Big News...Pt # 2

Hi Folks :)

       Well, we're all moved in to my new workshop at the Stables on the Gibside Estate - a beautiful National Trust property right up here in the North East ... HURRAH!!... I'm waiting in for some lovely and huge deliveries today...1 down...2 more to go...soooo I thought I'd let you see some more pictures from around my lovely new workshop....would you like that?

This is my new commute....see what you think...

The Main Gate.

Lovely view of the Old hall...

Nearly there....

Lovely gnarly old tree on the walk up...

Side elevation of the Stables...my workshop is upstairs on the far left wing!!

My first Rosebud Bath Truffles made 'in-situ'

So...what do you think? I've a very happy bunny and can't wait until I get properly making goodies in there. I'll be posting more photo's of inside the workshop very soon so do pop back if you can.

TTFN xxx

Etsy Favourites

I think I've found a new addiction!
My new Etsy shop opened it's doors just the other day and I've been window(s) shopping some beautiful handmade goodies from around the world...

Below are a selection of my new 'wants'...it's all dreamland really as I'll have to sell a whole boatload of soap to justify treating myself to these..but there's no harm in looking.....is there?

Our New Website is about to launch.

Well I'm sorry it's been so long since my last posting...what can I say I've been a really busy lady. I have been re-fitting my workshop so I should soon have loads of new storage and surfaces to make heaps more lovely goodies. Once it's complete, I'll give you a guided tour by photo...just need a bench surface and I think we're done :)

I've also been building our own lovely website...I'm almost there, so there is a 'coming soon' and 'about us' page just for now, pop over for a sneak preview...www.oakwoodsoaperie.co.uk
 
I have a lot of wrapping and labelling to do but you will soon be able to buy direct from us...Yay!!
Lots of new products in the pipeline too, keep checking back with us over the next few weeks for new listings.

I am also hoping to open a couple of new online shops at 'Ethical Community' and 'Etsy' so it's all go here!

Well I s'pose I'd better get back to my melts setting up in the fridge and get another batch on the go...in the mean time, here are some images of new goodies to tempt you...Spring is in the air...I know it, bring on the sunshine!!

Autumn has landed!!

Gibside Farmers and Craft Market 1.10.11

        Well here we are in October...I can hardly believe it!!
It's been a little while so I though i'd let you all know what I've been up to lately...apart from making masses of Christmas goodies which will very soon be listed in my Folksy and WowThankyou shops (watch this space), I have been back to Gibside's farmers and craft market (near Rowland's Gill - Tyne and Wear)...I thought you might like to see.




        This time I brought with me some special one off Autumnal goodies, including Brambleberry Swirl soap and a bushel of Apple Bubble bars.

Brambleberry Swirl soap & Apple Bubble Bars

        A bit premature maybe but I also had my new Halloween goodies too, Pumpkin Spice soap and some wee Caspar Bubble bars (very limited numbers left, once they are gone, they are gone - exclusively to Gibside Market!!). Brambleberry and Turkish rose Madder soaps were the hit of the day, selling almost half of my stock of each (hurrah!!). These will be coming back next time (October 15th) as well, with some extra Halloween flourishes...there may be spooky bunting, maybe even the odd lighting up pumpkin or two...you'll have to pop along and see...

Pumpkin Spice soap & Caspar Bubble Bars.

        I took the opportunity to take a couple of pictures of the beautiful setting as well, beginning to look lovely and autumnal with the Horse Chestnut trees and season veg barrows.

Hopefully the weather will hold for next time...

Take care all, wrap up warm ;o)

TTFN xxx

Time for a spot of indulgence...

         Well, it's full steam ahead here at Oakwood Soaperie. I have been developing some all new recipies and re-vamping some not so new ones. As you may know I was revising the recipie for 'Buttered Rose soap' recently. I must say, I am delighted with the results so far.

Buttered rose - before...pale and interestingly floral

and now - Kapow!!  - in a new guise...

