Mojo

I've had a fairly quiet week with regards work...the mojo just disappeared so I went with it and did some gardening instead.  I did have one fair which was rather disappointing as I was really looking forward to it, but these things happen.

Up there is the new gift packaging for the soap bars.  It can comfortably hold 2 bars, and looks rather cute ;)

A Morning of Soap

I was determined to get some soap made this morning as I've not been in the mood all week even though I knew it needed doing.  So I managed another batch of Cinnamon and Almond, a new variety - Black Pepper, and a new variety of shaving soap - Organic Lavender (see piccie).  I've even managed to do some hoovering and some laundry!!

Owls galore

Hectic just doesn't quite cover it at the minute :o).  Well, here's a new card that I've had planned for ages, and that I finally got round to making last night.  What do you think?

What else have a been doing?  Well, there's been more blue owls for cards, 

there's been more soap (patchouli and orange and a lighter orange scrub),



then this morning I've had a visit from a sales rep with a view to stocking buttons and ribbons on my website.  I'm like an over-excited puppy at the minute!!  I'll keep you informed as to how we get on. 

I'm also prepping for a second craft evening that I've been organising.  We'll be making spring flowers, hearts and birds, so I'm making lots of lists to make sure I take everything with me!

Hope your all busy doing something you love, and that the sun is shining for you :o)

Excited...Moi?!

I've just had my application to join the Guild of Craft Soap & Toiletry Makers accepted....whoop whoop :o)

The Guild has two very specific aims:
(1) To raise awareness of the legislative standards that are in place that apply to craft soap and toiletry products

(2) To register as members of the Guild crafters who work in compliance with this legislation and who hold relevant public liability insurance

A Day For Soap

 (Lemon and Ginger)

I've had two days of cooking, eating, entertaining, upwrapping, building lego, feeling like a beached whale, being spoilt, so today I decided (after having a quick tidy up) that I would make some soap.

As I only had one soap mould I have to choose very carefully which one I want to make, so I decided on a new one - Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Pine.  Then hubby came home and said he could make me another mould if I'd like!!  Of course, yes please!!  So he made two!

So I now have three lots of soap sat cooling under towels, two of which I forgot to photograph! 

The other two are new too -The first one is Lemon and Ginger and then one I've wanted to make for ages but because it is made in 2 parts, with the first part having to sit for 2 weeks, I've had to wait.  This one will be an Orange Scrub soap with oatmeal....ooooh, I can't wait for that to be ready.

Organised or not?

Remember the soap bundles...well I didn't like the twine I'd tied them with so I changed it to wide ribbon.

 Much better don't you think?  The lady who bought them had made some small felted bowls for them to sit in.

 I'm also researching boxes I can use for gift sets.  I love the idea of these two, although the pizza style box may be too big...I'll have to try it with the pretty stuff as well as the soap.

 And what do you think about my chocolate frog earrings?  I may put a couple of pairs in the shop if people like them.

And, as I'm so organised, not, here are some more Christmas card and decoration ideas.  Actually, you could say I'm just really organised for next year ;o).

I'm feeling it...

I'm starting to feel that Christmas buzz again...yipee.  Back to the soap though ;o).  Today I have managed to make some mandarin shaving soap in pots!  These are quite big (over 200g each) and will be available with a brush.  I'm hoping to get some lovely teacups for a more feminine shaving pot.  Anyway, these will be ready 18th January 2012.

I've also made some patchouli and orange, and this time I've added some of the powdered orange peel as I thought it looked fantastic in the christmas soap.  This will also be ready on 18th January.



While your here I wanted to ask your opinions on salt and sugar scrubs.  I made the above one for a swap gift but I wondered whether people would actually buy them online because of the cost of the postage.  So, would you only buy something like that from a shop/craft fair or would you buy online, where the postage may be in the region of a fiver?

Slowing down?

How about you?  Are you still on the mad rush ready for the big day or are you all ready?

