Soapies Supplies

Thrifty Thursday - 25% off Camelina Oil!

2012-02-09T07:18:00.000-08:00

Are you a Facebook Fan?

2012-02-01T23:10:00.000-08:00

If so, please make sure you've liked the correct page.

WRONG page: http://facebook.com/soapiessupplies

RIGHT page: http://facebook.com/soapiessuppliesfanpage

We will be removing all fans from the "wrong" page on January 31 as this will become a personal only profile.

So to make sure you're still friends with Soapies, please head over to the "right" page and like us now! And then go to the other page and remove yourself.

Thank you :)

Thrifty Thursday "Mini" Sale - 20% off Mini Tools!

2012-02-01T23:08:00.000-08:00

Thrifty Thursday - 20% off Soap Boxes!

2012-01-25T22:45:00.001-08:00

Thrifty Thursday - 50% off Spreadsheet Programs!

2012-01-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

Thrifty Thursday - Beginner CP Soapmaking Class!

2012-01-05T01:05:00.000-08:00

Thrifty Thursday Sale runs 7am - 10pm (PST) every Thursday.

This week save 15% on our Beginner Cold Process Soapmaking Class!

No coupon code is neccesary - the discount will be shown in the cart. Discount is valid for sale time/date only and will not be applied to orders placed before or after the sale date. Buy now and save BIG!

Weekly Winner!

2012-01-03T14:33:00.000-08:00

Every week, Soapies will randomly draw the name of one newsletter subscriber. If the person has ordered from Soapies in the past 90 days, they will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to be used towards the purchase of anything on our website. One win per year, per customer.

This week's winner is Cheryl Sawyer. Congrats, Cheryl! Enjoy your $25 mini-shopping-spree!

Fine Print

1. If the person has not ordered in the past 90 days, no gift will be given that week. We will draw a new name the following week.

2. The winner's name may be posted on the Soapies website and/or in the Soapies newsletter and may be asked to complete a quick interview so our customers can get to know the person behind the win.

3. Soapies reserves the right to end this promotion and at any time and for any reason.

4. Soapies employees, family members, partners and/or affiliates are not eligible for this drawing. Start shopping... your name might be the next one drawn! And make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter. Non-subscribers cannot win!

Previous Winners

December 27, 2011: Jackie Turbot
December 20, 2011: Barbara Armola

A Christmas Story...

2011-12-20T22:35:00.000-08:00

Ok.... The other day, I took Marcus to the Christmas tree lot. We bought a small tree… About 4 feet tall. I have been looking at the tree for the past several days trying to decide, 'do I really want to decorate it this close to Christmas?'...yada yada yada. So yesterday, I came up with an idea to offer it to a 'family in need' on craigslist. I had specific rules listed in the ad:

Could not be asking for yourself...Could only ask for a single parent with children or elderly couple and Could not sell it to someone else.

I got lots of heartwarming and sincere emails regarding a 'family in need' that would deserve to have the tree.

Marcus with Nana at the Christmas Tree Lot

I read each and everyone of them and then decided on one family. It was a neighbor asking for her neighbor who is a single mom of three kids that just lost her job three weeks ago. A few years prior, the people asking in the email for their neighbor were in trouble themselves and the single mom, with three children, helped them out at Christmastime so they are 'paying back' so to speak.

The neighbor that contacted me wanted the tree so that she would have something to put the gifts under that she and her husband have purchased for the single mom and her three children. I got a text after she picked up the tree… About an hour later… Stating that the single mom was thrilled and actually cried when the tree was delivered to her.

Made my entire holiday season!

I've already told my kids that Christmas will be very small this year as the economy is very rough for a lot of people… So this inspired me to try to do something, even if it is small, for someone else. If by chance, if you can do something small to help someone else out this Christmas Season, I am sure they will be as grateful and excited and overjoyed as this single mom was!

I hope I inspired you to help someone else this holiday season…

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Princess Kelley

SOAPIES HISTORY - Chapter 40

2011-12-20T15:14:00.000-08:00

Well....The Historian was ill last week so we did not have a new Chapter for you...But she is all better now and the new chapter - Chapter 40 is ready for your prying eyes!

The Soapies History Story - Chapter 40 - is now online:

http://history.soapies-supplies.com/2011/12/chapter-forty/

Toodles and Smoochies,
Princess Kelley

Our first ever Fragrance Bar

2011-12-20T10:36:00.001-08:00

Was great fun! We've posted a few photos over on our FB wall for your enjoyment. If you're not already a fan, you should be!

Soapies Facebook - "Like" us today!

Soapies Shout-Out by Nature's Art

2011-12-17T11:18:00.001-08:00

Thank you, Nature's Art!

Your Christmas Gift from Soapies - 15% off the entire site!

2011-12-16T20:19:00.003-08:00

Fragrance Bar - Friday at Soapies 6-8pm

2011-12-15T18:51:00.000-08:00

Our first Fragrance Bar will be held the evening of Friday, December 16 from 6-8pm at the Soapies HQ.

Soapies Supplies
12240 N. 62nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ

We will have a few refreshments, the remainder of our clearance FO's ($5/lb - SUCH a deal!) and other FO's that will be 20% off for this event only. All attendees will be given an order form so they can check off which FO's they'd like. These will be poured (and labeled) into 16 ounce plastic bottles as each customer hands in their order.

So basically you come, sniff, buy, save. Fun, frugal, and fragrant. Woo hoo! There will be plenty of coffee grounds on hand for clearing of the sniffers between fragrance oils. If you're local to the area, you don't want to miss the Soapies Fragrance Bar!

Thrifty Thursday Sale!

2011-12-08T12:25:00.000-08:00

Thrifty Thursday only - save 30% on Scoop 'n Soap bases!

Sale runs 7am - 11pm (PST) December 8.

No coupon code is neccesary - the discount will be shown in the cart. Discount is valid for sale time/date only and will not be applied to orders placed before or after the sale date. Discount applies to the Thrifty Thursday category only - ordering from other categories will not trigger the discount. Stock up and save BIG!

Turn-around-Time for this sale will be one week. Scoop 'n Soap will be made to order so it's fresh fresh fresh!

Shop & Save Now!

Thrifty Thursday Sale!

2011-11-30T08:33:00.000-08:00

Soapies version of Black Friday last week is Thrifty Thursday this week! And for this Thrifty Thursday sale - we are offering 30% off our lip balm tubes, shrink bands, and our fabulous Princess Lip Balm Base. Everything you need to create amazing lip balm!

This sale is from 7am-7pm (PST) on December 1 only. No coupon code is neccesary - the discount will be shown in the cart. Discount is valid for sale time/date only and will not be applied to orders placed before or after the sale date. Discount applies to the Thrifty Thursday category only - ordering lip balm tubes, shrink bands, or Princess Lip Balm Base from other categories will not trigger the discount. Stock up and save BIG!

Shop our Thrifty Thursday Sale!

Clearance Item Markdown!

2011-11-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

Starting today - everything in our Clearance Section is an additional 50% off. EVERYTHING.

Fragrance Oils.
PET Packaging.
Stand-up Pouches.
M&P Soap Base.
Coffee Mugs.
plus tons of other stuff!

Get these items while they are still available. Once they are gone, they will *not* be restocked.

SHOP NOW & SAVE BIG!!

2012 Arizona Winter Conference, January 21

2011-10-10T13:24:00.001-07:00

NEW! Princess Eyes Make-Up Remover

2011-09-26T13:57:00.001-07:00

Soapies Reorganizing - Phase 2!

2011-09-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

Effective Tuesday, September 13th, Soapies is going into the second phase of our reorganizing adventure. As we previously mentioned, we will be concentrating on Teaching, Classes, Tools and Equipment, Fabtastik Formula Bases+ and General Supplies. Before we can fully move into our new direction, we need to clear-out lots of products that we will no longer carry or have an abundance of.

All items are listed on the Clearance/Close-Out Page only and we have already discounted the prices for you. No codes will be needed...Just add it the items to your cart and off you go!!

All sales are final. No returns or refunds.

We will fill orders with product on-hand and in-stock only. Nothing will be re-stocked. If we can only partially fill your order, you will be refunded the item(s) not available.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of the sale and clearance, we will need to move our processing times out a bit….please allow 3-4 days for in-house processing. We will be processing the orders as quickly as possible and in the order they are received to be fair to each customer. If you are in need of your order within our standard processing time-frame, please do not place your order for this current sale.

Thank you for your continued patronage and support of Soapies. We look forward to serving you into the future! And no, we are not going out of business!

Click here to shop our Clearance Sale Items

Loads of yummy FO's, M&P bases, and much more are available right now!

Soapies is on Etsy!

2011-09-02T13:27:00.001-07:00

Check out our brand-spanking new Etsy shop. We'll be filling it with all kinds of goodies shortly!

Soapies Etsy Shop

Bookmark it and check back soon :)

Supplies are Selling Fast!

2011-08-29T11:20:00.001-07:00

Get your order in today before the supplies you want are gone-gone-gone!

See the post below for more information (or click here for all the details on our 50% off *most* products sale!)...

Soapies New Direction and 50% off most products!

2011-08-21T23:31:00.001-07:00

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-08-19T15:33:00.001-07:00

Last Chance - SFIC Cut-Ups Fast Buy ends tomorrow!

2011-08-14T22:22:00.000-07:00

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-07-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

FREE UPS Shipping - through next Sunday!

2011-07-18T10:36:00.001-07:00

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-07-15T17:47:00.000-07:00

NEW! Scoop 'n Soap!

2011-07-01T20:16:00.001-07:00

Soapies Scoop 'n Soap™ is a magical way to start your Cold Process Soaping!
A new Soapies Formulation product…Pre-Measured Soap Base Blends. You can CP, CPOP, HP, Crockpot, etc. our bases!!

We have done it all for you... Just scoop out the amount of Soap Base you want by weight, add the required lye and liquid from the provided chart and then Get Soaping!

You can even add your own scent and coloring, or any other additives, if desired, and there you go! We are starting with The Original and will have more bases very soon!

Order Scoop 'n Soap now!

Soapies coins a New Phrase: Dismasterpiece

2011-06-26T20:29:00.000-07:00

So, I was making a loaf of the Soapies Shaving & Exfoliation Soap for a customer's order. What is the last thing you want to do when you are making Cold Process/Oven Process (CPOP) soap?? Get distracted!

I was wandering through the steps and making quick work of it and before I knew it, the loaf was in the oven and cooking its little heart out. Four hours later, I remove the mold from the oven and...SURPRISE!!

Oil slick heaven...or not heaven, maybe? Ohhhh...I stood there dumbfounded trying to figure out what the heck went wrong! I have made this loaf a million and three times without any problems at all. What to do, what to do, WHAT TO DO!! Ok...I am the last person on earth that will waste anything. So, we are gonna save this batch for home and friend use...DANG IT!

Once I had decided I cannot worry too much about what went wrong, I put a stainless steel bowl on the stove and put the sludgy mess in it. I used a low heat to melt my "Disaster". As I was chopping it up with a cooking spoon and helping it to melt, I decided I could add a tad bit more lye water and get the "oil slick" saponified. I grab the Lye Pitcher and DANG IT!!! I, now, know what happened!

