Monday, April 25, 2011

Full of Gumption

I have never been much of a go-getter.  More of a "if -it's-meant-to-happen-it-will-happen-so-i-am-just-going-to-wait-for-it-to-happen".  That kind of makes me sound like a total slacker but I wasn't.  I studied hard and I worked hard for what I achieved.  I just never walked up to a person and said: "I deserve this award/job."  That all changed last week.

Chocolate Swirl Soap
At the craft show last weekend, through talking to others I found out about a couple of upcoming craft shows.  I came home, discussed it with Mike and we came to the conclusion that if I wanted to make a go of selling my soap, well, I kind of had to go for it.  The next thing I know I am calling strangers, filling out applications and signed up for two upcoming craft shows -- making things happen.  Who is this woman?!  I don't know but I do know that she loves making soap and is mighty proud of the soap she makes.

Coconut Lime and Carrot Honey Soaps
 The above Carrot Honey Soap was made with carrot juice, honey and beeswax.  The beeswax gives the soap a really hard, silky texture.  I left the soap unscented because I wanted to let the ingredients speak for themselves.  I was also curious as to how it would smell.  It has a slight scent that reminds me of baked goods.  i love the feel of this soap.

I like to use mostly essential oils to add fragrance to my soaps but occasionally I cannot resist trying some fragrance oils.  Coconut Lime was one of those fragrance oils.  It smells sweet and refreshing and reminds me of Jamaica where Mike and I were married.

Chai Tea Soap
 

My Chai Tea Soap is made with chai tea, of course, and is scented with cinnamon and clove essential oils and topped off with choclate shavings and cocoa powder.   Warm and spicy.  Okay, so those aren't real chocolate shavings but they sure do look like the real thing.  The cocoa powder, however, is real.

As a result of my recent bout of gumption, I won't be adding my soap to my etsy shop for at least a couple of weeks.  I want to make sure I have enough inventory for my local shows.  I apologize if you were waiting for the soap to be in my shop.  If there was a particular soap you were interested in that I have talked about here or in previous posts, contact me and I may be able to help you out.  Gosh, that sounds so vain, like I am expecting you all to want to buy my soap.  I don't but felt the need to explain the lack of soap in the shop.  There, did you just see that?  That old lack of gumption attitude sneaking in?  Shoo, old attitude, shoo.

  Happy Monday all!

 

16 comments:

  1. Smile all around! Good for you and your gumption:) The soap pictures make me feel clean and pampered just looking at them. And as far as Etsy inventory, I'll be patient (I do look forward to buying some!). Excited to see how your shows go. Win-Win. You sell out and get to make more, or you don't and get to list more on Etsy. Happy soaping to you either way!

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  2. Oh my, your soaps look delicious! They're so beautiful. Good for you for taking the leap! So nice to meet you.

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  3. Yay....good for you!!!

    I love the look of that carrot honey one...beautiful!!!

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  4. Good luck to you, Tara! I really love doing craft shows, I have my first of the yr coming up at the end of May (and for which I am *totally* unprepared!). It's so very nice to get out and sell face to face.

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  5. your soaps look and sound amazing
    i can't wait for you to add some to your shop.
    have you ever made soap with ferns?

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  6. No gumption here either. I've never been a go getter. Maybe some of your new attitude will rub off on me. :)

    The soaps look beautiful. Especially the carrot honey. Mmmmm! xo

    ps - Did you watch DW?

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  7. that's cool tara - your soaps are beautiful and i'm sure they are delightful. i was just at whole foods today and saw a table of local made made soap. i think you should hit up the health food stores next!

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  8. too funny - about 1/2 way through reading - I glanced up at your pictures of your etsy shop just to see if soap was there yet :)

    I'll be patient! you are doing so great!!

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  9. Oh! Good for you. Gumption is good.I've found my love of soap has produced a bit of gumption indeed. Funny how a bit of passion can do good things for a generally laid back/timidish personality. You go girl!

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  10. So great! This soap all looks so good! You have been transformed - I can feel it. Best of luck, and I can be patient until you get some into the shop.

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  11. you could be describing me. well, except for the becoming a go-getter, i'm still working on that. the whole "i deserve this" is always the big hurdle. anyway...i am not really a soap person, but i keep drooling over all your delicious looking soaps. i can't wait for them to go in your etsy shop, but i completely understand you have other commitments at the moment. yay you!

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  12. Be PROUD! your soap looks amazing and good enough to eat!

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  13. Exciting times for you Tara! Like krista said, be proud, your soap looks delicious!

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  14. ooooh. i need some chocolate soap. care to barter?

    way to make a go of your enterprise!!!

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  15. oh my, that soap looks so good i want to take a bite! lovely blog... happy crafting to you!

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  16. I can't wait to see these in your shop, you gumptionator you.

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