I'm definitely on the mad rush as there is also a birthday in the house tomorrow, but, I think I'm nearly there with everything else Christmas-y.  Last minute orders being prepared (piccie up there) and new packaging being looked at.  Also, big news for me, is my first craft fairs for next year have just been confirmed.   That means I've got to crack on with the soap making as the first one is in 6 weeks time!!!!

Ready!!

I forgot to say that the ylang ylang, the lemon and tea tree and the mandarin cinnamon and clove soaps are all ready and in the shop.  I should also mention there is only one of the mandarin, cinnamon and clove bars left!! 

The give-away which I had on 'this enchanted Pixie' was won by Sian, so well done, your soap is on its way :o).

MmmMmm

Soaps ready to take to a group.

Christmas cake finally made.

Hubby's work Christmas party attended (selling a few bars of soap while I'm there ;o) ).

Panto this weekend.

Nephews birthday party this weekend.

Putting up, painting and filling our new retro wall units in the kitchen.

Envelopes to fill and send out for customers.

Heck....I think I may need to order a few more hours in the day...do you think I'll get my order fulfilled?!

Give-away!

I'm having a little give-away over at this enchanted Pixie.  Pop over and enter for your chance to win three bars of gorgeous, handmade, completely natural soap :o)

Variety is the spice of life

More soap orders going out.

Samples dropped off at potential buyers.

My first Craft fairs booked for next year.

Another card made which I'll finish and show you later.

A give-away planned for next week with another wonderful crafter on her blog.

A new blog button over on the right hand side there.

Blimey it's been a busy few weeks.  Hope everyone else is busy too :o).

Joy

 Soap ready for parcelling up and sending out.

Another wreath colourway - I sat making this at home ed group yesterday while teaching some of the non-sewing Mum's how to make one....wonderful :o)

Lets get busy with it...

Ready in time for Christmas...mandarin, cinnamon and clove soap (ready 13th December) and... 

..more lemon and tea tree (ready 12th December).

I also need to make more shaving soap as I've nearly sold the entire batch!!

Went to Plan

Amazing...that actually went to plan ;o).  I made a couple of mini Christmas Wreaths so I'm off to pop them in the shop now.  More soap making today as my afternoon appt with the business advisor has been re-scheduled...woohoo for extra time.

Back to it then :o)

Back to it with gusto then.  Ylang ylang soap made this morning (ready 10th December).

I've started attending some free workshops provided by a local enterprise scheme to help with the marketing side of things (I'm truely pants at this sort of thing).  So with their advice still ringing in my ears I've set up a twitter account, eek!

@MyHandmadeHaven

The link is in the sidebar on the right if you like that sort of thing :o).

So this afternoon I shall be doing a little housework, a little play with the kids, and hopefully a little sewing as that's been sorely lacking in these parts.  Hope your all having a productive day :o)



Heck

 Lavender

 Mandarin Shaving Soap

 Patchouli and Orange

Samples/favours

Well, that never went to plan.  I think the shock of actually passing my driving test put me right out of kilter!  I'm back on form now and the soaps are in the shop ;o)



Back to it

Trying to get back into it after having and passing my driving test, having a weekend away then going to see Sarah Millican.  I've had a few days catching up with washing and driving round, today is home ed group then tomorrow I shall get back to making stuff ;o).  A couple of soaps need adding to the shops too, so it looks like I shall be having another busy weekend.



(Today is my Dad's birthday)

Quick update

I have got lots of things to show you - tins, make-up bags, mandarin shaving soap, cards - but the light here has been terrible for the last 3 days so I've not been able to get any decent pictures.  Hopefully we shall have some sunshine in the next few days...lets keep our fingers crossed ;o).

At last

 The new ingredients for the soap arrived.  I shall get started on the new 'flavours' on Monday.

Making the make-up bags (you'll see them in a couple of days) I thought I'd sew one of my labels into the lining.  I've never done that before...looks really good.

I've also been making new tins, a birthday card (for the hubby) and a baby gift (for a lovely customer).

Not much housework listed there!