At the bottom of the Lye Pitcher is a complete ring of UNDISSOLVED lye!!! What?? Then, I remembered that I got DISTRACTED when I was stirring the lye. Super stupid timing wouldn't you say? I never finished dissolving the lye completely into the water and it sat on the bottom of the pitcher and crystalized there for what I thought was eternity! I tried scraping at it with a stainless steel spoon…nothing. Will not budget! Just as I was ready to throw the pitcher away, I had a thought (I know...scary at this point, right?) Hot water might do the trick!

I microwaved a few ounces of distilled water and poured enough over the crystalized lye to cover it all by one half inch or so. Viola!! The very hot water dissolved the lye immediately! Ok...Back to the former sludgy mess that is now almost fully melted down and pretty danged smooth. I then remove it from the stove and pour in my new lye water and add more of the Bonsai Fragrance that I used the first time around. Stirring with my cooking spoon all the while. The batch is looking pretty nice now!! WOW!!!

I grab my silicone sheet mold and glop/pour it in. A little on the thick side so I grab some plastic wrap and lay it over the top of the batch so I can hand-smooth it…yea!! It worked! I slapped on the lid and put it in the oven for another four hours.

OK - the moment of truth - it is no longer a Disaster but a new Soapies Dismasterpiece!! Looks and smells YUMMY!! Check out the photos on our Soapies Fan Page on Facebook

Always try to save your batches...You just might make a Dismasterpiece of your own!

Toodles and Smoochies to you all...
Princess Kelley!

FREE UPS Shipping - 3 days only!

2011-06-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the addition of UPS to our Shipping Carrier Line-Up, Soapies is offering Free UPS Shipping for 3 whole days!!

Use Coupon Code: FreeUPS to take advantage of this one-in-a-blue-moon special!

Free Shipping Fine Print

1. Product sub-total must be at least $75.00.

2. Orders must be placed after 6am, Arizona (MST) Time on Friday, June 10th and before Midnight Arizona (MST) Time on Sunday, June 12th. Orders placed before or after the Special’s start/end times will result in Shipping Charges.

3. All products are valid unless they are noted to not be included in the Free Shipping Offer: Silicone/Wood Molds, Designer Mini Molds, Wood Molds and Cutters, Displays, Scales, Product pack sizes over 10 pounds, Full Cases of Product, Simple Soothing Bases, Clearance/Close-Out Items, etc. Any non-Free Shipping products added to your order will result in shipping charges.

4. Discount Coupon Code: FreeUPS MUST be used in the Coupon Code Area ONLY.

5. UPS Ground Shipping must be chosen at check out for Free Shipping Offer to apply.

6. Not valid on phone orders or any other Soapies offers and only valid on in-stock items only. We do not backorder products.

7. Free Shipping offer is for the Continental US (48 States) only - Maximum discount allowed is $40 per order.

8. No exceptions will be made to the above criteria in fairness to all Soapies customers

Princess Grandbabie Aliyah

2011-06-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

Video of my granddaughter, Aliyah.
Her parents live next door to us and we adopted them as our kids. ;)

She is soooo adorable and she loves playing in my antique
playpen that I have here for the grandbabies!

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-06-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-05-27T22:05:00.001-07:00

Grismelda's Special Clearance Deal of the Day!

2011-05-19T09:35:00.000-07:00

Starting today, May 19th, we (actually Grismelda!) will be posting one Slammin’ Great Clearance Special per day - You will have to hurry as there will be only 1 or 2 of the product offered!!

Today's Deal
Honey Melt N Pour Soap Base: 20# for $50.00 (2 available)
Click here to order before it's gone!

New!! Candle, Lotion, Cream Making Classes!

2011-05-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

Just what you all have been asking and waiting for…..Candle Making and Lotion and Cream Making!!

This June 25/26 is a special weekend for us all!! Melanie Monteverde of Crafty Mojo in California is coming to teach these classes! We must have 10 students per Class to make this a "go"!

Saturday Schedule – June 25

Lotions and Creams Class
$125 per Student (Includes Materials Fees)

Candle Making Class
$125 per Student (Includes Materials Fees)

Sunday Schedule – June 26

Lotions and Creams Class (repeat)
$125 per Student (Includes Materials Fees)

A bit about our Teacher...

Melanie is an avid crafter who enjoys knitting, beading, pouring natural candles, and making bath and body products. Her kitchen gets more use from making bath and body products than it does from cooking! She has taught students of all ages, ranging from preschoolers to adults in a corporate setting. Melanie teaches bath and body product classes such as luscious lip balms, Tub Treats: Salts, Scrubs, Teas & Milks, Eco-Friendly Candle Making (with Soywax & Beeswax), Lotions and Creams, and Eco-Friendly Home Cleaning Products. She also recently started a blog which features her upcoming classes as well as current craft projects… Come join us and learn from one of the best teacher’s on the West Coast!

Sign-up before May 26th, my birthday, and you can save 15%!! Coupon Code: MelKel

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-05-06T14:39:00.001-07:00

Marcus learns to vacuum...

2011-04-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

Poor granbabie Marcus was terrified of the vacuum. So I helped show him that there was nothing to be afraid of. He ended up loving it...

And then he conked out! Poor little guy was totally wiped out!

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-04-29T20:37:00.001-07:00

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-04-22T21:34:00.000-07:00

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-04-15T21:12:00.001-07:00

you can help our good friend!

2011-04-12T17:01:00.000-07:00

Soapies works closely with Lezlee from Simple Soothings (we carry their line of ready-made bases and fabulous wooden molds and cutter) and not only is she a business associate, she's also a great friend.

We are happy to assist her in this cause and we hope that our customers will as well!

My name is Lezlee Williams and many of you know me as the owner of Simple Soothings. What you may not know is that our 12 year old son, Braden, has a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome which is an Autism Spectrum Disorder. We are raising funds for the Nebraska Autism Society to help all individuals with an ASD lead a more fulfilling life. Any small amount you can contribute will be very helpful to the cause. Our entire family thanks you for your support. Please click on the banner below to hear more about Braden.

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-04-08T22:21:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday, Marcus!

2011-04-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

My grandson, Marcus Victor Perea, is 1 year old today!! Time flies and I LOVE him more and more everyday!!!

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-03-25T17:24:00.001-07:00

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-03-18T22:06:00.000-07:00

Grandbabie Marcus - Future Football Star!

2011-03-16T10:30:00.001-07:00

Garrett is a HUGE Football Fan and played all four years in High School. I think we have another Football Star on our hands!!

New Products at Soapies!

2011-03-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

We have a few new products for you at Soapies Supplies. Check them out below!

Princess Nakedness Loaf
Our truly naked soap...Great for babies, sensitive skin Princesses or for you to rebatch into your own creation! Each loaf is 12" long x 3" high X 3.5" wide and ready for you to cut as thin or thick as you like. We can slice it for you into 1" slices if you like for an additional fee.

Ingredients: soybean oil, water, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, shea butter, rice bran oil, castor oil, avocado oil
All loaves are made to order and will take 5 days to make before shipping.

Prince Nakedness Loaf
Our truly naked soap...Great for babies, sensitive skin Princes or for you to rebatch into your own creation! Each loaf is 12" long x 3" high X 3.5" wide and ready for you to cut as thin or thick as you like. We can slice it for you into 1" slices if you like for an additional fee.

Ingredients: soybean oil, water, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, shea butter, rice bran oil, castor oil, avocado oil
All loaves are made to order and will take 5 days to make before shipping.

Camelina Oil
Camelina Oil is also known as Gold of Pleasure and is high in Omega-3 ALA (Alpha linolenic acid). Awesome in soap, cosmetics, nutracueticals, lip balms, massage oils, lotion and creams, and butters.

Research shows that Camelina oil has good skin softening properties as it is emollient, has good spreading properties, provides lubricity in both hair and skin preparations, and improves skin elasticity...What a great addition to Pregnancy Belly Balms!!

Patchouli Raspberry FO
Sun-kissed notes of sweetly ripened raspberry swirl on top of the woody aroma of pungent patchouli leaves to create this unique blend.

Huckleberry Wine FO
The bold, woodsy aroma of red wine intertwines with a soft blend of rich huckleberries and sweet apple.

Country Spice FO
This sweet, vanilla fragrance is blended with soft, sensual musk notes. Warm ginger and clove mingle with sweet cinnamon and comforting nutmeg in this true holiday aroma.

Check out these items and others on our New Products page!

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-03-04T15:17:00.001-08:00

Grandbabie Marcus Chases Daddy Thru The House

2011-03-01T16:55:00.000-08:00

Marcus is growing so fast…He is 10 mos. old now and tries to run already…Here he is today chasing his daddy!!

Soaper Spotlight: "Izzy" Awesome Already??

2011-02-28T16:09:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!! This week, I decided to do a nice little expose’ on one of my favorite up and coming customer artisans, Ismael “Izzy” Ortiz. Izzy has been soaping Old Cold Process for just at a year and just recently, actually, one week ago, started to play with Melt & Pour. Strap yourselves into your chair as you are not going to believe this man’s talent!

I decided to do an expose’ on Izzy after he sent me pictures of his first try at Melt & Pour...

Gay Pride M&P Soap

Is that insane or what?? I am soooo impressed with his work and you will be also! Here is our expose’ interview:

Ismael Ortiz, Izzy as he likes to be called, is a native of Baltimore, Maryland that transplanted to the’ Valley of the Sun’, Phoenix, Arizona several years ago. His career as a Corrections Officer at a Women’s Prison ended recently and he decided to marry his graphic design background with a new passion…Soap Making!

Kelley: Izzy, so what got you interested in Soapmaking?

Izzy: I wanted to find something that I could craft that I could sell and become successful with that product. Beings I went to school for Graphic Design, I have a eye for design and thought I would try soap. I loved it from the moment I created my first batch.

Kelley: Ohhh...so you have a creative "leg up" to start with for sure. What type of soapmaking did you first attempt?

Izzy: My first batch of soap was using the Cold Process Method and I made a loaf of Tea Tree Oatmeal and it turned out really good.

Kelley: Nice! What other soapmaking types do you do?

Izzy: I had been looking at trying Melt & Pour, so one day I ordered some M&P base and made an attempt at doing a loaf using the rainbow colors and hoped for the best. I was very pleased and surprised at the same time on how it turned out.

Kelley: I am soooo impressed with your soapmaking and was completely FLOORED at your first attempt at M&P soapmaking. What type of colorants and what scent did you use?

Izzy: For my first attempt at M&P I used Lab Colors (liquid) and scented it with "LoveSpell". After about a day, the colors started to bleed, so I did some research to remedy that problem so I don't repeat it on the next attempt.

Kelley: And what remedy did you come up with, Izzy?

Izzy: It's kind of simple Use non-bleeding colorants such as oxides and micas. You still can use liquid lab colors but only if you’re going for a bleeding look on purpose.

Kelley: Or if you are coloring as a single color?

Izzy: Yes, that would be correct.

Kelley: Have you tried pouring a "separating clear layer" of M&P between colors to stop bleeding?

Izzy: Yes, I have and that works for the most part but sometimes it’s just easier to use non-bleeding colors to start with. Depends on the project and look your trying to create.

Kelley: I agree. So, tell us, when did you first start in this mad obsession we all call soapmaking?

Izzy: I started around February 2010.

Kelley: I noticed that you have some unusual names for your soap, like Frederick, Princess Anne, Bolton Hill, etc. How did you come up with them?

Izzy: I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland (I'm 44 years old) and have decided to "give back" to my old stomping grounds by naming my soaps after the cities, towns, and neighborhoods throughout the state of Maryland.

Kelley: What a great idea! So you have a good solid year under you already. Where can we purchase your products?

