Products | Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps

Archive for the ‘Products’ Category

Product Monday – Castile Goat Milk Soap

Posted in Products, tagged castile soap, Goat Milk Soap on November 23, 2009| 6 Comments »

You may have heard of castile soap from your grandparents. Castile has a long history. Written references to castile soap date back to the early 1600’s from Italy and Spain.

Castile is a pure olive oil soap. It is mild, not drying to the skin. By standards, castile soap is fine, hard, white and colorless.

My version of castile soap contains goat milk and olive oil. It is a slightly off-white soap and odorless.

It tested in my bath as a hard soap, long-lasting. It rinsed well with no residue, yet, it was not drying to the skin.

Castile soap will become available on the website this week.

If you are interested, please let me know. I plan to add castile soap to the base list of soaps that I carry this week!

Read Full Post »

Product Monday – Rosemary Mint Goat Milk Soap

Posted in Products, tagged Goat Milk Soap on November 16, 2009| 13 Comments »

Rosemary Mint Goat Milk Soap

I need your thoughts!

Rosemary mint is an all natural goat milk soap that I carry.

The soap contains rosemary and peppermint essential oils, along with very fine ground rosemary.

I love the soap, but it has not sold very well!

Last month I sold a number of bars to one person, and again this month to a different client.

Guess what? Rosemary mint goat milk soap is now out of stock. I will be making more.

I am also sold out of clean laundry fragranced soap. I made 2 batches last week to ensure I do not run out again.

I was discontinuing both products because they were not popular, they were not selling.

I said I would not discontinue a product without first announcing it. I will post the question/announcement here and on the newsletter before I discontinue a product. I do not care if soap sits for 6 months as long as enough people want to buy it. Goat milk soap, especially all natural soap, seems to get better with age. It continues to harden, and in most cases, such as a rosemary soap, it retains its fragrance.

I am bouncing my thoughts off on you, I need your feedback. If you were me (have fun with that prospect, ha), and you had a soap in stock for 6 months that did not sell, would you discontinue it, ask your customers, or simply make more of that type of soap once it sold out?

I thought I would get some fun answers from you!

Happy Monday!!!

Read Full Post »

Handcrafted Wine Soap

Posted in Products, tagged wine soap on November 9, 2009| 9 Comments »

Handcrafted Wine Soap

Normally on a Monday I showcase an existing product. Not today.

Normally in a Product Monday article I talk about soap or lotion that contains goat milk. Not today.

I am busy with holiday sales. You would think I would stick to the basics since I am in the busy season. No. This girl needs to have fun!

I made two batches of clean laundry goat milk soap on Saturday, still to be cut. I made wine soap Sunday morning!

Wine Soap 004

I had to share with you a glimpse of the fresh batch of wine soap as I poured it into the mold. Pretty, huh? It could have passed for chocolate soap!

It has been 6 years since I’ve drummed up a batch of non-milk soap. I could not find good information on how to make wine soap so I calculated and proceeded with caution. I’ve read horror stories about wine soap concoctions erupting and overheating. Sugar content would be the culprit.

The results were good.

I originally used a Tuscan wine fragrance. I liked the fragrance, however, I picked up on a slight perfume overtone. So, I remembered a 1/2 bottle of merlot that was going to go to waste. I added the wine to the recipe as well as the fragrance. Wow, does it smell wonderful! The wine coloring that I intended was overran by the color from the wine and lye (brown). We shall see what transpires as it “ages” (cures). Along with the extra dobs of shea butter that I always add to my soaps, it ought to be a soap to treasure!

Fun…and even the pots and pans from the batch were a joy to wash. They smelled wonderful!

Enjoy your Monday!

Read Full Post »

Calendula Cleanser

Posted in Products, Skin and Hair Care, tagged emollient, moisturizer, natural skin care on November 7, 2009| 10 Comments »

I love it!

I made 2 more jars today.

This is the original post and pic.

