good idea to suspend it in a little water and blend it before going on to the next step.

Step 5: Add 1/4 of your batch of soap to each cup and stir, stir, stir until the color is blended evenly.

Step 6: Cover containers and leave to saponify.





Step 7: Rip off the paper cup and admire your colorful soap!
This would be a good time to take a picture, too.






Step 8: Label your soap by carving in the concentration with a dull pencil or skewer.
This is my result from 1/2tsp ppo of burgundy oxide.






One final note: if you were paying attention and doing the math along with me, you will have noticed that the last cup in my series (the one with a concentration of 1/8tsp ppo) would have needed 1/32 tsp of colorant. That's a very small amount to measure accurately. Often, you're lucky if you have a 1/8tsp measure in your measuring spoon set! How I got around that was to take one half of the soap in the 1/4tsp ppo (once I had colored it) and put that in the 1/8tsp ppo cup. Then I added an equal amount of uncolored soap and, TA-DA!, soap at 1/8tsp ppo. I end up with less of that 1/4tsp ppo soap (you can see that clearly in the picture of the soap in the cups above) ,but it is still plenty to keep as a sample.

I hope that this is helpful and that I have encouraged you to try it for yourself. Remember, it can be used not just with oxides, but any kind of colorant: other pigments, micas, clays, herbs, dyes. It takes some planning and time, but I expect that I'll be referring to the results of these trials over and over again.

I would love to hear what you think if you try this method, or if you come up with another method of your own!

Certified as a Soapmaker!

Among all of the fun at the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Annual Conference was also a little bit of work. While at the conference, I was able to take the certification exam given by the Guild, and have thus been dubbed a "Certified Soapmaker" of cold process and hot process soap! All of those who became certified received their certificates at the last night's Award Dinner from the Guild President Marie Gale. This was a nice, tangible symbol of all that I have learned lately about soapmaking and running a business. And it makes me feel so "official"!

Check out all of the happy Certified Soapmakers.

Great Product (Body) - Great Give-away!

Joanna at Product Body is having a give-away on her Product Body Blog right now that you must check out! She has a $25 cash credit to her store up for grabs and you do not want to miss out! There are so many wonderful luxuries from which to choose. From soothing bath soaks to luscious moisturizers, Product Body has your skin needs covered. Even travel sizes so you can take the luxury with you! Good luck everybody!

Helping you find your next great treasure

With so many talented artisans showcasing their products on the Internet, I always appreciate someone who takes the time to share new handmade discoveries and support small businesses. Brett does this in the Creativity Emporium blog. The layout is clean and bright and the handmade treasures highlighted in the blog are always worth a look (and even a purchase!). We are getting into gift-giving season again (Graduations, Father's Day, June weddings, my birthday) so go take a peek at what Brett discovered today!

We've Picked a Winner!

The winner of our first soap give-away is ....dolls123! Congratulations!

And in honor of doll123's picks, Chocolate Espresso and Sunny Lemon will be on sale this week until June 7.

Thanks to all of you that entered the give-away, and stay tuned for more to come!

Summer School That You WANT To Attend

The Nova Studio has just posted its new schedule of classes for the summer (and into September)! Lori Nova owns and runs this inviting space where both students and teachers are encouraged to get creative and share their artistic passions. This is the place to BE for learning to make lotions, herbal extracts, soap, facial masks, jewelry, soap, bath bombs, prints and transfers, soap, body butters...(did I mention soap? I'm a little biased.) But instead of reading all the classes here, just go to the class calendars yourself and marvel at the variety listed there!

I'm particularly biased about soap because I will start teaching soapmaking there myself this summer! For the beginner, there is Cold Process Soap 101. Whether you have never made soap using the cold process, or you have a few batches under your belt, this class will help you get organized, get outfitted with everything you need, and get SOAPING!

The other class that I will be teaching is Advanced Cold Process Soap Design with Loaf Molds, a foray into the various ways in which you can make your soap unique and eye-catching! We'll cover layers, swirls, embedding shapes and more.

So learn and create something new this summer, whether at The Nova Studio, or your local adult school, community college or public library. Keep the creative juices flowing and express your artistic passions!

Save the Earth: Join a CSA!

Every Friday, instead of heading to the supermarket, I pick up a box of farm-fresh, organic veggies from the front porch of a neighbor and marvel at the bounty. What will I be cooking for my family this week? Broccolli? Carrots? Celery hearts? That was a stumper at first, but luckily the Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA) that we subscribe to, Full Belly Farm, also has a website archive of recipes. I found a recipe and made the best Cream of Celery Heart soup! I never would have considered doing that on my own, and that is one of the top things that I love about subscribing to a CSA.

Here is this week's box.

