Why oh why would I make soap?

Short history.  A friend that just started a B & B in Fredericksburg, TX posted on facebook that she was looking for someone who could make soap.  She preferred goats milk. Well, youtube was my best friend.  Unfortunately, that let me to the "Cold Pour" method.  That used lye with water and natural oils and....well.  I figured that was to caustic to make in my little apartment.

Courtesy of Brambleberry.com

As I was walking through a craft store, I asked if they had any soap making supplies.  Thus, I discovered melt and pour soap.   Not caustic and easy-ish to use.
On the shelf was the soap base, colors and a couple simple scents.  I wanted more natural stuff, but I wanted to see what it took to make the stuff.

My first soap.

I first made the soap for the B & B.  I used candy molds and made hand soap.  Then, I thought, "Hey, I could sell this."  So I got on my little lap top and made myself a label.  

I got assistance starting a website and here I am.  I have better molds and I can combine my colors much better now.
So, please check them out.  I think you will quite enjoy them and you will get softer skin and a squeaky clean. I know because I showered with one of my bars of soap today.

If you would like to know anything, I welcome your questions.

thank you,
Shane

Have to remember the little soaps...

I've been so excited about my new Christmas molds, I almost forgot about making Shane's Simple Soaps regular soap bars.  The soaps ranging from strawberry-banana to lime and the spa bar scented with lemon and eucalyptus essential oils.

Strawberry-banana soap.  Not edible!

Lemon eucalyptus spa bar!

I am making more soap to sell in a craft show at my church (Harborside Christian Church) and to set up a table at the Oldsmar Flea Market.  It is difficult to pick what soaps people will like.  It is a delicate balance of making what they want and having too much of a variety.  Being a fledgling business, I am still discovering what that balance is.

My table at the Oldsmar Flea Market (My car in the back)

I thank you for keeping up with what I am doing and checking out my product.  I only use the highest quality ingredients and run my business with integrity.

Sincerely,
Shane

Essential Oils

What are essential oils?    An essential oil is a liquid that is generally distilled (most frequently by steam or water) from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant. Essential oils, contrary to the use of the word "oil" are not really oily-feeling at all. Most essential oils are clear, but some oils such as patchouli, orange and lemongrass are amber or yellow in color.  http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/whatare.asp 


What are fragrance oils? Essential oils are natural and contain the true aromatic essence and other naturally beneficial properties of the plant the essential oil was distilled from. Where essential oils contain only the distilled essence of a plant, perfume and fragrance oils are artificially created fragrances, contain artificial substances or are diluted with carrier oils and do not offer the caliber of therapeutic benefits that essential oils offer.  http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/whatfrag.asp


What do we use in Shane's Simple Soaps?  We use both.  I am starting to move more towards the essential oils, but the soaps like, say, banana-strawberry, cannot be scented with essential oils due to the fact that you cannot extract oils from either a banana or strawberry.  
The choice is yours.  
The fragrance oils I purchase are from a very trusted supplier that supplied to several other soap companies.  I will list them all in a future blog.  The list will be long!!
My Christmas soaps will ONLY have essential oils in them.  Am lending to a more natural and fragrant holiday!!
Thank you for your time and keep clean!!
Shane
shanessimplesoaps.com 

Not too early for Christmas Soap!

The Christmas Season is approaching fast.  Several stores are already putting out their Christmas items out.  I usually don't like it when they do that, but I am so excited about my molds, colors and Christmas scents that I can't keep from putting them out there.  Also, putting these out helps with planning for possible gift baskets.  

My first offering is my Christmas Gift soap.  It is more appropriately named than you might think.  Scented with various Christmas aromas.  Make sure you use the soap, though!  

Dove soap.  No, it isn't THAT soap.  It is a 3 oz bar meticulously colored.  The green olive branch is made with olive oil soap.  The rest of the bar is made with goat milk soap for peaceful, soft skin.

Christmas tree ornament.  Scented with Pine Needle essential oil.  How many soaps do you know of can be used as a Christmas ornament.  After you use the soap, you get a permanent ornament to use.  Exciting, huh!!

Gingerbread Person. As you might guess, this 3.5 oz little guy is ready for the season.  Scented with gingerbread and made of goat milk and olive oil soap bases.  The most details I've ever dealt with.  Remember, you can't eat them, but they will make your hands feel awesome after you use them.

So, what do you think?  Ready for planning.  I am excited to be able to hand craft these awesome soaps for you!!
Shane
shanessimplesoaps.com