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

Everything works better if it's unplugged for a bit...

Well we're half way through June already...how did that happen??
It's been a little while since I blogged apart from being really busy with lots of new ideas (more on that in a bit) I've been away on holiday...I know...what a cheek eh? We had such a fab time I thought I'd tell you a bit about it.

June the 7th was our 10th Wedding anniversary so we treated ourselves to a lovely little break away in the heart of the Lake District National Park. The weather was perfect, topping 20 ish degrees on 3 of the days. That's really good for Northern England in June!!

We really love to get out into the hills whenever we can, so we chose this little haven as we could do many high, hilly walks right from the door...no need for the car practically all week..bliss!

Our first few days were spent exploring the fells and mountains around the cottage, making it up onto the tops to climb 'The Knott', and walk along 'High Street' (the highest Roman Road in England at 2,718ft (828m). The views were spectacular from the summits, we could see the sea!!

We wanted to try lots of new things as it was a significant holiday for us, sooo....we pony trekked the next day...Minstrel and Misty our horses were lovely...so chilled out and ploddy along the forest tracks and paths around the centre. So much so it took a LOT of encouragement to get them to trot, cantering was out of the question..they were far more interested in the cow parsley (now named horse parsley) and greenery all around to consider anything like hard work, but to be honest that suited us down to the ground. Two hours of slow clip clopping was just what was needed. Sadly no photos as I left my camera in the car :(

We took the Steamer from Glenridding accross Ullswater the next day up to the lovely little village of Pooley Bridge at the Northern end where we stopped for a bite before taking the Steamer back to Howtown where we walked about 7 miles back along the shore line to Glenridding. The walk was amazing! It was quite a challenge with horsey stiff legs but we made it, and rewarded ourselves with a fab pub tea before heading back to the cottage.

The next day we really needed to give our legs a bit of a rest as we had big plans for later in the week. We'd noticed that there was a boat hire place nearby, and amongst the motorboats and yachts they had Canadian flat bottomed canoes...yup you guessed it...we HAD to give these a try too. After a somewhat ziggy zaggy start, and a few 'beaching' incidents, we kind of got the hang of it, ish. We wouldn't win any prizes, but the novelty of serving a packed lunch to my hubby on an oar will stick with me for some time. Ice cream was an essential component of the day as it was a bit of a scorcher, our arms and faces nicely browned by the end of the day.

By now it was the eve of our last full day so we headed home for a good sleep before the BIG one the next day...climbing Helvellyn (950m, 3120ft). It might not seem a big thing to most people but it was for us. I've climbed a few mountains in my youth, but not for a VERY long time so neither of us were sure we'd make it all the way to the top but we DID! It was truly spectacular up there, and those views!!. We played safe and took the zig zag route up avoiding Swirrel and Striding edge, two very steep sided, scrambly ridges leading to the summit. It took us a total of around 6 hours in all, but we felt very proud of ourselves!

We found our little home for the week on a super website called 'Heart of the Lakes'. It was part of a converted farmhouse nestled amongst the hilly surrounds near Brother's water in the tiny hamlet of Hartsop. Beautiful isn't it? We could have moved in without changing a thing!

This week, since we got back, has been pretty admin full, I've attended an event,  written an article about my soap business and my use of natural materials in my products for a high profile craft website, placed large orders for supplies and re-designed labels, all in preparation of a new, even more luxurious range of pure, natural soaps which I've been working on (more next month). The next few months will see quite a few changes to my range, some things will go, but lots of new things will come in, I'm so excited to begin to share them with you very soon. 

If you've got this far, well done and thank you for sticking with me ;)

Last but not least, this Sunday June 21st is Father's Day, so as not to let it pass by unnoticed, I'm offering a 15% discount in my online shops and website, Simply enter DAD15 at checkout to claim your discount. Offer is running in my Folksy and Etsy shops too. Happy Shopping :)

Until next time peeps
TTFN

Ceri xx

Flower moons, seedlings and special offers for you x

Happy May peeps!!

How are we all?

If you've checked in recently, you'll have seen that I'm a busy little bee in the garden(s), my own and my botanical plot at Gibside.

I'm determinedly making time for myself this year, regardless of how busy I am with Oakwood Soaperie. This year has started off incredibly well, with an amazing 5 new stockists around the region, more markets and trade events than I've ever attended in the early part of the year, an increase in online orders, and special custom wedding favours, so it's no surprise I'm feeling a little wiped out by it all already. It's fantastic to be kept so busy but I also feel it's more important than ever to look after myself as well, and not beat myself up over the occasional product being out of stock for a short period of time.

With this in mind, I'm trying to slow down and actually give myself the odd days off, doing what lifts my heart and re-energises me allowing me to really focus when I'm back in the studio. This includes walking, cycling, gardening and enjoying the outdoors, in all weathers, well I live in the North East of England, so the last bit is essential really!! I've never really been a sitting around kind of person anyway.

It was a Flower Moon or Milk Moon a few days ago, apparently the perfect time to sow seeds, so I did.

My home plot is now built and planted up with dwarf beans, heritage carrots, colourful beetroot, spuds and mange tout, I have rows of seedling pots on widow sills and this makes me very happy indeed knowing I'm making things grow and bringing new life into my urban town garden. Much as I'd dearly love a house on a hill somewhere in the wilds, it's not happening any time soon. But I've decided for now, to be content with what I DO have already, space to grow, feed us and bring more green into the world.

I've even made a little bee & bee for our winged friends too, do you like them?

Just because....I've made a special 15% discount offer over on my website, this applies to all orders, simply apply the code 'May15' at checkout for discount on your whole order, no minimum applies, runs until May 31st 23.59.

http://www.oakwoodsoaperie.co.uk/oakwoodsoaperieshop/

Happy sunny May people, get out there and enjoy your green spaces, be them your own or a shared space, slow down, feel the green grass beneath your toes, and the sun on your face, dig your fingers into the soil and smell it's sweetness, feel new life awakening...get out there and live it!!

'Anyone's life truly lived consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit.' Lillie Langtry

Till next time,

Love, Ceri

xx