Monthly Contest -name this soap!

A little birdie gave me an idea today. I love it. I'm so bad at coming up with creative names for my soaps (they tend to be called whatever they are - lemongrass, patchouli, cranberry fig, etc.), which tends to be boring. Now how can you have a beautiful artisan soap with a boring name?

So let's start this off - I'm looking for a name that is "winter" themed, and fits this vanilla soap:



So - want to win a bar of this soap? Name it! The best name submitted to me wins a bar of this wonderfully sweet vanilla and cocoa butter soap. It has 24k gold sprinkled on top, too!

Happy naming!

New Stuff!

Sorry I have been so lax in posting since vacation was over. I've been busy busy busy. Here's a pic of a 2 color swirl I did in Cucumber Melon - now ready! The swirling I did with Leann really paid off.



I am so psyched for a coupon I have coming out next week in the newspaper. And I've finally finished my brochures (coupon also in there)!

Body butters are now going to be available in the shop, too. So far, I only made Cherry Limeade and Island Vanilla, but this week I will be making some more wonderful winter scents. There is nothing like the feel of freshly whipped mango butter with virgin coconut oil for those dry winter scaly hands! We all wash our hands a lot more during cold season, and even with moisturizing handmade soap, you still dry out your skin from the hot water, towel rubbing, etc.

So let me get out to the shop and start on those butters. You all have a great day~!

Peace and bubbles...... 'tis the season!

Vacation is officially OVER - 10/19/10

OK - so my last blog had the dates completely messed up. That's what happens when you are deprived from making soap and chomping at the bit to use a newly-learned skill (in my case swirling soap in the mold - I had previously only done "in-the-pot" swirling).

To end the journey, we went back to Lance and Barb's house - in OKCY. The "girls" (that's what I call my dogs Missy and Lucy) were ecstatic to see us. Why? I don't know - they got more treats and people food than I've ever given them. Both had gained weight. We thought when we dropped them off that Missy (the food hog) would be 80 pounds and Lucy (the food snob) would be a walking skeleton. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even Lucy had a paunch. I'm glad they enjoyed themselves. Evidently, people food and treats weren't enough, though - I was told that they tried to eat the cat. Oops. I won't tell you what Missy ate (hint: cat's produce it).

So back home to Checotah we went on Sunday. We stayed out WAY too late watching the OU game to attempt packing the dogs and everything back into the truck and heading back on Saturday night.

Upon arrival, 2.5 hours later - exhausted and relieved at the same time - Bullet discovered he forgot his golf clubs, so yesterday he went BACK to OKCY to fetch them (and of course play a round).

Today, Tuesday, I am finally back 100% and will be taking pictures to complete the newly-designed website. It is up for production, but this website is very different from the last one - you actually get to see pictures of each individual soap.

So - off to work on my pictures now!

Peace and bubbles....... and now swirling!

Vacation News - day 10 - Oct. 17, 10

The end is here - I think I'm starting to get my days mixed up. We left Keith & Judy's home Saturday morning and went to Leann's. We arrived at Leann's yesterday and after doing the video continued on to finish up in Sullivan, Missouri for an overnight rest. Bullet sure does drive a long time while I nap. I am really catching up on my sleep!

So let's talk about food. Yum. We've eaten at a lot of restaurants along the way - some new to us, some old favorites. So here are just a few of my observations:

Abuelo's "Mexican Embassy" - does that make the Manager of the restaurant an embassador??? The marketing of these restaurants is amusing, but the food is fantastic.

and...

PJ Chang's "Chinese Bistro" - Aren't bistros French? This one baffled me, but it was absolutely delicious! I finally got Bullet to eat Chinese food (and yes, he enjoyed it).

Now..... if you want to eat a HUGE omelet, go to Nick's, in Toledo, OH. This isn't a chain. It's a one-and-only. Seven (yes, 7) eggs go into this omelet. Then, if that isn't enough, they add every single thing on the breakfast menu INTO this omelet. It's absolutely HUGE, and none of us were brave enough to tackle it. But I could see a family of oh, say, 10 people sharing it!

Enough of food talk - time to move on to get back to Oklahoma.

Peace & bubbles.... and napping is good, too!

Vacation News - day 9 - Oct. 15, 10

Friday - We left Keith & Judy's home to trek back home. Stopped in again at Leann's in Gillespie, IL to learn to be a swirlmaster. Definitely going to continue this fantastic procedure in the future, as it seems to be completely foolproof (hence, I can do it - haha).

