Soapy Santa Paws

I just have to share these adorable holiday cards the girls got in the mail from a sweet customer. I am touched and the girls love it!

 



What a great idea! Thank you for brightening our day.

 

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

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