Izzy: You can go to my website ChesapeakeSoap.com, "The Root Seller" at 16th St & Indian School in Phoenix, and also you can catch me at Arts and Crafts festivals.

Kelley: What is “The Root Seller”, Izzy, a store or boutique?

Izzy: The Root Seller is a very nice artsy boutique over at 16th St and Indian School Rd. A friend of mine owns the store and said that my soaps fit right in with the rest of his merchandise and we agreed on a consignment arrangement to sell my soap in his store.

Kelley: That is great! Any upcoming venues you would like to tell us about?

Izzy: Sure.. On April 16th & 17th is the annual Gay Pride Parade & Festival for Phoenix, AZ. It is held at Steele Indian School Park at Indian School Road & 3rd Street in Phoenix, AZ. At the moment I'm currently seeking out other venues in the area but also plan on attending Baltimore Gay Pride as a vendor in mid June 2011.

Kelley: Ok...Is it an all day/evening event both days? Are there admission fees?

Izzy: There is a admission fee but I'm not sure how much it is this year. Last year it was $40.00 but here is the website addy for all the info. http://www.phoenixpride.org/festival.html

Kelley: Ohhh...thank you! I am sure we will have plenty of readers that will come out and make a day of it.

Izzy: That would be great to see all walks of life at our Pride. It great to see more and more people come out to support our cause.

Kelley: I agree. I am sure there are many fabulous booths to visit and great food to be had as well!

Kelley: Izzy, it has been a GREAT pleasure interviewing you today and I cannot wait to see what else you venture out into within your new passion. Great work and keep on goin’.

Izzy: Ditto, It was a pleasure to have someone take such a great interest in my soap making and was very happy to do the interview.

Kelley: I am so glad to hear it. Lastly, just so you know, Soapies does not pay for interviews but we do donate to many Causes around us. Having said that, Soapies would like to make a donation to you on behalf of the Gay Pride Parade & Festival of your choice for $100 in our Online Store.

You can use the supplies to make items to sell and donate the proceeds or whatever you like. However you feel it will benefit the most.

Izzy: Aww thank you so much and I really appreciate your generosity. :):)

Kelley: You are most welcome. We love to help young soapmakers succeed and if we can contribute to a good cause as well, then all the better.

Thank you so much for your time today and allowing us to peek into your Soap Bubble for a bit of time...Take care and see you soon!

Again, I would like to thank Izzy for extending his time for this expose’ for the Soapies Newsletter. Please visit Izzy at his brand new website ChesapeakeSoap.com and if you have a chance, visit the upcoming Gay Pride & Festival of Phoenix this coming April 16th and 17th.

Ismael ‘Izzy’ Ortiz
Chesapeake Soap Company
Phoenix, Arizona

Toodles and Smoochies to you all...
Princess Kelley!

Soapies Friday Special!

2011-02-25T16:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to You All!!

2010-12-18T11:21:00.000-08:00

Does it always have to be about Soap?

2010-09-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

Certainly Not!! Soapies is dedicated to Helping, Teaching and Supporting ALL crafters in their endeavors. Soapies gladly supports crafters in a multitude of ways from purchasing from crafters of all kinds to helping them market themselves.

Today, Soapies would like to introduce you to a wonderfully creative Soapies Friend, Pam of PK Stuff. Kelley and Pam go back a few years as friends on a few Group Lists and I just have to show you all her new "Stuffs"!!

I cannot get enough of Pam's Stuffs!! I buy them and keep them here for little give-aways to friends that visit and to new friends I first meet. I have purchased 26 Coin Purses and have only 11 left!! In fact, I need to place another order!!

So...without further adieu....Introducing one of my Favorite Crafters...PK Stuff...

Pam Kellebrew wrote the following Bio for me...
I'm a 53 year old crazy woman whose best friend is her dog, Jonah Dale. I live in Houston, TX and have been here most of my life. I've got 1 husband, 2 sons, 2 grandkids, 1 dog and a partridge in a pear tree, hahaha. I started my candle business 11 years ago but have been in the "crafting" business for around 20 years.

New Ideas Coming...

I have millions of them! I wish my brain would shut up so I could sleep at night. Since I'm in my "sewing phase" right now, most of my ideas are geared in that direction. I eventually want to have a line of dog collars and leashes to match the key fobs. I'm collecting quite a few really cool purse patterns to work on. But I have to wait for the timing to be right for me or nothing comes out right. I'm having a blast with the bags right now. And I am doing quite a few custom things for people behind the scenes of my websites. I just like to make people happy!

Ok...Time to have a look-see:

Awesome PK Coin Purses

Summer Song Paisely Neon

Adorable PK Key Fobs

Zebra Pam's Petals

Ribett Remix

Handy-Dandy PK Zippys

Big Daisy Dot Crazy Hot Flash

Hedgehog Meadows

Newest creation...Cosmetic Bags

Gerberalicious - Inside View Gerberalicious - Front View

Visit Pam and PK STUFF...

On the Web ~ On Etsy

Twitter ~ Facebook

Toodles from

The Soapies Team!!

New Soapies Newsletter is just awaiting for Subscribers!

2010-09-01T17:18:00.000-07:00

At long last...

Soapies now has a Newsletter that you do not want to miss out on!

The first 100 Subscribers will receive a 5% Off Soapies Coupon!!

Our Inaugaral Newsletter will be sent out as soon as we have a minimum of 100 Subscribers on board!

The very first Newsletter will reveal a HUGE and FABTASTIK Prize that YOU may Win!!

The BIGGEST Prize EVER from a SUPPLIER for Newsletter Subscription!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. "Subscriber Only" specials, sales, promotions.

Signing up is FREE and we promise not to spam your inbox with a deluge of emails. Instead, you'll receive up to 4 or 5 emails per month with specials and sales that only YOU can participate in.

2. Advance notice of sales and specials.
Learn before the rest of John Q Public when we're going to be having a sale or special. A well-ordered life is one that has plenty of planning and being notified in advance will help with planned shopping and allow you save some serious dough.

3. Contests and prizes!
Hold on to your hats because we are about to go prize-crazy! We'll be giving away all kinds of fabulous prizes like Gift Certificates, free products, and much more. The thing is, you can't win if you aren't a subscriber. Why haven't you subscribed yet?

4. No more Yahoo Groups.
We will be focusing on sending out newsletters from this point forward and will be scaling back on the use of Yahoo Groups. If you're not subscribed here, you're going to miss out on all the Soapies News that you receive now.

5. Because the Princess said to, that's why!
This might be the most pressing reason of all. The Princess hath commanded it and really, do you want to risk disobeying her command? I didn't think so.

Now hurry off and get yourself subscribed before the Princess comes in here and makes an almighty stink!

Subscribe Right Away!!
**The Soapies Supplies Team**

August 2010 Soapies Special!!

2010-08-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Soapies has an August Special you will not want to miss!!

20% OFF EXFOLIANTS!!

All through the month of Augut 2010, you can save 20% on the following exfoliants by using...

Coupon Code: AugYahoo

Visit our site today!!

Apricot Kernel Meal ~ Excellent exfoliation ingredient for use in Soap, Scrubs, etc.

Corn Meal ~ Excellent scrubbing and exfoliation ingredient in Soap and Scrubs, etc.

Flax Seeds ~ Flax Seeds are great when used whole or you can grind them up for your favorite Formulations!

Jojoba Meal ~ Excellent exfoliation ingredient for use in Soap, Scrubs, etc.

Poppy Seeds ~ Both decorative and useful as an excellent exfoliation ingredient for use in Soap, Scrubs, etc.

Pumice Powder ~ An excellent scrubbing and exfoiliation material in small to larger amounts!

The Soapies Team!!

NEW!! August thru October 2010 Class Schedule at Soapies!

2010-07-27T00:12:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!!

We have just updated the site with all of the Soapies Class dates for August, September and October 2010 ~ Don't Miss Out!

Click on the Class Name to be taken to the site page to order...

Cold Process Soap - Beginner: August 7th and 24th, September 4th and 28th and October 2nd 2010

Cold Process Soap - Intermediate: August 7th and 24th, September 4th and 28th and October 2nd 2010

Cold Process Soap - Advanced: August 7th and 24th, September 4th and 28th and October 2nd 2010

Cold Process Soap - The Whole Soap Pot: August 7th and 24th, September 4th and 28th and October 2nd 2010

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lotions, Creams & Body Butters: August 10th, September 14th and October 12th 2010

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Liquid Soap: August 17th and September 21st 2010

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Balms, Salves & Ointments: September 7th and 18th and October 5th 2010

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Scrubs, Teas & Bath Products: September 7th and 18th and October 5th 2010

Come Join Us To Learn and Have Fun and Sign Up Today!!

Toodles,

Kelley...Soapies Supplies

Soapies Triple June Contests!

2010-07-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

Well...What a month it has been! We hosted 3 AWESOME contests this past month:

SoapyLove eZine Contest - Showing us your very best M&P Creation

Color With Confidence Contest - Showing us your very best Color Creation

Soapies Simple Labeler Contest - Showing us your very best Label Creation

We had several entries for each Contest and boy, was that a hard decision! The Soapies Team got together to choose a WINNER for each Contest and we are very proud to annouce them here for you!

The WINNER of our SoapyLove eZine Contest is: Denise Mancuso of AJ Sweet Soap

A little something from Denise herself...

My name is Denise and I've been crafting with M&P soap for a year and a half. What started out as a hobby has quickly become an obsession, and I'm always anxious to make something new and delicious. I love having unique products that make people say "Wow, is that real?" or "I want to eat that!". It's the ultimate compliment! And yes, even though my soaps come with a label reminding people not to eat it, people will still take a taste just to be sure it's soap! From Banana Cream Pie to realistic fake foods, I take great pride in putting the extra effort into making it look like the real thing - and my customers know I will do what it takes to make sure they have an impressively pampering soap creation!

Custom orders are always welcome - there's something so gratifying in making a customer's favorite dessert into soap!

Denise
AJSweetSoap
www.ajsweetsoap.com
ajsweetsoap@gmail.com

You can follow Denise... Denise on Twitter and Denise on Facebook and visit her website and artfire site as well!

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The WINNER of our Color With Confidence Contest is: Stacie Wyatt of Luster Canyon

A little something from Stacie herself...

My Arizona Sun Soap was created for a bar soap swap in a forum I belong to. I knew I wanted to use the Soapies Arizona Sunrise scent, but wasn't sure how to make what I had in my head become a reality...so, I figure swaps are the perfect venue to test things on. My soap came out better than I thought, and is my proudest soaping moment to date. After I set aside my swap participants soap bars I had one bar left over...and then Kelley listed the Color With Confidence contest...and I knew I had to enter this soap. I am going to recreate it and list in my Etsy Store later this month.

My business, Luster Canyon, derived from the need for products I could use on my own overly sensitive skin. That first batch of handcrafted lotion has grown into my passion for creating and sharing the benefits of my products with others. You can follow my Luster Canyon Blog and read about our products, new creations and find out more about me, my family and some of the random life moments that present themselves as I mix and measure my way through this adventure.

Stacie
Luster Canyon
www.LusterCanyon.com
info@lustercanyon.com

You can meet Stacie in person and see her wonderful items! Show Schedule

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The WINNER of our Soapies Simple Labeler Contest is: Holly of Lotion Bar Cafe'

A little something from Holly herself...