I am using the product as a late night facial treatment when needed. It goes on like a salve (not heavy). Wonderful results in the morning. The skin does not feel dry. The skin feels refreshed, very soft. A very small dab does it, about the size of a pencil eraser.

I can see this being a huge boost in the winter, especially when the skin is exposed to dry air, wind. Indoor heat is harsh as well. My goat milk soap has proven itself to be mild, but sometimes we need a little help when the harshest of seasons comes into the scope.

I am going to toy with the recipe a bit more. And then offer it on the website.

Healthy, natural, no offensive smell. It is wonderful on the lips as well. Has a very slight chocolate taste due to the cocoa butter.

I was concerned about skin reaction…I had none.

Have a beautiful Saturday!

I received this in my Daily Bible Verse today. A good reminder to stay well grounded:

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

Read Full Post »

Product Monday – Vanilla Scented Goat Milk Soap and Lotion

Posted in Products, tagged Goat Milk Lotion, Goat Milk Soap on November 2, 2009| 7 Comments »

Vanilla Scented Goat Milk Soap

Today I am showcasing vanilla scented goat milk soap and lotion.

Many of the products that I talk about in my Product Monday series are part of my “base soap and lotion” group, products that I keep in stock at all times. Vanilla scented products were added to the base list in September 2009.

Natural vanilla fragrance fades in cold processed soap, so, a man-made vanilla fragrance is called to the rescue!

Guess what vanilla fragrance does as it ages in many types of products? Depending upon the percentage of vanilla in the product, the product color darkens from tan to chocolate brown. There are additives on the market that stop (or slow) the browning effects of vanilla fragrance. I choose to not use them. I honestly like the color.

Vanilla soap does produce a tan lather…but never fear, no staining of wash clothes occur!

Looks like a chocolate bar, don’t you think? Smells luscious. Clean. Not at all a sickening sweet vanilla scent. The same holds true for the lotion.

Lynnanne, a friend and blog reader, requested the vanilla soap. She loves the lotion as well. Her words are, “I think I could almost drink the lotion!” After Lynnanne offered a sniff of her lotioned arm to her aunt, her aunt became a fan as well.

Let me know if there is a product that you would like to see covered in the Product Monday series.

On a side note…I hope you had a wonderful weekend! We relaxed, visited with friends, and met new (friends of friends). It was great! I feel totally refreshed.

Read Full Post »

Confetti Handcrafted Soap

Posted in In The Soap Shop, Products, tagged Goat Milk Soap, handcrafted soap on October 27, 2009| 6 Comments »

Handcrafted Confetti Soap

I have been having fun with soap bases. What are soap bases? Ready made soap. The crafter cuts and melts the soap, adds their own touches, and pours the soap into a mold(s). Shortly thereafter bars of soap are ready to use.

Honestly, I am having a difficult time wrapping my mind around the idea that I am experimenting with “melt and pour” soap. I treasure the idea of making goat milk soap from scratch, watching it transition from a harsh formula, to one that is so mild and beautiful on the curing rack. Crafting soap the old-fashioned way. I will not be giving that up.

So, why am I working with a pre-made base? First, to create affordable soaps, focused on the holidays. Secondly, for the fun creativity.

The confetti bar is an excellent quality shea butter soap (unscented) embedded with goat milk soap chips (cherries and berries, lemongrass poppyseed, and a touch of peppermint and juniper grass). The soap lathers well and smells terrific. The scent does not pop out at the first sniff. Start lathering, the terrific scent is released! And it is pretty!

I have been testing the confetti bars. My main concern was that the chips would loosen from the bar of soap. Test results: the goat milk soap chips remain embedded in the soap as the bar is being used. Yes!

