Banana Chocolate Soap

It's an experimentation day here at Stella Marie! I am trying my hand at using fresh fruit purees in soap and it all begins today with an unscented banana chocolate soap! See pics and steps below. I am going to bake the soap using CPOP (Cold Process Oven Process), so I will have pics of the finished soap tomorrow. This is a 100% natural soap. Bananas are GREAT for your skin! Here are 39 reasons why, brought to you by StyleCraze.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Break up 1 fresh banana.

2. Using a blender, food processor or mixer, blend the banana until it is smooth.

3. Puree! Yay!

4. Measure oils.

5. Add lye solution.

6. Stick blend oils + lye solution.

7. Measure cocoa powder. Dilute it in oil and liquify.

8. Add cocoa to a section of the raw soap.

9. Whisk cocoa in until blended.

10. Add fresh banana puree to the main section of raw soap.

11. Stick blend soap + banana puree.

12. Add sectioned off cocoa soap to banana soap.

13. Swirl together.

14. Pour into mold. I added a few teeny drops of cocoa/oil mixture to the top of the soap and swirled it a little for a decorative top.

You Say It's Your Birthday ...

October 5th made 1 full year since our grand opening here in downtown Warren! Hurray! It seems like just yesterday, Jere and I were painting the walls and I was scouring local antique shops for display items. Here is a list of all the things I love about being here.

1. Our Customers. Since opening, we have made some great friends and enjoyed their loyal business. It is always so wonderful to see familiar faces and to catch up. It's great to find out which products they like best and how their friends pampered themselves with their Stella Marie purchases. Some of our customers have even come to work here! Thank you for supporting local businesses and believing in the value of handmade. And thank you for taking the time to write glowing reviews on Yelp! It's humbling and you have no idea how delighted I am to read them.

2. Our Neighbors and Fellow Merchants. I am honored to be great company here. Thank you, Cambria, Naomi and Kim at Bella Yarns, Mary at The Coffee Depot, Elizabeth at MUSE, Katie at The Wooden Midshipmen, Karen at Boheme Gallery, Woof! Woof! Pet Boutique, Chris at In Your Ear Records, Michelle and Courtney at Dimery Photography, Joanne at The Cheese Plate, and Maria at Warren House of Pizza! You guys were all super nice and welcoming and you continue to make our experience in Warren lovely. Together, we represent a group of people passionate about handmade, American-made products. We are all proud to offer products and services you can't get at the mall.

3. Our Students. Since moving to our new space, we gained lots of space in the back and we've had the pleasure of teaching to lots of wonderful, fun and excited students. Each class is unique and all students' creations are bubbly works of art. You continue to inspire me.

4. Our Mailman. Can't say enough about Jeff, our poetic, dread-locked mail carrier. Always upbeat and positive - and witty. After his shift, we sometimes get visits with his dogs, Angie and Danger. Love those guys.

5. Our Scenery. Every night, we are lucky enough to be able to watch gorgeous sunsets from our front windows and on Fridays, Kara and I will walk to a local eatery, then sometimes walk down to the waterfront. Everything is so close and so cute.

6. Our Local Events. From our super popular Warren Walkabout to our holiday shopping stroll to our monthly ArtNights, there is always something fun happening here!

7. Our Artists. (Some people call them "brands," but that's not very human, is it?) In addition to carrying our own line of products, we also carry amazing handmade items by local artists. They make our shop come to life. Kara Muise, Lux Aromatica, LuckyBird Studios, Kimberly DiNofrio, Chrissy Ann Ceramics, Rhode Trip Photography, Pebble Cove Decor, It's Sew You by Kirsten Cole, New Moon Studio, 5th and Madison, Urban Kitchen, Karen Meirs, Black Lab Woodworking, Tanner Glass, Island Mist, and Elizabeth Caruso ;)

We are planning to do a little something special to celebrate our first year anniversary, so stay tuned!

Yours in Soap,
Kim

The Best Remedies are Free?

I'm not a medical doctor, so I can't really dispense medical advice. I can say that many of the raw ingredients I use in the Stella Marie line are highly beneficial to your health, but I can't say, for example, that our products will cure your skin problems. I can only use quality ingredients and solid formulas to create products that I feel good about.

Lots of people spend tons of money on products that companies guarantee will heal them. But, some of the best remedies are totally free! Generosity can be a great way to beat the blues. Harvard Business School Associate Professor, Michael Norton writes, "Happier people give more and giving makes people happier, such that happiness and giving may operate in a positive feedback loop (with happier people giving more, getting happier, and giving even more)." You can actually elevate your mood when you donate your time or your expertise. And the more you do it, as Mr. Norton points out, the better you feel. I have a policy of keeping single bills on me most times. I love to feel the human connection when I give a person in need a buck or two. A random act of kindness helps both parties - the giver and the receiver.

Standing out in the sun for 30 minutes can elevate your mood, too. That fire ball in the sky emits tons of Vitamin D and when you absorb it, you are likely to feel happier and more energized! Cost = Free (except for a little sunscreen, of course).

You know the old saying, laughter is the best medicine? Well, there is a lot of truth to that! When we laugh, we release endorphins and we instantly become happier. I still use the movie Tommy Boy to lift me out of a funk.

