Win Our Giant Gingerbread Man!

'Tis the season for giving. Here's a chance for us to give you an opportunity to win a prize!

 

Our Giant Gingerbread Man Glycerin Soap weighs over 2 pounds, so you'll be squeaky clean for months to come! He smells like a yummy Gingerbread Man should and he is paraben, sulfate & sulfite free.

 

All you have to do is make a retail purchase from us either in person from now until Dec. 16, on our Etsy page or our website. Shipping is included within the US.  We will draw the winner's name and let you know here on Monday, Dec. 17th. If you are local, I can deliver him or you can pick him up. If you're out of town, I will mail him.

If you are impatient, you can order your very own Giant Gingerbread Man here. He makes a super fun gift or party favor. To use, unwrap him and put him on a cutting board. Carefully cut him into pieces using a sharp knife.

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such

Soap and Candle Tips and Tricks

 

With a husband, two young daughters and a business, I'm always on the go and I'm always searching for things to make my life easier and more efficient.

 

 

Recently, I was making soap and I had some additive that I needed to incorporate after trace. Since I was counting this liquid as part of my total liquids, I needed to remember the amount so I could subtract it from my total liquid weight. I had covered the container with plastic wrap to keep out dust. Rather than writing the weight on a sheet of paper that I would probably lose, I wrote directly on the plastic wrap with a permanent marker. I loved that my weight amount traveled with the container without blowing off when I was walking with it.

 

When I make my soy candles, I use plastic combs to hold the wicks in place. They are easy to store and inexpensive to replace and I can center my wicks easily.

What time saving tips & tricks do you have? I would love to hear them!

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such

New Products- Candles for Horse Lovers!

Before children, before soapmaking, I was a horse lover. I think I asked Santa for a horse (a real horse) every year. I would even narrow my list down to only asking for a horse in hopes of my wish coming true. 

Yep, that's me decades ago. Drive-thru on horseback. There are so many no-nos in this photo!

 

Needless to say, once grown, I saved, worked two jobs and eventually attained my goal of horse ownership. I had an amazing trainer, Debbie Bucciero, and I was living my dream. 

 

Glory & Me

 

 

A move across the country and the thought of children created a decision to sell my sweet girl, Glory (the grey in the photo). I have the good fortune to be in contact with her current owner, Shari of White Pines Farm. Glory truly lives the good life.

 

Photo by Shari- White Pines Farm

I have begun to carry on the horse loving tradition with my girls. Even at early ages, both girls loved horses. They haven't asked Santa for a horse yet, but there may come a day...

Elise's first ride with Camille watching.



Another pony ride in Show Low, AZ.

 

While a horse isn't in the cards at this moment for us, fun, horse inspired products are. I've had a "horse line" in the back of my mind for some time and Shari has spurred me on. Finicky Filly Soy Wax Candles are having their debut this month! There are 6 high quality horse inspired scents: Carrot Cake, HayRide, Peppermint, Sugar Cube, Apple & Saddle. Finicky Filly Soy Candles make the perfect gift for the horse lover on your list. You can get your candle here.

 

Soaps are next, so stay tuned!

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such

What's in a Brand?

So often I am thinking of packaging- shape, color, texture. Afterall, the first thing people see is the packaging. I may use the best ingredients and have the best scent and the best formulated products, but if my products are lacking an image, a soul, I'm dead in the water.

 

I've read books, taken seminars and had some valuable mentoring from Ann Evanston. I still have a long way to go, but I'm getting there. What I have learned is that branding is like a child. It grows sometimes gracefully and sometimes there are growing pains. You have to feed your brand to give it life. Through sweat and determination, an image will develop that is an extension of you.

 

Here are some photos to show where I was and where I am going: 

 

2009 Product Group Shot



2011 Product Group Shot by Stephanie Willson Photography

 

The Metamorphisis of Lip Balm Labels...

 

 

 

 

 

This is similar to my current label. I've enlarged the font to make it easier to read.

