The Duchess

I have received the best ever book for Christmas from my fiance- The Duchess by Amanda Foreman. I just love it - I am a fan of historical novels in any case. This one is so very well written, I have put it down for a quick minute while I write my blog, but I must get back to it immediately afterwards! I have not seen the film, andI hope its very faithful to the true character of Georgiana, and to the events of her life. Well - off for a little read.......

The horse of Christmas past

All the preparations have just reminded me of one Christmas eve several years ago, during the time that I had my childrens' riding school. Some of the children had made Christmas stockings for their favourite ponies, which were hung on the wall of the barn. I went out for the evening with friends, and upon my return I went to check on the ponies. I was greeted by the sight of Bouncer the adorable Welsh riding pony, wandering around the barn loose, cheeks bulging and eyes popping. He had somehow let himself out and completely trashed all the ponies' Christmas stockings, which had been stuffed with carrots etc. Sweet memory of a treasured pony-his insides didnt seem to suffer from the incident, which was a relief.

Christmas Soaps

I was taken a little by surprise this year about the amount of orders that have come in, and am determined to be a lot better prepared next year, but for now I am afraid that my blog has been somewhat neglected! I am also so glad to see that so many of my soap making and crafting friends are doing so well with Christmas sales.
I am pouring soaps freshly to order for the time being, and am managing to dispatch soap parcels within a few days of purchase. I have a few new designs, but I think I will save those for the New Year. I just cannot wait till Christmas week, when I will get chance to catch up on all the great blogs that I read!

HidenSeek's Storque Article!

The charming Eloise from HidenSeek included one of my gift sets in her Etsy Storque article which I was so pleased about. But the best thing is Eloise's art work which has been one of my favourite things ever since I first found her lovely shop. Her paintings are just wonderful and I want them!

Lollishops is up!

Great news -Lollishops.com the Frou-Frou friendly marketplace is up and going. Its such great fun and I am enjoying the listing process which appears nice and simple, and am loving browsing through the pretty things. These crowns are by SadieLouwho - she is the creator of Lollishops and it seems to me she has made a nice job of it!

Gift Sets

I have been surprised and delighted by the amount of Christmas orders that I have received, and I am just about keeping up with the challenge of sending them out on time!
I have put together a few gift sets this week, which I really enjoy doing. Sometime soon I am going to have to get my Christmas buying organised-sometime this week I think! I am a nightmare for leaving it all till the last minute.......

Etsy Front Page

I missed it this time but I was lucky and a couple of kind people emailed me to let me know my coffee bean soap was on the front page, and to offer congratulations.
The lovely Pennydogaccessories got me a screengrab! I really like this treasury, compiled by Redheart13 and I am so glad it got to the front page.

EtsyVeg Blog Treasury!

I am a proud member of EtsyVeg Team, an Etsy team made up of vegans and vegetarians, and am excited to have the honour of my soap appearing in the latest blog treasury. Its the Sweet Drizzle Fairy Cake soap, containing shea butter and mild clay, and smelling rather like jammy sponge.

Orange and Cinnamon Luxury Soap

Here is a picture of my most recently made soap, which is a Shea butter soap, seasonally scented with Orange and Cinnamon. This fragrance really makes me feel Christmassy, so I have to make soap with it every year. this year I have made a brocade soap in orange with a pearly silver sparkle. It is harder to photograph than I thought it would be!

Halloween Soap Giveaway Result!

Thank you so much to everyone who took part in my soap giveaway. It has been a lot of fun and so I will be doing another shortly-watch this space for details!
I jiggled everyone around with' Random' and asked it to pick me a number -and the winner was number 10 - Lomond Soaps , so congratulations Corrie and watch out for a Strawberry pink soap which will be winging its way to you next week!

Secret Spirit

I am excited to say that I have a mystery parcel that arrived this morning through the post. This would be exciting enough on an ordinary day, but its nearly Halloween, and its time for the Fresholi Secret Spirit. Spoooktastic! I sent mine today so I do hope the recipient likes all of the little niceties in their parcel. We can't open until Halloween proper, so am having to sit on hands a bit till then. I will of course be adding pictures accordingly!

Front Page of Etsy!

I woke up this morning to see one of my soaps on the front page of Etsy. It has never happened to me before and naturally I am cockahoop! In real terms in will probably only be there for an hour or so, but it has generated me hundreds of 'views' to my item so its got to be a positive!

Logo for SoapyChica!

I am delighted with my new logo, which has been designed for me by a fellow Etsian Manyi from maustudio.
I have loved the whole process, from sending Manyi my ideas on theme etc., to receiving the choice of five to pick from, and of course the arrival of the finished logo (very exciting)! I really recommend Maustudio to anyone in need of some good graphic design.

Spanish weather

This is the view from the window in my sister's house in sunny Spain, according to her they are in for a week of thunder and hail. It seems she is moving back to the UK in a few weeks, along with one cool dude by the name of Lucas (my nephew), so she needs to get used to this kind of thing.

