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!

VoteHandmade.com launches today!

If you're a lover of all things handmade, it can be pretty hard to keep up with the bajillion of offerings on the web right now. And, let's face it, some are hidden gems and some should just stay hidden.
I just joined VoteHandmade.com, a new social media website dedicated to highlighting and sharing links to handmade items. Members post links to craft items in all kinds of categories and specialties, and fellow members vote on whether they like or dislike them. It's looks like a neat place to share your discoveries, promote your work and/or find some treasure that would otherwise stay buried.

Sign up is fast and simple. Do you think this will be useful? Check it out and comment back here with your impressions.

Etsy Finds: Soap Dishes

It's the great dilemma: what to do with your beautiful handmade soap when you're not lathering up? In my quest for the perfect resting spot for my bars of soap (yes, I have many around the house), I came across these works of art on Etsy.com. Enjoy and check out the links for more beautiful stuff.

Ceramics by Mary Judy

Ceramics by lurearts.

Fused glass by Mediums to Masses.

Ceramics by Second Harvest Pottery.


Fused glass by Little Hand Studios.


Ceramics by Stonewareporcelain.

Don't Want the Flu? Wash Your Hands!

As the number of swine flu cases increases, it's really important to remember that it's not the only flu out there. We're still in the regular human flu season and the CDC estimates that about 36,000 people die each flu season in the United States. But there's one very simple thing that we can all do to lower the odds of getting sick from the flu virus (your mom knew it): wash your hands!

Studies show that washing with soap and warm water is as good as, or even a little better than, alcohol gel at killing influenza viruses, including the one that causes swine flu. The action of the soap helps to kill the virus and remove it from your skin, and the warm water washes it all down the drain. The CDC makes a great case for thorough hand washing with this video.

So grab your soap often during the day, lather up and keep yourself healthy!

New Look, New Attitude

So, I did some redecorating of the blog this weekend. I was inspired by Tim Adam at Handmadeology. He has a wealth of information and tips on where and how to sell your handmade items.

So, the first piece of advice that I'm putting into practice is to get consistent about blogging. No one wants to follow a blog with nothing to say. I've decided to make this deal right now: you follow this blog and I'll keep writing. All I need is a little encouragement. Really.

So, what do you think of the new look of the blog? If I am going to write more frequently, I had to tone it down a bit from the last ribbon-bedecked background. (Well, it seemed cute at the time.) I like this one much better, and hopefully readers will, too.