The USDA reported in 2007 that there were 12,549 farms in the US marketing products through a CSA arrangement. Consumers in such an arrangement buy a "share" of the farm, and pay for the share monthly or quarterly. In exchange you get a box (or bag or basket) with your "share" of the farmer's crops. The farmer benefits by having a steady flow of income, by not having to spend so much time marketing, and by building a relationship with the members who share in his work.

The members benefit by having the freshest, local produce, learning about new vegetables (like celery root), and developing a relationship with the farmer. The newsletter that we get every week in our box always tells of the goings-on at the farm: when the lambs start to appear; how well the fruit on the peach trees set this year; how the recent weather affected the tomato seedlings. I feel so much more in touch with the seasons and the effect that the weather has on what I eat everyday. After having been a member for over a year now, I can really appreciate when asparagus season is coming, or the unbelievably sweet crunch of the first spring carrots. And many farms give their members a chance to visit the farm at least once a year, so you can really get a feel for where your food comes from.


But besides what I get, I also like the fact that I am supporting the folks who are tending to the earth. Healthy soil is the basis of life for all of us, and we all have a responsibility to support the small percentage of folks who are working hard to grow the highest quality, most nutritious food while preserving the highest environmental quality and soil health.

Want to find a CSA in your area? Check out the Local Harvest website, which has a CSA search function. Give a CSA a chance, and you may find that (like me) your new favorite vegetable is Red Russian Kale!

A Soap Give-away!

I have been inspired by my recent win of some super essential oils from Supplies by Hello, and decided to have my own give-away!

Free Soap!

The winner will receive TWO BARS of soap of YOUR CHOICE gratis, no-charge, postage-paid, FREE! There are lots of ways to enter: enter as many ways as you would like and you will get an entry for each one.


How to earn entries in the drawing:

1. Go to Sirona Springs online store and browse all of the available soap. Then leave a comment here telling which of the soaps you would like if you win. You have to at least do this in order to be in the drawing.

2. Follow my blog. If you already "follow" me (all three of you, ha!) and leave a comment with your choice of soap, I'll give you two entries.

3. Post about my give-away on your own blog. Comment here and leave me a link to your post.

4. Become a fan on our Facebook fan page.

5. Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Include our user name @SironaSprings so that I will see the tweet.

Be sure that I have some way to contact you (through your Blogger account or in your comments) in case YOU win!

Get all your entries in by midnight PDT May 31, 2009 and we will pick a winner June 1 using Random.org.

Good luck! And consider subscribing to our newsletter so we can let you know about our next give-away!

All Work and No Play...

It wasn't all work at the Handcrafted Soapmakers Conference in Palm Springs. I considered it more of a working "vacation". First, I was able to stay at my friend Lydia's house and have a short visit with her and her partner. Since I don't get to see them very often, that was a treat. But back at the Miramonte Resort and Spa, the Conference volunteers and sponsers were doing their best to keep us all in a happy, festive mood. Without an exception, everyone involved with the conference was always cheerful and willing to help (and these are all volunteers!). Refreshments and snacks were always available and the various meals that we had outdoors were so pleasant.


But the highlight of the week had to be the Carnival Extravaganza sponsored by Essential Wholesale. Jugglers, stilt walkers, carnival masks, open bar, a fantastic dinner and two comedians!
Did I mention the open bar? This was an ice sculpture that squirted out fruity martinis! I overheard quite a few attendees complain of headaches the next morning, so I guess everyone had a great time! :) I know I did!

The HSMG Conference Inspires Me!

Whew! What a busy week I had! I was in Palm Springs last week attending the Annual Conference of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild: 3 days of soap talk, business talk and hot weather! It was quite a switch from my usual days of being a one-woman soap business in temperate Northern California. But what an invigorating switch it was! I have returned home with renewed enthusiasm and a long list of ideas, suggestions and to-do's. Look for some changes coming to the Sirona Springs website that will hopefully make it a little easier to shop there.

I'll be describing more about the meeting all this week (I didn't even have time to blog during the meeting!).

One of many great presentations was given by Donna Maria Coles Johnson, leader of the Indie Beauty Network, a business organization helping small, independent businesses succeed. She explained that new internet technologies like Facebook, Twitter, blogs and YouTube have leveled the media playing field. Small business owners now have just as much access to their customers as do newspapers and magazines, and mostly for FREE!

She gave me some great ideas (Twitter: here I come!) and her organization is a powerful force, supporting and shaping our industry. It was a thrill to hear her take on this brave, new world of technology media!

Annatto as Natural Soap Colorant

I received some powered annatto recently and wanted to see how it would behave in soap. You probably have some annatto in your refrigerator. It's a natural colorant, derived from the achiote tree, and used commonly in cheddar cheese, butter, margarine, custard, etc. Soapmakers sometimes use it by soaking whole seeds in oil. This colors the oil which is then used to make the soap. But I had some powered annatto seeds and decided to try just adding that directly to my soap in order to save myself some time.

