Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)

Just a quick post here on a subject near and dear to every soaper's heart: LYE.
I am certain that we have all encountered those dear ones who exclaim with fear - "LYE?!!!". "I don't want to use LYE on my skin!!!!".
I have tried for years to explain why lye, or sodium hydroxide, the official name, is integral to soap making. In the words of  soap angel, Kathy Miller: "You can't have soap without lye".
I have failed miserably to get the point across that after a nice long cure of handcrafted soap, the lye is rendered 'benign', no zip, no zap.
Oh well........let's not even go to that place where I try to explain about the lathering agents and scads of toxic chemicals in the detergent and 'cleansers' that many folks embrace for bubbly fun.
Sigh.
One point to this post is that I saw a new, mass-marketed, anti-aging cream. A "breakthrough" miracle worker. Of course, I had to check it out. The list of ingredients revealed that one of the main components was .... LYE!
Lye in an overnight "repair" cream.
Now, THAT is scary.
What? Huh? Why? ????
Why would lye be in a face cream?
Any ideas?

In Love, Truth and Beauty.....

Re-Stock of Two Personal Favorites

I just finished making new batches of two of my personal favorites, "Vata Ayurvedic Cleansing Bar" and "Butter Cream". One or both of these gems are in my soap dish at all times.

I have very thin, fragile, sensitive skin, thus - I started making my own soap!

"Butter Cream"

"Butter Cream" should look familiar, as I post photos of this bar more than any other. It could be overlooked, as it rather 'plain'. Like all things that are truly beautiful, what is inside this bar makes it stellar. Coconut cream, coconut milk, raw, unrefined, organic cocoa butter, castor oil and palm oil combine to make a hard, long-lasting conditioning soap.

The coconut cream and raw, unrefined, organic cocoa butter really elevate this soap to luxury status. 

Over a year ago, I switched to raw, unrefined and organic butters for all of my soap. What a difference! Indescribably decadent and incredibly beneficial for skin.

Below is another, brighter view of "Butter Cream".

"Butter Cream"

The second soap that I made is my "Vata Ayurvedic Cleanser". This is another soap that is a bit plain on the outside, but ooh-la-la, what a slice of heaven! I designed this recipe for very dry, fragile skin that may be sore and angry from wind, harsh weather or chapping.
Good for babies, but better for me (*smile*)!
"Vata" has loads of high-end ingredients like avocado, jojoba, apricot, almond oils, raw, unrefined, organic shea and coconut butters, all blended with orange blossom water (that smells like Paradise!) for an unparalleled skin pampering experience.

"Vata" contains specially selected essential oils and turmeric for additonial benefits.

After washing with this soap, smooth a little organic apricot kernel oil over the skin for overall rejuvenation. This oil is light, but nourishing and sinks in quickly.

"Vata" is a splendid choice for late winter and spring.

Ahhhh.....after this winter, my skin NEEDS this coddling treatment.

"Vata Ayurvedic Cleanser"

In Love, Truth and Beauty.....

So Over Winter!

If you are feeling like this winter has been just a bit too harsh, extreme and long, check out some of my new soaps! 

Lemon Sugar

Black Temple Incense

Orange Vanilla Cream

Green Tea Supreme

Peony-Tuberose

Peppermint Cream

All of the above soaps are now for sale in the Etsy shop. 

Each soap has an enriched, creamy base for moisturizing and conditioning winter-weary skin. These new additions are extremely emollient due to the lavish quantities of raw, unrefined, organic shea and cocoa butters.

The scents for these new soaps are designed to lift winter-weary spirits.

I hope that you are staying well and warm!
Personally, I give thanks to the furnace Gods daily!

In Love, Truth and Beauty......

Surprises and Gifts!

If you purchase any of our fine soaps, please leave a comment during check about how you "found" us for potential special pricing, discounts and surprise goodies!

We love surprises!!!

Did you know that we can be found here http://www.houseofthedivineprince.com/Queen_s_Chamber.html ?

Check it out. There is a wealth of information contained in our beloved friend's website. The Divine Prince knows a tremendous amount about crystals and gem stones. Spend some time there.

We remain very humbly grateful that The Divine Prince hosts Angelic Soap!

Infinite Angelic Hugs....

Tibetan Crystal

In Love, Truth and Beauty....

