Meet the Members of the Soapnuts E-mail List
Becky
a.k.a. List mom- Well, let's see.....I'm a 33 year old mother of
3 *ages 13, 11and 9) I'm married to a great guy that loves
soapmaking as much a I do. Together we own and operate a
business in beautiful lower eastern Michigan. I teach soapmaking
classes and I'm also a floral designer. Our store mainly focuses
on handcrafted items and of course our soaps. I became interested
in herbal therapy after working as a pharmacy technician and
getting involved in many of my customers' health concerns. My
soapmaking evolved as a way of controlling what my children were
being exposed to and trying to produce a soap that friends and
family members with skin allergies could safely use.(not to
mention it sounded like a heck of a lot of fun, too!) Fun being a
very coool word...I do like to have fun. I think it's very
important to make time to relax and and enjoy life.
Our mailing list is made up of some very talented and friendly
soapers and wannabe's. I count myself lucky to have such a caring
and thoughtful group that go out of there way to help others get
started on their path to becoming true "soapnuts".
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Patti in Pa.- My bio is short...Mother of 3,1 boy18,and
2 girls,11&7.Work full time in a garment factory. I love
making soap and candles,sorta in business I sell to friends at
work. And have the best boyfriend in the world!
Life is grand....
ICQ# 21020399
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My name is Gaye. I am a 42 year old female. My husband and
I live in San Antonio, Texas. We are the grandparents of a
handsome 4 year old boy & a beautiful 2 year old girl. We are
teaching them to be interested in all that we involve ourselves
in which include: genealogy, woodworking, oil &
watercolor painting, gardening, watergardening &, as of
today, soap making!
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Hi! I am Barb. I made my first batch of "puddle soap"
yesterday! Everything was going along fine until I unmolded
it.... I am heating it all up now,hoping for a 2nd chance. I
make soap for family and friends mostly. My sister mentioned to a
lady about our soaps and she wants to
have a home party! Wow! I am married. We have a daughter who is
12. And I have a space bar that isn't working..... ;)
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Gordon
I am a 38 year old South African male, who loves to get involved
with all sorts of crafts. My 1st serious one was woodwork. The
problem here was that my workshop is about 150m from my house, so
my wife started
moaning about never seeing me. I have also done a bit of pottery,
electronics, I was a NAUI scuba instructor etc.etc.etc.. Then my
wife got a bee in her bonnet about soapmaking. I got several
books through Amazon about it and started experimenting. My
all-time
favorite (& the one that I concentrate on now) is Olive oil
soap. I have made several batches with additives such as Oats,
maize meal, cinnamon (my favorite), wild aloe, ground coffee
& much more. I have found the soap to be extremely gentle on
my skin & can use it on my
face & body as well as to shave with. Commercial soaps make
me look like a lizard, so now I only use my own soap.
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Holli McCarty
(co-creator of the "soapnuts" library)
Family: Mom, dad, 2 brothers and my sis-in-laws, and one CUTE
nephew who forces us to watch Barney anytime he visits! ;) Pets:
Sophie...The overweight fluffball Pomeranian beastie!
<^..^>
Sophie was my birthday present 4 years ago and she is the light
of our lives! She is "THE BOSS" around here!
A little about me: I am 25, I have a degree in Studio Art and I
work for a single breed magazine called the Sheltie Pacesetter. I
do all sorts of stuff at work, one day I'll be proofreading, the
next day I'll be helping design ads. I am one of those lucky few
who really loves their job! YAY!
