I have just made my first Cold Process soap. As you can see, I do not have a very steady pouring hand.
It is for a new range of soaps which have Babassu oil and silk added for that extra touch of luxury. It is a slightly more delicate process than Hot Process in that you have to take notice of the oil temperatures. I will be really interested to see how it turns out. The problem is that I have no patience and I have to wait weeks to be able to use it.
Talking about cold, I have just seen the weather forecast and there is a cold wind blowing our way later in the week. With it comes the first snows of winter, not here luckily, but I don't do cold very well at all.
Another Fair over. It took place at old Christ Church, a beautiful venue, if a little chilly at this time of year. I was lucky as my stall was near enough to a heater so that I did not develop hypothermia.
My best seller by far was the Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh limited edition soap. Perhaps the combination of the time of year and the fact that we were in a Church helped.
As it was Christmas, I decided on a different look for my "props" and went on a spending spree (feeble excuse I know). I decided on the dramatic, and bought some lovely masks. The problem with them though is that more people fondled the props than wanted to buy and if anyone else had picked them up, I would have screamed!
Last night, I made my first face cream. I used someone else's recipe in terms of quantities just so that I could understand the process. Although the texture is a bit light and moussy, I love the feel of it on my face. It is lovely and moisturising.
I am going to see what the texture is like in a week or so and I need to sit and think about texture and how I make it a little thicker for use as a hand cream. As a first pass though I am rather pleased with myself.
My head is buzzing with ideas for new products for next year. I am slowly whittling down those ideas and researching oils etc, so that I can start to work on the products and packaging. I am really excited by the direction I have decided to take this area of the business.
The products will be different to those I make now, and are aimed at a different target market. The packaging is going to be the usual pain to source, although I have a vague idea of what I want.
All will be revealed as and when I have finalised a product - so watch this space!
The clocks go back this weekend, so in theory that means an extra hour in bed. In reality, for me it won't. Cats do not go by the time on the clock, and no doubt I will have some furry little ratbag dancing all over me because it wants its breakfast. I am off work on Monday and Tuesday of next week, so I want to get everything ready for the craft fair on 13th and then it won't be too much of a rush, assuming all goes to plan, and it has not today.
I was trying to print off the cigar bands for the limited edition Christmas soap, and spent most of the afternoon fighting with and swearing at the printer, which has now decided that it does not like the card I am using. Trouble is that I have used the card before with no problems so why it won't go through now is a complete mystery.
I hate technology!
I have to tweak the label slightly but this is the almost finished article. Gold (from mica), Frankincense and Myrrh limited edition Christmas soap.
Christmas is rapidly approaching and in preparation, I have made a new limited edition soap. Fragranced with Frankincense and Myrrh essential oils, with a touch of mica for colour this soap will be available for sale shortly on www.scent-trail.co.uk
I am delighted to announce that last Friday, Scent Trail won the Sefton Womens Business Network "Mother Earth" Award for the most eco friendly business. (http://www.swbn.co.uk/).
This was the first year of the awards, so I am especially proud to have won the inaugural award. The SWBN is a networking organisation aimed at helping and supporting women start and grow their businesses.
.JPG)
