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Imagine New York City and the island of Manhattan in the 1840’s. The city was rapidly expanding with an influx of immigrants from all over the world. Industry was expanding with the rise of the Industrial Revolution. The northern part of the island, was still providing the city with dairy products and meat. Sewage disposal…
It seems that what goes around, comes around – even with soap. What was once a distasteful chore of country housewives or the task of garbage entrepreneurs has now become the new eco-friendly activity of chefs. According to a recent article at Food and Wine there’s a new line of soaps made from the byproducts…
Tonight after dinner I looked out the window and saw an elk in the yard. The picture isn’t very good since it was dusk and he was about 75 yards away, but it is proof that he was there! We have several small elk herds that wander through the ranch, but they generally stay near…
Of all the soapmakers I know, not one started out young in life saying,”When I grow up, I’m going to be a soapmaker.” While some have said they “always had an interest”, most were in other careers when they discovered (and got hooked on) soapmaking. Pre-soapmaking careers include accountant, journalist, engineer, chemist, housewife, teacher, internet…
It’s interesting how the American public is so fascinated with and influenced by the trials and tribulations of fictitious families. The success of all soap operas (daytime and prime time), as well as shows like LOST, is all about getting people vested in a form of imaginary voyeurism. And it started with … soap. Earlier…
Ever wondered what a soap bubble looks like close up … VERY close up … like 50x magnification? Absolutely, amazingly beautiful! Mr. Sykora won Image of Distinction in the 2008 annual Nikon Small World photomicrography competition. And rightly so!
You can find information about soapmaking in the oddest places and by the strangest methods. Recently, I found out about the numbers of soapmakers around the turn of the (last) century while celebrating my birthday! Birthdays in our family are a day when you can do (or not do) whatever you want. In the past…
Last night I watched the HBO series “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency”. If you missed the pilot, it is soon to be released on DVD. It’s very cute, keeps the feeling of the original books and actually looks like it was filmed in Botswana. And how does this relate to soap?
I recently received an email from Melinda Coss, a soapmaker and author from France. She’s involved with a program called Township Trades in South Africa, teaching teens business skills through soapmaking. Take a look at the video – it’s awesome! Marie Gale
OSWA – Oregon Small Woodland Association, Coos-Curry County Chapter, has a new President. As of the Annual Meeting (sometime in March) I will be taking the reins for the local chapter. I’ve been on the Board (and not really doing much) for a year now. Last week I decided that if I’m going to do…
Today has been such a diverse day. Normally people tend to stick to one or two somewhat related things during the course of business. Today I’ve been all over the map. First thing this morning I worked on preparing a time line and pack of documentation to deliver to an attorney in time for him…
I just had a great article published in Aromascents E-Magazine! If was fun to write – to review all of the things I know about the wonders of soapmaking and condense it down into just two pages. Once again I was struck by the wonder of what happens in the soap pot and how the…
