It's been a while...but I have some amazing news!!

Hello lovely people, how are you?

I'm ashamed to say it's been quite a while since my last update, I hope you will forgive me.

We're well into 2016 now and I finally feel almost settled into the year. I had quite a rocky start and was very unsure what direction my business should take going forward. I've suffered quite a bit from exhaustion and insecurity surrounding my business but I finally feel I have a path to follow now, it's been quite a journey!

I have spent the last few months building up stock and getting back out there to a whole host of new events and exciting venues including a pop up artists showcase in a city centre railway station, a music and exhibition venue in Barnard Castle (Co. Durham) and a well renound, historic green space in the centre of Newcastle. These have all been quite an adventure but are proving to be great spaces to sell my soap...who knew! (see my events page for the where's and when's for the next few months).

Along with trialling higher profile events and venues, I've been working on raising the barre on social media too, I've noticed there seems to be a shift towards revealing a bit more behind the scenes in a small business enabling the customer to make an emotional bond with the maker and their products because they can see the time, dedication and skills involved in creating a product, so ...despite crippling cameraphobic shyness, I've been making some little 'behind the scenes 'videos. These show little snippets from my studio, my processes, and snapshots of my events and fellow makers who attend these too. I hope I'll be brave enough soon to do a 'straight to camera' one soon...not making any promises though ;).

You can find these on my new You Tube channel, my most recent one is below.
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I'd love it if you watched them subscribed to my channel and shared them, I promise I won't overload you x.


In other news....I have a NEW STUDIO!!! Sorry to shout but I'm so excited as I've needed more room for the best part of two years. I've only moved next door but I now have much more space to make, store and even have room for a little shop area too. It's still a bit of a work in progress but this is how it looks.

Looking in from the door.

My little shop and display area.

And finally, I'd like to let you know about two fabulous new stockists who are selling my wares, first up 'Peacock Blues' in Haltwhistle, a lovely little rural town almost at the border of Northumberland and Cumbria. They are based at the 'Whistle Art Stop' just off the high street. The lovely Sarah who runs the shop and exhibition space also hosts furniture restoration workshops, every time I visit I want to 'rehome' her lovely custom pieces.

My other new stockist is the beautiful 'Corbridge Larder'. They stock oodles of locally produced foods and goods, and also have a super little cafe upstairs, the cake is to die for!

Don't forget to sign up to my newsletter for regular updates, exclusive special offers and flash sales throughout the year. 

http://www.oakwoodsoaperie.co.uk/page_3203540.html

Also, take a peek at the UK Handmade Summer Showcase...two of my soaps were selected from a whole host ok UK maker's products...I'm made up :)

I'll try not to leave it so long next time,

TTFN,

Ceri x

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Good morning and Happy November!

How did we get here already? 

Since my last post back in August, the new limited edition soaps and scarves have been launched and selling well, I've been delivering to new stockists Maison Royale in Darlington - stocking  beautiful homewares and work from local makers and artists, and I've even squeezed in a little holiday in the Lake District before it all gets too frantic.

These last few months I have also been busy busy busy making up some wonderfully festive soapy bathtime treats for the cold and damp wintery days ahead. Some products have been discontinued to allow time and space to bring these to you, I hope you like them. 

These are available now over on the website and make the ideal gifts for friends, loved ones or even a little treat for yourself. 

NEW for Autumn, 

Top Left - Solid Perfume oils made with pure plant butters, 

nourishing oils, our own Northumbrian honey and beeswax

 and high grade essential oils.

Top Right - Mini Bath Salt Shots gift box. Use them 

individually or cocktail them together for fragrance, 

skin toning and muscle relaxation.

Bottom Left - Triple Whipped Body butters and Exfoliating Sugar Scrubs.

Rich and buttery and incredibly softening and moisturising, 

these are perfect for scrubbing up winter skin in time for party season.

Bottom Right - Luxurious Lip Butters.

Flavoured with essential oils blended with rich, plant butters, 

oils our own honey and beeswax to keep lips soft and kissable all winter.

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My Christmas range is also available now on the website, and in my Etsy and Folksy shops too.

Numbers are limited but the website and online shops so to be sure you can get what you need, place your orders in good time. I have a range of delivery options available to chose at checkout, you can even collect from one of my Christmas events if you are local to the North East.

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With the introduction of the 5p charge for shopping bags back in October in the UK, I've seen sales of my hand printed eco-shoppers soar, They are 100% cotton, and hand screen printed by a friend of mine who has her own design company 'Stitch in Tyne'. They are tough and durable and can hold all your Christmas shopping. Get yours today.

Keep your eyes peeled for a sprinkling of festive special offers being launched on the website and online shops very soon. Find out about them by signing up to my e-mail newsletter, or following me over on Facebook or Twitter - Thank you x

Anyhoo, I think that's about it for news, so I'm taking the opportunity for a few hours rest and relaxation before a very busy 3 days of Christmas fairs this weekend, and every weekend right up to the BIG DAY!! 

I guess I'd better start making my own Christmas lists too, can't forget about that!

Until next time, TTFN

Ceri

xx

A touch of eco luxury in some gorgeous new products.

Hello August,

Time is absolutely flying here at OSHQ, I can't believe were in mid August already! I think I'm making myself just too busy as the days are whipping by!! I blinked and the fields have filled with huge golden bales, the swallows are circling ready to start their epic journeys south, and the evenings are gradually darkening earlier...note to self to slow down....I never learn!

I've been busying away behind the scenes with so many new elements to my soap business this year including new logo's, labels, Limited Edition, luxurious soaps and a new exciting sideline project...more on that in a bit.

I'd like to show you a little peek at a few in the new range of soaps if I may...I've listed them on the website already, but they will become available to buy at the end of August, I hope you like them.

Rose Madder Limited edition soap with silk and rose oil

Herb Patch Limited Edition soap with earth and clay

Gone Adventuring Limited Edition soap with eucalyptus.

Wild Meadow Limited edition soap with floral oils.

I've really pushed myself technically with these beauties, employing new techniques, new blends of essential oils, plant oils and luxury ingredients, all of which come with their own challenges in the soap making process. Thankfully everything seems to have worked and I'm delighted with the results, I hope you are too.


My other project that I've been working on in my spare time (what's that??) is my capsule range of Eco printed silk scarves. Back in my student days, I studies Textiles and Fashion design at Northumbria Univeristy, Textiles have always been a bit of a love of mine but a very neglected one I'm afraid. Earlier this year I decided to change all that and bring it back. I've been really enjoying researching and experimenting with plant materials, flower petals and various techniques of printing and treating the silk to achieve some really lovely effects.

Clary sage flowers

Ferns and flowers

Blackberry and Privet leaves

Eucalyptus leaves and Crocosmia flowers

Dogwood Bark

I cannot replicate the results so this makes each one totally unique and one of a kind. It's a delight to see each bundle come out of the dye pot and unravel it to reveal the often beautiful results achieved on the cloth.

As the years pass, I find myself seeking out one off, beautiful, handmade items more and more. I'm really happy with how these have turned out, and knowing that no one else will have one makes them feel extra special.

They are available to buy now over on my website, enjoy browsing x

http://www.oakwoodsoaperie.co.uk/oakwoodsoaperieshop/cat_988477-Ecoprinted-Silk-Scarves.html

Well, I think that's about it for now...happy August...I hope to enjoy a bit of what's left.

TTFN,

Ceri
xx