More Than Meets The Eye

What's on the outside isn't necessarily what's on the inside. While thinking about what I'm thankful for and with family holidays approaching, I remind myself to never judge my insides with other people's outsides.  That's a big one for me.

Today's challenge is to create a soap whose outside represents how you believe you're perceived and inside how you actually feel. So go forth with my emotionally-charged soap challenge and make this your own. Winners shall get their photo posted here and deemed the More Than Meets The Eye Challenge Winner.  

Would prizes make you want to participate more??

Ok, this is what you do: 

Make a soap according to the challenge above. 
Photograph it and post photo on Facebook Group:  Soap Challenge Gallery
with the following tag  ‪#‎morethanmeetstheeye



 All photos should be posted by January 2nd, 2015 to be considered.

xxoo joanna

Soap Challenge Gallery

I started a new group on Facebook yesterday in order to open up my Soap Challenges to everyone again.  It has been too quiet here and I think we should get this party started again!

To those of you who haven't participated in my Soap Challenges before, let me briefly explain how it will work:

First of all, it's FREE to play/participate.  It is my pleasure to run these.  I get a huge kick out of seeing you all grow and challenge yourselves and push the envelope.

About once a month, I will post a Soap Challenge here and on the Facebook Group page, Soap Challenge Gallery.  You will be told how long you have to complete the challenge and then you can post your photos on the Facebook page tagged with the soap challenge name.

I haven't thought of a better place to have everyone post their photos with ease for all of us to see.  I thought about The Soap Bar Flickr page, but I went there to see and I can't even remember my username and password...it's been that long!

Leave a comment to let me know what you think about this new system or send me an email.  If you have a better idea how this could work more smoothly, let me know.  I am open!

:)

First challenge has already been posted in Soaper's Retreat, a secret FB group, but I will post it here early next week after some feedback from you guys.

Thanks for your undying support.  As always.

xoxo  Joanna

Photos Forgotten

I've been awfully thoughtful today.  Had a 3 day migraine that made me temporarily insane but I worked through the week anyway.

This morning, the quietness of the house and the early onset of head pain, naturally lended itself to a 4 hour nap.  So when I woke up, I'm feeling still.  The birds are chirping and there is nothing else.

I have been wondering why photographs have always touched me.... made a deeper, scar-like impression more than any other medium.  I think part of it has to do with the very stillness and quietness that it captures, much like what I felt this morning.    A photograph is a fragment of a something that is captured in a moment in time and that moment can never be captured again. Photos are silent, so you can only SEE the message.  Too many people rely on the said word, when the said word is never what we can count on.  It's the action that speaks louder.  A loving glance across a room can be extremely powerful between a couple, but holding hands and saying, "I love you" doesn't mean anything if you don't feel it.

A photographer has done his or her job if the image took me away, even for a moment.  I am just sharing some of the ones I looked at today.

dancing girl 60's

Add caption



Eartha Kitt, '52...killing it



nyc

side show 40's

chicken and smoking boy



nyc subway



August Sunshine Soap Porn

I have been so neglectful with giving you the good stuff, my little pretties, so here is a little eye candy for you to enjoy this weekend...

Poppy Soap Co.

M. Strand Soap

Bodhi Basics (etsy)

Soap For Your Soul (etsy)

Freedom Soap Co.

Life Moves Fast....And Here I Go!

So if you've been following this blog, you have been with me through quite a bit.  A whirlwind of life changes and a couple of career changes.

I started this blog in August, 2007.  Woah.  Seven years ago.  So much has happened in the last seven years.  I knew nothing about making soap when I started this blog.  I only knew that I just loved handcrafted soap and I knew that it needed to be in the spotlight.  If you didn't read this blog then, you may be interested how it all began.  You can go back to the beginning.  My first post asked people if they made handcrafted soap and wanted me to review it, to send it to me.  That my interest was to spread the beauty across the internet through the photos I'd take and the reviews I'd write.

I had no horse in this race.  Starting this blog was a hobby I created for myself.  I couldn't find anything about handcrafted soap on the internet except on how to make it, not the plain beauty of it. Starting this blog opened a world for me.  Within a couple of months readers encouraged me to make soap myself and when I did and failed, people asked me what soap calculator I used.  "What calculator??"  I was completely clueless.  And so readers were so sweet and encouraged me further.  For me, I had never met a group of people so community-based, so encouraging.  I felt at home in my new soapy world.

