Nature Walk

 Sweet little Apple Blossoms

I'm a bit unsure exactly what this is...could it be a Magnolia?

Just so pretty

The first nature walk of the season-a scouting trip actually. Just checking to see what is blooming- not a whole lot yet, but it won't be long. I love the anticipation of what will be in bloom the next time I make a trip out to the flower gardens. In the height of the season I try to go almost daily and I'm surprised to find something new almost every time. I love the familiarity of the garden it's like seeing old friends-even the hummingbird that sits atop the leafless tree is there this season. Some of the plants are new yet to be discovered by my camera and I, some things have yet to poke their sleepy heads from the comfort of fertile earth. I love how magical it is to witness the transformation from sprout, to bud, and finally majestic bloom.
 

Shave Brush Eye Candy...

 Handcrafted Purpleheart Shave Brush with Super Silvertip Badger Shave Knot

So,this shave brush just went out the door and folks it is stunning in person, the photo does not do it justice. Purpleheart is a naturally purple wood, sturdy and dense this shave brush has a lovely heft to it-topped off with the top of the line in Badger shave knots this is a very special gift for Dad or Grad.

Have I Got A Deal For You-Father's Day Special Pricing

This beautifully handcrafted Black Walnut Shave brush with Sleeping Turquoise Inlay and Super Silvertip Badge shave knot is discounted 20% due to a very slight imperfection. This shave brush has a slight wobble when it sits on end. Theoretically shave brushes should hang upside down and won't sit on end,but because we feel it's just a tad imperfect our loss is your gain.  Pair this with some shave soap and this would still be a spectacularly fine Father's Day gift-drop me a line if you are interested. 

Beautifully handcrafted Black Walnut Shave Brush with Abalone Inlay and Super Silvertip Badger shave knot is also discounted 20% due to slight imperfection. This brush also has a very slight wobble when it sits on end, again, theoretically a shave brush almost never sits on end(they should dry upside down). This handsome lovingly made brush is priced at $78.40+shipping. This brush paired with shave soap will make a memorable Father's Day gift. Holler if you're interested.

2013 Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Conference or BUST!!!

I'm so very happy and honored to announce that I will be a "guest blogger" blogging from the 2013 Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Conference that will be taking place in beautiful Raleigh, North Carolina. The HSG Conference is an annual event that draws attendees from all over the country. I'm so looking forward to the great information, meeting new friends (most that I've only known from blogging for years),  and learning new techniques. 

Myself and Jean Horn of SoapArt will be going in the stead of Anne-Marie due to the impending Bramble Girl's arrival. We wish Anne-Marie the loveliest and speediest of "special deliveries" and "Thank You" so much for an amazing opportunity!

2013 Speakers

Marla Bosworth
Amanda Griffin
Allison Kontur
Dean Mayes

Bryan Baer
Ruth Esteves
Marie Gale
Kerri Mixon

Michelle Rhoades
Jerell & Elissa Klaver

 This year's topics

Natural Shampoo Market: Trends, Opportunities and Formulating
Make Your Own Single Cavity Silicone Molds
Private Label: Making the Leap From Home Formulating to Outside Manufacturing
Production Solutions For Your Handcrafted Business: Build It or Buy It?
The Chemistry and Properties of Fatty Acids and Oils
Soap Cupcakes and More: Decorative Piping with Cold Process Soap
Design, Formulate, Organize Using the Soapmaker Program
Trademark Strategies for Small Businesses
Search Engine Optimization: Tips and Tricks to Get Your Website Found
Retail Realities: What it Really Takes to Open a Store

Loving This Treasury...

'Someone's In The Kitchen....' by brandyseher

A beautiful collection of handmade and vintage kitchen items that anyone would be lucky to have in their own home.

Large Sweet River Birch Sala... oneofakind2woo... $155	Mexican Kitchen Art Print De... DexMex $18	Barnwood Herb Drying Rack - ... BessiesCreatio... $32
Ceramic Rooster Pitcher BeauliesLostan... $25.97	Indented Fire and Water Coff... MetamorphosisS... $10	Pallet Wood Kitchen Island UpcycledWoodwo... $600
Kitchen Broom in Rust Color BROOMCHICK $42	Kitchen Window Potpourri Swa... OneThirtyOneDe... $10	Chef 's Soap, Coffee Soa... TierraVerdeSoa... $5.5
Two For Tea Pot - Ready To S... hammerpots $44	Cutting Board Serving Tray O... grayworksdesig... $78	Homemade half apron with coo... chirpinturpin $19.5
The "Cherry Bomb" ... KitschyChic1 $3.5	Kitchen Witch Corn Husk Doll... LacyLeafStudio $50	Large Kitchen Canister in Tu... pagepottery $78
Hardwood Multipurpose Cookin... jordanmart $25

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Am I The Only One?

Sometimes, I think I must be the ONLY one who thinks things like Calendula infusing in the sun is beautiful; that new projects are exciting-full of possibilities, anticipating the outcome is such a driving force for me, and then finally the satisfaction of things turning out just as you imagined-priceless. Two of my new products are starting to take shape, and that is such a gratifying thing.

Projects

I am looking forward to some new projects that I am hoping to launch just shy of Father's Day, and of course they are new products for "Him." I can't wait to show them to you, and hope you like them. Infusing some Calendula and German Chamomile is part of the equation, and the Petunia is a back up for my beautiful Pink Petunia that so far has survived with lots of moving it in and out to protect it from the continued threat of freezing temps.

Satisfaction

Handcrafted Zebrawood Shave Brush

Recently, we sold this shave brush(and shave soaps) to a very special daughter to send to her dad in Greece. Now, it's always a cool thing to send something over seas-thinking about the voyage your handcrafted item will make is something I think is really neat, but the even sweeter part is the palpable love this daughter has for her father.

I love that this brush traveled over land and sea to a father in expression of a daughter's love. Upon it's arrival, I received a sweet note from the daughter- the following is an excerpt:

"I am very happy to tell you that my father holds my present in his hands, and he is so very happy with it.Thanks so much Michele, my parents say the soaps are wonderful." (this totally made me smile :-)

This to me is really the best reward and reason for putting such care into handcrafting whatever it may be-the pleasure and happiness your item brings others. There is NO substitution for handmade, and there is nothing more satisfying than knowing someone appreciates the love that goes into all you do. This satisfaction is the essence of why we create.

Great Gifts For Grad or Dad

 Custom-Wenge wood with Abalone inlay and Super Silvertip Badger knot-$110.00

 Custom-Wenge wood with Abalone inlay and Super Silvertip Badger knot-$110.00-I love how the Abalone sparkles

Looking for a unique heirloom quality gift for Grad or Dad? How about a handcrafted(in house) custom shave brush with handcrafted shave soap. We have a variety of woods to choose from and can meet most price ranges. Shave brushes without inlay are considerably less and you can still have your choice of American Hardwood or Exotic, or pull out all the stops and select from Abalone, or Sleeping Beauty Turquoise inlay (with more options coming soon.)

Woods we offer-

Bubinga

Wenge

Purpleheart

Black Walnut

Quilted Maple

Zebrawood

Inlays-

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

Abalone

Shave Soaps-all shave soaps are created using the Cold Process method of soapmaking and feature a luxurious Olive Oil base. All scented soaps contain high quality Essential Oils for great aroma and skin soothing properties.

Clove

Olive Oil and Goat's Milk

Tea Tree

Menthe

Vanilla Patchouli

 Lavender  

     

Feel free to contact us, together we can dream up something special...