Some new ideas for packaging special editions…
Some lovely layers!
A fiber friend gave me a bale of lavender. It smells so wonderful and will be put to good use in the Soap Cellar where the bundles are currently hanging to dry.
Grail Maiden topped with Frankincense and Sandalwood powder.
In my new soapmaking apron.
My soap buds Diane and Jen met up today at Otion in Bellingham. We sniffed our way through hundreds of fragrance and essential oils, admired acres of soap molds, inspected ingredients, and marveled at beautiful soap made by Otion-eers Kat and others.
All that Brambleberry treasure has me excited to soap my new fragrances – Saffron and Cedar, Wasabi and Matcha.
Diane and I inaugurated the Soap Cellar on Wednesday – Blackberry Sage and Black Plum. We’re cutting them tomorrow during a small gathering of Seattle-area soapers.
After a lot of organizing, the Soap Cellar is ready to go. Diane of Sassy Suds will be here tomorrow and her energy and enthusiasm will get everything off to a great start.
Another important event is the arrival of my first Brambleberry order. I had to leave my diluted Lab Colors behind, so I’ve replaced them. And in honor of August in the PNW, I got a great blackberry sage fragrance oil. Treated myself to the fashionable safety of the pink goggles I’ve been wanting for ages. I also got some Glacial Clay, Activated Charcoal, a tiny stick blender plus a complementary fragrance sample. Having Brambleberry just up the freeway is a beautiful thing.
The last soap that I’ll ever make in the Sheddio is all cut and lined up on the kitchen table. It’s for a natural colorant swap with my friends on the Soap Dish community. Annatto and yarrow natural colorants with lavender and litsea essential oils.
The Sheddio is almost all packed. Soap bud Peg and her husband have been here for a week packing the house – and Sheddio – with me.
The new soaping space in Seattle will be in the cellar of my new rental house, a 1913 Craftsman-style. I’m so looking forward to setting everything up and getting to soaping in the Soap Cellar.
So, the Conference is over for another year. Next year it is in Portland, OR and Raleigh, NC the following year.
My presentations seemed to go well, lots of questions and private conversations throughout the rest of the event. It was so fun meeting people as I signed their copies of my books. The copies the Guild had for sale were sold out by Friday evening.
I got so much from the speakers and attendees. From Barbara Corcoran to Kevin Dunn, Robert Tisserand to Tina Howard, Marla Boworth and more all provided useful information for our industry.
The Guild volunteers went far more than “above and beyond” to put on another incredible event.
I’m moving to Seattle and am so happy to know that I’ll be near next year’s event.
After a very smooth overnight journey, I’m rested and ready to explore the Miami Hilton. Connecting with online friends is first, then a reception for the speakers and vendors.
So looking forward to a week of learning and community.