New Winter Soaps Listed

I was very busy and haggard in December, but my labor has paid off!
Today, I listed a few brand new soaps (and re-listed some old favorites) in the soap shop.
I have been watching my diet like a hawk, so, well, uh, er - most of my soap is "foodie"! Ha!
The base recipes have all been reformulated to include lovely raw, organic and unrefined shea and cocoa butters, coconut milk and/or castor oil (a personal fave).
Here are some of my new soaps, which I designed to uplift skin and spirits that may need extra TLC during this LONG winter.....

Lemon Poppyseed Poundcake

Pink Grapefruit & Apricot Shea

Coconut Honey Butter

Tangerine Temple Incense

 

 

 

 

 

Are you hungry yet?

In Love, Truth and Beauty 

Angelic Hugs!

That was Fast!

The first week of January has flown by on wings!
I am taking a short intermission from soaping.
The soap shop will be open for orders, but no parcels will be shipped until after January 15, 2011.
The stock is getting low!
Only one bar each left of "Hope Chest Shea" (specially priced for January), "Sugared Citrus Patchouly", "Intense Emollient Herb Garden" and "Lullaby Shea". Other soaps are still available - standards like "Honey-Beeswax" and "Butter Cream" - both excellent winter skin delights.

Butter Cream

I will be listing new soaps around January 16, 2011. I cannot wait for you to see the new soaps! I think they will hit that old mid-winter spot! Fragrance and formulations are very nice indeed.
I have devised some new base formulas for winter. Almost every soap has copious amounts of raw, unrefined cocoa butter or raw, unrefined shea butter - organic and free trade sourced. I still use castor oil and coconut milk or coconut cream in nearly every soap for that luxe, dense, incredible lather that you have come to know and love.
Happy January, All!

2011

Best wishes to all for a healthy, prosperous and joyous New Year!
May each of you be touched and warmed by the power of love.
Angelic Hugs!

To Sale or Not to Sale...That is the Question

I typically resist the usual "sales" in my little shop. 

However, I usually mark all inventory down in August. August  is simply too hot for all of my base oils and product. I  think of the summer clearance as "Christmas in August".

I have been toying with the idea of a monthly 'special'.

I invite your comments on this notion.

What do you do in your shop?

If you are a consumer, what draws you to a shop?

I created many new soaps before Christmas, as I like a good, long curing time - although that is not always possible with 'in-demand' soaps!

I am now thinking of some new strategies for 2011 (Can you believe it is going to be 2011?!).

Any thoughts, comments and suggestions are welcome!

As always.......thank you. 

I love our 'soap blog' community. 

I have found that most of my blog readers are more supportive, respectful and helpful than any of the soap forums.

THANK YOU!!!

Honey & Beeswax Soap Log

In so much Love, Truth and Beauty.......

December 18, 2010

I wanted to take a few minutes off from wrapping and packing orders to say "thank you" to all of my followers!

As the Solstice grows closer, my wishes for you are love, joy and true warmth of the heart.

Let each and every one of us continue to carry this transformational energy, lest we forget that the Holidays are not the only time to feel love, kindness and compassion.

We need to love and care for ourselves before we extend the same to others.

Warm Wishes for All of your Days!

Angelic Hugs!

Frankincense & Myrrh Shea (Gilded)

Holiday Soaps on Sale!

I have caved to the pressure...but also mindful that many people's purses are not as full these days...so - I am offering three (3) of my limited edition soaps at special prices.

Candy Cane Swirl

Candy Cane Swirl has a sweet scent of spearmint, vanilla and sweet orange essential oils. This soap and scent is one of my personal favorites! Now ON SALE in the Etsy Soap Shop until December 21, 2010.

Frankincense & Myrrh

The classic and timeless scent of Frankincense and Myrrh in a beautiful, swirled shea butter recipe! Now ON SALE in the Etsy Soap Shop until December 21, 2010. This scent is made with a combination of REAL frankincense and myrrh essential oils with added fragrance for staying power. 

Cedar Chest

 

 

 

Cedar Chest is another shea butter recipe that smells exactly like Grandmother's cedar chest. The scent is extremely soft and great for men and women! The soap is beautiful, snowy white with delicate swirls of spices. Topped with Copper Penny mica, Cedar Chest is gorgeous! Now ON SALE in the Etsy Soap Shop until December 21, 2010.

I believe that these three soaps are some of my best creations! 

All three are limited editions.

In Peace, Truth and Beauty......