2 years ago I started making candles. I got one of those silly
kits that they sell at craft stores for a ridiculous price. A few
months later our family got a computer and I researched candles
all over the internet. I got into soap via the internet too. A
lot of people who make candles also make soap. In my never-ending
searches for candle supplies I kept
running into soap sites. Finally I started reading those soap
sites and I liked what I read! I always thought soap was just,
well, soap! I didn't know I could buy a bar that wouldn't dry my
skin out. So, here I am, hanging out with the soap crew! :) I
must say I have made great friends through my crafts and I really
appreciate all of you! :)
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Duane
My wife Nancy and I have been soaping for 2 1/2 years. We have
two teenage children, daughter Jamie and son Josh. We got into
soaping because of the different skin types of our kids and the
company Nancy worked for was moving out of state. I work as a
route driver. We
didn't want to go with them and decided we wanted to do something
that would allow Nancy to have flexibility to stay home with the
kids. Jamie has beautiful skin and color, but needed something
to help with teenacne. Josh has dry skin that desperately needed
moisturizing. Thenafter gifts of soap were given to friends and
family, opportunity for
sales came along. So Nature's Best Soaps started in October
1996. Been a lot of fun and we're still learning a lot, but
we'll never return tocommercial soaps!
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Barbara
Hi, my name is Barbara and I have been lurking (learning) for a
while now. Ihave not made soap yet but plan to after the season
is over and I have thetime to do it right. I live in central
Missouri and do a variety ofcraftsbut my main line right now is
dried floral and wood crafts. I ammarried,
have 3 boys and also have a home daycare.
Anything else you want to know, just ask!
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Gwen
A little about me:
My name is Gwen and I am addicted to soapmaking. My DH and
I are full-timers (we live in a Recreational Vehicle all of the
time).
At the present, we are living in North Carolina. I have my soap
in three small stores here, but we will be going south in two
weeks. One timeon a message board a person stated that they
could not make soap using lye, because they lived in a small
apartment. I'm glad that I didn't readthatbefore I started
making soap, since I make soap in a motor home. Can'tgetmuch
smaller than that.
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Nicolle Field"
Junior in College (Social work with a minor in Women's
Studies). I have a very energetic 3 year old daughter, and I
live in a small city (eventhoughit's one of the biggest in my
state).
Hobbies:
I like to make things.... Anything. I have done the following;
paper making, pottery, painting, drawing, 2-d and 3-d
design,beading,cooking,baking(sourdoughbread!!!mmmm..), candle
making, knitting, and last but not leastSOAPIN'.
Soap History
This summer I was not working and only taking two classes. I
decided that Ineeded a new hobby. I was interested in soap and
bonsai trees. (soapbecause I've always loved handmade soap...)I
picked soap making after I did some research on how long it was
going totake me to bonsai a tree.... something like 30
years......I started making soap this summer.. I did a few weeks
of research becausethe thought of putting lye in anything scared
the .... well it scaredme.After reading and looking at many books
and WebPages, I decided that was how it was done... So, my
boyfriend said, "hey my mom used to make goats milk soap when
shelived in Texas, and she used to belong to a newsgroup that was
all aboutsoap...."
And so it goes that I found a few mailing lists. The first one
was the Toiletries list... That did not work out for me because
it is too advanced,and was not very responsive to the
newbies...... and then I found the
soapnuts mailing list.. and Becky and Lori (and many others) hand
walked me through the soap making process...
And Now:
I still make small 2 pound batches, but I have made several
batches of soap. I started with Sandy Maine's recipe, but I have
now developed one of myownthat seems to be a lot better, and
contains no veg. shortening... (myboyfriend is an all natural
soap freak!!!)
Future plans:
I have got an offer to sell my soap to a candle company (they
want to make gift baskets). Nothing is final yet, but it looks
good. So we'll see how that goes...
Company name for my soap.. (maybe) Keirstan's Handmade
Bubbles...
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"J'son"
Well here it is, no secrets hiding here. :-)
I am just one of the Soapmaking Jan's (even if I am the
oldest...Ha!)
My Bio:
I started making soap in April after taking a class on making cp
soap. It was something I've wanted to do for years and just never
got around to doing it. I am an eclectic crafter and rubber
stamper so there wasalways something else to do and more cards to
make. I sell my cards atlocal shops.
