Fun with Gift Baskets

I had so much fun getting creative with our gift baskets this year. For some of my family members, I made up these collections based on things they liked. My favorite was the gorgeous sunflower bundt pan DH found for my MIL (who loves to bake). The soaps and sponge looked so pretty all wrapped up in the cake pan.

I loved some of the dishes we found so much that I bought as many as were avaliable in order to make more of these lovely gifts next year.

The last of my gingerbread and snowmen soaps fit in nicely as little fillers. I might do them again next year; they sure were cute!

I loved watching my family open their soap gifts; they could smell the soaps as soon as the paper was off, even before opening the boxes and were excited to see which soaps I had put in for them. :)

The company did very well through the holidays. Best sellers this month were: The Variety gift collection, the Jumble, Cold Hard Steel, M-81, and Sweet Dreams. Be watching the site for the tart 'Winter Grapefruit' to make a limited appearance; it was a huge hit when I first offered it so I am bringing it back for the rest of the season. Needs another week or so on the curing rack and then be sure to get one while you can! :)

Making room

There's been a lot of soap turn-over around here lately, and in order to have storage room to exercise my creative muscles I've got to clear out some spare soaps. Check out the 'Clearance Products' listed on my site, there's a bunch of new ones I added today! There's still time to order for Christmas; Priority Mail takes 2-3 days and I can usually get your order out within 24 hours.


Several people have commented that these Bundle Soaps make great stocking stuffers and teacher gifts.


An older customer purchased 2 Jumbles recently because she likes to have a big selection on hand for gifts whenever she needs. She told me, 'At my age, you've given out every handmade item you can think of! All my friends already have jars of jam and knitted washcloths. But handmade soap? No one's done that one!'.


Make sure you take advantage of our free shipping offer for orders over $30 by using the code 'holidays09' at checkout, and Happy Holidays!

Avoiding the drag lines

So, this took me a while to figure out when I started making soap and as I was getting ready to cut this re-stock Serenity this morning, thought I should post this little tip in case a new soaper out there was struggling with this problem as I did.

If you add 'toppings' to your soap (good ones are lavender, oatmeal, rosebuds, petals, etc.), I've had the best success with adding them right after pouring the soap and texturing the top. This way, it's set up enough to support the toppings, and since it's wet, most of what you add will stick.

When it comes time to cut your soap, if you turn the log on it's side instead of leaving it rightside up, you can avoid 'dragging' your toppings through the soft soap. Just slice it on its side and you'll be fine! No drag lines.

Something new, just beacause....

I've been super busy the last couple weeks! Soap has been flying off the shelf and I've been at the post office more days then not.

I've been alternating wrapping packages to go out and making re-stock soaps. I needed to take a break and make something new, since I haven't done something new for a long time! This soap was a happy surprise, after I sweated over what color it would end up being. I had in mind a blue and green swirl with a white top, but after I added the color (a new brand to me) the 'blue' looked to be a purple-gray color and I was too scared to try the green. I just swirled the gray with the white and did the top white as I had planned, and crossed my fingers that the gray would lean more towards purple after it gelled.....fast forward 12 hours....I couldn't believe the color when I cut it! It turned out a vibrant blue. I wish I had gone ahead and added the green, but oh well. I like the way it turned out and the fragrance is wonderful. It's a bit floral/ citrus and bright, clean and fresh.

Custom Christmas

It's too late for your own Custom Christmas, but next year keep it in mind 'round October and you too could give handcrafted soaps to your family with your last name stamped on it! I did 3 batches with two different last names (the wife's maiden name and their married name) and bundled the soaps simply so the soap would be the star. How awesome to use a soap made just for you with your own name on it!

Free Shipping Through December 31st

Gift quality handmade soap for Christmas this year. With lots to choose from for him and for her, this is a great time for gift purchasing, or to stock up on some for yourself. (Have you seen our Clearance Sale?)   

tvala's offering FREE Priority Mail shipping on all orders over $30. We ship within two business days (usually next day) so there is plenty of time to get your order in for Christmas. We wish you all a safe and happy holidays!

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