Why is Some Handmade Soap More Expensive Than Others?

This is my Mom and my Grandma----two people who are/were very influential in my soap making endeavor.  I make soap the very similar to the way my Grandma did years ago.  

There are 3 basic types of handmade soap, and many many MANY opinions on which is the best way in which to make it.  The following is my description of a culmination of a lot of resources and reading all of them. 

Melt & Pour---Basically you buy a block of soap that was made by a company and you melt it down and add scents and color to it and pour it into a mold. It can be used as SOON as it hardens. This particular way of doing it is fine, however, the companies that make these types of glycerin based soaps have to add many other ingredients to it to maintain shelf life and stability.  Most of these can be drying to the skin and some of the ingredients are not nourishing to your skin---in fact may be quite the opposite.  

Hot Process---Hard oil and liquid fats along with sodium hydroxide or lye melted together in a crockpot and heated up.  It is then poured into a mold after it reaches a certain stage called saponification.  This stage is where the hydroxide molecules attach themselves to the ions in the fats and make a thick batter of soap. This particular way of doing it is not bad per say, but to me, it speeds up the process too much and can cause it to lose some of its skin nurturing integrity in my opinion.  If the essential oils are added too fast at the higher temp, it also will lose some of the scent load in the process.  This soap can be used within less than a week when it hardens.

Cold Process---This is why I have my Grams picture up top.  This is the way she used to make it---

Hard Oil Fats (usually rendered fat--I do NOT do that part YIKES) ie: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, Lard, Vegetable Shortening, Palm Oil, Jojoba Oil..(all examples of great hard oils) Liquid Oil Fats, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Castor Oil etc....melted to a certain temperature.  Sodium hydroxide (Gram used to use Potash) or lye added to purified water and cooled down to a certain temp range that is around the same temp range as the melted oils.  They are added together and stirred until they come to Trace---which has the consistency of gravy.  The ions connect with each other in the saponification stage.  Colorants and clays and micas and scents and dried herbs can be added at this time and returned to the stirring stage. After it becomes slightly thicker it is then poured into a mold and covered with wool blankets for 24 hours. It then gets unwrapped and taken out of the mold to cure for 6 weeks.   Where in it is still WORKING to make the best damn bar of totally natural soap and the lye has been dissipated  into the fat molecules and is no longer harsh or toxic.  This process is sometimes tedious, but the wait is worth it.

I do not want to sound like some kind of soap snob---because I truly am not.  The soap that I make, and the price I charge for it, is reflective of this cold process way of making soap.  I have been making it this way for almost 30 years--hate to tell ya how many batches I messed up and then actually figured out how to fix it---I just want people to have an understanding of the different types of handmade soap and why some is so vastly different from others in price and I hope this little 'read' helps.  Always, Renee :-) 

From BOURBON to BABIES---it's Finally HERE!

Hello All----just a brief note to let ya know that I listed a bunch of stuff on Etsy---it's my whole new bath and body line---I am so excited to present it to you!

Oh Gosh

It's been a while since I have been on here---and no excuse----it has been a whirl wind here.  I am in the process of trying to figure out where I belong with my soaping craft.  There has been a few doors that have opened.  It is a shifting of what I actually know, to this new adventure of doing the things that are in sync with what's in style and what's actually sought after----

First Big Project---and I Mean BIG!

Good Morning Peeps-----All is good here in MN---a beauty day on the 21 of October---especially for these parts of our small world! I have several Irons in the fire---as per usual---One big one is that I cracked 3 ribs and ruptured the cartelidge between my rib and sternum---COUGHING---so DUMB---just found that out yesterday---been sitting on that one for almost a month---toooooo busy to go in to the doc---oh GOSH! 

At any rate---look what I have brewing here----these guys are exactly halfway done---a sneak peek as it were---there are 5 of them---but I am not showing the prototype ---just the unfinished---these santas all have their very own personality---it has been a great pleasure of mine to throw myself into this very large project----and yep---they are large---at 3 feet or more tall---stayed tuned! Later peeps!