 

Soap! This is how I first labeled my soaps (it took forever!).

 



 

 

My current labeling. I still want to change this up (I'd love to drop the plastic), but I've not landed on a design yet.

My newest label! I still need to make the font easier to read, but this design feels good.

 

 

To me, the new label above is a lot friendlier than the labels below (note the 2 different designs!).

 

 

So, I guess branding and label design are akin to a good relationship. You have to feel it, you have to be devoted to it and you have to be willing to change along with it. And, neither a good relationship or good branding is easy to figure out!

 

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such

Happy Soap Making Inspiration- Bob Ross

"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." ~Aristotle

 

...but... our parts contribute to our whole.

 

After rolling out of bed and attending to our girls, one of my first tasks is getting caught up on emails. This morning Google had this great graphic of Bob Ross on their page. After my smile, this image got me thinking. 

 

When I was little and I would come home from preschool and go to my grandparent's house, one of the shows I would watch was Bill Alexander painting shows. I loved his voice and his passion. I was hooked!

 

 

Eventually, I began to watch Bob Ross, too. Bob was a student of Bill Alexander's. Both Bill & Bob would talk about painting "happy little trees" and "happy clouds." I sign most of my letters "Happy day." I wonder if my random use of "happy" comes from these two fellows?

 

 

I also LoVe, LoVe, LoVe landscapes. Below are some photos and paintings I've done.

 

I even create landscapes in soap! Ocean and Desert Soap...

Is this a happy accident or happy influence? I'm leaning to the influence factor. :)

Happy birthday Bob Ross and thank you Bill & Bob for your inspiration. Your influence spans many different medias!

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such

6 Reasons to Buy and Use Handmade Soap

Are you unsure about buying and using handmade soap? Here are 6 reasons why handmade soap makes sense...

 

1. Handmade soap is beautiful. Like most soapmakers I take a lot of pride in creating my soaps. My first priority is to make effective soap. My second priority is to make beautiful soap.

2. Handmade soap contains quality ingredients. I usually use food grade vegetable based oils and butters in my soap and I try and source non-GMO and organic. No you shouldn't eat soap (although I used to when I was little; so, yes, I've found my calling), but feel assured that you can eat the cocoa butter or the olive oil before I incorporate it into my formulas.

3. Handmade soap contains glycerin. All handmade soaps contain natural vegetable glycerin. The glycerin is created during the soapmaking process. In addition to the recipe, the glycerin is what makes you skin feel soft and smooth.

4. Handmade soap is detergent free. I do not use sulfates or sulfites to create bubbles (I don't know of a soapmaker that does). I've worked for years to create nourishing, balanced formulas that cleanse without drying. Detergent free soaps are also better for the environment.

5. Handmade soap makes great gifts. Handmade soap is great for the person that has everything because you use soap, so everyone needs it. Also, soapmakers often have designs and scents that you can't find in big stores. Handmade soap is also easy to ship and carry on planes.

6. Buying & using handmade soap supports small businesses. This helps keep dollars in your neighborhood and you can see to whom your hard earned money is going. Buy Local Lincoln County is a local organization to promote and support locally owned small businesses within my county. I'm sure your area has a similar organization.

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such

Oregon Coast Weather

Planning for weather on the Oregon Coast can be easier said than done. 

 

Cool, drizzly, windy mornings can leave me chilled to the bone if I get wet feet while setting up for the outdoor markets. I often travel with a waterproof pair of snow boots and gloves and a hat and a rain coat and... (half my wardrobe!) Snow boots because I haven't yet succumbed to rain boots and I enjoy the extra warmth.

 

Last week, we had a fun day of weather. Luckily, I was working in the shop, so other than for a photo, we stayed warm and dry inside. While eating breakfast, we had a passing hail storm.

 

 

Followed by bright sun that melted the ice.

 

 

Only to end the day with heavy, long lasting rain.

 

 

 

So, if you're visiting the Oregon Coast, come prepared because our weather is like a roller coaster!

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such