 

        
        I have been experimenting with a new ingredient for me...Madder root. this is traditionally used in dyeing fabric and wool but works very well in soaps too. Instead of infusing in the base oils, it goes straight in with the lye solution and turns it a vivid berry red...

Dried and ground madder root in lye solution.

          Once this has cooled, it gets filtered and mixed into the oils as normal. I had initially intended to make the red only as a swirl through the soap but loved the colour so much went for the whole bar.
I have also added a silkening ingredient in the form of Hydrolised Oats, a vegan alternative to tussah silk fibres, this should give the soap a gloriously soft feel and silky lather - I hope.
          I have also tweaked the essential oils too making them a slightly stronger and more exotic blend of Rose Geranium, Benzoin, Cardamom and black pepper, this mix is wonderfully aromatic, floral and spicey and a bit turkish delighty...my workshop smells divine. The change was such a big one I've also had to think up a new name...so, here we have, introducing her on her debut...

Turkish Rose Madder...I think I'm in love.

           After the success of this one, I also had a think about some new bath melts now that autumn is just around the corner. I have 2 new ones specially made for when the night start to draw in...Beddy Byes and Aahhh....
            Beddy Byes bath melt is specifically designed to pack in as many pampering and sleep inducing ingredients as possible, as well as being an indulgent treatment. It is crammed with cocoa and shea butter to moisturise and lock in the goodness (also one less step before you can collapse into bed), fragranced with calming and relaxing oils of Lavender, Sweet Orange and Tangerine to comfort and soothe. There is also a scoop of tapioca starch in there as this helps soften the water and give a silky feel to it and you. These just go straight into the bath where they melt and realease their magic.

Beddy Byes Bath Melt

   
        Aahhhh..... bath melt is named after the noise we all make on climbing into a well deserved bath. It is a little nugget of pure pampering wonder. The main ingredients again are cocoa and shea butter with a touch of bicarb for a gentle fizz and to help disperse the butters as well as a water softener. The essential oils are the same blend I have included in my Ylang, Sweet Orange and Patchouli Sugar Shower Scrubs. I love this combination and the fragrance lingers on your skin really well. I'm undecided as to whether I should paint the tops with gold mica for extra luxury...what do you think?

Aahhh...bath melt

Once you're in the bath you will have trouble getting back out - I speak from experience, this one is a keeper, I'm loving it.

Well, I have a tonne of soap to get wrapped, I'd better be off, I couldn't resist sharing these little lovelies with you...TTFN xx

Today's Makes

Well today I've been taking the opportunity to catch up on making for a bit. I have a string of regular craft fairs coming up and some things needed a top up. I thought you might like to see what I've been up to...

So, today I have made...

Orange Blossom Bubble bars.

 

 

 

Honey Buns soap with real Northumbrian Honey, coloured with tumeric.

Peppermint & Poppyseed, freshly poured and glossy.

Lavender & Clary Sage, coloured with Alkanet Root

Spiced Cinnamon Fig, coloured with cinnamon and cocoa powder, with poppy seeds for texture.

The soaps should all be fully cured and ready by the end of August, when they will be wrapped and labelled up ready for re-homing.

TTFN,

Phew what a busy day making goodies...

Well for some of us anyway. My 'helper' was good for nowt today, I had to everything myself! Todays makes include a new batches of specially requested 'St Clement's Bath Bombs', a huge loaf of 'Jasmine & Ylang ylang' soap, some Lavender & Chamomile' Cocoa Butter Bath melts and two variations of two new products...

'Lemon & Lime' & 'Jasmine, sweet orange and patchouli' solid sugar scrubs...
and 'Orange Blossom' and 'Sweet Pea' bubble bars. I can't decide if these will go in my Folksy shop or into my new 'WowThankyou' shop which has some exclusives...hmm what to do? Well I think I'd better get tea sorted as the cat is sitting on my keyboard making typing very tricky, I think this is a protest at not having any where near enough attention today.

Keep your eyes peeled as to where these goodies end up, don't worry, I'll let you know where and when, ta ta for now x