09.23.08
For the fun of it!
Christmas in September! This year’s special soap in the mold.
This is one of those days that are so much fun for a soaper, you smile just thinking about it. I’ve been pondering some new soaps, each with their own particular challenges. Today I finalized them and they’re in the mold or on the drying shelves.
First is this year’s “Christmas Surprise.” I dug deep into my shelves of colorings, things I get tempted by at conferences, buy, bring home but do not use. I’m very cautious about color in soap, but it’s Christmas, and I thought it was worth it to splurge and have fun. I found some opalescent green and opalescent gold to go with the rose clay I love. These would be great for a three-color soap I hoped. To ensure a distinct swirl, I removed soap from the pot for the green swirl and pink swirl, and put the gold opalescence in the base. I searched through old notes and recipes to come up with what I hope will be a great Christmas scent…slightly spicy and slightly sweet and all celebration.
This soap is in the mold, and I cannot wait to see it tomorrow!
Kentucky Moonshine
How in the heck do you scent a moonshine soap?
I’m pretty serious about my soap, so I don’t do a lot with humor. My hope is that everybody gets a great product and appreciates it. But recently, my neighbor at the Frankfort farmers’ market suggested I make a “Moonshine Medley” soap. I wasn’t sure what a Moonshine Medley was, but the name stuck with me and I threw it out to friends for feedback. Even among teetotallers, they had a good laugh, and I decided to press ahead. I have developed a “Kentucky Series” of soaps, all with romantic names like “Kentucky Sunrise” or “Kentucky Home.” I thought it fit and would be fun.
Then came the challenge of deciding what scents should go in to remind someone of moonshine. (Naturally, I figured it was a total waste to put moonshine itself in the soap.) Now I have to admit that very occasionally here in Kentucky, I have run into some old-fashioned moonshine, or at least that is what I was told. I’m not sure because as I sipped it with the greatest possible caution, I did not have any of those responses you read about such as your throat seizing up, turning red in the face, breathing fire or whatever.
Anyway, I put the problem to you. How would you scent a moonshine soap?
I finally chose a combination after consulting with soaper friends and others. It too is in a mold. I’ll let you know later what I think.
Sharon
