More CP Transformations

Java Lava + Crimson & Clover

Crimson & Clover + Clockwork Orange

Everybody's Irish + Citrus Squares

Here Comes Your Soap + Chill

More Cold Process Soap

I am having such fun converting the Stella Marie line into cold process! Check out the photos below of more recent work.

New Soap Craft, Dinosoap Jr., De La Soap and Rockaway Beach. I used the leftover soap in Celtic Dragon and Gargoyle cavity molds.

Detail: Dinosoap Jr. and Rockaway Beach

Detail: Soap Craft

Detail: De La Soap

Detail: Celtic Dragons

Detail: Gargoyles

Cold Process

I am in the throes of making cold process soap and I am having a ball! As I discussed last year, I am changing my process so that I can make more soap in less time. While this is happening, however, I am still making hot process soap so that I may fill orders while the first batches of CP cure. I will not be able to sell them for 4 weeks. Here are some pictures of the CP soap I have made so far.

The Straight Soap (which I think will be re-named, Plain Jane), Grapefruit Moon and The Bad Seed (now with a hint of red shimmer on top). The hearts were made in a cavity mold with the leftover soap.Dude, Where's My Soap?, Tempest and Cucumber Slumber.

5th Annual Valentine's Day Soap Drive for Rosie's Place

It's time once again for our Annual Soap Drive for Rosie's Place. For the past 4 years, I have collected soap, bath and body products for this Boston-based women's shelter. If you would like to donate, please email me and I will send you the details (kim@stellamariesoap.com). No contribution is too big or small. Please make sure that your donations are wrapped and if you are sending body scrubs/moisturizers, they MUST be sealed. Everyone is welcome to donate!

The drive begins today and ends on February 13th. I will be hand-delivering the boxes on February 14th.

I think that all women should feel special on Valentine's Day, including the brave women at Rosie's Place.

Yours in Peace, Love and Cleanliness,
Kim Gonzaga

;)

Our Holiday Collection Is Now Available!

Holiday Soap 3-Pack • Home for the Holidays Soap • Sugar Plum Fairy Soap • Winter Ice Soap

Process Switch

In order to improve efficiencies, I will need to change my process from CPHP (Crock Pot Hot Process) to CP (Cold Process). I feel a bit as though I am betraying this process I have so strongly identified with for so long, but there are limits to the volume you can produce, even with 6 crock pots going at once.

So, yesterday, I took the plunge. I made my first batch of CP. I used Soap Craft, my multi-color African Rain soap, for the experiment. I was pleased with the results, though I must learn to master the swirl on top that makes CP soap so appealing. Raw soap sets up faster than I thought, and by the time I had finished dyeing the other layers, the top layer, which is natural, was starting to become like custard. I will get that pretty swirl in my next batch!

For now, here are some pictures:

Soap Craft (African Rain) | Cold Process Method

CPHP (left) vs CP (right)

Shimmery

Home for the Holidays | Holiday Collection 2011

I am SO excited about this month's soap! Think: clementine, clove and cinnamon with shimmer on top! It was dyed with Bramble Berry Lab Colors Yellow & Orange + Cocoa Powder. Home for the Holidays will be available through the end of December. Beginning next month, it will be joined by two other limited editions. Stay tuned!