Mwahahahaha!!!!!

Yes...that was my evil laugh if you couldn't tell ;)

I am so excited about moving into the next phase of soap making!  I love the chemistry (and slight risk of blowing the house up) and detail required for cold process soap making.  Really makes me feel like a mad scientist :D

Here's my first attempt at CP  soap...a nice unscented Castile soap that's great for sensitive skin.  This particular type is even suitable for babies!  Before I start doling out soap porn let me mention this is a serious process- not something you want to attempt on a whim!  You really really need to have to proper safety equipment and follow directions from a reputable book or website such as Brambleberry.com  <- This website is a great place to start your research!

Now, onto the show!

All CP soap starts with the oils...this particular recipe is primarily extra virgin olive oil

I learned that it takes a lot longer to cool the lye water down than heat the oils up, so I mixed my lye (VERY VERY CAREFULLY!!!) and let it set...

Next, I had to get a huge pot of oil to a very specific temperature.... a little more involved than it sounds!

And now for the big bang (or hopefully not!!)...

Things thicken up pretty quickly!  This is called 'trace'....

Now into the molds (thanks to my awesome hubby for the great birthday present!! )...

Then LLLLOOOOOOTTTTTTTTSSSSSSS  of waiting!  Yeah, I know, not my best quality!  These will take 4-6 weeks to cure and be safe for your skin... Believe me, I'm missing a layer of skin on my palms from washing all the soap dishes bare handed afterwards :P  I foresee some cool new dish gloves in my future...

Just Because...

Catch my favorite item EVER with free shipping!  I've listed the Solid Lotion Push Tube in either the bar, tube or tin and won't charge shipping for a very limited time!  Check it out on either the bonanza website or etsy:



http://www.etsy.com/listing/79003425/free-shipping-solid-lotion-in-push-tube

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Solid-Natural-Lotion-in-Push-Tube-great-for-on-the-go-/39333840

•High Five•

I'm always at a loss when telling people about Tuesday's Washday- I can't decide what to talk about first!  Here are a few of our customer favorites....

1• Soapsicles…. Best sellers by far!  Kids love these natural glycerin soaps in delicious scents and colors that pop- all in a fun shape!  Huge variety of styles!

2• Solid Lotion Push Tubes… Anyone that washes their hands a million times a day (think nurses!) is always looking for a good lotion.  Unfortunately, that usually leaves you with damp, sticky hands.  Not this lotion!  Three ingredients keep it simple and natural.  It will nourish and moisturize without feeling greasy on your hands…or feet…or wherever you need it!  Comes in three options: bar, tin or push tube (my favorite- like a huge lip balm!).  Very purse friendly!

3• Cupcake Bath Bomb… we have to label these with special stickers so people won’t eat them!  They look like the real thing and smell simply amazing!  These have a dual function: the base is a bath bomb formula that softens your skin and enables it to hold on to the fragrance even better while the frosting is a solid bubble bath that bubbles away when crumbled under running water.

4• Bubble Bar… It seemed so strange when I heard about solid bubble bath!  I was skeptical, but quickly changed my mind when I flooded the sink washing my hands after making a batch of these!  A little goes a long way!

5• Big Bombs…this is a formula for a big bang!  The same ingredients as the Cupcake Bath Bomb base, these are big enough to fill you hand!  Special toppings add to the fun!

Tuesday's Washday's Summer 2011 Gallery

Tuesday's Washday's photostream on Flickr.

Tuesday’s Washday began in our kitchen as a family project.  In the interest of getting back to basics, I felt this project had multiple purposes.  First, something we could make ourselves instead of buying off the shelves of the big name companies.  Second, distancing ourselves from all of the harsh and ‘less-than-natural’ chemicals in commercial soap.  Third, because it looked like fun!

I was so impressed at the improvement we saw over the next few weeks!  Two members of our family have very sensitive skin.  The chemicals in most soaps irritate their skin so often!  Both of them have now officially switched to our own line of handmade soap.

How did we go from family project to a bath & body company?  How could we not?!  There are so many options besides just plain bars of soap!  I love to ‘tweak’ each recipe to make it exactly what I- or rather the customer, needs!  Even more important to me is that I know where my products come from, what they’re made of and what they do.  That’s hard to say about your mass-produced products!

So stop by our website and check out our products!  I love custom orders and will be happy to answer any questions or requests, be it a particular fragrance or favors for a party of 300!

 

www.etsy.com/shop/TuesdaysWashday

lcalhoun31@aol.com

Find us on FaceBook!