A New Soap - Exotic Bouquet with Tulip Petals

Here is a picture of my latest soap, which will be out in a few weeks for sale.

I was a little concerned what would happen with the tulip petals, and I'll explain why. Most flower petals discolor, or if we really want to honest, turn brown/black and completely disintigrate when making soap. I found this out last summer when I was making soap from lots of wild meadow flowers I had spent hours collecting.

Some flowers are strong enough to stand up to soap when using the French Milling process. Rose petals are strong enough. And I've been using rose petals in my soap already.

But I was not sure about tulip petals. I had not read anything about this, despite semi-extensive searches on the net.

So like most things in my life it was just to hop in with both feet and try.

And above is the result: a lovely soap with a little bit of Exotic Floral Bouquet Essential Oil, and beautiful, brightly colored tulip petals.

I could not be happier.

:)

Nominated to the Handmade Olympics

Of all things that I was not expecting - I have been nominated to the 2010 Handmade Olympics!


I knew that it was occuring, but with my busy life and responsibilities, I was not paying attention to it. So imagine to my surprise that out of over 900 different talented people who were nominated, I was one of 80 that was chosen to participate.


First of all, a special thanks to Fluerfatale, whom I think was the person who nominated me. (If it was someone else and that someone sees my mistake, please inform me of it as quickly as possible so that I can fix it).


Secondly, I would certainly appreciate it if everyone who likes my soaps would vote for me. It will only take two minutes of your time.


Simply go to this link: Handmade Olympics Event #4, scroll down through the wonderful other handmade items I am competing against, and vote for me - or vote for someone else if you really do, truly, in your heart feel that their product is better than mine.


Let the best craftsman win!

2010 Has Arrived

2010 has arrived, and I am sitting here in my living room watching tiny bits of snow fall down from the sky. In the distant I can see low cloud cover the tops of the mountains of Bergen, but if you allow your eyes to follow the valley eastward, you can see where the sun is trying to break through.

Not a bad way to start the year.

2009 was an incredible year in all ways. I stood on skis for, really, the first time in my life. We lost a family member through unbearable circumstances. After 10 years I found a workplace where I like to be, where I know I can grow and where I feel wanted and appreciated. In 2008, through my 6-year-old so I was lucky to meet adults I would not normally have come into contact with. These relationships have grown through 2009 and have greatly enriched my life. I look forward to seeing what 2010 will bring.

2009 was a huge turning point for me. After living in Norway for more than 10 years, I had finally come to a place where this country was more than just a good place to live, in comparison to a lot of good places to live. In 2009 something shifted in myself and this country became a place where I wanted to be. For the first time it was not a problem that I will probably spend the rest of my life here. On the contrary, it was a positive thing.

I see 2010 as a vast open space, where I can go where I want, do what I choose and take advantage of any oppurtunity I see. I have looked forward to all new years with hope, but this is the first time I have come into a new year with expectation of good things to come.

I leave this post wishing everyone, friends, collegues, family as well as a flood of new traffic from places unknown the absolute best in 2010. May your lives be over run by good luck, hard work and good experiences. And may we all come to this day next year with smiles on our faces and peace in our hearts.

Fantastic Cucumer Soap

When I first started making soap in the summer, I made cucumber soap. At this point I was not using the French Milling Process. What came out was nice. It was really great for the skin and everyone was happy.

But this time I wanted to do better:

When I made soap last night, I changed a few of my tecniques, wrote down what I did in my soap diary, and crossed my fingers. And look what I cut up today!

I am so impressed with the color of the soap - a gorgeous green color. And even though it hasn't finished curing, when I washed my hands after handling the soap and washed away the residue that was left on my fingers, that residue left my hands nice and soft.

I cannot wait until they are finished and ready to use!

Chocolate Chip Soap

For those who just need to have a little bit of chocolate every day.....


This soap is so lovely and soft on your skin and faintly smells of chocolate and mint.

A perfect way to treat yourself to goodies during the holiday season without having to worry about your waist.

Cucumber Oat Soap - Agurk Havre Såpe

This is a wonderfully soft soap, that is great for your hands. At the time of writing this, I only have two pieces left and need to make more, as soon as possible.

Both cucumber and oats are known for soothing irritated skin, and reducing itchiness.

A lovely light green in color, this soap has diced natural soap added to form a nice pattern.

This soap guarantees to be a sure winner!

I Love Packages

I got a package in the mail!!


Let's peek inside.......

Can you see what it is????

My soap dishes!

All 60 of them!

I think they just look so cute.

And all these deep ridges make it so that handmade soap (well all soap, but especially handmade soap) stays dry and lasts longer.

What I like most is that they make my soap look really big. And just clear up any misunderstandings, all of my soap is bigger than the competition's soap. It's just that these soap dishes really shows that off.

Shows it off any way you display it.

A Spicy Winter Special

A lovely, lovely soap that smells like Christmas and looks like antique artwork.

A lovely soft soap with a great lather which is then swirled with nutmeg.

On top of this lies a slice of orange, which seeps its crisp fragrance into the air. Combined with the nutmeg, this soap promises to be a great and unexpected gift to any who receive it.

Don't miss out!