Happy Thanksgiving

It's been very busy couple of weeks for me.  I have a big soap order for someones wedding that I have been rushing to complete, which has been taking up a lot of my time! But luckily it is finished and I can now focus on churning out Christmas themed soaps!  My first soap, which really can be used anytime, is Cranberry Orange Soap.  Here's how it looked just after I swirled it:

It was also the first time I've used sodium lactate.  What is sodium lactate?  Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid that has a mild saline taste. It is produced by fermentation of a sugar source, such as corn or beets, and then neutralizing the resulting lactic acid.  It is sometimes used as a food additive, but is great as a soap additive because it is a very effective humectant and moisturizer.  It also makes the soap harder and quicker which means a faster curing time.  Unfortunately,  I don't think I used enough the first time because the soap came out very soft.  I'm not sure why, but I'm guessing because I made it with the oils and lye at room temperature.  I will try adding a bit more on my next try.  It does smell really nice though, a sweet mellow fruity scent mixed with a citrus tone.  Some of the other things I've been working on has been a recent Etsy order for a chick hat.  I was very happy with the finished product!

For those of you who are looking for a unique present to give to friends and family, why not go handmade?  You will be supporting an actual person who works hard and puts a lot of care into the product you are buying.  I will be having a sale at my shop this Friday and Saturday (starting at Midnight Eastern Standard Time), you can get 20% off your entire purchase!  The coupon code is 2012HOLIDAY.  If you are in the US, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  And for the rest of you have a great weekend!