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

Big News...part #1

             Well, here we are on a wonderful wintry Saturday...the snow has been falling overnight and everything looks crisp and clean.
 As as follower of my little soap business, you will be aware that I make everything from my workroom at home, but this is all about to change...I've been packing up my home workshop today because on Monday I move into a new one!! Yippee!!

            I will still be making everything by hand, in small batches as ever but just in a new place. My new workshop is located on the beautiful Gibside Estate - a National Trust property near Rowlands Gill, right up  in the North East of England. It is part of the Garden Shed project in association with Gateshead Council which is supporting small, independent craft based businesses right here in the North East.

            My workshop will be located in their Grade 2 listed, converted stables block right in the heart of the estate surrounded by native woodland and wildlife. Here is a 'Before' photo, before my soap gubbins goes in...soo pretty!!

The Hayloft Door.

I'm sooo excited and very nervous to be moving but..... the lease is signed, insurance sorted, tonnes of soap made and wrapped....what reason would I have NOT to?

Wish me luck peeps.....bring on Moving in Monday....
I'll be sure to let you see some 'After' photo's too, please pop back soon...

TTFN xxxx

My New Spangly Soap Workshop - guided tour

Spring is underway and what better time to reveal my newly re-fitted workshop? It has taken a while but at long last, I now have a fully functioning and lovely (well, I think so) workspace to design, make and wrap all my lovely goodies just for you.

The Design Hub (well,  really just my desk ;)

I love to have inspiration at my fingertips so any beautiful things I find get put onto the heart rack, for reference later on. You can even see one of the lovely calendars I got made up at Christmas time perched to the side of my screen, birdie keeps a close eye on it for me so I don't forget which day it is!!

Storage, Storage, Storage!!

I now have tonnes of MUCH needed space to make, wrap and store everything, it's already filling up nicely. You can see my crates under the bench - these come to my regular craft fairs around the North East...spreading the Oakwood Soaperie lurve out there...I have space for 12 in total, I think this will do me for a while!!
The far side of the bench has an open cupboard for all my equipment and soap oils, better for easy access mid soaping. All my ingredients are over on the racks in the corner (don't look too close, they need a tidy!)  while this side is my wrapping and postage half...with doors to prevent the labels etc. getting all bits on them when I'm making goodies.
At the back are my new curing towers - I LOVE these, lots of space and good ventillation for curing soaps / drying bath bombs / bubble bars etc. Each basket easily holds around 40 bars...that's a lot of soap!!!

Online stock storage for Folksy, WowThankyou and my new Website

Here are my new shelf units too, when you order from one of my online shops or the website, this is where all your goodies have been waiting for you, ready to be re-homed. As well as the storage shelves above, I also have a space specially for larger orders and wholesale / retail allowing me to have everything in one place. It's much easier to see what I have now and what needs replenishing. I plan to get more stacking boxes to utilise the shelves a bit better but that is the easy part.

Well that's it, tour finished...I hope you have enjoyed a sneaky peek behind the doors at Oakwood Soaperie, it may be small but it's mine and I'm very proud to have done every bit myself, including laying a new floor, all the painting and sourcing and building all that storage. I think it's time for a nice cuppa and back to some soaping...thank you all for coming round :)

TTFN xxx