New Gift Boxes

I an excited about my new gift boxes for my decorative soaps, I have finally found some boxes that are the right size for my single soaps, and I have been searching awhile. I am delighted because the company seem very professional and pleasant, something which is really important to me when searching for supplies. I am really looking forward to offering gift boxed soaps.

Misi - Make it Sell it

This morning I had an email inviting me to join Misi which is a site where you can sell things that you have made-the lovelier the better! I have had a little look, joined the site, and so far so great. In fact I emailed the administrator Emma about a query I had, and she replied straight back and was extremely helpful (its 7am) . The site appears to be smooth to use and has a nice clean look about it so I am rather pleased!

Fresholi Bites!

I am so delighted to have had a soap featured on the Fresholi Bites blog, which is a lovely site which talks about natural handcrafted soaps, lotions, bath & body products, aromatherapy and all things natural beauty!! Fresholi is a great place to buy all sorts of luxurious supplies for making soap and natural cosmetics, and the customer service is second to none.

MakeBelieve Boutique

Makebelieve Boutique

I am delighted to have my soaps featured on the Makebelieve Boutique, a brand new blog by Lynde of the Handmade Showcase and Bath, Body, Candle . Lynde has written a lovely article about SoapyChica and I wish her every success with the new blog.

Secret Squirrel

I saw this cute squirrel when I was on the way to feed my horses this morning- not such a good picture but I daren't get any closer in case he disappeared.

SoapyChica Truffles

I have been making some more truffles to put in little gift boxes for Christmas presents and stocking fillers. I have made chocolate, chocolate and vanilla, vanilla cream, and white choc and raspberry today. Such a self-indulgent thing to do - I love all the fragrances and I get carried away making them - its brilliant fun. I will take some (hopefully) better pictures when we get a sunnier day. (!)

Halloween Soap Giveaway

I am getting into this blogging malarky so much that I have decided to do a giveaway. I will be giving away one of my vegan glycerine soaps- Strawberries and Cream fragrance. This is a cameo style soap poured in pink and white and will come in one of my lovely little Ole Bag Lady fabric gift bags. In order to enter please comment here, telling me which of the soaps you like best in my Etsy shop, and I will draw a winner on the last day of October.

Jogging

When I lost 2 and a half stone earlier this year, I was delighted of course. And now that the wright is slowly starting to creep back on again, I am less than pleased. So in addition to attending Bannatynes gym and classes I have decided to start running. I made my first attempt two days ago, and am still aching. I do not know why I am aching all over, as I only use my legs for running. I am going to try again today, maybe twice! I am also trying to swap my beloved cakes for salad sandwiches. We shall see....my target weight is 2 stones away......

My heart is in a treasury!

I am delighted to discover that another Etsy member Big A Little A has featured my Black Sugar heart in her treasury . I took a picture of it as it is a really pretty one. Its an honour to be featured beside such talented artists as well. Here is the link but it may disappear at any time. http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=28948

Pennydog Accessories - fab jewellery

I had an email from Neatostuff inviting me to enter their giveaway-and to my delight it is sponsored by PennyDog Accessories, who I know makes the most brilliant and unusual jewellery with resin. So of course I have entered and am keeping my fingers crossed. The giveaway is for one of her new 'Ice' rings which are so lovely -and different. The great thing is that she supports the Retired Greyhound Trust with her work. Here is the link-its well worth entering! http://www.neatostuff.com/

oh great-here I am on my partner's laptop and I can suddenly post pics! It must be have been a problem with my computer!

Soap Pictures

I would love to add some pictures of my recent soaps, I have made a few new ones today, but for some reason my posting toolbar has vanished and try as i might I cannot find out how to get it back. If anyone reads this and knows the answer to the riddle, please let me know, its SO frustrating!

Pilfered Post!

What a shock! My lovely order of custom double-poured soap favours, for my USA customer arrived damaged and with only one of the soaps present. I imagine someone somewhere has 7 of my beautiful daisy soaps and I am furious, but what can you do? My customer was understandably really upset, and I made the soaps again for her. Fingers crossed that she gets them all this time, but I am worried that they might not arrive in time to give her party guests . Future orders will go out wearing their drabbest attire, instead of the pretty packaging I had been using. We joked that I ought to put 'haemorrhoid soap' on the customs label from now on, to discourage any more 'accidents'.

My latest custom order-daisy soaps to the USA

I also have some pictures of an international custom order I had last week for some favours for a fabulous customer from Etsy. She wanted several of the garden daisies design soaps, for all of her friends at her party. She had an idea of the colour scheme she wanted and was very helpful in describing her vision of the soaps, and I must say the end result was very striking and worked brilliantly. The deadline was tight and I managed to get all of the soaps designed, made and in the post for the next day. I worked through the night but it was worth it as I really want those soaps to arrive in time for the party.

Victorian Wedding Cakes

Yesterday my new moulds arrived, and among them a lovely mini detailed cake, which I have been planning to make wedding favours with. I had a test pour and the result is great, although its a tricky one to pour as there is just so much tiny detail.