HUGE SALE in my BIRCHBERRY FARMS ETSY SHOPPE!

I am into getting rid of a bunch of items so I can make room for more of the new items---I am busting out at the seams!  So I put all of my Fall Items, which are listed in the SALE SECTION of my Etsy shop, at 50% OFF----Swing on by and check it out!  PS. This is Harley---she is our daughters pup---what a doll!

SALE ON FALL HALLOWEEN ITEMS IN MY BIRCHBERRY FARMS ETSY SHOP!!

Hi All~~~~ and Happy Fall~~~~ in honor of Halloween in 15 Days I have added a promotion code to my Etsy Listings in my BirchBerry Farms Shop. The coupon allows you to take 15% off of any Fall or Halloween Items now until the 31st of October! Shipping is a one day turn around! 

Coupon Code: happyfall15   

use it when you check out----if you are buying soap and fall items you will have to do two transactions!

Thanks to all my loyal customers!

Remember----I always do combined shipping and the overages are returned to you if they are over $1. 

All of My Friends are Such WITCHES!

HeeHee----What a way to get back into the swing of blogging again---well---I went and did it---I finally added some items to my Etsy site and I have pictures downloaded for tomorrows listings---I am feeling pretty accomplished today---My Fall stuff is moving quite well at the Round Barn and I am happy to report that I am making some progress at getting my time management skills back in check---seems since we last spoke I had fallen in to the abyss---gonna try harder to get back to the things that made me happy and the person to whom I once used to be---not so very long ago---Got my bearings down and rubber boots on---so lets ROLL!

A Great Give away----you should head over there and check this out!  Dee Duncan is an absolutely favorite go-to person when it comes to the center of Prim crossing vintage country style---I truly think the world of her work!

Click onto picture and it will take you there!!  Good Luck!

My Christmas Wish

It was merely by chance...a glance from a dear friends face that caught my attention. I went to Vollyball, like I do every Monday night.  It was playoffs for Championships...a flury of fun to say the least---we won and after the game we all sat and giggled about certain things that had happened during the game. I looked over at my friend whom I have known for over 12 years and she is an awesome person as well as a player. Kind of heart and willing to help anyone in need ALWAYS. She didn't look as happy as we all were. I asked her if she was ok---never did I even for one second prepare myself for what she had to say.  You see, she and her husband had been struggling financially for a while. We didn't even know it. To no fault of their own---it was a number of circumstances beyond their control that caused this to happen to them.  She began to cry---now---knowing her as I do---I have never seen her like this in all those years----she told me that she didn't know what she was going to do about Christmas---her children are 6 and 8yrs old---and they still believe in Santa---it broke my heart to hear her telling me this----Well----I gave her a big OLE HUG and told her that she could just take that off of her plate---and that it was going to be taken care of---I felt her shoulders drop as I was hugging her as a great wave of relief came across her.  I put out the word---to everyone in all of my circles---and I am happy to report that the out pouring of help was amazing to me---and humbled me to believe myself---to believe that there is truly indeed a Santa out there and that by the Grace of God he crossed my path with her sad eyes----we are getting them their gifts this next week and going to try to swing enough to buy her some groceries---much needed groceries I am told.  So my Christmas wish---and my biggest wish to date is that you all take the time to open your heart and your eyes to see and hear and feel someones pain that is around you---to know where there is hurt and to be there to help as best as you can---the circle always completes itself---it absolutely does----and in this time of great celebration of the birth of Jesus---let us all remember---let us all remember that we have all been in the depths of despair from one time or another---and the simplest of things to us---can mean the World to someone in need.  Bless you all this Holiday Season and Enjoy!

HUGE SALE on My Yummy WARM Mittens!