I found the Mining Co. BB and somebody on there wanted a recipe
for Chocolate Soap. I, having just read this recipe, sent it off
post haste. It was a one bar recipe. Seams so funny now. This
person was our Loriand she had been making soap for 10 years. A
one bar recipe was not what
she was looking for but we became fast friends. Me living in
Washington and her living in Illinois. She helped me through
many, many soap batches, good ones and bad ones. After my first
disaster (and I thoughtI would never make soap again) she said,
"Now you are a real soapmaker",
and my email came up (instead of Jan) with Soapmaker Jan. (I
still get tears remembering that time. ) I was a real
soapmaker...nothing could stop me now. I made soap and made soap
and have probably made 100 batches.
We found Becky's list and it just gets better and better. With
all of you soapmaking friends out there, how could I ever have a
problem that somebody couldn't solve. (even homework). :-)
Back to soap...I make three favorite bases of soap. I like the
basic 7# batch with shortening and I like the Essential Bar from
Cavitch and the Sunflower oil soap sure does make a nice lather.
I'm always trying new ones and have about 6 different kinds I
want to try (like Becky's Marshmallow soap and cooked soap
and.....and...maybe there are more than
6).
I also like m&p soap (even after my disaster of getting
scammed for $200) and just keep right on making more. I do shows
when I can (I also have another job that keeps me hopping) and
I'm loving every min. of it.
Well, that's more than you wanted to know. Soap has taken over my
thoughts, my dreams, and most of my life. Oh ya, and my computer.
:-)
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Lori
My name is Lori, I'm 49 and I live on a 4 acre farm in
northern Illinois. I have 12 sheep and an angora goat that I
raise for their wonderful wool. I originally started making soap
about 10 years ago when I heard that handmade soap was the best
for washing sheep's wool. Wrong!! But my experience with
soapmaking was so rewarding and fun
that it soon took over as my favorite thing to do in the
world!
I started with a basic lye and lard recipe that I acquired
through Red Devil Lye Co. I wrote to the company requesting the
recipe which they used to put on the label of the cans years ago.
Eager and armedwith rubber gloves and goggles, I proceeded to
make my first batch of soap. It turned out okay, though I had
nothing to compare it
to, and soapmaking in those days wasn't the craft it is now, so I
was the only one I knew who had ever made it. I was hooked from
the start. It was several years before I got into an all
vegetablesoap recipe, and after 5 years, I started selling it. I
have a smallbusiness started during my wool days called Lori's
Laughing Lambs that has grown considerably since the addition of
soap sales. Along with soap and woolen products, my husband and I
also sell potpourri, hand painted folk art pieces, woodworks from
barnwood, and antiques. We sell at Craft Fairs, Antique Flea
Markets, and Farmer's Markets. We recently renovated our goat
barn into a shop
right here on the farm. On a personal note, I recently became a
Grammy for the first time! Her name is Alyssa Lynn and she's
absolutely delightful! Can't get enough of her! We live on
ourfarm with 2 dogs, 2 cats, 12 sheep and goats, and a mess of
uninvited mice. Life is good!
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Sharon
I am 49 (Honest, not 50---49!!!) and married for 31 years.
I have three children, five grandchildren. My husband and I
moved to this small farm knowing nothing about farming.
Fortunately my neighbor is a rancher and he taught us about the
livestock. We already knew about gardening. I have my own herb
garden and piddle in my husband's vege. garden every year. We
freeze, can, dry, and smoke whatever we can. Our goal is to be
as self sufficient as possible.
I quilt, (do all types needle work except crochet and knit),
garden, make toiletries, make soap (if you can call my non bubbly
stuff soap. But it sure is pretty and smells nice. I'm going to
keep trying). I work in corrections during the day time and
escape back to my piece of heaven as soon as I can every
night.
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Carilee
My name is Carilee and I own the Candle Shop which is a
candlemaking supply store. Now I wish I would have given it a
victorian name since I want to add victorian papers and as soon
as our soaps get good enough thoses too. I just
love playing with the soap and fragrances and colors and soon I
would like to add herbs and flowers too.
I have a 6 year old little boy and a hubby--who is just the
greatest ;-).
Before my life in candles I ran a jeweler downtown and have since
moved jewelers and I run 3 stores and my own so to say the least
the day should have 48 hours in it. I love both the candles and
soaps so much and the jewelery but I hate to give up either.
