Melancholy

Just an Update

December was a busy month, it also gave me time to re-evaluate just how things are going at Hartley Soap, I was gearing up for the new year and shopping/restocking supplies I will need for the year.

I was amazed at how much the price of oils have gone up, close to 30% in the last 4 weeks and wonder just how high they will continue rise?

Retail soap pricing for years stayed around $1.00 per oz, but that has changed with the increased cost to make it, so I got to thinking, do I need to re-evaluate my retail pricing? After all I have checked out others in the same business and the prices are all over the board any where from $4.00 to $16.00 for a 5oz bar of soap. Yet my soap bars remain at $6.00 bar.

Now let me say we all use basically the same ingredients, but we may not have the overhead that others do or we are not able to purchase our oils in larger volume (Barrels), to cut cost.

I have the passion, desire and experience to create a top quality product, one that is better for your skin, and not a mass produced by some big factory and then sold by the "Big Box Stores” my soap is not  full of chemicals none of us can pronounce.  

Making and selling quality handmade soap used to be a small cottage industry, but that has change with the growing internet resources and market places to sell. While I don't think soap making is rocket science, I do think many people rush to market without a good understanding of what a good finished product is or should be.  


So when soap makers wonder why customers complain at the "high" price of handmade soap. some of what is out there isn't worth the price, especially this days when anyone can do it and not have a good understanding of the science behind it.

So when you find that Artisan Soap Maker that has years of experience and uses top quality ingredients and they just happen to knows her/his stuff let me just say it is worth every penny!  

Just ask my customers!

The Soap Kitchen

I have been busy playing in the studio and working on a limited edition of soaps -

I just love being creative and making soaps that are a little outside of the box!

Why Does Aromatherapy Work So Well?

Our brain develops memories with the aid of our five senses. When you relive a memory, you are remembering the things that you have seen, touched, heard, tasted and smelled. In this way, memories can be triggered by scent.

Aromatherapy can distract a person from their stress, induce positive memories or emotions or treat an emotional state. When aromatherapy is used in conjunction with massage, a bath or other aromatherapy treatment, the positive response of well- being and relaxation is even stronger. Aromatherapy is able to affect conscious thought and emotional reactions.

Aromatherapy affects other systems such as the hormonal or endocrine system, which in turn stimulates the nervous system. Stimulation of the hormonal system can influence stress levels, digestive system, circulatory system, insulin production and appetite. These are all powerful systems in our body that are affected by aromatherapy.

These are only a few of the positive effects from aromatherapy.

Whats New

I have been trying out some new fragrance oils and some new essential oil oil blends to see where I would like to take the next step in my small soap biz. There may be a whole new luxury line of soaps in the works real soon, so be sure to check back soon.

Tuscan Herb will be available soon in sample and the 6 oz bar size

Lime Soap will be available soon in sample and the 6 oz bar size

Mad Hatter Costume

My son asked for my assistance in creating a costume for a party, a friend of his is throwing,  he told me he thought that a Mad Hatter costume would be fun, so let the sewing and crafting begin.

Every thing is recycled or reused, the only purchase was the dye to color the clothes. Everything else I had in my studio of eclectic gatherings...

Off to work we went, dying the clothes green, taping the pants for the pin stripes once that was done we sprayed dye on them in a darker shade and grunged up the jacket as well, I sewed lace to the lapel and added a few trinkets and that part was done, very little sewing was involved and that mad me a happy camper.


The hat was fairly simple, for that we used poster board and an old cowboy hat, the material is from an old valance, the feathers are from an old duster we also made the hat pins and so on…… whala the made hatter! Over all it took us about a total of 4 hours not counting the dry time for the dye, and the costume was a big hit at the party.

    

      

What’s next, well before you know it,  Dragon Con will be here and I know what that means another costume lets just hope it’s not as tough as “Assassins’ Creeds” that we made last year!