I think I may have fallen off of the crafters wagon with this one!  Seems I can't stop making these mittens and I have a bit of an overstock! So I am offering these at a Buy One Get One FREE through my BirchBerry Farms Etsy Shoppe! These are recycled upcycled and repurposed wool with matching polar fleece linings and are super warm and luxurious----a GREAT Christmas gift and you can keep one pair for yourself!!!  Hurry in for best selection as the sale is only running for a short time! I also have been working hard on some new dolls and Winter/Christmas items in both Etsy Shops---so do check that out!  Happy Holidays to you all and enjoy this beautiful Fall we have been having!  Always, Renee :-)

Just Listed on WSOAPP Market Street

Hi everyone---yes---why yes my pretties---it has been a LONG time since you have seen the likes of me around these parts! Busy Summer for me and I am just getting done with my job at the Garden & Landscape Center----I loved every minute of being there---It is an awesome thing when you work with people who enjoy doing what they do and it shows---besides---who could ever be cranky around beautiful waterfalls, plants and impeccable landscaping----NO ONE!! LOL  Here are a couple of sets that I listed on the WSOAPP site---just finishing up with Halloween for the season---put alot of focus on the shop here in town and also a bit more on Etsy as well----things are going fabulously!  Happy Fall everyone--- I am glad I am back!  Look for me to be listing more items soon---I have a TON of Vinitage items that are going on my Birchberry Vintage Etsy site and some Shabby items that will be listed on my WhiteBirch Boutique Etsy site very soon----I also have some great deals on my soap in Birchberry Farms on Etsy---5 for $20 and 3 for $12 on the 6oz size of allllll the scents!  The new Fall scents are to die for!!!

So Proud of My Buttercup!

Just a little driveby wave---you all know how I like to show off my latest creations---well this particular one I made over 20 years ago and she continues to fascinate me----I am so very proud of her and her accomplishments---as I am with each and every one of my kids of course---however, with her being the youngest---it is her turn to shine---so I am throwing her in the spotlight here.  She has been picked up by a major talent agency in St. Paul/New York and has started to do some pretty cool modeling work----Joe and I love to watch her and actually look like two hill billies standing on the outter parimeters looking in at all of it and marveling----I have been intrigued with her sense of 'not getting wrapped up' in the hype that sometimes follows this line of profession---she is totally grounded about this and is as kind and sweet as the day is long----I love you Ali Girl!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all of you and my wishes sent out are for a lovely breakfast in bed and some flowers and chocolates and that the sun is shining allllllll day long!!!

Big Time Bummer!

Just to let those of you who don't know---I lost my Dad this past week from complications around having knee surgery.  He died on Palm Sunday in the hospital and will be missed dearly----I was very close to him and I am at Peace with his passing---it is just gonna be hard to get used to him being gone as I talked to him regularly.  My life will be forever altered by this.  I wanted to take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who wrote me with well wishes----it is a great comfort to feel that loved and I am grateful to have such wonderful people in my circle of life----charmed beyond belief I say----

This is a photo of my immediate familly with Grandma smack dab in between---I am so proud of each and every one of my children---they handled the passing of their Grandfather with Grace and great respect. 

Cement Eggs--Very Tres Chic

Well I did it---I went and made some cement eggs for the Shop (Round Barn Potting Company) here in town----and honestly---I thought I was in Heaven! With the help from my sweet husband---we put together these large eggs and some small ones too----it was a true test of our relationship during this process as both of us had our own SEPERATE ideas of how this was all gonna work---me, of course, on the crafty fly by the seat of my pants side---and him, Mr. Cement worker, smooth cool and very calculated----I went to the $ store and got the plastic eggs, filled them up with a special mixture and viola---the hardest part was waiting for them to dry thoroughly before taking them out of the molds----patience TRULY is a virtue on this project my little chicadees! These guys weigh around 7 lbs. and are smoothed slightly flat on the bottom for easy sittin' ---as you can see by one of the pictures it is inside of a regular size door wreath to give you an idea of its size.  'Feather Your Nest' is a reflection of Hope~Peace~Faith and the thoughts of feathering your nest with all of those attributes.

