Busy busy!  I am working on the never ending project of rearranging this work room again today.  I get a little bit done every day in between batches of soaps and bars and candles and and and….

I made some small batches of massage tarts and some lotion bars today testing out different molding and packaging techniques…. as always, look forward to some changes in the product line!  I’ve got so many different things going on today, I don’t know which direction to go!  BACK TO WORK!

Well the year is motoring right along! The last couple of weeks have been buuuusy! We took a trip over to Eastern Washington for my sister’s bachelorette weekend getaway. The weather was gorgeous and perfect after not seeing much of the sun on our side of the state lately. We rented a great big house with a great big view and a lovely salt water swimming pool. It was a great way to kick off what seems like a very late summer!

The next intro to Summer was the day after Solstice when we made it down to the Fremont Street Fair to catch the Solstice Parade. They were celebrating the 20th anniversary of the parade and it was bigger than I’ve ever seen. This parade is unique in that anyone can participate, although signs or anything written is not allowed. You are also not allowed motorized vehicles, so any of the bigger float displays must be human powered. The parade is kicked off every year by the bicyclists (and rollerbladers and wagon riders) in various stages of dress and (mostly) undress, body paint and costume. It is always a great party day for the whole family!

This is where I would post pictures of the parade, but most of the pictures I’ve edited so far are pretty much full frontal nudity shots… so….

Now I am back to work with my nose hard at the grindstone. I’ve been updating the site and getting ready to jump into production mode for the next couple of weeks until we shuffle off on our next adventure… 5 beautiful (fingers crossed) days on the Oregon coast with a large group of friends from all over North America. I can’t wait!

~ Crystal

Well the weather has been UGH and we’re still waiting for summer to show up.  I’m still waiting for a brighter day to get some product photos done.  In the meantime, I’ve been busily plugging away at making my space more organized and efficient.  Thanks to a lovely donation from the Simpson clan I have been able to take the space to the next level…

That is about a quarter of the way through the project of moving all of my storage shelves, moving all of the family room type furniture out of the area, and rearranging all of my tables to take full use of the space.  I have a lot more to do - although it may have been done if I had been able to move the couch by myself!  I will hopefully be able to post pics of the finished room next week!

The other exciting thing is that I decided to make a “doggy bar” of soap to use on the often stinkalicious Atlas.  I was so excited about them that I took some samples up to our pal Eddie at Ash Way Pet and he was so excited, and has asked for some product to sell in his shop!  I’m still in the testing recipes phase, but I have ideas for several different bars for your pooch, and maybe even one for the brave bathing kitties as well.

I just poured a batch this morning that I’m very excited about so I cheated and peeked at it just now to pop a photo.  It is basil and rosemary EOs, with a swirl design done with parsley powder - my first attempt at color.  I’m sure that it will turn some hideous color brown when it’s done, but right now, so pretty!

Well I may have to look into changing my name to Wax Cat Candles and Soaps.  I concocted my first two batches of soap from scratch yesterday and I am HOOKED.

I used two different recipes that I put together from scratch with different oils and butters I had collected.  The first batch - the only intended batch - I scented with eucalyptus EO.  It was so easy and breezy that I used a cardboard box as a makeshift mold and tried an even bigger batch, and scented with lemongrass EO.  YUM.  I just unmolded and cut them into bars and put them out to dry where they are waiting far more patiently than I am for them to cure for… 6 weeks?! This hobby will test my patience, for sure.

I am also very excited about the new lotion bars.  I have formulated a blend that is quick absorbing, and not as “greasy” as the massage tart/bar blend.  I will continue to carry both formulations in different bar sizes.  I am loving the new round mold for the lotion bars, but I may make some with the nubby massage mold also.  I am packaging the big round bars in tins - so cute!  I’m waiting to see if these big gray clouds can squeeze a little more sunshine out of themselves so I can get some product photos done today!

Crystal

It’s all about the wax war….

Over the past year the cost of my supplies have sky rocketed. The cost of the wax and shipping has nearly doubled in just 2 years. It’s been steadily going up up up until just recently. I would like to believe that the price decreases that are happening will become a trend, but suspect it is only a momentary reprieve as a couple of the soy wax companies reorganize and restructure. I have also been wondering if the growing interest in biofuels will effect the soy market… I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I wonder if the cost of nasty paraffin candles are going up right now with the price of gas?

Anyway, on a good note again, I have been testing out different suppliers, and have found some really good deals lately, especially in larger quantities of essential oils. I’ve been able to crunch the numbers to see where I can bring down the costs of my products, and I can now offer the essential oil blends at the same price as the regular scents. If you are a regular user of the traditional fragrances and have not tried any of the essentials yet, now is a good time to do it!