Eventually I harnessed the soap beast and rode that sucker until I got it!  Then I added soap to my line of bath and body goodies.  This blog has been not only a hobby for me, but one of my inspirational pools, my community support system and my creative outlet.

So with some serious family situations and personal deflation over the last year, I pushed through major obstacles and started a new business with two partners, my family.  We started Mad Oils. I feel like this is where I belong.  I enjoy sourcing raw materials and finding things for people.  I enjoy behind the scenes work.   I think it suits me.  I still want to connect with the community, to help customers succeed.  I want my customers to succeed!  That is why we are getting the best possible products.  But I needed you all to know where my path is going and where this blog has taken me.

Thank you for the 7 years of listening to me ramble on about soap, life, me, this and that.  And as I've said a million times, I have never claimed to be a writer, so I know my posts aren't grammatically correct.  I write the way I think and it's who I am.

I'm not done.  I'm still here and I'm still going to write and post soap porn and all that.  And I WILL try to post more often.  But I have certainly gotten caught up in life.  But life just started getting better!  So perhaps you'll see more of me, even though I'm busier!!

Love you!  xox Joanna

Exfoliate Exfoliate Exfoliate!

I've always loved the scrubby manliness of an exfoliating bar of soap.  Something so perfect about scrubbing the dirt off my skin that makes me feel extra clean and feeling refreshed.  I think the only scrubby soap I did not care for was luffah soap.  I felt like my skin was being scraped off with razor blades.  And I like my soap rough, too.  Ground coffee, sand, volcanic rock, whatever....but you can keep your whole loofah and razors.  It's just not for me, thank you.

SO I've been looking around at exfoliating soaps, loving the texture of seeing them, being that I don't really have them in my hands right now.  So I have to imagine.  SO my imagination brings me here....to soap porn...which I share with you lovelies...

Breakfast Scrub by Craftsman Soap Company 

made with coffee grounds and oatmeal.  Nomm!

Citrus Cliantro Soap by Three Changos Soap

made with pumice, cornmeal, yerba mate and walnut shell powder

Lavender Orange Goat Milk Soap by Maddieloos

made with lavender buds, orange bits

Tiger Bar by Paintbox Soapworks

made with pumice and poppy seeds

Aloe Vera Salt Bar W/ Activated Charcoal by Cheshire Fields

made with pink Himalayan salt, black Australian clay, aloe powder, activated charcoal

Dandelion Fields Soap by KiyiKiyi

made with dandelion leaves grown in the soap makers garden!  A beautiful green!

(I think I need to buy this one)

It's Been Too Long, Sporny Sporn ~ An Etsy Extraction

Sporn = Soap Porn

Allow me to Spoon Feed you now...

...

No. 204 Impetus Natural Wheatgrass Soap by Hart and Hawthorn

Dragon's Blood by mybeautye

Coconut Milk Lemongrass by Bubble Luxe

Rosemary Soap by The Little Ragamuffin

Vegan Lavender Soap by Westford Soaps

Hazelnut Cappuccino Coffee Soap by KM Elegant Creations

Just a few soapy images for all of you who have been patiently waiting while I have been so busy with my life stuffs.....

More coming soon, alog with an announcement of sorts coming this May!


xxoo 
jo

Food Soap Challenge

One of the reasons I post challenges on Soaper's Retreat on facebook is to push your abilities to express yourselves and the photographs you take of the masterpieces you make.  In life and in work, I always feel like if I don't push the envelope or think outside the box, in my work, or anything else I do, will just be overlooked, be plain, "pedestrian"... and like everyone else's.  So this challenge, The Food Challenge, was to use a food item, never used BY YOU before in your soaps.  I was clear in my food challenge description, that failures (meaning that if the food item created a soap on a stick scenario or whatever) or ultimate messes, would all be considered. My hope was to open the idea to THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX and challenge you to add something unconventional that would, perhaps, open up a world of possibilities in your own mind in your soapmaking.

So after reviewing such amazing entries and photographs, I am only able to choose a few, but know that I was tickled pink to see the efforts and awesome envelope pushing I saw with this challenge.  I am really proud of the people who really left their "drawing within the lines" state of mind and took a chance with this challenge.  GOOD FOR YOU.