My name is Holly and Lotion Bar Cafe is located in southern Colorado Springs, Colorado. Started in 2007 after a fun-filled yule log hunt. We stopped off to pick up a prize my son had won from finding the yule log. We went into this store that was very cute in Woodland Park. There were lotion bars that were poured into a candy type mold and they were very oily. On our way down the mountain we talked about making them for my family gifts. Some painted old terra-cotta dishes and about 30 espressos… and 15 batches later… I had the perfect lotion bar. Not too oily or greasy. Only using the best ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, and great oils like grape seed, castor, sweet almond.

The family loved them and I would bring the left overs to work and use the bars at the restaurant I work at (Applebees). I always had my hands in water my hands never felt so good! Voila’! That's how it was started! Seems like only yesterday that we would be up til all hours of the night! I now make all natural body treats which include handcrafted soaps, lotions,lotion bars, fizzies, lip balms,scrubs, and now mineral eyeshadow. Love the shadows!

I support a group of GO Go's in Swaziland, Africa. They are Grandmothers to about 8-15 children each due to the Aids epidemic. A portion of my sales helps out a checkpoint in Swaziland! Have a Soapy Day!

Holly
Lotion Bar Cafe'
www.LotionBarCafe.com

You can check out Holly and her products on her Website and follow her on her Blog!!

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Soapies Note...I would like to thank everyone that participated in our Contests and I would also like to encourage our followers (we appreciate youy very much) to patron our winners...

Let them know how special they are!

Happy 4th of July Everyone...Have Fun, Remember our Hereos, and Be Safe...

Please Do Not Drink and Drive...

Where has the time gone?

2010-06-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hey guys....

I am so sorry for neglecting our Soapies Blog. I have no real excuses but I am going to admit that I have been, tremendously, busy since Baby Marcus was born...My first Grandchild. He is the cutest, most well-behaved, scrumptious little man ever! My Clayton and Chloe adore their new nephew and love to watch over him!

On the business front...Soapies is evolving and growing like a weed. We are adding new products, we purchased the Simple Soothing Collection of Fragrance Oils, we hare having a BLAST teaching our Classes, we have restructured our warehouse and its layout and sadly, I am losing my very best friend and trusted assistant, Jaymie at the end of summer...She is moving to Nevada. I am missing her already. She will still work with me long distance on several fronts but will not be here on a day-to-day basis. I hope I can manage without her.

On the family front....My kids are precious and doing well. We have Sunday Family Dinner or Sunday Funday most every week! We always meet here at the Family Home and have a great time. The girls, Jackie and Jessica, get spoiled by Daddy and sometimes they, and my sons, do all the cooking and grilling so that us oldies can relax.

I really miss blogging and I promise to be better at it for you all!

Here are some of the new products we now have for you at Soapies...

Soapies Simple Labler ~ Soapies .15cc, 1.00cc and 1.25cc Mini Scoops ~ Butter and Oils Spade ~ Simple~Soapies Fragrance Collection (more to come!)

Come visit us as we will be unveiling a long-awaited SURPRISE for you all on our site!! Make sure you catch is on Twitter and FaceBook as well...We share Specials and host Contests!!

Until next time....

Toodles,

Kelley

Today Is The Day We Have Been Waiting For....Marcus???

2010-04-02T07:22:00.000-07:00

Today is supposed to be Marcus' Birth Day!! Will he arrive today or make us wait for his grand entrance? I am so hoping that we see him sometime today.

His daddy, Garrett, my first-born, was born on his actual due date: August 21, 1982. I was in hard labor with Garrett for 26.5 hours total.

At 26 hours, the doctor, finally, broke my water and Garrett (right) was born within a half-hour.

He was 7#, 5oz and 21 inches long. There were 16 babies already in the hospital nursery the day Garrett was born...They were all GIRLS!!

He was the only BOY!! The nurses arranged the bassinets so that Garrett in his blue blanket was in the center of all the girl's in their pink ones.

The day we left, another little boy was born and took Garrett's place as 'center of attention'.

My fingers are crossed that Marcus comes on his Birth Day as well. We are soooo excited to meet him!

My youngest son is even staying at our house instead of his apartment 20-25 minutes away so that he can be here to hear the news and rush over to the hospital as a family.

Cameron, my youngest son, (left) is very excited to be an uncle. He told me last night that everything in his life will now focus on Baby Marcus...He wants the best life for Marcus that is possible. Very sweet!

Dear Marcus,

You are the highlight of my world and the most precious addition to our family. We have been wanting you and waiting for you for a very long time. You chose the best parents possible. They will love and honor your spirit, teach and mold you with everything they know, hold and cuddle you in good times and in sad times, wish for you to have an empowering and successful life and most of all Love You More Than They Think Is Even Possible.

I, your Nana, am so excited to meet you. Have a safe journey out to us...We are waiting to embrace you and love you forever. Today is the day little man of mine...I hope to see you very soon....Love Nana

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Jackie and Garrett,

Neither of you fully understand how much I love you and cherish that you are giving me my first grandbaby. In a year or so, you will. You are both in for the experience of a lifetime...Like no other:

To be the blessed parents of Baby Marcus

Love him and each other unconditionally as we as parents love you....Love Momma

My Grandbaby, Marcus, is 39 Weeks Along Today!!

2010-03-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!! Marcus is going to make his debut very soon!

Jackie is fullly effaced and dilated to a "2"...

As of her OB appointment yesterday afternoon!

I have something very special to share with you all ~ Garrett and Jackie had their Pregnancy Family pictures taken and I have a Sneak Peek for you...curtesy of ~ Stacy of Life as You Live It Photography

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's waiting to greet the world!

He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon.

(Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

~Curtesy of BabyCenter.com

My Stick Blender and I Tangled Backsides and I Lost!

2010-03-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

Ok....Here's the deal...A few weeks ago my Assistant, Jaymie, and I held Cold Process Soap Making Classes.

We had a student, Sona, for our Beginner's Class and a student, Jennifer, for our The Whole Soap Pot Class ~ An All Day Cold Process Soap Making Class of all three levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

Great Class by the way!!

So....The Beginner's Session went fabulously...

Sona earned her Beginner's Cold Process Class Certificate and went on her way ~ I love teaching students that have never tried CP at all.

Now, we start the Intermediate Session with Jennifer and all is going great....

Until I spy a speck of something on the outside of the Stick Blender near the bottom of it. I picked the stick blender up in my left hand and used my right index fingernail to scrape the foreign object off.

My finger slipped under the blender and got sucked up into the blades because I didn't realized that it was plugged in and that I had, accidentally, pushed the button!

What a lesson to learn! I am ok...but it took me two full seconds to get the courage to look at my finger. The blades cut thru my nail bed and chewed off the nail polish I was wearing. Fortunately, I have very thick natural finger nails...Not unlike acryllic nails and I think that saved my finger. Had my hand been palm side up, this could very well be a different story.

Jaymie was outside taking a short break and Jennifer screamed at me to call for her and my husband, who was outside as well. They both came running in to help. I had to sit down as I thought I might pass out from the pain. I had Jaymie use the birthing technique I used when I was in labor with each of my sons many years ago...I had her squeeze my injured hand as hard as she could to transfer the pain away from the injury. We got the pain under control, got the injured finger bandaged and went on with the classes. Pictures below were taken 2 weeks after the incident!

Please...Take this blog to heart and always check your equipment, carefully, before handling it. See if it is plugged in before trying to clean a speck off it. Don't plug it in until you are ready to use it....

Be safe everyone!

Toodles for now....Kelley

My Little Grandbaby is 38 Weeks Along Today!!

2010-03-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

So....Jackie had an OB appointmment yesterday (Thursday). Everything is moving slow and steady and at a really nice pace. The doctor said she is 50% efaced and that Marcus should arrive on shedule, April 2nd.

The kids are tying up last minute details in preparation for the family's new bundle to arrive.

We are all very excited to meet and cuddle him...What a lucky family we are to have him with us soon.

How our baby's growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If he's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after he's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

~ Curtesy of BabyCenter.com

A snapshot of the baby's progress:

Baby Marcus Was 37 Weeks Last Friday ~ March 12, 2010

2010-03-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

Wow....Time has gone by so quickly!! Baby Marcus will arrive very soon. He and his Momma are doing really well. At her last doctor's visit, Jackie was told she is efacing... YEA!!

His little nursery is complete and waiting for his arrival...Garrett and Jackie did a wonderful job on it. I wish my sons could have had a sweet nursery like that when they were little but we lived in a 400 square foot house!!

I am sooo proud of all three of them...Jackie is precious, Garrett is so adorable and very proud to be a Daddy and Baby Marcus will be his Nana and Papa's most precious gift.

How your baby's growing:

Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Marcus' Beautiful Nursery...

Free slideshow design personalized with Smilebox

A sneek peak at how the baby is progressing:

All info curtesy of BabyCenter.com

Baby Marcus Was 36 Weeks Along on Friday, March 5, 2010!!

2010-03-07T12:52:00.000-08:00

Here we are with another exciting update on my soon-to-arrive first Grandbaby, Marcus Victor Perea. He is such a cutie ~ He moves in his snug little nest so that you can see it from across the room! The doctor thinks he will be between 7 and 7.5 pounds...A good size for his petite mom. Jackie is tall but petite in size.

Garrett and Jackie are doing so well as pre-parents. They have completed his most adorable nursery - I have pictures for you (I will post them soon!) and they are pretty well ready for my little Bugaboo. Jackie's mom, Margaret, flew in on Friday night to stay and help Jackie and Garrett until Marcus arrives. I think they are doing the Mommie/Grandmommie bonding thing ;o) I am letting them have their time together and Jackie knows to call me if I can help as well...I am known for dropping everything to help my kids...or pretty much anyone ;o)

My beautiful daughter just glows and glows...I am so proud of her it is unspeakable so I won't even try. Based on what I have seen over the past nine years, her nuturing with their furr-babies, Lily and Paco, and her tremendously loving efforts with my son and now her pregancy and Marcus ~ Jackie will be a most amazing Momma. That is the best gift I could ever ask for...I do not have a worry in the world about her and Garrett's abilities as new parents. I might even feel left out as I don't think they will need much assistance form me. I will always be right there if and when they do, though.

After I publish this blog, I am going to be setting up my nursery for Marcus here at the house...Just in case he decides to arrive a little early. Jackie gave me some of the "duplicates" that she received at her showers and I bought a few things on my own. I am so excited!!

How the baby's growing ~ Curtesy of BabyCenter.com:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon)
and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position. But if he isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating him from the outside of your belly.

A peek of the baby's progress ~ Curtesy of BabyCenter.com:

My Little Marcus Was 35 Weeks Along Yesterday, Friday, Feb. 26th!!

2010-02-27T05:25:00.000-08:00

My Precious Bugaboo turned 35 and 35 yesterday!! 35 Weeks along and 35 Days to go!!

Everything is great with Jackie and Marcus...They just had a check-up on Thursday. His heart rate is strong and Jackie gained two tiny pounds. Everything is right on track!

Every time I think about Marcus, which is every 20 seconds, I just get all giddy inside knowing I can hold my 'precious one' very soon!

Here is his update for this week, curtesy of BabyCenter.com:

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon).

Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same.

His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Here is his development, curtesy of BabyCenter.com:

Do you love your Furr-Baby?? Potty Park™ Does as much as you do....

2010-02-25T14:44:00.000-08:00

Hey Pet Lovers...

Do you all remember when we found and rescued our little Chihuahuas, Clayton Henry (top) and Chloe Lynne (bottom) in early January?

