From the Eyes of the Beholder

Since I am a one woman show, I have the privilege of being research and development, producer, retailer, wholesaler, marketer, accountant, web designer, shipper, photographer, clean up crew and the foreman that is always standing by watching with their hands on their hips with pants, well, you know where! ... as well as being a mom (of two and four legged children) and a wife. Luckily, I love challenges and I thrive in multitasking, high energy environments (I think it is fun). Yes, sometimes I am more concered if I remembered my table coverings as opposed to having them starched and ironed!

 

I recently was at the Wildwoman Creations Holiday Show & Sale. This is my favorite Holiday Show. I adore Rosie and all the other Wildwomen that make this show possible. Little does Rosie know how much I have learned from her, but I recently had some ah-ha moments after looking at some photos she took of my booth at the show. Since I take so many up close product photos, I didn't realize how close-up-photography-oriented my vision has gotten. Below is my critique of me now that I see a wide angle view...

 

Photo 1



Photo 1: I like that I can read the prices easily and I like the color variety although this area is getting a bit too blue. I do tend to arrange in a more organic (less straight) setup because when customers pick up my products, my arrangement tends to look off-kilter. Planning for this keeps the one not-in-the-right-place item from looking like a sore thumb. I still try and keep a cohesion of product type (soaps with soaps, scrubs with scrubs, etc.), though. 

 

Photo 2


 



Photo 2: Why do I have so many things around me? Well, I have my packing materials and other little to-do items on either side and the blue lid looks like it should have a sign on it. After looking at this photo, it would make a lot more sense to put the containers under the tables out of sight as I don't need anything that quickly.

Photo 3

 Photo 3: These are cards made by my daughter, Elise. Perfect! ;)

Photo 4

Photo 4: This is a pretty respectable view. I do see a couple sample containers at the back corner of the table and I see a container lid on the floor.

Photo 5

Photo 5: I love my candle display. The base fits inside the shelves (they are supposed to be drawers), so it travels compactly and I like the dark shelving contrasting against the color pop of the candles. Yes, I'm going through a major label re haul and I still see my bags on the seat. ;)

Photo 6

Photo 6: Well, this is just cute!

If I had taken these photos, I would have cut out the not so good parts because that is what I do every day when I take and retake product photos. It took me looking at my creations through another person's eyes to see where I could do things differently to make an overall better impression. Maybe the next time you are at a market, have another person take photos of your display with your phone or camera so you can see what your display looks like though someone else's eyes.

Thanks for the inspiration Rosie! (she even has her own soap;) And, thank you, Mr. Soapy, the light of my life.

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such

Weaving for Small Business Saturday

In addition to being a small business the participated in Small Business Saturday, we were also customers. One of my favorite, local eye candy stores is Elsie's Discount Roving. Elsie has wool roving that I use to felt my soaps and she also spins yarn and weaves with Pendleton Wool. I love color and texture and I could spend hours gazing at the amazing color combinations. 

 

Elsie offers a DIY Class where you can weave your own rug. I have always been curious and after stopping at her shop on Small Business Saturday, I signed myself and the girls up for the class.

 

Some of Elsie's Pendleton Wool Rugs

 We got to use a loom hand made by Elsie and Jack (her husband of 38 years). Elsie said she learned weaving from a book almost 30 years ago. I can't imagine warping one loom (threading the yarn that goes up and down) and they have 5!

 

The nice thing about weaving was that the girls and I were able to work together. The hardest part was picking a color, but we did find one we could all agree on.

 

At first Jack showed us what we needed to get started. Then, Elsie would wind my shuttles full of new wool for me to weave. The girls kept us all entertained by singing songs and showing Elsie & Jack their magic tricks.





Elise passing the shuttle through the warp.

 The weft is the material that you push through the warp with the shuttle. The reed is the wooden piece you pull back or beat the weft with to compact it into snug rows. The girls were able to help me with both of these jobs. We practiced taking turns and working together; with a 4 and 5 year old these are important concepts.

Beating the weft with the reed.

I love being able to see the process of taking strips of wool or cloth and turning it into something solid. It's amazing.

Counting, cutting and tying off the warp for the next rug.

Our finished rug was a group effort.

 See Elise's bag? Well, it's full of scraps that I'm supposed to use to knit her cousin a scarf! That's my thoughtful girl...

Elise making sure our rug is the right size.

Camille taking it all in.

 Camille said her favorite part was, "pulling that down." (aka beating the weft). Elise's favorite part was, "that we got some strings (her wool scrap stash), we got to eat and see the kitties." My favorite part was taking a day during my busy time and spending it with my girls without TV and phone interruptions. We all walked away with a full brain and happy hearts.

Our finished rug!

 

Yes, there is an Elise and an Elsie and a Jill and a Jack in this post!

 

You can find Elsie's Discount Roving at 4210 NE HWY 101, Depoe Bay, OR. 541-764-3997 or chiavarioelsie@yahoo.om

 

 

 

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such

Coffee Seed Oil Benefits

Wake up and smell the coffee! You may think coffee is just for drinking, but it has many other interesting uses. Here's a brief history on coffee...

 

Artwork by Elise

 

"The earliest credible evidence of either coffee drinking or knowledge of the coffee tree appears in the middle of the 15th century, in the Sufi monasteries around Moka in Yemen. It was here in Arabia that coffee seeds were first roasted and brewed, in a similar way to how it is now prepared." (Wikipedia)

 

 

"American scientist Yaser Dorri has suggested that the smell of coffee can restore appetite and refresh olfactory receptors. He suggests that people can regain their appetite after cooking by smelling coffee seeds." (Wikipedia)

Coffee Oil Uses: "Coffee has a multitude of potential uses. It was used medicinally in the past as a powerful stimulant, and to combat depression, respiratory issues, stings, fevers, and general nausea. It can be burned like incense as a room deodorizer, and is known to be loaded with flavonoids and antioxidants." (New Directions Aromatics)

National Coffee Day is September 29!

 

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such



Giant Gingerbread Man Glycerin Soap Update

Check out our short video to see how to win our Giant Gingerbread Man Glycerin Soap!

 

 

 

You can also purchase him here.

 

 

 

We have great gifts for all ages. Happy shopping and good luck!

 

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such



 

 



Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for these two sweet girls.

 

Their laughter rings out like two sweet bells.

They love the outdoors.

And they have a great sense of adventure.

We hope your Thanksgiving is full of love, laughter and full bellies.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such

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