Etsy here we come!

So, it seems I have finally found a craft I enjoy and have had moderate success with, so I have decided to set up an etsy store! http://www.etsy.com/shop/OhSoSmelly. This, of course, meant I needed to get my ass in gear and make some product for the store! I made this lavender soap for my mother in law

I am particularly pleased with this one - the colour is beautiful and the lavender petals are sitting in the middle of the soap rather than all at the bottom for a change!
I also had another go at layering! I decided to try and make a cupcake soap consisting of a vanilla base with chocolate topping and the all important cherry on top! Again, my first attempt was a disaster, but here is my second go!

Good enough to eat? It certainly smells it!

Adventures!

So, after some success I decided to be more ambitious and try some more complicated techniques. My first trial was layering  :) This was my first attempt and juggling with the timing makes me think of cooking! As this one would be for us I decided to go with a cherry fragrance, something we both like.
I managed to get the red layer in fine, waited until it was solid then did the orange. However, I'm not known for my patience and my first attempt at the third (yellow) layer resulted in it sinking into the orange. So, I waited a bit longer then tried again, and voila!

I think, again. that I wasn't patient enough and in my rush to get it out of the mold, some of the top, red layer cracked and sunk a bit :( Apart from that, I am pretty pleased! And so, it seems, is Smeagol!

So, for a first attempt I am pleased :) I also need to learn more patience, but this is something I have always known!!

Xmas gifts!

This partly started as a way for me to make affordable Xmas presents! So today I had to get busy! My new lavender moulds had arrived along with lots of other goodies!

I love the translucent soap base as it enables me to put all sorts of goodies inside, these have lavender flowers in

I'm still working on how to get them to stay in the middle! However, I had a  bit more luck with my 'button' orange soap

I'm not so much a fan of floral fragrance so this is right up my street! Plus I love the orange slice sitting nicely in the middle. I would say a successful day all in all (as well as making truffles and fudge!)

Exciting! woooooh!

So, I have been making some general enquiries about the possibilities of opening an etsey store and I think I may just go for it! I spoilt myself today and bought 2 new moulds as well as some more supplies including new smells and colours! Tomorrow was reserved for making some soaps for us, but may now have to wait until supplies arrive on Thursday so I can play with new toys!!

Sweet Roses!

So, after my minor successes and with a fantastic parcel of goodies arriving this morning, I was all set to try something a little more adventurous!

I wasn't sure quite at what stage I should add the dried rose petals, I tried half filling the mould, them putting them in and also tried sprinkling them in the mould before pouring the soap, however both times it seemed to sink to the bottom, as you can see here!

However, over all, I am pleased with the final results, I just hope the recipients are as pleased when they get them for Xmas!

Braaaaaainnnsss!

So, after yesterday success, I feel inspired and hunt down a great little web site http://www.justasoap.co.uk/catalog/index.php and order a couple more colours, some more smells, more soap base, some dried rose petals, a rose mould and GLITTER!!! (yes, I am excited!!)
In the mean time, while waiting for my goodies to arrive I decide to make another xmas present out of my green apple base!

There appears to be some sort of texture, which just makes it even better! Good job I am busy tomorrow, it will keep my mind off waiting for this parcel!!!

My first soap - awwwww!

We did a trip to Hobbeycraft on thursday for some xmas bits and I stumbled across the soap section, now, we are already being frugal and making some xmas pressies this year, so, why not soap? So, I picked up some translucent soap base, apple fragrance and some green colour.
I have a lot of silly moulds/cookie cutters including a brain, a cat and some little silicon star moulds. These will be perfect for a first try!

There are pieces of real dried apple inside here, yum, but don't eat them!!