Well...they are doing tremendously well...Growing like CRAZY!! They both weighed 34 ounces and now Clayton is 6 pounds and Chloe is following closely at 5.5 pounds.

Anyway, I noticed that they potty easier, and faster, in the backyard grass than they do on their indoor potty pads....

Off to the internet I went! I found several links for "Grass" potty stations for indoor use. I found them starting at $30-40 dollars up to $200. I got interupted in my search (most likely by the "wee ones" wee-weeing on the tile floor).

When I got back to my "potty solution" search...I clicked on the Potty Park™ site. WOW!! What a difference in technology from the cheap and "similar" versions!! I noticed that they we having a contest to WIN a Potty Park™!!

I, immediately, entered the contest... telling them how we found and rescued them and all and crossed my fingers!

Our vet bills had already started to pile up and thought, "What the hay, it is worth a try!"

The random drawing was to take place on February 11th...Well, that date came and went and so I figured I didn't win but I would buy one myself someday and continued on with taking good care of C & C.

So today, I am in my office doing loads of yucky accounting stuff when the phone rings...It is Christopher from Potty Park™. I have to say, my heart started racing a little bit when he said, through his adorable and very gentlemenly British accent, that he was calling from Potty Park™.

He said he was calling because of my Contest Entry and unfortunately, I did not win...but wanted to see if I had any questions regarding the Potty Park™ System. We must have spoken on the phone for at least a half-hour or more. What a nice man!! His son invented the system out of necessity (living on the 15th floor of a condo in Canada) and his daddy now works for him in the Potty Park™ family business. He gave me great insight into all of the aspects and workings of the system and we also talked about his living here in Arizona at one time.

Why am I telling you all of this in this very long blog? Because....I was truly amazed that a company would not only take the time to follow up with the contestants that did not win their gift but to then speak on the phone so long that I felt like we were friends!

I just wanted to share this with you all....In this day and age, customer service is at its lowest, in my opinion, and I am thrilled whenever I do, sadly, receive GREAT customer service as I did today with Christopher.

He also spoke to me about a great Potty Park™ Affiliate Program that I am going to sign-up for. I will have a link on my Soapies Supplies and Dead End Pest Control sites (this blog site as well if I can) that will automatically donate a sum to an Animal Rescue Organization of my choice!! How awesome and wonderful is that??

If you have furr-babies or are going to rescue/adopt one, I encourage you to check into getting a Potty Park™ System!! They will be having future contests as well so keep your eye on that, too!

Soapies is proud to now be an Affiliate of Potty Park™.

You can now click thru our link on our Soapies Links site...

All Commission Proceeds will go to a Local Rescue here in Arizona!!!

Love your pets and they will LOVE you back....Unconditionally!!

Toodles for now...Kelley

My Little Bugaboo Was 34 Weeks Along Last Friday, February 19th!!

2010-02-25T13:21:00.000-08:00

Hey Grandbaby followers!! I am so sorry I am late on Marcus' updates for those of you that really want to follow his progress. Nana has been so busy with our companies, Soapies Supplies and Dead End Pest Control, lately that I have, once again, neglected my duties here in Blogland ;o(

Jackie and Marcus are doing very well...I am hoping for current pictures soon! Garrett is doing very well also...Working hard in college and interviewing with The Mac Store. Congrats to Garrett...He was just hired by The Mac Store in the Biltmore area of Phoenix just the other day!!

Back to my Bugaboo....He is growing and squirming and having a great time astonishing his parents with all of his tumbling and acrobatic feats in his safe Mommie Tummy Haven.

Our Little Grandbaby's Progress, curtesy of BabyCenter.com:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder.

His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well.

If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine.

They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

How does Marcus look now? Progress of the baby, curtesy of BabyCenter.com:

Stay tuned for this week's update (35 Weeks Along) tomorrow!!!

EXTENDED Until 2/28/10!! Soapies Random Special ~ 50% OFF!!

2010-02-13T22:54:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys!!

In an effort to move product and get our amazing products into new hands, Soapies is offering a 50% OFF Special on selected items...Ends Sunday at Midnight Arizona Time!!

What do we have listed? Here is a brief lineup:

1oz PET Cylinder Bottles
Colored Slimline Bottles
Colored Boston Round Bottles
Colored PET Jars
PET Champagne Bottles
Colored Test Tubes
Assorted Foam Test Tube Holders
Chinese Take-Out Containers
Milk Bottles
PET 1/3oz Roller Bottles
Black .15oz Lip Balm Tubes
Lip Balm Tube Shrink Bands
Cherry Blast Fragrance Oil
Daffodil Fragrance Oil
Grape Fragrance Oil

Come visit our Random Specials Page Right Now!

Toodles...Kelley and The Soapies Team

Grandbaby Marcus Victor was 33 Weeks Along Yesterday!!

2010-02-13T17:38:00.000-08:00

Marcus and Jackie are both

blooming so well....

He is growing and kicking and hiccupping like crazy!

How your baby's growing:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark.

He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening

The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.)

These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

A look at the baby's progress...Curtesy of BabyCenter.com:

Clayton, Chloe and Lily

2010-02-13T16:52:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Grandbaby Marcus was 32 Weeks Along Yesterday, Friday!!

2010-02-06T05:56:00.000-08:00

Time is flying for sure. I cannot believe my Little Bugaboo will be here in less than two months! I have found some of the cutest little outfits for him. Jackie and I went baby clothes shopping two weekends ago and found some great things! I debated on showing the outfits now but have decided to wait until he is actually wearing them....Stay tuned!!

How is it possible to absolutely LOVE and ADORE a tiny creature that you have never seen, never touched, never cuddled? I have watched my love for Marcus grow constantly...It just amazes me. I have loved and treasured Jackie for over nine years and the feelings I feel when I see and hug her now are unbelievable. Mommiehood suites her so well and she is just a treasure to have. She is the perfect daughter to give us our first grandchild. We still like Garrett, too!!

How your baby's growing:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large Jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

The little one's progress ~ Curtesy of Babycenter.com

My Little Bugaboo, Marcus, is 31 Weeks Along Today!!

2010-01-29T15:17:00.000-08:00

Time is sure flying by!! I cannot believe that he will be here soon for all of us to cuddle and spoil. Not that I will spoil him at all....That just isn't how I am. I will leave that to others and I will be the stern disciplinarian.

(If any of you believe that last sentence...I have tons of SWAMP LAND FOR SALE!!)

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt.

He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin.

He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up.

Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.
~Curtesy of BabyCenter.com

The baby's progress this week ~ Curtesy of BabyCenter.com:

My Grandbaby, Marcus Victor, Was 30 Weeks Along Friday!!

2010-01-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

My beautiful daughter, Jackie, is doing very well....She continues to work and is nesting like crazy. Garrett is in college now and looking for part-time work while chuggin' away at his Honey-Do List that needs to be completed before Baby Marcus arrives.

Time is really flying with the upcoming birth of Marcus....He is 30 weeks along and a very active little guy. Jackie had to take a 3 hour Glucose Tolerance test yesterday and Marcus went "crazy" in her tummy once it hit his little system.

Here is the update on his progress curtesy of BabyCenter.com:

How the baby's growing...

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage).

A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus

His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

A picture of the baby's progress from BabyCenter.com:

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2010-01-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

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Toodles...Kelley and The Soapies Team

Soapies and SoapyLove M&P All Day Boot Camp!

2010-01-18T15:03:00.000-08:00

WOW!! What a great day of friendship and learning!!

First...Let me tell you all....Debbie of SoapyLove drove up to Scottsdale, Arizona from San Diego, California on Friday, January 15th. Bronson and I gave her a quick tour of the Perea-Shafer Ranchette and of Soapies, too!

We all sat for a dinner of my special Cran~Chili Sausage and Meatballs with Baked Potaoes and Zucchini. We talked for a good bit after dinner and then headed for bed. The next morning, we all got up and finalized the set-up for the Class in our Classroom (media room) and waited for our anxious students to arrive. My assistant, Jaymie came to go over the Soapies Schedule of January thru March Classes while the students made their projects.

Debbie was extrememly generous with her knowledge of not only M&P capabiilities and design, she also answered all of the questions, and there were many, thrown at her...That is a great sign of an excellent teacher!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The students made four adorable projects and had a lunch of Subway sandwiches and chips. They made Monogram Soaps, Painted Soaps, etc. They even came up with a few new ideas between themselves and Debbie as well during the day!

All and all....It was a great day for all. We hope to have Debbie back soon for another exciting SoapyLove Class here in Arizona!!

I would like to, personally, thank Debbie for coming all this way to teach our students here in Arizona...We even had a student come in from Nevada! I would also like to thank each and every one on the students for taking the class and being such gracious guests here at Soapies.

Toodles for now...Kelley ~ Soapies Supplies

My Little Bugaboo, Marcus was 29 Weeks Along on Friday - Jan. 15th

2010-01-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

Once again...I am a bad, bad Nana...Late on my Gandbaby Marcus' Update Post! He is such an excited little one. His Mommie and Daddy had a great, and relaxing, time on their Babymoon and now they are really moving forward on getting his adorable nursery together!

JC Penney and I had a little "Conference" over them messing up the furniture order so when all was said and done...they gave me 20% off on a mattress for Marcus ~ Can you believe the amount of money you spend on a nice crib and it does not even come with a mattress? So in the end....I ordered him a really nice mattress and accepted the discount in lieu of his Hutch that I bought a month ago being delivered after his Baby Shower. Do they not know that he is a Prince? Hmmm...Prince Perea has a nice little ring to it!

Ok.....Now for the update on my Little Bugaboo curtesy of BabyCenter.com...

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash)

and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.

His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain.

To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice).

This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

See the progress for a baby of 29 Weeks curtesy of BabyCenter.com:

My little Bugaboo, Marcus Was 28 Weeks Along on Friday!

2010-01-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

Hey guys.....

Sorry I am soooo late with my weekly update on Marcus.

I have been so busy lately and with the addition of Clayton and Chloe to our family, time got away from me. I feel like a bad, bad, Nana for neglecting Marcus this past week.

Here is the baby's progress according to Baby Center.com:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes.

With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

At quick look at his progress courtsey of Baby Center.com:

Clayton and Chloe's First Bath and New Sweaters Part 2

2010-01-10T18:19:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox collage

Clayton and Chloe's First Bath and New Sweaters

2010-01-10T16:15:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox collage

Clayton Henry and Chloe Lynne Shafer

2010-01-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

My Grandbaby, Marcus Victor, Is 27 Weeks Along Today!

2010-01-01T21:29:00.000-08:00

My Little Bugaboo is so active now....

He squirms and moves and has hiccups!

He wakes up with Mommie every morning and then falls back asleep on his ride to work.

You can now see him kick and play inside through Mommie's shirt!!

This week, your baby boy weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended.

He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers.

With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While hisr lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now.

Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

~from BabyCenter.com

The Baby's Progress This Week:

My Precious Marcus was 26 Weeks Along on Christmas Day!

2009-12-28T14:18:00.000-08:00

I am a tad late on posting my weekly blog on the progress of my Little Bugaboo!

Marcus was 26 weeks along on Christmas Day!

He got two gifts from his Nana and Papa:

A beautifully made (handmade) Sock Monkey and the cutest little outfit! I will save the outfit picture for next week's blog post!

Marcus is growing and kicking like crazy...You can now see him kick and move around in his Momma's tummy!