Regular exercise can have huge health benefits! Studies have shown that it can even add years onto your life. And taking a daily walk around the park or your neighborhood won't cost a thing.

Enjoy your favorite products, but don't forget to take advantage of the things that don't require your wallet, too.

xoxo
Kim

Spring Events!

Spring has finally reached New England! Those dreary winter days are behind us as we prepare for more time in the sun, enjoying all of the beauty soon to be blooming. Every morning, I walk in my neighborhood park, observing the first buds, the ducks coupling off, the grass becoming that luscious green. It's an exciting time - my mind begins to wander ahead to boat rides on the pond, picnics, cookouts and evening star gazing from our backyard. Sounds dreamy, huh?

At Stella Marie, we will be enjoying the spring by participating in several fun events!

Rhody Wed
Saturday, April 21, 12-5 PM
Simply Devine Restaurant
125 Water Street, Warren RI
Rhody Wed is a new indie wedding showcase launching the spring of 2013. Stella Marie will be exhibiting with an assortment of wedding favors, loads of pictures and information for brides. Learn more about the event at the Rhody Wed website.

ArtNight 
Stella Marie Hosts Weehah!
Thursday, April 25, 5-9 PM
Stella Marie Soap Company
486 Main Street, Warren, RI
We will be kicking off our Trunk Show series on April 25th with Weehah!- designer of a beautiful range of handmade greeting cards - all made in New England. Refreshments will be served.

Craftopia
Sunday, April 28, 12-4 PM
Hope Artiste Village
1005 Main Street, Pawtucket RI
A super duper day of art, craft, food and fun! This Stella Marie's first craft show of the year!

Wines and Vines
Saturday, May 11th. 11AM - 5PM (Mother's Day Weekend) 
Newport Vineyards
909 East Main Street, Middletown, RI
Stella Marie has been invited to participate in this wonderful event - and to honor the occassion, we will have a special soap available made with chardonnay produced at Newport Vinyards! We will be alongside some of the state's delectable gourmet businesses! $20 per person, includes complimentary logo wineglass.


We've also launched our spring collection - so go ahead and check them out ;)

We {Heart} You!

In February, we announced several new initiatives for 2013. You've already heard about our Art Night Trunk Shows, our ongoing Workshop Series and our 3, 6 and 12 Month Soap Subscriptions.

Our 4th initiative is a VIP Program. Now, we don't like to play favorites because, honestly, we appreciate everyone's business. From the person walking by who needs a quick soap cupcake as a hostess gift to the customer who drives to the shop from another state and leaves with bags full of soapy treats - we love all of you guys! However, in the past 5 years, we have developed a strong core of incredibly faithful customers and it dawned on me that we ought to step it up a little for these folks. So, after careful thought and deliberation with Kara (my best friend, shop girl, brilliant artist and the other creative force behind the business) here is what was decided upon.

You are eligable for VIP membership when you have done at least one of the following:

• Made at least 4 online purchases
• Earned 200 shopping points in our store
• Submitted 3 full Soap Punch Cards

 As a VIP Member, you will receive the following:

• Free domestic shipping from our web store - always
• 10% discount on all purchases in our Warren store*
• A special gift on your birthday

We have our initial list of people who meet this criteria and we will be sending out notices to them shortly. We will be closely tracking new and existing customers and the second someone qualifies, they will be given their card and perks! We don't believe in charging fees for VIP membership. This might work for some businesses, but just knowing that you keep us on your list of frequent shopping spots is all that we can ask of anyone. We see this as a reward program, a way to express our gratitude. And it's as simple as that.

xoxo
Kim

*The 10% discount cannot be used in conjunction with another promotion. 

2013 Art Night Trunk Shows

I am lucky to know some talented people. I am also lucky to be in Warren, where creativity takes center stage the last Thursday night of every month, from April to November during Art Night! I decided to merge these two ideas: host trunk shows for my creative friends + participate in a celebration of local arts!

Here is our schedule for the year! I hope to see you all at what promises to be unique, fun evenings!

APRIL 25: Weehah!

MAY 30: DiNofrio Handbags

JUNE 27: Bendywho

JULY 25: Dasken Designs

AUGUST 29: Folk Couture

SEPTEMBER 26: iDazz

OCTOBER 31: Lux Aromatica

NOVEMBER 30: DA Metals

Soapmaking Classes

Student Work

Class Equipment

I've been teaching soapmaking classes since early 2011. When I first launched this arm of my business, I honestly had no expectations. What surprised me more than the number of people interested in learning this craft was how very much I enjoy teaching. Prior to taking a soapmaking class, people are generally unaware of the process. Buying soap is sort of like buying toothpaste, in a way. You know you need it, you realize it's there, but you have no idea where it came from. Demystifying this always brings delight to my students. It's a perfect combination of science and art. The gratification in using the fruits of one's soapy labor is immense. I love watching the playfulness and excitement in my students as they select a fragrance, conceptualize their design, watch their oils saponify in a crockpot.

I hope to continue teaching my favorite thing to do! If you would like to see photos from classes and a collection of student work, please visit albums on Pinterest and Facebook!

xoxo
Kim