You can see the video of how we did it here: http://www.youtube.com/user/LeaWildSense

The picture above is the swirl I did!

I'm gonna love swirling now.... it is no longer a chore.

Peace...... and bubbles!

Vacation News - day 7 - Oct. 14, 10

Happy birthday to Lance! Don't know if you're reading this or not, but congratulations on winning your bet! Lance just won $500 for losing 30 pounds in 30 days. Wow. I'd love to lose even HALF of that in that amount of time.
: )

Today we spent with Judy and Hannah. Had lunch at City BBQ with everyone (took Jeremiah and Keith out of school). Delicious!

We went to Hidden Valley Farm and bought some NATURAL, unsweetened REAL cider and apples. Yummy! Makes me think I need to make some apple cinnamon soap when I get back. I just ADORE the Autumn season and all of the scents and activities that go with it.

Here's a pic of Bullet and Hannah (and her caramel apple).

Vacation News - day 6 - Oct. 13, 10

OK - so Bullet's BIL finally moved her car so we could move on to the next leg of our journey - to visit Keith (one of Bullet's sons) and Judy (Keith's wife, not Bullet's sister). They just moved from Germany to Centerville, OH - has to be culture shock for sure (especially when you consider that we actually have a speed limit here).
: )

It's Wednesday afternoon - what an easy drive (oh, ok - I slept, but it didn't rain, which is what we were expecting), and we arrive to their brand-new home. Very nice - lots of space and techno stuff! And I have access to the web, so I can get caught up on some updating.


Peace and bubbles!

Vacation News - day 3 - Oct. 10, 10

Yes! It IS 10/10/10 - a unique number combination as far as dates go. Sunday morning we leave Gillespie and travel up to Toledo, where Bullet's sister (Judy) and brother-in-law (Joe) reside. They just purchased this new home in a retirement community, even though they aren't yet 55 years old. Must be nice!

So we arrive Sunday night. What a wonderful, warm home. And of course Judy and Joe have to keep us full to the gills the entire time we're there (I understand that Judy is STILL full). They attempted to bribe us to purchase a home there by offering a brand new riding mower (I'm told it's the "Benford" model), but we are now rooted in Checotah. My little soap shack is getting customers, and we have other places to stop and visit.

BTW, Judy loved her antique lilac body spray I made and labeled just for her.

Off to Keith & Judy's on Wednesday....... stay tuned.

Vacation News - day 2 - Oct. 9, 10

Saturday was spent driving from Oklahoma to Gillespie, IL, where we visited with Leann and her family. I spent the day sleeping, in other words (I am the world's WORST travel companion, as I sleep the moment the vehicle is in motion).

Leann's home is beautiful - just as I pictured it - in a nice, quiet residential neighborhood. Her family welcomed us with open arms and we had a delicious meal out at a local Mexican-American restaurant and returned to her home for gourmet coffee and great conversation.

We are definitely stopping in on the way home to make some of her gorgeous swirled soap!

Vacation News - the start - Oct. 8, 10

OK, so I'm tardy in posting about the vacation. Admittedly, I was VERY apprehensive about leaving my shop and dogs, but thanks to Lance and Barb for watching the dogs, and thanks to Uncle Bernie and Phil for watching the shop/house!


So we left on Friday, October 8, to bring the girls (see pics attached) to Lance and Barb. Lucy (the white one) is a very picky eater, and I think Missy (the tan one) might have left a few "presents" in the house, so they will be getting a special thank you when we return to fetch them.

We left on Saturday morning to trek up north - to Ohio, through Leann's home in Illinois. Gotta publish this now - we are off to go to the apple orchard.

Peace & bubbles!

Website Update!

I am SO happy with the changes that have taken place on my website. You can get their via www.pittstownsoapworks.com (the old way) or the new name of www.oklahomahandmadesoap.com - and it looks FABULOUS. Thank you, Lils & Denise for everything! I love it!

When I get back from vacation I am going to finish putting up the pictures and descriptions to complete it.

New Website Coming

Wow - have you ever had a website and had a less than perfect experience? For years I've had the same website - not a great webmaster (basically non-existent) and now he decides to bill me for the past 3 years (excessively, I might add - who pays $300 a year for hosting)? What the heck is THAT all about? Anywho...... stay tuned, folks, for a great NEW website - I've secured www.oklahomahandmadesoap.com and have a very talented team working on it as I type! So pittstownsoapworks.com doesn't work right now - it's going to be pointed to the new one VERY soon (hello? Godaddy? You out there? Let's move a little faster, eh?).