I hope you know that these challenges are not for this blog.  Not for any status symbol.  Not a popularity contest.  I do it FOR YOU.  To challenge you to not only think about your art and express it from YOU, but to also better photograph your art in new ways that you feel comfortable with and that show off the beauty of your artistic work.

Now, let's get to some photos.....

Food: Made with Budda's Hand (fruit), by Melinda Wimm Wolff Foster

Food:  Tahini + Honey with Acacia Gum sprinkles, made by Clara Lindberg

Food:  Sriracha Hot Sauce, mad by Debbie Thomas

Food:  Kale + Raspberries, Made by Katye Fredieu

Food:  Carrot Juice + Raw Noodle Topping, Made by Andrea Gerlach

Food: Dragonfruit, Made by Fransiska Tanadi

Like I mentioned, I couldn't list all of them, but these were some of the more unusual ingredients used in the challenge and I am proud of everyone who tried a new food in their soap.  Everyone!  Well done, people, well done.  Now hopefully, adding new things in your soap won't be as scary...O.o

xxxooo  Jo

What To Bring To A Soap Conference - Guest Blog Post

There are soap conferences and gatherings all over the country, from the huge Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetics Guild Annual Conference to regional gatherings like Central Soapers Workshop, Alabama Soap & Candle Meeting, Tennessee Soap and Candle Social, Mid Atlantic Lights & Lather Artisans, and so many more!

For most of us, saving our pennies is the beginning and by the time we set sail for the conference, we're losing our wits! Plus, if you've never been to an industry conference, you might be totally baffled as to what to expect.

First things first, most soap conferences provide food (but double check with your specific conference!) You might want to pack a little snack, like a granola bar or trail mix to munch on if you get hungry in between meals. Add a bottle of water, trust me on that one.

While you might be sitting in on seminars and talks, there will be plenty of milling about and networking. So, wear and pack comfortable shoes that don't kill your feet. And clothing? Chances are casual clothing is the way to go. Wearing layers is a smart idea, as the conference location could be a little too chilly or a little steamy for your personal thermostat.

Speaking of networking, bring those business cards. The best part about soap conferences is meeting up with other like-minded folks. Bring some business cards to trade info! That last thing you want to be doing is scrambling to write down your info when talking shop.

It may seem like a no-brainer to remember medication, but I have to admit, I’ve forgotten! Also, make sure to bring your healthcare information, including an insurance card, just in case. The last thing you want is to get sick or hurt, but if you do, being prepared is important.

A little mini first-aid pack in your purse is a lifesaver: pack up a couple Band-Aids, a mini pack of Kleenex, a travel size bottle of hand lotion, and single dose packet of aspirin.

When you pack your bags, have a game plan for any swag you might pick up at the soap conference. Most gatherings have goodie bags or raffle prizes. Set aside money to ship anything home, if you need to.

Last, but certainly not least, pack a stellar attitude. Whichever soap gathering you are going to is a "once a year" opportunity to put your best foot forward and make connections. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by playing the shy guy.

Step out of your comfort zone and see how many new people you can meet. Scope out other attendees in advance and make preliminary connections on social media, if it puts you at ease. And while you might love seeing your soapy sisters (and brothers) that you already know inside and out, make sure to reach out and meet new peeps!

I'll be headed to Central Soapers Workshop, the HSCG Annual Conference, and the Alabama Soap & Candle Meeting this year. Will I be seeing you there? Make sure to stop and say, hi, okay?!

This post was written by Kenna of Modern Soapmaking, the soap maker’s best friend and go-to resource. 

(Thank you, Kenna, for this great post about soap conferences!  Great bits of info, and so true.... I had a 2 day migraine and forgot my migraine meds at the HSCG conference last year.  No bueno.  This year, I shall be prepared!)

Soap Porn January 2014

I love handmade soap.  I make it myself, but I love to see and use soaps from around the world as well.  I have not been too good about posting Soap Porn on here for a while so here is a little eye candy I know I NEEDED.....maybe a little sexy.....  watch out.  ;)

Monica Vickers

Mianra Soaps

Gayle Butler

Gordana Micic

Amouri Amof

Stefanie Alsup

That's it for today.....

Get dirty..... Get clean.  Be good.

xo Jo