I also raise ragdoll kitties and I had shown NSH and Arabians for
14 years until "the family" came along.
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Donna K Schrader
I am new to the art of soap making and have been lurking for
several weeks now. I am enjoying what I am learning and you all
seem like a really nice bunch of people. I hope someday to be
able to add my 2 cents worth in on helping
someone else, like me who is just learning. Please be patient
with me. LOL
thanks for letting me be on your wonderful list. Donna Schrader
in
Alaska.
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Jayne
I am Jayne 41 Yr. old mom..2 girls age 4 and 5. Moved up north
to "the sticks" in Michigan about 8 yrs. ago with DH. Still
work part time as an ophthalmic asst. in a pediatric office 2
days a week (cut down once the girls were born) Job is in Grand
Rapids 1 hr. from home. Wish I could stay home everyday and make
soap (and other things) But,
have to make the buck, you know. Anyway, I love the chit chat
and friendliness in the group..wish we could all get together.
Can you imagine? Not enough wine in the fridge, haha..
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Kathleen Caryl
Hello all,
My name is Kathleen & I am in Toronto Canada. I am willing to
try just about anything with soap ; ) My most recent experiment
was casting M&P soap in snow. Like sandcasting candles etc.
Results were "interesting"
The main problem was the the outside of the soap absorbed too
much snow so it was kinda gummy. Futher experiments are
pending.
That bio bit:
I am a full time soaper with an SO, dog & cat. I do M&P,
CP, HP along with a bunch of other crafts when I have time.
However, I no longer do food, beyond calling the piazza
man.
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Jan Baznik(Baz)
As I first became interested in home made soap, I discovered
Melt and Pour Soap Base. I played around with that starting in
the summer of 1998; made some beautiful hand crafted soaps -
enough to sell at local craft fairs and plenty to give as
Christmas gifts. These soaps were so well received, I began
thinking about making soap from scratch. In December of 1998, I
"birthed" my first batch of soap, and will never return to the
store to buy this item! As a maker of Old Fashioned Clear Candy,
the only problems I have encountered are focused on my 80 year
old Father in Law who attempts to eat my soap thinking it is
candy! As a professional still needing to earn a living (I'm 49),
I work as a therapist in the rehabilitation of court adjudicated
seriously delinquent teenage boys (sexual offenders). I work in a
state run residential facility in New Castle Pennsylvania. Work
is very stressful, and my candy and soap creations provide me
with a sense of gratification
not routinely internalized in my line of work. A note to browsers
who have not yet tried making soap, but are
contemplating: This is one of the most substantial, in terms
of
gratification, endeavors I have attempted. Not only do you have a
ball researching, and then finally making the soap, but the
rewards continue as you USE your new creations in a relaxing bath
or shower. An added bonus as you begin to give your soaps to
family and friends comes as they ohhh and ahhh, giving you a true
sense of accomplishment and appreciation! I urge anyone who has
come so far as to read my humble
ramblings to seriously consider making soap a try.
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Jo-Anne
Hi this is Jo-Anne
I live in Raetihi, Central North Island, New Zealand
I have a husband, Peter, a 20 year old and 18 year old who live
away from home, a nearly 3 year old "Helper" and a dog named
Charlie. I love making soap and experimenting and do sell some at
Craft Shows. I started making it in December 1998 I also love
swapping with overseas people.
I collect Magnets
I cross stitch , crochet, appliqué and lots of other craft
type of
things as well
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Shelley
I live in Michigan. I met Becky (our list mom) last fall, when
I
began making M&P soaps along with various other toiletries,
she has been encouraging me to make cp soap for the longest time
but I was afraid of the Lye:) I finally am over the fear and have
now made 5 batches (addict-addict-addict) including one of the
ugliest soaps I have ever seen. Thats when Becky said that I was
an official newbie soaper, I almost cried, then when she
suggested an ugly soap swap all I could do was laugh, here I was
with soap I was ready to toss, and
She suggest sending it to several people(so everyone could get a
laugh I guess) I am proud to be a soapnut I can't wait till I
get a chance to meet you all.
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Su-Ann
Hi, my name is Su-Ann, I live in Sebastian, Florida but I'm
originally from Long Island, New York. I've been in Florida
for 11 years am married for 25 years, have 2 grown children. My
son is married and has a 2 year old boy (the love of my life) and
they are expecting again in June. I own a nail salon in town
called The Perfect 10 Nail Boutique. I work only on
Friday and Saturday, the other days I watch my grandson and make
M&P soap. I'd love to try the other toiletries and will as
soon as things slow down. Glad I came aboard.
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Laura B in TN
I'm a 34 year old SAHM to a great son and wife to a darling
Hubby. I enjoy
M&P, CP, salts, lotion bars, lotions, etc. I love talking to
all my 'net
friends, and am on way too many soaping lists! Hubby is my
life-mate and
soap-mate. We have a whole lotta fun making our "stuff"! I call
him my
soap-slave-boy. But he likes it. (grin)
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Jessica
I'm a 30 year old stay-at-home-mom of a nearly 2 1/2 yr old and a
6 month
old. I live in Seattle. I've been making soap and toiletries 7
months. I'm
just starting up a business. My business website: www.rose-kim.com
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Beth
Hi! My name is Beth Costa. I live in my dream home on 5 acres
in northern IL. Newly married just over a year to the most
wonderful man in the world and loving every minute of it! I am
30 yrs old and currently have 2 beagle children. Decided to
start making soap as a 'job' (if you can call it that! LOL) when
my chemist job moved to Arizona and we decided not to make the
move with the company. We made the first batch on my 30th
birthday and I've been hooked ever since. It is so nice to be
able to talk with other people who understand my obsession with
soap making. Besides making soap, I am bordering on a rabbit
freak (love them), and enjoy walking the beagles, traveling,
rubberstamping, art and being outdoors and of course, spending
lots of time with Bill (he's the DH!). I love this list and all
the versatile opinions contained in it! If you're ever going to
be in the Rockford area, drop in and see me! Bring some soap!
:)
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Gramma-Sandra
Upstate New York
I have a lot of medical experience in my background, but left my
career 10
years ago to stay home and care for my new grand daughter. My
daughter
needed to finish school and be able to make a career for herself
and I chose
to stay at home rather than have our grandchild with
strangers.
So, I just couldn't stand still as I have worked for so many
years. I
decided to look into soap making as it was something that I
wanted to do for
myself. Well, through giving gifts of my home made soap to
friends and
family, they kept asking for more. Then I decided to make a
bunch of soap
and start selling it for craft fairs and Bluegrass Festivals
which we attend
anyway.
It went very well, the sales got better and better. I now
have quite a few
wholesale accounts in the US and one in Turkey! I have a 44 page
web site
that opened this past September and it has been slowly growing
sales for me.
So, now the grandchildren have moved away (150 miles) where Mom
got a really
good job and I am left with a new career.
One of my short range goals is to get Home Parties going
and then train
people to do them, so that I can just stay home and make soap. I
tried to
retire, but have found that I don't care for that too
much.
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Jen F.
I am Jen F in San Diego, CA. I am 26 and will have
been married a year in Feb 2001. I have made several
CP batches and am hooked!
This all started because I bought a homemade bar at a
festival and my husband wondered how hard it was to
make it. Well, I started doing research and joined
several lists and jumped right in. I'm hoping to get a
small business going next year.
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Bio
Patti Sharp
Hereford, Arizona
I live in the high desert of south east Arizona..we live on
almost 5 acres and have a few goats who are expecting at the end
of March.
I make almost exclusively goat milk soap, but I do make my
specialty shea soap and cocoa butter soaps, along with candles
made into novelty southwest shapes..other hobbies include
quilting, leatherwork, Native American crafts, woodworking, and
sewing. I also have a wolfdog, and 5 cockatiels and worked as a
veterinary technician for 20 years before I became disabled. I
love to keep busy, as you can see!
My web page is:
http://hometown.aol.com/matonagi/myhomepage/index.html
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