What a sight and treat it is to witness. I just love and adore him so much already!

His Momma bought him the cutest little outfit for him to come home in and he is going to be wrapped in the blanket my Mam-ma (grandmother) made for his Daddy to come home in!! I am sooooo excited!!

Here is the little furniture Nana and Papa bought him....Can't wait for it to arrive...His Daddy is painting his nursery today!!

How your baby's growing:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other.

He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat.

He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds (just over 21 ounces) and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Marucs' progress this week from www.BabyCenter.com:

A little note from Marcus..."My parents can be a little silly sometimes! Look at them on Christmas Day!"

My Little Bugaboo, Marcus, Is 25 Weeks Along Today!!

2009-12-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

Wow....Time is going so fast! My Littel Bugaboo is growing like a little weed and he is much more active now. He likes to have hiccups and suck his little thumb. He also likes to tickle his Mommie with his fingers and toes ;o)

He has a little mind od his own....If Mommie drinks really cold water he goes nuts sqirming and kicking like crazy!

He is 25 Weeks along today and will be here in less than 4 months...Can you believe that? Here is info on his development from BabyCernter.com:

How your baby's growing:

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat.

As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn.

He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Take a look at the baby's progress from Baby Center.com:

My Precious Little Grandson, Marcus, Is 24 Weeks Along Today!

2009-12-11T07:17:00.000-08:00

Parents, Garrett and Jackie, are doing really well. Jackie is nesting like crazy and prepping for the little one to arrive. I have to get on her from time to time as she tries to do too much herself. Do you hear me NOW, Jacqueline?? ;o)

She has the most precious little baby bump....Marcus is growing fast! I promise to have new pictures of the parents for next week's blog post since I have gotten complaints!! ;o)

As for my little bundle of joy...Here is the scoop on his progress from BabyCenter.com:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound.

Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up.

His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop.

His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world.

His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Take a look at the baby's progress from BabyCenter.com:

Arizona Can Get Mean...Storm-Wise!

2009-12-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

Last night we had a rain storm that was whipping all around us....Kinda scary!

You wouldn't think that a desert area could have lash-outs like this but they can.

You would have thought we were still in Monsoon season last night.

Winds of approximately 50+ miles an hours with tons of rain.

I had all of my trees trimmed right before Monsoon season hit this year to avoid this happening....

But if a storm wants to destroy your beautiful tress...

It will!

Here is a look at the dammage to the tree in the back yard....It also blew our Hay Bales over!

Soapies' School Is In Session!! Classes on Soap Making at Soapies!!

2009-12-04T19:22:00.000-08:00

Hey all!! We are debuting our new Soapies Girl...
Soapmaker Princess!!

Soapies is now offering Soap Making Classes in both Cold Process and Melt & Pour styles.

We have three levels for Cold Process in December:

Beginners Cold Process
Intermediate Cold Process
Advanced Cold Process

We have an All Day Melt & Pour Soap Making Class with M&P Expert Debbie Chialtas of SoapyLove in January!

Plan and order your Soap Making Class Experiences
today at Soapies Supplies in Arizona!

My Precious Little Grandbaby, Marcus Victor, is 23 Weeks Along Today!

2009-12-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

For today's update, Garrett and Jackie are doing very well....Both will be such great parents. I cannot wait to see them in action.

Marcus, my Little Bugaboo, is a precious little guy with a bit of a tiny temper! Mommie was laying in a position the other day that he did not particularly care for and he let her know...Right l not have Nana's red hair to go with that tiny temper!

Marcus is growing like a little weed...

According to Baby Center.com:

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing his for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb.

How the little one is developing:

What the Heck is Wrong With You??

2009-12-01T12:17:00.000-08:00

Wow!! I am just flabbergasted at what a good friend of mine endured today. My friend Allison Tweeted that someone verbally abused her, over the phone, no less. She was swore at and called a very unpleasant name as she tried to help this potential customer. What?? Why?? What would possess someone to treat another in that manner? Manners? Have we forgotten them in the deep recesses of our lives?

This behavior is so not necessary and uncalled for. Treat people as you would like to be treated...If you have no self-respect, then treat people as you would want them to treat your mother. Allison is such as inspiration to all women in business and it just breaks my heart to hear that there are still angry souls in this world that must malign others with their nastiness.

What can you do? You can make a great attempt each and every day to help someone:
Do something special for someone..."out of the blue" and make their day - nothing fancy necessary...

Promote someone else and help them gain more business - takes two seconds to refer someone
Call someone in the family for no other reason that to say, "Love Ya"!
Phone a colleague and let them know you appreciate their efforts and ask to return the favor
Call a friend and offer to take the kids Friday night for them
Email a competitor and tell them you admire them...I did this years ago with Anne-Marie of BrambleBerry.com
Sit for 5 minutes each day and think good thoughts about someone else
Help an elderly person in any way they need

I am sure there are other ways you can do a sincere 'random act of kindness'...It will come back to you ten-fold.

Have a great and prosperous day and help someone today! It will make your own day mean a lot more!

Toodles for now....Kelley

My Precious Little Grandbaby, Marcus, Is 22 Weeks Along Today!

2009-11-27T07:07:00.000-08:00

Well....Marcus seemed to really enjoy his first Thanksgiving! He sqirmed like a little Bugaboo for his Nana after dinner! Garrett and Jackie are doing very well....Garrett is very attentive to Jackie, even tucks her into bed every night, and Jackie is showing all of the "mommie" signs...she is so maternal. Her baby bump is soooo cute and getting bigger every day. She is still under by eight pounds but she is eating really well....Not an ounce of fat on her...just all baby.

You can see how much she loves little Marcus already.....She made me cry the other day when she was talking and referred to him as "my son". I had never heard her say that before and I was soooo touched by it...Silly Nana cries about everything regarding this little bugger.

Here is the info on how little Marcus is growing from Baby Center.com:

How your baby's growing:

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Baby Marcus' Progress...

My Little Grandbaby, Marcus Victor Perea, is 21 Weeks Along Today!!

2009-11-20T23:02:00.000-08:00

WOW!! little marcus is growing like a little weed! He grew 4 inches since last week! Jackie and Garrett can feel him move around and he has little kicks. He was shy with his Nana (me) the other night and would not kick for me...Stubborn little man ;o)

Marcus has started the little game of "I will sleep when Mommie is awake and working and I will get on the internal Jungle Gym when she gets home from work to rest before dinner".

I think all of us Moms remember that little game, right?

Jackie is doing really well...no swelling or discomfort....Still under her pre-prgnancy weight by about 8 pounds but she is eating like a little trooper. She has had a bit of heartburn as few times but other than that...She is doing splendidly. I am hoping to get new "baby bump" pictires by next weeks article.

From BabyCenter.com:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

The Baby's Progress ~ BabyCenter.com:

Artisan Interview with Jackie Sample of 2 Virgos Designs

2009-11-20T22:25:00.000-08:00

Hello readers!! I am so excited to share with you the very next Artisan Interview on Soapies Blog. I interviewed Jackie Sample ~ 2 Virgos Designs this past summer. I hope you all enjoy it...

Kelley: Jackie, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed for Soapies Blog. Tell me what got you started.

Jackie: Thank you for this opportunity, Kelley! I am disabled and retired and had too much time on my hands and needed a creative, positive outlet to focus on, soap making fit perfectly!

Kelley: Were you a soapmaker before your retirement or did you find soapmaking afterward?

Jackie: I discovered the wonderful world of soaping after I retired.

Kelley: Awesome! What drives you in business?

Jackie: To be able to offer the best products with a greener impact at an affordable price.

Kelley: How is your company "greener" than your competitors?

Jackie: I have recently upgraded my glycerin soaps to an all natural chemical free base and my hand milled soaps are the finest cold process, I strive to use phthlate free fragrances and essential oils in my products, I am constantly improving my formulas.

Kelley: That is great to hear! We try to do our part by not sending Invoices in the boxes and using recycled packing materials whenever we can.

Jackie: Yes, I too recycle packing materials, make some of my own packaging, and use PET bottles.

Kelley: Every little bit helps for sure! Jackie, where do you see yourself, professionally, in 5 years?

Jackie: In 5 years, I hope to be out of the "hobbyist" stage and firmly in the small business stage. I also want to be making my own more natural lotions instead of using the premium base I am now.

Kelley: I am sure you will achieve that goal. What would be your 5 favorite ingredients to work with?

Jackie: Cold Process lye soap for rebatch, glycerin melt and pour, emu oil, soy wax, fragrances.

Kelley: So you purchase Cold Process Soap and then rebatch it yourself?

Jackie: Yes I do, I love it!

Kelley: Will you try making it from scratch at some point?

Jackie: No, alas, I really want to, the chemist in me cries out for it but health issues prevents me from using lye.

Kelley: Oh, I see. I have only rebatched once when my daughter, Jackie, and I realized we were talking too much and forgot the Coconut Oil!! That batch turned out to be one of the best we ever made.

Jackie: I did that, too, one time but caught it in time and added my oils and continued cooking, I use the crockpot.

Kelley: Good one! We didn't realize until it was out of the oven and a soggy mess! What are your favorite products to make?

Jackie: Hands down, hand-milled (rebatch) soap, layered melt and pour, and soy wax lotion tarts.

Kelley: Lotion Tarts...That is one thing I have not tried yet. I will have to do that soon!

Jackie: I am excited about them, no flame, dual purpose tarts - lotion and home fragrance - and they feel so good on the skin, excellent lotion and the warm lotion makes my hands feel better.

Kelley: WOW! Dual purpose! I had no idea! What would you say your best and top-selling products are and why do you think they sell so well?

Jackie: My Gent's Club Sandalwood Glycerin Goat Milk Soaps are my best seller because of the skin soothing properties and I use real Santalum Album essentnial oil and they smell so rich and exotic as only real sandalwood can. Black Knight of Avalon cologne is my 2nd best seller because it is an awesome, unique, and very sexy men's fragrance.

Kelley: Both sound very intriguing! In percentages, what percent of your business makes up research and development and what percent makes up the making of product on a daily or weekly basis?

Jackie: It is split pretty much 50/50, I spend a lot of time in research and development, it is a priority that my products be safe and do what they are supposed to do.

Kelley: You are an animal rescuer, how many have you rescued and what does it mean to you to help the world’s most vulnerable?

Jackie: I have rescued 2 little dogs. It is my way of returning some good to the cosmos, putting some good back into it to help cancel out the bad done to these creatures.

Kelley: I completely agree with that. All of the pets we have, or have had, since 1988 have been found or rescued. More people need to help them as you do. You should read the Blog I posted this past Sunday. People helping a riderless horse.

Jackie: I will. I am getting ready to blog about puppymill dogs myself.

Kelley: That is one of the saddest things regarding these defenseless creatures.

Jackie: I can never understand how anyone can harm an animal or a child.

Kelley: I agree....Jackie, where do most of your ideas come from?

Jackie: From my passions - aromatherapy, the medieval period, and dogs.

Kelley: Passion makes everything better, doesn't it?

Jackie: Yes, it does!

Kelley: Can you tell me what you are working on now for a new product?

Jackie: My next project will be a Vegan, nut tree ingredient free hand milled (rebatch) soap.

Kelley: WOW! That sounds fascinating! Are you Vegan yourself?

Jackie: No, but it is important to be able to offer alternatives to those who are.

Kelley: You are so right. Having something for everyone is very important. What is something you have always wanted to include in your product line but haven’t had the chance to do yet?

