To Market, To Market To Buy Handmade Soap...

Why a Farmer's Market???

I began selling soap at a farmer's market in Show Low, AZ. Why? A farmer's market is a great place to begin a business. I love meeting people and I get to meet people from all over and businesses that are local. I also don't have the overhead of a brick and mortar store (rent, utilities, advertising, etc.). I do have a store now, but that came after the markets.  Also, the markets I belong to give back to the community via different programs. So, it's a win-win situation all around.

 

Newport Farmer's Market is my Saturday market. They are open every Saturday May-Oct. from 9-1. Facebook is a great way to stay up to date with their weekly activities. There's also a winter market.

 Lincoln City Farmer's Market is my Sunday market. They are open Sundays from 9-3. The market is outdoors in the spring/summer and then it goes indoors on a smaller scale for the rest of the year. This market also has an active Facebook page.

I have a retail location at Dallas Health & Vitality Center  in Dallas, OR. They are attending the Polk County Bounty Market on Thursdays. I've been invited to be a special guest in Dallas Health & Vitality Center's booth on July 19 & August 16.  I'll be bringing a beautiful selection of our award-winning handmade soap, soy candles, lotions & other goodies. I'll also have samples and a special offer that can be redeemed at Dallas Health's retail location.

I can't wait to see you at the market!

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such

DIY Lilac Sunday Handmade Soap

Have you ever wanted to know how us crazy soap people get such beautiful designs? Here's the way I make my Lilac Sunday Soap.

First, I plan and pre-mix my colors.

Then, I mix up the entire batch of soap. When everything is mixed well, I portion out the soap in 3 bowls since I'm going to have 3 different colors. Next, I add the green color and the fragrance to one of the bowls, mix well and pour the soap into my molds.

I mixed the green layer up pretty good, so it gets thick, because I want the soap batter to be thick enough to create these grassy peaks with my spatula.

Next, I sprinkle a thin layer of skin safe mica on top of the green. I have to work fast because I have two bowls of soap batter waiting for me.

After the room is dusted lightly in gold, I add my white color and fragrance to the next bowl and mix. Then, I pour this layer into the molds.

I repeat the same process for the purple layer...

I then add a little detail with my spatula and lastly, top off the soap with a dusting of skin safe glitter.

Voila! Here is the same batch of Lilac Sunday Soap cut.

Planning my soap is an interesting process because I cut down through the layers. What you see on the top of the soap is very different looking than the finished bar.

You can buy Lilac Sunday Soap here.

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such 

Making Memories With Handmade Soap and Soy Candles

I'm happy to say that I truly love what I do. Getting up in the morning is often as exciting as Christmas when I get to unmold a cut a new batch of soap. This is when I get to see the end result and I get super excited when the soap turns out beautiful.

Sharing my passion of beautiful, amazing for your skin products with others completes my circle of fulfillment. I recently got a letter (not email!) from a customer that put my feelings into words in ways I've not been able to express.

"Dear Jill,

 I couldn't resist writing you a quick note to tell you a couple of things: ...

Your "Ocean Soap" bar is truly, truly a work of art. Your husband stood in your shop and described the process you use to create the layers of that soap. You, my dear woman, are truly an artist! (He is so proud of you.)

It was such a  pleasure meeting your family! This is one of the things I love about Lincoln City- the chance to buy at "mom and pop" places. Your husband was so gracious and so obviously proud of your talent. And your kids- oh, Jill, you have such sweet little girls! As you can tell by the copy of the fine drawing I'm including, your Elise graced me with the most delightful- an unexpected- gift: this wonderful picture. Isn't this darling? I'm so lucky! I have placed it on my wall, with fond memories of that lovely day when I walked into your shop.

You've probably already had enough experience with the public to know that we (me included) have the unfortunate habit of shopping for "price"- and often price alone. How sad is that, right? Because when we do that- you know, only caring about what is the "cheapest"- we neglect to stop and think about the talent, the skill-- the time!- involved in the creative process.

But your candles are obviously made with such craft- you can tell the minute you light one. The scent is, I don't know, "pure" somehow. (I hate those fake-y, waxy candle scents.) I am so glad I found you.

And it's people like you- and your darling family- who make that city (Lincoln City, OR) so special. Thanks again for sharing your talent with the rest of us!

A.W."

Meeting inspiring people like A.W. reminds me why I do what I do.  It's all about the memories...

I couldn't be who I am if it weren't for my family. Mr. Soapy is often behind the scenes, but he's always there. I am so grateful.

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such

Making Memories with Soap



Cheers! Beer Soap for Dads

Need a gift for your Dad? Want to make him glad? Beer soap is your ticket!

I make Calise Soapworks Beer Soap with local Oregon Beer. The beer gives the soap a wonderful, bubbly lather which makes your skin feel amazing.

There are 4 Beer Soap varieties:

Oatmeal Stout- Made with creamy, Oregon made Oatmeal Stout Beer, our Oatmeal Stout Soap has a                            sweet hoppy scent. Topped with rolled oats.
Hefeweizen- Scented with citrus, clove and coriander. This soap will refresh you.
Chocolate Porter- Dark chocolate and mellow hops combine for a great dark beer scent.
Coastal Ale- Lightly sweet with honey and hops.  

You can order online at Calise Soapworks or you can email me at jill@calisesoapworks.com.

Happy day,

Jill



Calise Soapworks & Such

Oregon Coast Today Farmers Markets on the Oregon Coast

We're published!

The Oregon Coast Today is a fun, witty, free local paper. You can find out what's happening on the Oregon Coast each week. So, it's a great resource for locals and tourists alike.

This year, they did a special edition about all the amazing Farmers Markets along the Oregon Coast.

Check out our handmade soaps on the cover of the Farmers Markets on the Oregon Coast!

You can also find a neat article about us on page 15.

If your traveling to the Oregon Coast, be sure to read the online edition or pick up a hard copy of the Oregon Coast Today to be in the know!

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such



Pretty, Handmade Soap is More Than Just a Dust Collector

So often I have people tell me that our soap is too pretty to use.

Is your handmade soap nestled among other souvenirs in a basket to decorate the bathroom? What kind of soap do you have in the shower? I'm guessing it isn't handmade soap...

To make your skin feel good, you need to use quality, handmade soap. Here's a solution:

We have begun to make the guest soaps for The Historic Anchor Inn. Soap that makes you say, "Wow!" is the only soap available.

So, when you stay in this amazingly memorable inn, you will wash with some cool looking handmade soap. Your skin will thank you.

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such

Hearts for Horses

Bright Horizons Therapeutic Riding Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to "improve the physical and emotional well being of individuals and their families through therapeutic equestrian activities built on professionalism and trust with a focus on community education, communication and teamwork."

Bright Horizons offers riding instruction primarily to riders with special needs, but they also offer lessons to able bodied riders of all levels. As a lifelong horse lover, I can attest to the trust, courage, strenght and love one experiences while riding and caring for a horse. I have also volunteered hundreds of hours while in college (going to school for education) assisting students with special needs. Based on my background, Bright Horizons is near and dear to me.

Saturday, February 11, Bright Horizons is having their annual Hearts for Horses fundraiser. All proceeds go toward rider scholarships and horse care. If you cannot attend, there is a donation link here.

We'll have a giant gift basket for the silent auction and 100 bars of "Soap for Hope" at Hearts for Horses.

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such