OK, so I really need to get better at updating my blog!
I thought I would update you all today on how things have progressed with my soaps...
After unmoulding the batch I showed you all I waited for the minimum 4 weeks (couldn't quiet be patient for 6 weeks) and have been really pleased with the results! I was so happy - they lather great and I feel they leave my skin much softer afterwards!
I have now decided to go and get my recipe checked by a lab to have it certified to meet the EU regs. The company I have found seem very helpful and I can have my base recipe checked and then get them to add essential oils to my certificate as and when I am ready and happy with the tester results... So to start with I have decided to do 1 or 2 variations with essential oils and then the plain one which personally is my favorite! I am e-mailing the details today (scary and exciting) and then in a couple of weeks I should have my certificate to be able to start making batches to sell to lots of lovely people! So hopefully in 8 weeks (so June time) I will start uploading soaps to sell! I am really pleased with this as I gave myself until October to be up and running so really chuffed that it should be sooner!
Now for the cheeky moment - if any of you would like to be notified when they come on sale, please let me know and I shall send you a little message...
From a very very excited Gem!
Hi everyone this is my very first attempt at blogging! I am currently enjoying my crafts and spending lots of time playing with making soaps. I live in Plymouth with my gorgeous husband, two kittens (well cats now) and my little puppy!
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Saturday, 22 January 2011
First Batch
Afternoon all...
Well I have finally done it! I've made a batch of soap using my own recipe that I created!
So far I have been using a recipe that I was given on a workshop I attended. I thought it was a good idea to use a tried and tested one for family as Christmas pressies! I have been using the soap with that recipe for a while now, and thinking about what I like about it and what I would like to have different in the soaps I make in the future...
I loved the lather and the fact it wasn't really soft so didn't dissolve away after a few uses and also the fact it was very natural. I did however want it to be a bit more creamy and moisturing. I have spent a fair bit of time on soap calculators working out what would work best for me and finally settled on the ingredients and quantities of each.
On Weds I finally made my soap (using a hand blender than the usual hour whisking by hand) and it turned and went in to the moulds very quickly! I split it in to two leaving half plain and putting oats, honey & lemongrass essiential oil in to the other half!
It has now been unmoulded! The honey bar has gone a amber type colour from the honey that I used and I am pretty pleased with how they have come out looking! Now I just have to be patient (something I'm not very good at) and wait 6 weeks to try them out! Fingers crossed!
Below are some piccies!
Hope you all have good weekends!
Gem
Well I have finally done it! I've made a batch of soap using my own recipe that I created!
So far I have been using a recipe that I was given on a workshop I attended. I thought it was a good idea to use a tried and tested one for family as Christmas pressies! I have been using the soap with that recipe for a while now, and thinking about what I like about it and what I would like to have different in the soaps I make in the future...
I loved the lather and the fact it wasn't really soft so didn't dissolve away after a few uses and also the fact it was very natural. I did however want it to be a bit more creamy and moisturing. I have spent a fair bit of time on soap calculators working out what would work best for me and finally settled on the ingredients and quantities of each.
On Weds I finally made my soap (using a hand blender than the usual hour whisking by hand) and it turned and went in to the moulds very quickly! I split it in to two leaving half plain and putting oats, honey & lemongrass essiential oil in to the other half!
It has now been unmoulded! The honey bar has gone a amber type colour from the honey that I used and I am pretty pleased with how they have come out looking! Now I just have to be patient (something I'm not very good at) and wait 6 weeks to try them out! Fingers crossed!
Below are some piccies!
Hope you all have good weekends!
Gem
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Happy New Year
Blimey! Are we really now in 2011 - where does the time go!
Hopefully 2011 will be a productive and exciting year for us all. I have two New Years resolutions (I haven't done any for the last few years as usually I'm pretty rubbish at sticking to them!) This year I am determined to get In a Lather off the ground, and be better at sending cards and remembering events like birthdays and anniversaries!
To start off I am trying to clearout my card shop on Folksy as I don't really want two running... so have a Jan sale - http://www.folksy.com/shops/GemsGems
I hope you all have an amazing 2011 and the year brings you lots of happiness and exciting things!
Gems
Hopefully 2011 will be a productive and exciting year for us all. I have two New Years resolutions (I haven't done any for the last few years as usually I'm pretty rubbish at sticking to them!) This year I am determined to get In a Lather off the ground, and be better at sending cards and remembering events like birthdays and anniversaries!
To start off I am trying to clearout my card shop on Folksy as I don't really want two running... so have a Jan sale - http://www.folksy.com/shops/GemsGems
I hope you all have an amazing 2011 and the year brings you lots of happiness and exciting things!
Gems
Monday, 22 November 2010
Why do I do these things...