Jackie: Handmade lotion, the time just has not been right to get involved in it.

Kelley: Lotion making is a lot of fun! Getting it the right consistency can be trying sometimes but a lot of fun to formulate.

Jackie: I think it is great for controlling what is in your lotion formula and to offer a more natural product.

Kelley: Absolutely! How big of a role does advertising play in your business and what mediums do you utilize?

Jackie: Huge! I utilize social networking sites: Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, the Etsy forums; and word of mouth, and I do pay for Facebook Ads from time to time.

Kelley: I agree. Social Media can make a huge impact on your business.

Jackie: I fought it at the beginning but have made sales directly from Facebook and even my blog so it is invaluable as a resource.

Kelley: I have as well and it keeps me in better touch with my customers. What would you like our readers to know about you, personally or professionally, that we have not covered?

Jackie: My only regret is I did not discover soaping years ago! I encourage others to develop a passion like soap mkaing, it can make a profound difference in your life.

Kelley: I agree, Jackie, especially when you can turn a hobby into a money-making venture.

Kelley: Jackie, I have so enjoyed our interview today and getting to know you a bit. I wish you continued success in your venture and hope that you feel strong and empowered to make you goals....I know you will. Thank you so much for taking this time from your busy schedule.

Jackie: Kelley thank you for this wonderful opportunity!

Kelley: You are most welcome! Thank you for sharing yourself with our readers.

~ This concludes the Soapies Blog Interview with Jackie Sample ~

2 Virgos Designs is located in Bossier City, Louisana and their main store is on Etsy. Jackie has been in business almost 2 years and has a target market for Retail - Primarily women and men 30 to 60 years old.

Click to visit 2 Virgos Designs for Retail Sales and on FaceBook!!

Jackie Sample, Owner

2319 Riverwood Dr., #202

Bossier City, LA. 71111

318-742-4790
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you would like to be interviewed for a future article on
Soapies Blog, please contact me: 480.443.4011

My Little Grandbaby, Marcus Victor Perea, is 20 Weeks Along Today!!

2009-11-13T06:25:00.000-08:00

This week's article is a little special...Not that the others weren't ;o) Marcus is such a cutie! He performed for his Daddy, my son Garrett, the other night by kicking his Momma hard enough for his Daddy to feel it!! That is a powerful kick for such a little guy that only weighed about 10 ounces at the time!

Yesterday, Marcus and his Momma made their modeling debut...Jackie's doctor was hosting a training session put on by the manufacturer of a special Sonogram Machine and asked if Jackie and Marcus would be their model for the training session. Why did he ask Jackie and Marcus?

Because Marcus was such a cooperative baby the first time, Jackie is a small little thing and together they made it easy to get good shots of Marcus. Well, Marcus decided to misbehave yesterday and was a naughty little boy. He refused to cooperate by holding still when they needed him to and refused to move around when they wanted him to! LOL He also buried his little face into his Momma....Camera shy???

Good news, they are invited back at a future date to try again...Let's hope Marcus decides to play along this time.

From BabyCenter.com:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

The Baby's Progress ~ BabyCenter.com:

My Little Grandbaby is 19 Weeks Along!!

2009-11-05T23:09:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!! Today's edition of the progress of my Little Grandbaby is soooo exciting for us! Garrett and Jackie invited Bronson and I to the Sonogram appointment!! We got to see our little bundle move and wave and even suck its thumb! How adorable and precious that was for us. Bronson (Papa) cried, very quietly, to himself...I noticed but Garrett and Jackie did not. I (Nana) was amazed at my little precious one, too! So sweet all bundled up warmly within its Momma...An amazing site for sure.

The technician measured the head and legs, showed us the feet and hands, checked the little rascals heart rate (147 beats a minute) and and a few other organs and then....

Told us....It's A Boy!! My little bundle now has a name: Marcus Victor Perea

Victor is the middle name of Garrett's natural father and my late husband, Roger Victor Perea, who was killed by a drunk driver on December 31, 1986 when Garrett was only 4 years old. What a way to honor his Daddy Roger, as both boys, Garrett and Cameron, still call him.

Marcus Victor Perea is a stunning little guy...He is so talented. Marcus can do flips and roll-overs and wave his little hand and show his little spine and manhood on command!

Little Marcus is 19 weeks along today, Friday, November 6, 2009:

The baby's sensory development is exploding! His brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that he may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to him, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on his skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Source: www.BabyCenter.com

Baby's progress at 19 weeks along:

My Little Grandbaby Is Now 18 Weeks Along!!!

2009-10-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

Here are the cute parents!!

Jackie and Garrett seem to ge more excited every week! Jackie, my friend Jaymie and I went maternity clothes shopping last week! We got some adorable items for Jackie to wear to work ;o) I am hoping to have some newer pictures of Jackie for future blog posts. My little grandbaby is now 18 weeks along as of Friday, October 30, 2009!

How your baby's growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Here is a peek at the baby's progress:

Author and Artisan Interview with Amy Kalinchuk of Olde Crone's Bewitching Bath Soap

2009-10-24T15:41:00.000-07:00

Hello readers!! I am so excited to share with you the very first Author and Artisan Interview on Soapies Blog. I interviewed Amy Kalinchuk ~ Old Crone's on August 7, 2009. I hope you all enjoy it...

Kelley: Amy, thanks so much for agreeing to be our next interview. Tell me what got you started in the Soaping Arena.

Amy Kalinchuk: I got interested in soaping when a friend introduced me to melt-and-pour soap. I did that for a little while, but quickly moved toward cold process soap. When I make something, I very often want it to be "from scratch." Some things I only do once, and some things, like soap, stick with me for a long time.

Kelley: How did you come up with your company name?

Amy Kalinchuk: When deciding on my name, I was brainstorming with a friend. I wanted a name that sounded fun, but also sounded like the person knows what she's doing. Adding the -e to Olde helps the name to seem olde-fashioned, too.

I wanted it to be olde-fashioned. I remember telling my friend, "Something that evokes the traveling snake-oil caravan kind of thing." He said, "Are you selling snake oil?"

Of course, I don't sell snake oil, but I do sell under a tent, out in the open. At that time, I didn't know I would be selling at farmer's markets, but that's how it worked out.

Kelley: I like that. Amy, what drives you in business?

Amy Kalinchuk: Making money! I think that is what should drive anyone in a business. I do enjoy making high-quality products; that is what helps a customer to come back, in the end. When I began selling, I needed to do so because my husband was staying home to raise our daughter. I had to make more money than a public school teacher's salary allows, so selling soap was the way to go. It is profitable, and allows us to live without going into debt each month by using credit cards.

I have observed discussions online about this question. I think if a person in business doesn't focus on keeping costs down and pricing things appropriately, it's going to be bad for that business. It's important to remember that business is, ultimately, about making money.

Kelley: So you are completely supporting your family on your own with your business?

Amy Kalinchuk: No, I am not supporting my family with the soap. I am a public school teacher. The soap is a supplement.

Kelley: I know you are a published eBook author (your eBooks are also sold by Soapies). What inspired your to write both, “Making Soap In Your Own Kitchen” and “Best Soap Recipes: The Companion to Making Soap In Your Own Kitchen”

Amy Kalinchuk: One small, teeny weeny thing inspired me to write my first book. When I was teaching myself to make soap, I could NOT for the life of me find a proper photo of trace. None of the books described exactly what trace looks like. So, I decided to write a book and include photographs of every step in soap making, including trace. I essentially wrote the book that I wished I could have read when I was learning. I knew I wanted to publish it as an ebook, so I included as many photos as I thought could possibly be needed.

The second book came by request. I started getting emails from the folks who bought my first book, asking for recipes and Internet suppliers. Listening to customers is always a good idea in business. The book has charts with oil properties, information about formulating recipes, and many time-tested soap recipes.

Kelley: I really have to agree with you there on the lack of info out there that, truly, explains trace. I remember being scared to death of Cold Process because most writings were either terrifying or lacking necessary info to make you feel confident to try it.

Amy Kalinchuk: At the time when I was learning, there weren't a lot of current books available. I had to do my own research online to supplement the book info.

Kelley: It is always a good thing to have customer requests...Your eBooks are fabulous and I am so glad they asked you to write more!

Amy Kalinchuk: Some things in those old books are now obsolete, as well. I recommend that folks read books published after 1997 (after the Internet was established), because those books should have at least the information about using a stick blender.

Kelley: That is a very good point.

Amy Kalinchuk: Yes, I love when my customers email me! My new book needs to come out soon or they are going to riot.

Kelley: I might be leading that RIOT!

Amy Kalinchuk: I'm on it! I'm taking photographs this week, I promise!

Kelley: Awesome!! So, where do you see yourself, professionally, in 5 years?

Amy Kalinchuk: In five years, I hope to have several more books written. I am also working on a publishing project for craft ebooks. Stay tuned for that! It's hard to say where a business will be in five years, but I have made the conscious decision to remain small with the soap right now. I don't actively seek out wholesale opportunities, but if an easy one falls into my lap, I'll probably take it. I think it is important to be reflective about my business and how it affects my life, and make decisions based on what is best for my life overall. For now, it means selling mostly retail, and I predict that will continue for a while.

Within the next year, I should have published the second editions of “Making Soap In Your Own Kitchen” and “Best Soap Recipes”. The first book needs reformatting, and the second book needs to have the supplier list updated. I should update that book every year or two, I think.

Kelley: What can you tell us about the new books you are working on or are thinking about for release?

Amy Kalinchuk: The books in my mind right now, to be published within the next five years, include: Making Balms and Butters; Making Liquid Soap; and Starting and Running a Profitable Soap Business. All of these titles are works in progress.

Kelley: WOW! Those titles are very intriguing! I cannot wait to see them!

Amy Kalinchuk: We'll see how they turn out. I am working on the Balms and Butters book right now.

Kelley: If your first two eBooks are any indication, they will be great! What would be your 5 favorite ingredients to work with?

Amy Kalinchuk: Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Goat Milk, Lavender Essential Oil and Olive Oil. That's a hard question to answer, so I had a look at my recipes to see what I use the most.

Kelley: Aaahhh...that is a great way to find the answer to that question! That leads me to my next question: What are your favorite products to make?

Amy Kalinchuk: I most enjoy making soap, but recently I have begun to enjoy bath fizzies a lot. That's partly because my daughter enjoys them so much, and she loves to clean up afterward--she pulls a chair up to the sink, and fills the tub with water to watch it all fizz. She's a great helper during clean-up!

Kelley: That is adorable. How old is she?

Amy Kalinchuk: She's 6. She will be in first grade this school year.

Kelley: WOW...and a budding soaper already. What would you say your best and top-selling products are and why do you think they sell so well?

Amy Kalinchuk: My best-selling soap overall is Lavender Lemon Goat Milk Soap. The scent is amazing, which is what sells it initially. Folks come back because they enjoy using it--that's what they tell me, anyway.

My goat milk soaps sell well, overall. My liquid soap is starting to catch on, too. I just started selling liquid soap last year.

Kelley: That sounds like a gorgeous bar. I have not tried working with goat milk yet. What special technique do you find works best for you to avoid scorching?

Amy Kalinchuk: I usually add frozen, slushy goat milk at light trace. Recently, I have been adding the slush to the liquid oils, and blending that in well, before adding it to the whole mix. For some reason, that technique works just as well.

I think the oils sort of "buffer" the milk particles, so they don't scorch. This is just speculation on my part. If something works, I do it. If it doesn't work, I don't. Real scientific, right?