Sagittarius Soap Giveaway on Facebook

Happy Birthday, Archers!

I am giving away one (1) FREE birthday soap to a lucky Sagittarius! And, generally speaking, being ruled by Jupiter, Sag is naturally lucky, optimistic and fun-loving.

So, in honor of all Archers, I am giving away a Lime Margarita with Sea Salt Soap Bar!

Please head over to my Facebook Fan Page! 

No International shipping with this offer.

Thank you!

Happy Birthday to all Sagittarius born!

Holiday Soap Listed!

Winter Forest Shea

Frankincense & Myrrh Shea

Candy Cane Swirl

All extremely moisturizing and lavishly scented! On sale now in the Etsy Shop!

"Celestial Shea Soap"

Isn't she lovely?

French Lavender, Vanilla, Tonka, Musk, Myrrh, Tuberose all wrapped up in a moisturizing raw, organic shea butter recipe.

Ultra Feminine!

Good Night, Sweet Princess

"Lullaby Shea Butter Soap"

New listing in Etsy Shop!
Creamy shea butter soap, scented with the natural aromatherapy of French lavender, Lemon Balm and Chamomile.
"Lullaby" - take me away....

In Love, Truth and Beauty

Scorpio Birthday Soap Giveaway

Three rules: 

1). Join my Fan Page on Facebook
2). Be a Scorpio
3). Be one of the first three to comment after the giveaway is officially announced

Get one of these...........

Sexy Scorpio Soap!!

In Love, Truth and Beauty....

Examples of 3 Different Soap Types

Here are examples of three different types of soap created in three different methods.

First up - "Night Queen", a cold process soap scented with the beautiful night-blooming jasmine! Note the silky texture in the body of the soap bar, as well as the textured top....this smooth finish, fine swirls and cake batter-like top is typically indicative of cold process soap.

"Oak Moss" is created in the hot process method. This soap is cooked in a crock pot, the oven or a stove top. Hot process soaps have a distinctive texture, somewhat waxy and usually rustic in appearance.

"Citrine-Topaz Gem Chunk" is created in a collage-like fashion from cut up and melted soap. This is referred to as melt and pour. This type of soapmaking is not considered to be 'made from scratch' like cold process and hot process, but it has certain advantages.

More to come in future blogs about the various methods of soapmaking!

Do you know what is in your soap dish?

In Love, Truth and Beauty ....

Allergies, Sinus and Rainy Weather....

...and a prod from my new Nephew-in-Law prompted the creation of this new soap!

Thieves in the Garden

Thieves in the Garden  is inspired by the famous essential oil blend, "4 Thieves". This blend is reputed to have helped combat the plague! It is also touted as possessing the ability to reduce bacteria, fungus, mildew and bacteria when diffused into the air!

I am not making such lofty claims for Thieves in the Garden, but it certainly seems to temporarily ease congestion and hay fever when used in a hot, steamy shower!

Triple-scented with eucalyptus essential oil, rosemary, clove, cinnamon and lots of other goodies, this Angelic Soap has loads of aromatic, spicy notes and is laced with eucalyptus leaves and studded with cloves.

I think it looks like the French cave paintings at Lascaux! I love those paintings!

Invigorating!!!!

Be well.....

.....in Love, Truth and Beauty

Soap Giveaway!

Head on over to my fellow Texan's blog for an opportunity to win three (3!) of her gorgeous soaps! 

Here is the link:
http://www.tierraverdesoaps.com/
Simply follow the instructions for a chance to win.
Personally, I have been lusting after several of Tierra Verde's soaps for quite some time. I hope that I win!

New Fall Soaps

Sweetgrass-Cedar-Sage

Oak Moss Castile-Type Hot Process

Hope Chest

 

In Love, Truth and Beauty...

Rosewater Complexion Soap

Formulated in the ancient Ayurvedic tradition from a closely guarded recipe, I have posted two new Rosewater soaps in the shop. For those readers familiar with Ayurveda, these bars will be recognized as Pitta-pacifying cleansers.

There is a creamy smooth bar and a mildly exfoliating type laced with ground almonds and orange zest.

Here is the smooth Rosewater Bar:

 

Here is the mildly scrubby Rosewater bar:

The Rosewater Cleansing Bars are made in the hot process method and contain cooling ingredients. I have found that this soap performs beautifully on my delicate, sensitive skin.

In Love and Beauty....