OK - so clever me decided that as my front room had been annoying me for quiet some time (not decorated it since we bought the place 5 and a half years ago) I had enough and last sunday decided it would be a great idea to rip all of the wallpaper off! What was I thinking! and this close to Christmas!
Anyways I have a lovely victorian home. The downfall of which decorating is never an easy task! The previous owners kindly decided to put artex on the wall with the chimney... took hubby a week to scrape it off one alcove! We knew we would have to have the walls skimmed, but when we took the fake wall in front of the fireplace off - yes you heard correct - a fake wall to make the room smaller! - there was nothing but the whole from the original fireplace (maybe one day someone who owns the house after us will open it up and make it pretty again!) and the surrounding red brick covered in chunks of concrete! - More than just a quick skim! Friends to the rescue! one recommended a plasterer they used before who magically we phoned on Friday and today came and gave us a gorgeous flat wall!
Now just to do the woodwork, lining paper, painting and rest of papering and I may well have a very pretty room ready in time for Crimbo! Wish us luck!
Anyways I have a lovely victorian home. The downfall of which decorating is never an easy task! The previous owners kindly decided to put artex on the wall with the chimney... took hubby a week to scrape it off one alcove! We knew we would have to have the walls skimmed, but when we took the fake wall in front of the fireplace off - yes you heard correct - a fake wall to make the room smaller! - there was nothing but the whole from the original fireplace (maybe one day someone who owns the house after us will open it up and make it pretty again!) and the surrounding red brick covered in chunks of concrete! - More than just a quick skim! Friends to the rescue! one recommended a plasterer they used before who magically we phoned on Friday and today came and gave us a gorgeous flat wall!
Now just to do the woodwork, lining paper, painting and rest of papering and I may well have a very pretty room ready in time for Crimbo! Wish us luck!
Sunday, 14 November 2010
WooHoo
My logo is now complete!
It is so very me! I would like to say a HUGE thank you to Aleximo Croissant at http://www.folksy.com/shops/Aleximo who has created a wonderful design for me... I can't wait to get printing now and playing with my labelling...
It is so very me! I would like to say a HUGE thank you to Aleximo Croissant at http://www.folksy.com/shops/Aleximo who has created a wonderful design for me... I can't wait to get printing now and playing with my labelling...
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Busy Busy Busy
Blimey, I can't belive how long its been since I set up my blog... I really should have added updates by now, so I shall do it now!
I have been very busy since I first started on here... following my passion of soap making!
My mum first got me hooked when we went looking at Hobby Craft for a present for me from her and dad. We found a melt and pour soap set, where basically you have the base pre made and add the extras you would like. I have really enjoyin make lots of different shapes, smells and colours from cupcakes to hearts. However, once I was hooked I wanted to have a go at making the whole thing from sratch!
So six weeks ago I went on a fab workshop where we made cold process soap from scratch... I had so much fun and couldn't wait to get home and start getting creative with it all.
Since then I have made three different types including beer soap... blimey did it stink the house out!
Here are some I have made (excuse the background of the pic - I was just playing!)
The top one is orange, grapefruit and rosehip flowers, the middle is just the oils - sunflower, olive and coconut and the bottom is lavender... all looking a bit rustic!
While I have been waiting for them to be ready to use (I've had to be unusually patient!) I have been looking to start a mini business of my own - so I can make and make and make, but not have a house FULL of soap!
With the help of the Folksy forum I have decided on the name In a Lather and have had a logo being designed... its just being tweaked, so can't wait to have the final item - will post it when done!
So as I am sure you can imagine, I am very excited... now just to tweak my recipie and get it lab tested to sell in the new year...
I have been very busy since I first started on here... following my passion of soap making!
My mum first got me hooked when we went looking at Hobby Craft for a present for me from her and dad. We found a melt and pour soap set, where basically you have the base pre made and add the extras you would like. I have really enjoyin make lots of different shapes, smells and colours from cupcakes to hearts. However, once I was hooked I wanted to have a go at making the whole thing from sratch!
So six weeks ago I went on a fab workshop where we made cold process soap from scratch... I had so much fun and couldn't wait to get home and start getting creative with it all.
Since then I have made three different types including beer soap... blimey did it stink the house out!
Here are some I have made (excuse the background of the pic - I was just playing!)
While I have been waiting for them to be ready to use (I've had to be unusually patient!) I have been looking to start a mini business of my own - so I can make and make and make, but not have a house FULL of soap!
With the help of the Folksy forum I have decided on the name In a Lather and have had a logo being designed... its just being tweaked, so can't wait to have the final item - will post it when done!
So as I am sure you can imagine, I am very excited... now just to tweak my recipie and get it lab tested to sell in the new year...
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