On The Curing Rack

Since returning from a short vacation in the Natural State of Arkansas, I've made several batches of your favorite soaps that are now on the curing rack:

• Lavender, Patchouli, & Cedarwood, AKA Romance in the Woods. This blend of essential oils combines the a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma of lavender that is soothing and refreshing, Cedarwood essential oil known for its tranquilizing and soothing effects, and Patchouli, a distinct heavy, earthy, musty, sensuous scent—all this in a rich Olive Oil soap. Ingredients: saponified olive, coconut and palm oils, with added aloe vera and vitamin E, and grapefruit seed extract, plus lavender and patchouli herbals for texture.
• Sweet Orange & Ginger. This Olive Oil soap is made to go with my new Goat's Milk Body Cream. I've added essential oils of Sweet Orange and Ginger and a sprinkling of orange peel to decorate the top. Sweet Orange has an uplifting aroma that helps to relax and balance the spirit. Ginger is sought after due to its aphrodisiac and stimulant properties. Made with my favorite Olive oil recipe which includes coconut, and palm kernel oils, vitamin E , castor and grape seed oils--and the essential oils, of course.
• Avocado Soap. This is one of my most gentle soaps yet is often overlooked. Avocado oil penetrates the skin more deeply than other oils allowing it to transport nutrients through the outer epidermis of the skin and into the dermis for increased effectiveness. Avocado oil is great for all skin types, and is especially kind to mature, sensitive or troubled skin. Full of vitamins A, B, D, E, protein, and lecithin. Highly emollient with anti-wrinkle, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant properties. Anti-oxidants have been shown to slow the aging process. Ingredients include saponified Avocado Oil, Olive, Jojoba, Coconut, Palm, Caster Oils and vitamin E.
• Peppermint & Rosemary. Scientific evidence shows that the aromatic Peppermint herb helps stimulate the body and mind. Rosemary essential oil has an overall stimulating and invigorating effect that works on both mental and physical levels as well; it is also a great antidepressant, antiseptic, and stimulant. Ingredients: saponified olive, coconut and palm oils, with added vitamin E, and grapefruit seed extract, crushed organic rosemary herbs.
• Lavender & Rosemary Beneficial for treating blemishes, both lavender and rosemary herbs have a mild but stimulating effect on the skin. Lavender has a light sweet, captivating woodsy scent and Rosemary has a crisp, fresh aroma with a hint of a woodsy fragrance. Mix them together and you get an enchanting aura. Ingredients: Saponified oils of olive, coconut, palm, castor with essential oils of lavender and rosemary, lavender and rosemary leaves.

The above soaps should be ready for use by September 1st

Summer Break

I've run into a lot of you while I'm shopping at the TGFM. "I need some soap," you say. I had the good fortune of nearly selling out during the spring but do have some left. That's part of the reason I am not at the market during summer--that, and it is too hot and humid for me. Yes, I'm a wimp.

As it stands, an Open House will probably be held in September now. However, you may call and drop by whenever you need something, as Allyce B. did when she needed a case of soy candles made to order.

Lavender and Rosemary Herbal Soap

Okay, you Lavender & Rosemary herbal soap lovers--I made another batch of your soap yesterday. It is on the curing rack and should be available in 4-6 weeks. Thank you for your patience.

Dreaded Mosquito Season Eased With Morgan's Insect Repellent Products

Your response to my Insect Repellent products has been amazing. Once again, I'm sold out. But I will be making more--today, actually. But because the cold process soap takes 4 to 6 weeks to cure, and the mosquito season is here now, I will be making hand-milled soap and goat's milk and glycerine with the same insect-repelling essential oils I put in the cold process soap. This soap cures faster and has the same benefits when adding my special formula I-R* blend of essential oils. This will be available from me or from the Local Harvest Grocery on Morganford, Tower Grove South.

Don't forget my soy lotion bar with insect repellent essential oils--all natural and organic: contains soy wax, apricot kernel oil, shea butter and a carefully formulated blend of essential oils of geranium, lavender, patchouli, cedar wood, a dash of peppermint and ground cloves. Just rub it on your exposed skin, et voila!
*I-R=insect repellent

My soap doesn't melt, but I do

I can't stand the heat and humidity, so Saturday, June 21st, will be my last day at the farmers' market until Fall. I will continue making soap and my other products and you may call or e-mail me whenever you need. You may also shop for my products at the Local Harvest Grocery.

New on the Curing Rack

The coveted Insect repellant soap #1, my original recipe containing olive, coconut, palm oils, with shea butter and castor oils. Essential oils of geranium and peppermint and pulverized whole cloves with keep those pesty bugs away.

Vegetable Shampoo Bar, Unscented and Scented, with essential oils of course. This shampoo bar is solid and can replace liquid shampoo and conditioners. It makes a rich, thick lather. The oils and nutrients clean and condition the hair and scalp. Contains olive, castor, jojoba, coconut, shea butter, sweet almond, apricot kernel and avocado oils. All vegetable.

Vegetable Shampoo Bar

I spent the day making something new--a shampoo bar. I have been putting this one off because it ain't that easy--eight different oils plus two optional and an essential oil (of course I have to use those too). But the tough part was stirring it all to trace. (You soapers' out there understand trace.) The recipe said not to beat or use a blending stick. It instructed to stir by hand until reaching trace. So I followed instructions. It took a long time. I had to call my husband in twice to take over stirring for me while I stretched and rested my arms and back for a couple of minutes. After an hour and just when I thought the batch was failing, the mixture started to thicken. I was nearly in tears with joy. I'll let you know just how beautiful it is in 4 to 6 weeks--after it is cured.

Tin Can Blues...

So, last week I'm eagerly awaiting a package via UPS. It finally comes and I tear into the box to find the metal tins I ordered. Nice tins, but turns out they are too small for the soy lotion bars I made to go inside them. Drat! That means I went to the market without the insect repellant soy lotion bars I had promised. Sorry folks. I'll have the situation remedied in the coming week.

Sustainable and Organic--Sensible and Healthy

We had another great day at the Market last Saturday and I sold out of my insect repellent soaps already! But, this week I am making a wonderful soy lotion bar with insect repellent essential oils that I know you'll love. It is a lotion bar in a tin that you simply rub on your skin (as you would a lotion--thus lotion bar). I've added essential oils that are pleasing to the senses but keeps those buggy varmints away. In the meantime, I'll be making more of this soap.

I've also decided to go ahead with the naked lotion as well--since so many of you have asked for it. It is goats milk and honey lotion. What essential oil shall I use?
See you on the 24th.

A fellow marketer

For organic vegan soap products that are free of chemicals, toxins, and animal products, come to the Tower Grove Farmers' Market and Bazaar this weekend.

Great Day at the Market

Tower Grove Farmers' Market & Bazaar

After a few stormy days, Market day turned out to be a beautiful 70 degrees, the rain holding off until after market ended.

It was great to see everyone again--my regular customers and lots of new faces, old neighbors and new ones. It was like a big party with delicious food, great music and entertainment, and all the organic produce, and home made products and artistry.

I'm going to be very busy this week making more soaps and candles and getting ready for next Saturday. Look for a new product--a soy lotion bar. I'll be making a lotion bar that has bug repellent essential oils too. So don't miss the Market, there will be an equally good time this coming weekend, Saturday, May 17th. See you there!