I tested the annatto at different concentrations: 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon and 1/8 teaspoon per pound of oil in the soap recipe. The color is very nice: cheery and bright. For the lightest concentration, the bits of annatto add an interesting texture to the soap. But it gets to be a bit much at the higher concentrations. I'm afraid that it may be too scratchy to use like that. For a darker orange color, I'll have to try coloring the oil and straining out the bits.

But I love this method of trying out different concentrations of colorant. Since (most of the time) I like to be able to predict what color the soap will turn out, there are quite a few other colors that I want to test right away just like this. In the end, I hope to have a good reference that I can use when planning and designing my soap.

Everything I Needed to Know

So I've blogged before about learning lessons from soapmaking, besides how to make soap. It occurs to me that there are a lot of other lessons to learn (some of us have more to learn than others, I guess). Obviously these are things that I've known all along (I'm not a total social misfit), but slamming face-first into some of these mistakes learning opportunities has a way of making everything so clear. So I've decided to make it an ongoing series (with apologies to Robert Fulghum): "Everything I Needed to Know I Have Finally Learned While Making Soap".

Today's lesson: Share What You Have
The main reason that I ever started making soap was so that I could make gifts for my family and friends. I wanted to share some of my time and effort with them. It's satisfying to give away something that you feel proud to have made yourself.

But as I set out to learn more about soapmaking, I was surprised to find a community so willing to share an enormous amount of accumulated knowledge. Soapmakers love to talk about soapmaking! So they are always willing to help troubleshoot a problem, offer a tip or gently suggest that selling the very first batch of soap you ever made might not be a good idea.

Much of the sharing that has helped me has been in the virtual world of internet forums and mailing lists. Many large soaping supply companies have mailing lists where customers and proprietors can exchange ideas about specific ingredients or products.

But for a broader view of many soapmaking topics, nothing beats an online forum. These are message boards, where a member posts a question or comment, and then other members can chime in and post replies. It still amazes me the amount of time and information that some soapmakers on these forums are willing to share with others. There is no ulterior motive here: it is purely a "pay-it-forward" kind of mentality. I would not know half of what I do now, without the advice, suggestions and (let's face it) soaping disaster stories that I have read on online forums. And now it feels so good to be able to be the one answering questions and giving suggestions, instead of just seeking advice all the time.

If you are looking for some help with your own soapmaking (or you feel inspired to join in the share-fest), these are some sites that I suggest: The Dish Forum, The Soap Making Forum and Teach Soap Forum.

And so, to bring my lesson full-circle, I will soon be sharing what I know with students at The Nova Studio, as I begin teaching soapmaking classes there this summer. I am really looking forward to meeting some new people who also love talking about making soap!

Lucky Girl

I feel like such the lucky girl today! First, I discovered the Adventures in Science & Art blog (ooo, I am so envious of that name) when the owner Daniela was running an essential oil giveaway. Seems her supply store, Supplies by Hello, is stocking some quality oils and oil blends priced even for those of us that don't need to order tons at a time. As if just finding the blog wasn't lucky enough, I also won in the drawing for the essential oils! Woohoo! Thanks, Daniela!

Then, I found out that my Lime Margarita soap was featured on the With Our Hands blog in celebration of Cinco de Mayo! Tamra and I both have Artfire studios, and some of her crocheted face cloths would sure go great with some of my soap! (wink) Thanks, Tamra!

Happy Cinco de Mayo to you all!

Instructables: DIY Heaven

I came across this website a while ago. At the time, I had just finished one of those 100-CD packs and couldn't bring myself to just throw away the empty holder, or even recycle it. It just looked like it could be turned into something, but I didn't know what. Google to the rescue(!) and I discovered several things that I could make with that container (more about that below). In truth, the bigger discovery was Instructables, a platform for DIYers to share their ideas, their triumphs and their creativity. Now, whenever I see something that I think could (or should) be given a second life, I search the Instructables for inspiration. Got an empty Altoids tin? You could make a Rubber-Band Boat. Or an Emergency Candle. A Guitar? Yep.

It's also entertaining to just browse, marveling at what people will come up with. I'll probably never make a Rubik's Cube out of dice, but it's nice to think that someone out there has figured out how.

So what did I make with my empty CD holder? I could have made a fishing line holder, an earring rack, or a flower pot. In the end I made a toilet paper dispenser for my friends' cabin in the woods. It holds their toilet paper off the ground and dry, perfect right next to their bucket toilet.

Take a few minutes and browse for yourself. Let me know what is your favorite Instructable!