Getting ready to go visiting a few folks starting tomorrow..... will try to put the adventure on here for you guys reading.

Peace....... and bubbles.

Article Published!!!

I'm very excited about the newspaper articles, as published in 2 local newspapers here: McIntosh County Democrat and The Eufaula Indian Journal (written by Donna Pearce, Managing Editor) on Thursday, September 16, 2010.

Here is the article - I hope everyone is able to read it - my scanner isn't the best.

Newspaper Story Update

Well, I heard back from Donna (the Managing Editor). The article about my shop was going to be published in today's newspapers, but because of a 1,000 acre wildfire and a fatal boat crash over the weekend it had to be bumped until next Thursday. Bummer, but that news absolutely had to be sent out, so I completely understand. I'll post an update next week after my story is published.

On a more positive note, the coconut vanilla batch of soap I made smells just absolutely sinful - both vanilla AND coconut are prevalent at any given time you sniff it. I'm having a dickens of a time naming it. If anyone would like to make suggestions, if I end up using yours for it, you'll "win" a bar of it for free! Ideally, I'm looking for a Fall-themed name.

Last Days of Summer.........essentially

Here in the USA this is the last "hoorah" of summer. Labor Day weekend. It means the last barbecues of the year..... the last of the outdoor parties...... pools close for the season..... kids are back in school.

I've always love the season of Autumn (Fall, some call it) back in New Jersey. Here in Oklahoma the changing of the season doesn't seem to mean as much, and I do miss that. I love the colors of the leaves changing, the coolness of the air, the crisp mornings and early evenings.

I'm trying to capture that essence in some new scents I'm working on with blending my own, as well as some old favorites.

No picture in today's blog - I'll leave you thinking about dragon's blood, twilight, patchouli blends, spicy things. Pumpkins..... nutmeg..... cinnamon. Enjoy the coolness.

Press Release!

Newsworthy? A local paper seems to think so. The Managing Editor of our local papers here in Eufaula and Checotah will be here Friday morning to interview me and take pics of me "in action" making soap. I will post an update after she is finished and there is an actual article to read. I'm so excited about this! Thank you to my loyal customers!

A few new Fall items!

OK - so here I am trying this again - twice in one year. Wow.

I made a few soaps for the fall season - getting a good head start. Also a few new candle scents (gingerbread and winter solstice). Both are AWESOME and I'm tempted to keep them, but this IS a business.

Here they are - the soaps: gingerbread and vanilla - I need a good name for the vanilla one, so if anyone's got some ideas I'd appreciate the suggestions!




Thanks for reading and enjoy the pics!
Cindy

My Shop

It's so easy to get to the shop - just take I-40 (from either direction) to exit 270 and go south 10 miles. We are on the left - above picture shows the sign that is not easy to miss! Hope to see you soon!

Pittstown Soapworks

Hello, and welcome to Pittstown Soapworks! In addition to bar soap, we also make liquid soap, natural wax (soy/beeswax) candles, and incense. We use only the highest quality oils, butters, waxes, and fragrances.

I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to you for your interest in my all-natural products. I have always been a self-proclaimed "soap snob" and love to use luxurious scented soaps. I began my soapmaking obsession with just basic recipes and later branched out to the more "fancy" soaps and essential oils.

Natural soap is good for your skin, fun to use, and all natural. Our soaps are made in small batches and tested on only family and friends (not animals) for both sensitivity and aesthetics. We use ONLY the highest quality oils and scents. While the bulk of our soaps are vegan (no animal products used), we also offer some soaps (clearly indicated) using goat milk and honey. We never use any oils that come from the hurting or death of an animal, and it takes a MINIMUM of 3-4 weeks for each batch to be "ready" for use. In fact, many of our soaps cure for over a year, ensuring that they are both extremely gentle to the skin AND outlast soaps commercially made or those that don't allow as much time for the curing process. Because our soap is individually made in small batches, there can be slight differences in color, shape and texture.

If there is a particular combination of formula/scent that you do not see listed and would like to try, I will make a custom batch, just for your specifications. I love a challenge!

Every order is 100% guaranteed. If, for any reason, you are not satisfied, you are guaranteed a full refund.

Thank you for taking the time to read about us! Enjoy!

If you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to contact us.
http://www.pittstownsoapworks.com

Cindy