I love them in pastel, fondant shades and fragrances.

Christmas Soaps

Well I think its definitely time to think about Christmas soaps.
I have begun to list my new Christmas Tree soaps on Etsy and Folksy now, in several very lovely fragrances, but there are a lot more seasonal products to come.
I received my gift bags in Christmassy themes from The Ole Bag Lady this week and am delighted with them, so many adorable designs, with little reindeer and snowmen etc. I will be getting more in a week or so. I am finding it hard to prepare for Christmas sales as it is my first year of trading, and I am not sure how big the demand for gift soaps and sets is going to be.
One day I will finally work out how to add photos on this blog and I will be very happy!

Boxes made of soap

I have finally found the time to try making soap trinket boxes. I was eager to find out how they look once made up, and I find I like them! I made a small pale pink box with mini hearts inside which I have listed in my shop tonight. Its a little bit glittery, and I love it.

UK Handmade

I was lucky enough to have my soap featured on UK Handmade this month here http://ukhandmade.blogspot.com
UK Handmade is a great new blog - an eclectic mix of creators, designers and artists promoting the UK handmade scene.

I am back!

Well one whole month away from my blog (nearly) Its almost as bad as the time I have spent away from the gym! All because of my new Etsy shop -it is too addictive really so I have dragged myself away. I have seen a few great blogs though from fellow Etsians and I am going to try and see if I can add some here. I have had my first proper wholesale order now and have a couple more hopefully in the pipeline stages. I am very pleased with the kind of shops that are interested in my soaps-very much the sort of market I have been hoping for.
My latest soaps that I have in my shop are Figs and Leaves, which is a Lush-type fragrance, and Black Cafe (Jo Malone 'Black Vetiver Cafe' type), and Creamy Fruit Smoothie which is a blend of several oils, milky, fruity and creamy.
I have also been working on my seasonal holiday range as well which I will be adding to the shop in September.

Etsy West treasury

I have another treasury here http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=15761

fresholi birthday

received yesterday my secret fresholi birthday gift-beautiful items, gorgeous bag charm in blue, and amazing skincare products from Maia http://www.maiaskincare.co.uk/ I think I am in love with these products!
Fresholi is great !

gift boxes

I am starting to think about putting together gift sets at the moment, ready for Christmas etc., i have a few gift boxes , and i am trying out a few ideas. I will post pictures when blogger lets me..

first sale feedback

I am delighted to have received my first sale feedback in my Etsy shop, I know its sad but you get very attached to your handmade products, and when you send them off to someone you just really hope a) they get there in one piece and b) they are loved when they arrive
Very exciting!

cupcake temptation

Last night I made a few cupcake soaps which considering I am trying to lose weight, was actually a bad idea. Iknow its only soap but the kitchen smelled like chocolate orange and vanilla for ages. Fortunately there were no sweet (edible) things in the house.

Spanish Holiday

Just back from Spain, with plenty of soapmaking to catch up on, and plenty of new ideas!
Very glad to see all our pets!

Soapy stamp

My new soap stamp arrived , and its great. I have tried it out on a few of my plain bars and it looks quite smart although I need a bit of practice. It is beautifully made by a company in the States called Soap Impressions. It arrived so quickly too, they were more than helpful.

Etsy site

I am setting up an Etsy shop, and must say it is quite a nice pastime, although quite addictive as I keep seeing lovely things made by other people and then I am off at a tangent looking at things to buy. Ages later I realise I have done very little to the shop, that I set out to do! Have had my first sale also through Etsy and so I am very pleased! I hope the recipient likes the soaps as much as I loved making them.

Spanish holiday

We are going to Spain for a few days, so any soap making is now on hold for a short while. And the more I look at the salt bar the more it remembles a breeze-block so I am impatient to try another, maybe in pink this time to counter the breeze block memories. But it will all have to wait now till our return. I hate flying to the point of hysterics so have that to contend with, valium at the ready.......

Salt bar

Here are the results of yesterdays soap making session, I wasn't sure I liked it last night, but I woke up this morning and changed my mind. I used an organic oils sls free base for the soap and added shea butter in the white layer, then rough sea salt in the top layer.The fragrance is a blend of four essential oils and smells great, its geranium , clary sage, litsea and a touch of cedarwood, it is a suitable scent for a man or a woman . I am not sure whether the colour works but I do like trying things that are different.

A day spent soaping

Today I have the first day off that I have had for what seems like a long while. My business is rather a seasonal one, with June and July generally being rather hectic, so today is a lovely luxury day and I am going to enjoy it!
I plan to take my labrador for a good long walk along the canal to see my ponies, before it gets too hot, as the sky is beautifully blue at the moment and maybe the weather is going to be gorgeous today.
After that there are a few jobs to do around the house and garden......but then I shall make soap, and that is what I am really looking forward to, as I plan to make a salt bar today. That is all I know at the moment, and we shall see how I get on.