Additional photos of handcrafted soaps (soaps to be added to my online store by the end of this week):

Handcrafted Soap (Confetti, Tangerine Grapefruit, Tutti Fruity)

It has been busy on our farm. I am happily stirring up goat milk soap in the shop. And, my husband and I continue building the base for a small business that will utilize his hard-earned skills. For very brief moments I have felt weary, but…I take a deep breath, appreciate life, relax the shoulders, ease the facial muscles…and…find that life is beautiful, such a gift! I love it. We are blessed.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Read Full Post »

Product Monday – Cool Citrus Goat Milk Soap

Posted in Products, tagged Goat Milk Soap on October 26, 2009| 9 Comments »

Cool Citrus Goat Milk Soap

After working with this goat milk soap today I describe the scent as a tart citrus with just a hint of cool peppermint.

How about the color? I use ultramarine color in this particular soap. A touch of blue, mainly green. With each batch of cool citrus goat milk soap, because most of the ingredients are natural (97% in this soap), the green hue can range from pea green to pale green.

Citrus essential oils like to dissipate in cold processed soap. When I want a sharp citrus scent I use a fragrance oil.

This, and many other goat milk soaps, can be found in my online store.

Enjoy!

Goat Milk Soaps

Read Full Post »

Goat Milk Products For Troubled Skin

Posted in In The Soap Shop, Products, tagged Goat Milk Lotion, Goat Milk Soap on October 22, 2009| 4 Comments »

Confetti Goat Milk Soap

I am listening. People are telling me that skin problems, such as dry and sensitive skin, and eczema, have improved greatly since using my goat milk soaps and lotions.

I cannot claim that my products clear or improve a skin condition. If I did so, I would no longer be selling bars that are considered soaps, or lotions that are considered a cosmetic. Instead, I would be selling drugs or medications. I do not want to step down that path.

So, relying on word of mouth, testimonials (from clients and a physician), unsolicited feedback, there is definitely something to be said about my goat milk soap and lotions.

The most popular items for extremely sensitive skin have been honey oatmeal goat milk soap and any of the unscented goat milk lotions.

Word of mouth, worth its weight in gold. And I thank you!

By the way…the soap in the photo is something I have been experimenting with. The photo was taken early yesterday as the sun began to stream through the window. Pretty? I think so. Smells wonderful. I cannot disclose details yet. Soon!

Read Full Post »

Product Monday – Anise Goat Milk Soap

Posted in Products, tagged Goat Milk Soap on October 19, 2009| 4 Comments »

Anise…a unique scent.

Anise is an essential oil that is used (as well as anise seeds) in perfuming and cooking. Black licorice contains anise, and so does Italian sausage.

In aromatherapy, anise is said to have aphrodisiac and stimulant properties. Anise is a natural antiseptic, amongst other healthy benefits.

Me…I simply love the scent. It is clean and natural, turning out a mild soap.

Anise goat milk soap can be found in my online store, as well as Anise Lavender.

Essentials oils are readily absorbed by the skin. Always keep your specific allergies and health conditions in mind (including pregnancy). Even though I include generous proportions of essential oils in many of my soaps, the amount that the skin actually absorbs from soap is much less in quantity than from a lotion, or directly from pure essential oil.

Read Full Post »

Product Monday – Goat Milk Soap Sets

Posted in Products, tagged Goat Milk Soap on October 5, 2009| 7 Comments »

Patchouli, Cedarwood, Sandalwood Goat Milk Soap

Today I prepared packages of soap for the retail location.

The first items I prepared were the Annie’s Goat Hill Sampler gift sets that I announced here a few days ago.

Then I began wrapping various full sized bars of soap. I made a couple of floral sets, using a fabric theme to match (polka dot, floral, pink, burgundy).

Masculine scented soaps were blocked off into sets as well. I wrapped the bars of soap in plaid scraps. I love the sets! Masculine cedarwood, patchouli, and sandalwood, beautiful!

What do you think? Do you like the 3-bar sets? I will be adding them to the website for the holidays.

By the way, I love the masculine scents. I can wash with lavender soap and find it to smell grassy, not floral, yet, lavender is considered to be a floral. Again, back to our scent discussions here, it is all about perception!

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »