Thursday, February 24, 2011

My Name is Tara . . .

and it's been 30 minutes since I made my last batch of soap.

I have become quite obsessed with this whole soap making thing.  I spend a lot of time reading about soap, thinking about soap and, much to my husband's chagrin, talking about soap.  As a trained chemist, I am fascinated by the chemical reaction that occurs, turning lye and oils into soap with lots of natural glycerin.  And the little girl in me absolutely loves mixing things together.  It brings back memories of sneaking into the bathroom and playing with my mother's stuff:  her shampoo, her make-up, just pouring and mixing.  (Sorry, mom.  But you knew I did that.  Remember the time you caught me pouring your good make-up out the second floor window?  I don't know why I did that but I loved watching things pour out of bottles.)  However, I like to think my concoctions now are much more beautiful.  


 Good old unscented soap and lavender oatmeal soap.


Top to bottom:  lemon poppyseed, orange cinnamon spice and orange chocolate.  Not an orange chocolate bar.  Orange chocolate soap with real baking chocolate and cocoa powder.  That one is for my mom.  She loves orange cream chocolates and I think she deserves such a decadent soap even though she won't share her orange chocolates with me.

It has now been 45 minutes and I am already planning my next batch of soap.  Coffee soap, I think.  Or maybe beer soap.

If you run into me out and about, I'll try not to talk about soap but I can't make any promises.
Posted by Tara at 8:36 AM
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14 comments:

  1. jennifer sorrellFebruary 24, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    i love the full immersion obsession. right now i can't stop thinking/reading/acting like the tudors from king henry viii time. i recognize it isn't the same as a soap making obsession but the essence of a passion maybe is?

    i think we learn best creatively when we chuck our whole selves into a thing.

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  2. Little BirdFebruary 24, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Hee! I don't mind hearing bout soap...although then it makes me want more soap....
    I made soap with goat's milk, oatmeal, and fennel once, it smelled so fresh! Have you thought about using herbs in your soap? If you like, I can send you some.

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  3. nunuFebruary 24, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    hahaha! you're so funny. yummy soaps tara! don't stop! what will you come up with next? you'll have to make some funny ones for the boys.. i'm thinking in harry potter terms like booger soap or something like that. lol..

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  4. AmyFebruary 24, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Now I'm thinking about soap! Not making it, mind you. . . but is this the kind of thing you might put in your Etsy shop? Forgetting perfection, of course:) Looking at these pics and reading your words, I'm smelling these like I would a muffin. Only better--calorie free.

    When I get into something I obsess a bit as well. I mean that as a compliment! Way to dive in. Now if I could get over watching Gaskell's North and South and move on to something productive like soap making it would be much better. Happy Soaping to You!

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  5. Lisa at lil fish studiosFebruary 24, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Oh beautiful, beautiful soap. I'd happily listen to soap-making tales.

    I used to spray my mother's hair spray on the silver faucet in the bathroom to see the rainbow colors it made. She hated that. :D

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    You are so funny.

    Throwing ourselves into something whole-heartedly is the best way to learn.

    I've been creating a lot of body care stuff lately too and have been considering an Etsy shop for it all. You might look at that too. I mean, I know the knitting thing became more work than passion...but at least with stuff like this you can make a lot more in a reasonably short period of time.

    Your soap sounds lovely. I'll have to share what I've been up too soon. xo

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  7. MeelingFebruary 24, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    That lemon poppyseed one, looks and sounds good enough to eat! Think I'd be afraid I might start snacking in the shower!!! ;-)

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  8. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    very cool. they look so perfect too.

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  9. UnknownFebruary 25, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    The orange cinnamon spice one sounds wonderful, well they all do actually.
    Always enjoy reading your posts and seeing your pictures!

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  10. Wasabi Honey BeeFebruary 25, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    I've never actually made soap, but I have wanted too. Your soap looks beautiful!!! I guess I should buckle down and try the project soon : )

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  11. kFebruary 26, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    well who can blame you? you are getting such awesome looking (and i'm sure, smelling) results that why wouldn't you want to talk about it? have fun!

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  12. Balkan Style BloggersFebruary 27, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    Mmmm . . . orange, cinnamon, oatmeal, lavender . . . and they really are beautiful.

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  13. Lovely WorldFebruary 27, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    Bitten by the soap bug. I think this is great. I can almost smell this post as I sit here.

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  14. We Blog ArtistsFebruary 28, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Hey, we need a saop lady at our Mamas and Chicks Show in April...how far are you away from Oshawa?
    Your soap would be a huge hit!!!

    Get back to me.
    Char.x

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