New web things

I've set up a page on Face Book - very fun. Lots of interesting people, and this seems like a good way to keep up. If I just had something interesting to write!

Also, I set up an etsy store for Violet Crown Soap - violetcrownsoap.etsy.com - please check it out. If you're familiar with www.violetcrownsoap.com, then this will look pretty familiar. Any suggestions?

I have a little bit of free time, but used up all my soaping supplies for the Christmas season - have to visit Holly at Texas Natural Supply next week so I can start experimenting. I got some ideas from some of the folks who are members of Texas Soapmakers - if you're a soapmaker in Texas, you should check this out and really think about joining! Here's the site: http://www.txsoapmakers.org

I've been knitting like a mad woman...I knit many hats for family members over the Christmas holiday. There is no shortage of hats in the Sandoz family. Also made a felted purse, which turned out quite nicely. Felting is very cool. Thanks to Renee for telling me about it and getting me interested.

Stay tuned...

Happy New Year

Hello, friends and Happy New Year!

I am on extended vacation until my retirement is official at the end of the month. I will teach accounting as an adjunct at Austin Community College, and will also work during tax season at a local CPA firm. But, it's not the same as working a full time job, so I hope to have more time to make soap.

The economy has made it a tad scary to move ahead with my plans to retire, but it was the right thing to do for my family and for myself. I am looking forward to having more time to spend with my husband, sons and sisters, and some very special friends that are an important part of my life.

I also have a few knitting projects on the boards and am thinking about adding a few other knit accessories to the website to keep the washcloths company...we'll see. It's pretty warm in Austin, but every now and then a knitted hat or scarf come in handy.

First on my list of soap experiments is salt bars. I hope to have that going next week. Stay tuned for results.

Cherrywood Art Fair

I'll be at the annual Cherrywood Art Fair this weekend (December 13 & 14). This is a great event and a wonderful opportunity to pickup some unique and reasonably priced Christmas gifts.

Maplewood Elementary
38 1/2 Street & Maplewood Avenue

For more information, check out the site

www.cherrywoodartfair.org

Hope to see you there!

Site accepting orders

After some frustrating issues with the ssl certificate, our website is working again! Sorry for any frustration this may have caused. Please let me know if there are any other problems with the website.

Happy shopping!!!

Skyrocketing Costs

Wow! I just placed my big order for oils and butters to make soap for the holidays and the prices have gone through the roof. Olive Oil has DOUBLED since last year. Since olive oil is at least 35% of my soap, that represents quite a cost increase. Essential oils, particularly lavender and patchouli, have also shown huge increases.

I am struggling with the decision about whether or not to raise the price of my soap, because I want it to be affordable. But I want to be able to afford to keep making it. My cost have increased about 75% over the last 5 years, and I've raised my soap price from the original $4 to $5 - which is a 25% increase. Not quite keeping pace with my costs, but I don't know if I'm comfortable going much higher.

There are many folks who wouldn't consider paying $5 a bar (my current price) for soap, but there are quite a few who will pay a little extra for something hand made with care using good ingredients. I'm blessed that some have found Violet Crown Soap and I can count them as my customers.

I'm considering a 50 cent per bar increase. One thing that I will have to do is reduce the amount of discount I give for the 3-bar price at shows.

If you have any thoughts, let me know.

Learn to Make Soap

I am a proud member for the Texas Soapmakers Association. One of the things this group does is have a convention each year. The convention is in Austin this year, July 18-20. Registration is open to the public.

This year, we are doing something new -an introductory soapmaker's class will be offered. You don't have to register for the convention to attend this class.

For more information, check this link:
http://www.txsoapmakers.org//meetings/upcoming.php

Why am I doing this?

In my work-a-day life, I am an accountant. In my real life, I am a wife, mother, sister and friend who makes soap. As I approach retirement from my work-a-day life (less than 9 months!) I thought it might be fun to chronicle my adventures.

My soap-making time is limited, and often happens in marathon sessions when I have a show coming up. Generally, though, making soap is very fulfilling. It requires planning and patience - a lot like cooking. It is very special to me that I can make something that people use and like.

So why a blog? I have many new projects planned - liquid soap for one. Also beer soap and salt bars. I thought my customers might be interested in the process. See you around.