We are getting ready for a HUGE Junk Market Show at the shop this coming weekend---I am all a flutter about it as I have made some really fun and simple lower priced French Inspired Goodies for the show---Lori has done a fabulous job setting up the new vinettes and it really does have a Euro feel to it and is absolutely a treasure trove of fabulous items---pop in there and see some of the new photos---she is always updating so it is really fun to check in there and see whats shakin bacon----ENJOY!

Ohhhh-La-Laaaaaaa Created from Burlap BUNNY!

Well Happy Spring-O-Rama to all of you this fine Tuesday! I just listed this Burlap Bunny---and I have to tell ya she was an adventure to make!  In keeping with the way that burlap works it was a bit of a nightmare to get her small pieces turned and stuffed without taking a trip or two to the funny farm---but we got 'er DONE and she is in my BirchBerry Farms Etsy! She was made from a vintage coffee bean sack and has PURPLE writing down her side---only on one side---I did that on purpose that way----kind of artsy fartsy look----she was stuffed with raw wool and is weighted onm the bottom---cool aqua blue glass eyes and button jointed arms----WAY Farmhouse Shabby Chic!----I am bringing 3 up to the shop today----my last of the Easter items----so if you are interested in her and she happens to get snagged off of Etsy to email me and I will see what is left at the Round Barn Potting Co.  I also am kicking around making her into a pattern---I think I may be biting off more than I can chew as there is so much detail and directions and instructions---still working on that one in my teeny little brain---I will let cha's know if that materializes---Have a Happy Day and go outside to play if it is nice in your neck of the woods---it is here today and I am in LOVE that our birds are BACK! Don't freeeeget to feed them---long trip home---probably starving--poor things!

A Noteworthy Reflection!

Big WINK! There is a saying----You Reap What You Sow----

A Shabby Cottage Low Boy I Just Had to Show Off!

I just got done with two pieces of furniture for the Round Barn Potting Co. I was simply delighted to have the chance to work on my passion---which is turning old into new again---I did a small hutch in cream that came in two parts and this sweet and heavy low-boy----which was a MESS when I first got it and needed alot of work to get it fixed up---in fact, I almost didn't want to tackle it----but it beckoned me to make it purdy once again---it has a white sanded shabby finish with slate gray heavy sanded drawer fronts---the top 3 drawers are a lighter shade of gray to which I decoupaged French Script and torn love letters to the face fronts and sealed it---I had purchased some new brushed metal drabby silver handle pulls---which were a bit on the 'spendy' side---upon getting them home---after several trips to different places to find the best ones---I discovered that they totally threw the look of the cabinet off----so I got my handy dandy can of white spray paint out and painted the original ones that were on there to begin with----ahhhhhhh I LOVE when that happens----time well spent!  The piece looks so much better in person and has a real Seaside Cottage look to it---and I am happy to report that I am very pleased with its overall appearance and soft subtle tone----Enjoy!

Happy Valentines Day My Sweet Tarts! Here's My Newest Girlie!

Boy it seems like forever since I have posted---thought I would introduce you to my newest creation----Her name is Katherine and I have been working on her for quite some time now---3 weeks to be exact!  She is my first Fine Art Doll of the year as it has been a bit since I have ventured down that road---I am listing her on Ebay tonite.  Her head is paperclay and she is wearing a dress that I made out of a vintage pillowcase.  I crackled her and stained and sealed her as well---her arms are wired and she is what I would call Simple Country Cottage as she is a little shabby as well.  Don't mind the awful picture I took of her---I will be taking better ones for her listing---I JUST finished her and could HARDLY wait to share her with you all.  Have a fabulously FUN Loving Valentines Day!!!  PS. I also listed new items on wsoapp.org and Birchberry Farms on Etsy as well as White Birch Boutique on Etsy!!!

