Cinnamon Tiger SwirL Soap

My entry into this month's soap challenge
(http://soapchallengeclub.com) is a soap made with
Homemade Craft Beer by a local beer makin' guy,
Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Shea Butter, & Rice Bran Oil.

The Soap Challenge Club has a monthly soaping
challenge in which a tutorial is given to learn a new soap technique.
This month's challenge is called a "tiger swirl". For the tiger's stripes
I used Activated Charcoal, Sandalwood Powder, Cinnamon Powder,
and a combination of Madder Root and Annato seeds
infused into Olive Oil. 

The soap is scented with the Essential Oils of
Bergamot, Cedarwood, and Patchouli.
Yeah, smells woodsy, outdoorsy, like a tiger...kinda....
Ok, Ok, smells grrrreat!

Soap Date & Gift Wrapping Soap

I made a large "master" batch of soap.,
divided it into 2 parts,
my friend Chantel, who also makes soap,
 added Lavender essential oil, pink clay and
Lavender buds (she collected) to her half.
I added orange peel,Cedarwood essential oil,
and Calendula petals from my garden.
Then we combined them, with an activated charcoal
pencil line between the 2 layers.
Smells wonderful, y'all!

A generous friend brought over wax/candy
molds- oh boy, getting fancy on designing
decorative wraps for my soaps.
Wax snow flake with wax snowman smushed on top.
This soap is Irish Seaweed Soap.
Smells like the ocean.

Out Door Shower

I am so Happy I get to continue using my out door shower-
in November! In Michigan!
Sure, kinda chilly if you step out of the spray,
but watching migrating birds and falling leaves while taking a shower
is THE BEST!

Super-Natural Soap Making

Assembling materials for a batch of Paw Paw Soap.

Our Paw Paw trees did remarkably well this fall!

I love the heart embedded soap design!
Some ceramic soap dishes I have recently made.

organizing and cataloging handmade soap

Jimmy made a curing rack for the soaps I am making.
I am adding an ingredient list and cure date tag under
each soap for quick reference.
It works so good...
Of course, I would like another one....please??

A Trip to the North

Me and Mary Ann havin' some fun.
Thank you for a nice morning at the Hollar!

Glamor attack!

Being upside-down,
my way of showing how impressed
I am with this art!

Daffodil Day

Just what I had in mind
when I was making this vase.

Avery Good Band Playin' the Blues

Jimmy Neal on Piano, Mark Maxwell and
Damiengh MacJams on Saxophone,
Hugh Huntley on drums, Ralph McKee on Bass, and
David Kaftan on Guitar.
The Yellow Barn in
Ann Arbor, MI

Bee Excellent Honey

I made a porcelain apothecary jar filled
with a skin care blend using all organic natural products 
including a friend's beeswax
she harvested from her hives.
"Bee Excellent Honey" is the name of her apiary 
here in Michigan.

Southwest Themed

I have been feeling like going south
with my colors and designs lately.
I want to wait until I can stay outside
for longer than 2 minutes
before I plant succulents into these planters.

Mini Garden

I am having fun designing
Mini Gardens this winter.

Learning Something New

I am learning about Essential Oils and making hand soaps,
household cleaners, and body care products
 using pure ingredients and essential oils.
Once I have a few hand soaps I love I will have
professional labels printed.
Need a business name....

January Window

This scene makes me happy.