August finds me gardening. I was going to say weeding, but, it is so much more than that here at the new Cottage. I am a stone mason, an irrigation specialist, a landscape designer and more--only I am not expert at any of those things. I am at best a beginner--but I am learning every minute I am out in the yard. And best yet, I am loving every moment! Rod arrives with the first load from Florida tomorrow. I wonder how much of what I packed to come up here a month ago I will now find that I can live without!?!
A couple notes, one very, very sad. My mold and soap cutter maker, Willard Larson, died at age 94 last week. He was my sister's father-in-law--but that only tells you a fraction of the story of who this wonderful man was. Known as the Cross Man, a master carpenter who was in the union for 70 years, a founding member of his church here in Rockford, Illinois and a navy vet who served in WWII and Korea--he was the kindest, most faithful man. Being able to attend his funeral was a life affirming event. A few of his grandkids and a son-in-law memorialized him...and many tears were shed. Godspeed, Willard! More about Willard here.
Also, for any of you having trouble reaching me on my cellphone, I apologize. The stone cottage is not allowing me to use the cell in the house and my text messages are being delivered only when I leave the house. (This means when I remember to take it with me as I am getting in the car--and since I am in Illinois and I can't use the phone in the car without a hand's free device--which is in he house on the counter usually--or not charged up--anyhow, you see where this is going!!!) Please use the house number and leave a message if I am not here. That number is (815) 708-7200. It rings in the house, the soap factory and the shop--and I can hear it if I am in the back yard, too!
Be sure to look around the blog if you want to see what else I have been up to last month! I have lots of pictures to post.
Show Schedule
August /September 2014
2-3
2-3
9-10 Mendota IL Corn Festival
16-17 Lake Geneva WI Venetian Art Festival
23-24
30- Sept 1 Septemberfest Schaumburg IL
Industry News
Have you heard how professional tasters categorize things? There are hundreds of categories, but, basically you can set them into five basic tastes: Sweet, Sour, Salty, Bitter and Umami (a Japanese word that means savory). So now neuroscientists are doing the same thing for scent. They have settled all scents into TEN basic categories--keep in mind these odors are not all intended to be used in person care products:
1. Fragrant--like lavender, soapy, cologne
2. Woody/resinous--for example: cut grass, mushrooms
3. Minty/Peppermint--eucalyptus, camphor, tea leaves fall in here
4. Sweet
5. Chemical
6. Popcorn--has it's own category...LOL--but it includes butter, fried chicken like scents too.
7. Lemon
8. Fruity--non-citrus
9. Pungent--garlic, sour milk
10. Decayed--rotten meat, manure
I think we would have some interesting conversations about where in this spectrum things actually fall. You know my distaste for Patchouli which I would put in the last category--decayed. My sister would certainly put it in the Woody category. What do you think about these categories?
Company News
At the Mount Horeb Art Fair a couple weeks ago, I again ran across Sue Koehler one of my favorite potters. I stocked up on a few of her gorgeous and functional soap dishes. If you are looking for a great gift--for yourself or a friend--think about one of these dishes with a great bar of shea butter soap sitting on top! I also have a green/blue/tan glaze and a tan/brown glaze dishes available. You can get them on the soap page here--above the page footer.
I had a batch of the Salt Detox soap go bonkers on me last week. I will be redoing that batch this weekend, hopefully, to get it ready for the shows coming up. I am not sure how it will do with the humidity in the new curing building. Cross fingers!
Soap Specials
Click here to get this month's special--a FREE soap with every six bar purchase of regular priced soaps. You can always get the special online, by clicking through the green leaf at the bottom of every page where you will be whisked to the Specials page. Spend a minute there--I also listed some shaving soap endpieces and a VERY limited supply of both the Split Personality and 100% Natural Split Personality soaps. Be sure to click on the button of whatever specials you are trying to take advantage of...I can't read your mind...if it's not clicked I can't do the special. But, if you forget something, you can always email me or call. Enjoy!!
Oh, and don't forget if you really need to stock up or want to split an order with a friend, you get free shipping to one address if you spend $50. Click here to go to the Specials page, click on the free shipping button and you are good to go!
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