Kelley: As they say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" I really want to try my hand at goat milk soap.

In percentages, what percent of your business makes up research and development and what percent makes up the making of product on a daily or weekly basis?

Amy Kalinchuk: In the beginning, it was about 80% research and development, and 20% production. I would say it's now 90% production, and 10% R & D. This seems natural to me, since I've been doing this for a while, and my line is relatively established. I add a couple new products each year, and sometimes delete a product.

Kelley: That makes total sense. When do you find the time to write?

Amy Kalinchuk: Um....I don't know? I really don't know. I have to make time to write. This summer I haven't written as much as I thought I should, but I spent a lot of time with my daughter. I write when I have a free moment. Sometimes I write on my lunch hour at school, other times I'll write for a bit if my daughter goes to bed early. I just get it done when I can.

Kelley: In this hectic age, I think we all tend to "steal moments" like that.

I love Farmers Markets and I know that you sell at markets. Can you tell our readers more about that?

Amy Kalinchuk: I love selling at the farmer's market! I love how ancient it is: someone sets up a booth, and folks stroll by, and buy your stuff or they don't. It's the oldest form of commerce, and it's all dependent on personal interaction. I suppose that's getting a bit philosophical about it, but talking with people at the market, and being part of that community is one reason I enjoy that sort of selling so much.

Kelley: I never thought of it that way but I totally agree!

Amy Kalinchuk: I recommend it to everyone who thinks they want to be in business, really. So many people are afraid to talk to others. If you can train yourself to talk easily with strangers, I think it benefits your business overall. And I'm talking about any kind of business, not just selling soap. If you aren't selling, go to a farmer's market and talk to the vendors, and observe them. Observe their spiel, and how they do it. It may help you to get over your fear.

Looky me, I'm a "face your fears" guru.

Kelley: You know, you brought up a very good point. One of my pet peeves is that when I go garage saling (I am an avid garage saler) or I go to a Farmer's Market and I am ignored by the person selling. Unless I REALLY want something they have, I refuse to buy from them. Greeting with a simple "hello" speaks volumes to me and I cannot believe I am alone in that.

Amy Kalinchuk: Talking with people is key to sales. And it doesn't have to be about the products necessarily. A friendly, "good morning" is a great start.

Kelley: Absolutely! Do you feel that between your site sales and your market sales that one is more profitable than the other or do they go hand-in-hand nicely and compliment each other?

Amy Kalinchuk: They are both profitable.

My farmer's market sales are definitely higher than the web sales, during the market season. When the markets are over, and through December, my online sales increase. They do complement each other in this way. The slow time for the whole year is from January through April, I find. I usually run a sale for my newsletter list sometime in February, to try and alleviate that problem.

Kelley: That sounds like a great marketing strategy. We always have to be thinking ahead in business in order to be ahead in business...Right? That is my new slogan!

Amy Kalinchuk: Trying to think ahead is a problem for me. I take notes all the time, and then implement the strategies the next year. Live and learn. Roll with it - it's a good one.

Kelley: That sounds like a solid plan as you will always have those notes to refer back to. Where do most of your ideas for products come from?

Amy Kalinchuk: Most new ideas come from my customers. The Lavender Lemon soap mentioned earlier was a suggestion from a customer. I had asked my newsletter list to let me know what scents they thought would be good. That one was a particularly fortuitous suggestion. Another suggestion from a customer was a Chai goat milk soap. That one also sells well. I am formulating a Lavender Vanilla Oatmeal soap, because I've heard enough requests for it over the past few months

Kelley: Listening to what the customer wants and/or needs is key. Can you tell me what you are working on now for a new product or eBook?

Amy Kalinchuk: The Lavender Vanilla Oatmeal soap is shaping up to include Peru Balsam. I am figuring out percentages for that scent to come through. I don't think it will be a goat milk soap--I like to create products that will appeal to both vegans and vegetarians, as that's my selling niche.

My new ebook, “Making Balms and Butters”, is shaping up. I took the photos for the "Whipped Shea Butter" section just the other day. I would like it to be finished before October, but we'll see. Sometimes it's hard to predict when I will be able to finish a book.

Kelley: I cannot wait to read it. My son and daughter, Garret and Jackie, just told us that they are 5.5 weeks pregnant (as of this posting 17 weeks) so I could really use your eBook on balms!

Amy Kalinchuk: Congratulations! That is exciting.

Kelley: Thanks so much! It will be our first grandbabie that is not a Chihuahua!

Amy Kalinchuk: I guess I'd better get moving on that book, then.

Kelley: Yes...please!!

Amy Kalinchuk: Chihuahua grandbabies are great, too.

Kelley: Yes...they are soooo precious to us...truly.

What is something you have always wanted to include in your product line but haven’t had the chance to do yet?

Amy Kalinchuk: It's not that I don't have the chance, but my selling niche prevents me from selling certain things. The other day, I saw little cubes of sugar scrub that were made with melt-and-pour soap, and I thought they were too cute! But my products are all handmade by me, from scratch, so that sort of thing won't fit into my niche. I can always make those sorts of things for myself, of course, which is what I do when I'm really inspired.

I have thought of expanding my line to include milk bath, but haven't had the time to do the research.

Kelley: How big of a role does advertising play in your business and what mediums do you utilize?

Amy Kalinchuk: My email newsletter list is the best form of advertising I've found. I don't send too many newsletters, but I always get sales when I do. I have a Google Adwords campaign for my ebooks, and that does work. Participation in soaping groups online also helps. Most of my advertising is in the form of social networking: Facebook (Amy Kalinchuk), Twitter (soapcrone), and online groups and forums.

Kelley: Facebook and Twitter are fabulous forms of marketing as well as newsletters or blogs...interviews are good, too!

Amy Kalinchuk: Yes, they are!

Kelley: What do you do in your “off-time” for FUN?

Amy Kalinchuk: "Off time?" What is this concept? I'm a public school teacher. My daughter is in grade school, and I run a soap business and a publishing business. If I have extra time, I usually sit and stare in a daze, or I sleep. During the summers I have more time free, during which I garden, teach my daughter to swim, and watch bad TV. I don't watch any TV during the school year, so I catch up during the summer.

Kelley: Spending time with our children is simply the best for sure! Amy, what would you like our readers to know about you personally or professionally?

Amy Kalinchuk: Professionally, there are two things I'd like folks to know. One, I will be presenting at the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild national conference in Denver, Colorado, on April 30-May 2, 2010. Hooray! I'm very excited to meet people who I only know online or through my book sales. That is going to be a lot of fun, and I encourage folks to attend.

Second, writing and publishing have become a fun aspect of my professional life. I am working on a website in which I will publish photographed craft tutorials in ebook format. I think it will be very popular, and I'd love to hear about ideas for books that readers would like to see there. Also, if there are folks who would like to write an ebook and have it published through the site, I would encourage contact about that.

Personally, I'd like folks to know that I appreciate their support, always. I have received such good feedback during my years as a soap maker and an author. It's very heartening, and I'd like folks to know that I appreciate it all - it's a great feeling.

Kelley: Awesome! I am on the edge of my seat for the craft tutorial site!

Amy Kalinchuk: Me, too! My web guy is creating it right now.

Kelley: Amy, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to interview for the Soapies Blog. It has been a great pleasure to speak with you "in person". We wish you great success and will sit on pins and needles waiting on your new eBooks and craft site. Thank you, again, for sharing yourself with us.

Amy Kalinchuk: Thanks so much for the opportunity, Kelley. I'm happy to talk with you anytime.

~ This concludes the Soapies Blog Interview with Amy Kalinchuk ~

Olde Crone's Bewitching Bath Soap is located in Denver, Colorado. Amy has been in business over 5 years but has been soaping for over 7 and has a target market for Retail - Primarily 23-65 year old women who prefer products with essential oils and vegetarian ingredients.

Click to visit Olde Crone's Bewitching Bath Soap for Retail Sales.

Amy Kalinchuk, Owner

theoldecrone@gmail.com or our Contact Us Form

Spreading the SoapyLove to Arizona!!

2009-10-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

I just got off the phone with Debbie Chialtas of SoapyLove!! She is a renowned M&P Expert and the best in field! She has agreed to be the Official Soapies M&P Instructor!!

Our first class with Debbie will be in January 2010…Just in time for Valentine’s Day!

If you have not seen her work, you have no idea how much talent she has and how much she is willing to teach you. If you took the M&P Class at the last Wild West SoapFest™ and liked it….you will PASS OUT at this class!!

Soapies is a proud distributor of the SoapyLove Book and SoapyLove eZines:

SoapyLove’s First Book ~

SoapyLove’s eZines:

Let's Get Soapy - Spring 2009 ~ Let's Get Soapy - Summer 2009

Let's Get Soapy - Special Edition 2009 ~ Let's Get Soapy - Fall 2009

Debbie Chialtas / Soapylove Biography ~ 9/2009
Debbie Chialtas is the owner of Soapylove Glycerin Soap Design and self taught "M&P" soap crafter. When pregnant with her son in 2004, she started experimenting with glycerin soap and discovered her creative passion. She started selling her creations online and has since turned Soapylove into a full time career. Her distinctive look combines bright colors, yummy fragrances, and dessert inspirations. Soapylove's popular soap pops can be found in shops worldwide and have been featured in several well known magazines.

Debbie also loves to teach glycerin soap crafting. Her first book, "Soapylove" was just published by North Light Books, and her eZine called "Let's Get Soapy" is published seasonally. Debbie frequently teaches at The Nova Studio and has been an instructor twice at Otion's Soapmaking Weekend Intensive. She has even partnered with Bramble Berry to create a custom line of Soapylove soap making supplies.

Debbie loves to experiment with glycerin soap and is constantly coming up with new techniques and projects. She resides in San Diego with her husband and two adorable children.

http://www.soapylove.com ~ http://www.soapylove.blogspot.com

Hope you all Have a Soapie Day!! Watch our site for Class Details!!

My Little Grandbaby Is Now 17 Weeks Along!!

2009-10-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

Here are the EXCITED parents, Jackie and Garrett! We are expecting our little bundle of joy in April 2010!!

My little grandbaby's progress as of today, Friday, October 23, 2009 by BabyCenter.com:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Here is a look into the baby's progress:

My Little Grandbaby is 16 Weeks Along Today!!

2009-10-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

The proud parents, Garrett and Jackie are doing very well....Our little grandbaby bundle will arrive in April 2010!

Jackie is back from out-of-town and is adorable as ever! She has grown her little baby bump a lot! She and Garrett were over last night for Cameron's 24th Birthday (my youngest son).

How your baby's growing:
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too.

The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Here is a look into the baby's progress:

My Little Grandbaby is 15 Weeks Along Today!

2009-10-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

The proud parents, Garrett and Jackie are doing very well....Our little grandbaby bundle will arrive in April 2010!

Jackie is out of town for a Class Reunion so I have not seen her for a week...but I have talked to her and she is doing FABULOUSLY!!

Here is our little Bundle's progress as of today, Friday, October 9, 2009 from BabyCenter.com:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Here is a look into the baby's progress:

My Little Grandbaby is 14 Weeks Along Today!

2009-10-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

The proud parents, Garrett and Jackie are doing very well....Our little grandbaby bundle will arrive in April 2010!

Here is the little Bundle's progress as of today, Friday, October 2, 2009 from Baby Center.com:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Here is a look into the baby's progress:

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