MITTENS are ALL on SALE in Etsy!!

Mitten Mitten---who's got the mittens---well I DO ya Silly! I bet you are wondering why so many---welllll this winter started here rather early this year and it is so bitterly cold out that I just had to make more---I typically don't make them so late in the season, but I just couldn't resist! There are many to choose from and at a great clearance price and they are all listed in Etsy---and there is a surprise listing in there as well! ENJOY!  Have a great weekend peeps---I am a free woman---hubbens went Ice Fishing with the fellas and I am going to play all weekend long! ttfn

Reflections of My Christmas!

I love Christmas---HATE the hustle and bustle to get to the day---but muttle thru as best as possible without going to jail from hurting perfect strangers...LOL  I found myself trying to 'find' Christmas in my heart for some reason this year---I felt as though I was missing it--that warm fuzzy feeling---usually it is there all on its own--but this year---this year was different---I watched all my favorite Holiday Shows---Charlie Brown and Rudolph and the Grinch---I did all of my usual baking---met up with friends and peeps for holiday cheer before hand and yet nothin'---until this one day---this one day that I went out shopping and left the house with a mission to get it all buttoned up and finished.  Lists of scribbled notes of this and that on paper that had been crossed off of and re-assesed just to be crossed off again---food purchase lists mixed in with electronics mixed in with housewares and toiletries---unorganized would be putting it mildly! Here's what happened: 

I went into the first store---outside was this young and very sweet tall and gangly African American boy---ringing the bells for the Salvation Army---singing Christmas songs with the biggest smile and the voice of an angel--I stopped and listened for a moment and said to him---Bless you for Ringing the Bell sweet child---and he hugged me and said Merry Christmas!  Blessing number 1

Then I proceeded into the next store---I was at the checkout lane standing in line and I saw this old couple walk by holding hands---and when I say old I mean they were in their 80's---with this look of complete and udder love and happiness for each other and very smartly dressed---I noticed them stop to look at something---here it was this young boy---about 6 or 7 years old---whistling Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer---with a look of enchantment and joy on their faces ----he and his two other siblings and his mother came into the very line that I was in---and he continued to whislte away---I reached my hand out to touch the top of his head and smiled at him---he was so sweet.  Blessing number 2

Then the last store I went into---I was wandering around for what seemed like HOURS looking for where in the heck one would put the Wax Paper if one were a stock person who even knew what wax paper was---I kept passing this woman pushing this cart full of stuff---she was a bit overweight and had the most happy and sweet rosey cheeks and pretty smile and was struggling to even walk----she says to me---you look like you are lost---to which I replied---I think I may be---I just wanna find Wax Paper and get the heck out of here---she says---and mind you ---she is not an employee at this store---I can take you there--so she does and it is quite a ways away from our original destination--and I say to her---awwww thank you---I think I need to take you with me the next time I go shopping!! She says to me with MUCH delight---that would be just fine---as I have no one---I hugged her and wished her a Merry Christmas---Blessing number 3

We go to Mass on Christmas Eve---and the Church is packed FULL---there are parents coming in with their children all dressed up---I had the best time before mass started--looking at all the children in their fineries--as I totally remember those days when my kids were young---so dang CUTE. As luck would have it---the Childrens choir was singing---during Mass---Silent Night---tears came strolling down my face as I sat and reflected on the things that I previously mentioned---and at that VERY moment I finally got the warm and fuzzy feeling that I had waited and wondered about---and that my dear friends---that was my Blessing number 4----

I would like to say at this time---Blessing number 5 for me will be..... that each and every one that reads this will think about the small incoincidental blessings that come our way daily---that you will stop and really take note to the great STUFF that is going on around us constantly---stop and think about the simple blessings we all have in our lives---they are there--trust me they are---we just don't always take the time to see them---take the time people---and know that if you do.... your heart will always be warm and fuzzy mode!  Here's to a Happy 2011 New Year to all of You and Yours!