Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps

Being Thoughtful Is Not So Popular

January 30, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

Times seem to have changed…being thoughtful appears to no longer be popular, neither is being kind or polite.

Do you treasure those that speak their minds, but are cautious enough to not deliberately hurt?

What about the words please and thank you?

Do you still appreciate them?

Genuine people are hard to find. Genuine friends are far and few in between. Genuine friends tends to mysteriously know how you are today without you telling them. They love unconditionally. And trust is so very important in those special relationships. And last, but not least, a friend that honestly and openly can say what they think, in a way that offense is not caused, in a manner that really rocks your world = one genuine true friend. And honestly, isn’t that what we aim for, to be a genuine person in life?

Despite the un-popularity of being polite, do you also chose to be there with me?

It does not mean that we paint the world with butterflies and roses. No, we are aware that life is difficult. No bones about it. However, it does mean that we treat each and every encounter with much deserved respect.

Are you with me?

Posted in General Reflections | Tagged kindness | 10 Comments »

Country Cottage Bathroom

January 29, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

Do you have a favorite bathroom style?

I love the country cottage look. Whitewashed walls, antique claw foot tub, painted wood floor. Billowy soft curtains. A lot of antique white!

I am considering redecorating a small bathroom, however, I have stained wood Amish made cabinetry that I probably should not distress or white wash. But, we only live once, right?

This is the type of thing I love:

I would probably go with a light sage green instead of robin’s egg blue, or perhaps caramel or a deep sand beige.

Simple, rustic, country cottage feel…and, of course, I have to add, I can see a large bowl of goat milk soap sitting somewhere in the room, along with a claw foot tub, great for the aromatherapy bath treatment!

By the way, this photo came from Valspar.com. I had a load of fun picking out colors, and using the “digital painter.”

Posted in All In A Day's Time | Tagged country cottage bathroom, country french, redecorating, shabby chic, white washed antique | 4 Comments »

Ways To Save (On Goat Milk Soap)

January 27, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

There are a variety of ways to save when shopping in the Annie’s Goat Hill goat milk soap store.

There are bargain basement “2nds” in the back of the soap store! Why (“Y”) a sale? Normally these soaps are smaller (3.0-3.75 oz), some have faded scent, not as pretty, but perfectly good goat milk soaps! Good for the budget-minded. Each product description clearly explains why the product is discounted.
A 5-bar volume discount is also available. The soaps are not “2nds,” however, they may range 3.5-4.25 ounces. $17.00 plus shipping is a great deal for 5 bars of skin loving goat milk soap. The bars are your choice of soaps. You may order more than one 5-bar set.
Goat milk soap by the log. The log is sent to you after it cures (3-4 weeks). You slice off whatever you want, whenever you want, for whomever you want. A great discount at 58.00 (plus shipping) for 5+ pounds of soap!

Thank you to my customers for asking such thought filled questions! I love to answer you here. You never know when someone might be wanting to ask the very same question!

Now…for a brief word on discounts. We are living in a tough economy, but I do not believe in marking down products just to get them sold. I know you would rather receive the value of the products and services you pay for rather than money back in your pocket. Money back in your pocket is nothing when it equates to poor quality! For the sake of doing great business, and because I remember when I purchased hand-crafted soaps by the numbers, volume discounts are perfectly in line with my way of thinking!

Enjoy!

Posted in AGH Business News, Products | Tagged Goat Milk Soap, goat milk soap discounted, handcrafted soap, handcrafted soap discounted, ways to save on soap | 2 Comments »

A Beautiful Surprise In The Mail

January 26, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

The local postal carriers are used to picking up many packages from my home, but seldom do they deliver one to me.

Yesterday, as my husband retrieved the mail from the box, I saw a familiar package. My first thought was, “Why was it returned? Did I not calculate the postage correctly?”

The package had not been returned at all. In fact, it was addressed to me, from a wonderful customer.

Susanne B., a thoughtful warm person from South Carolina, surprised me with these beautiful hand-made gifts. And I cherish them!

I actually had been wanting to try some hand crocheted or knitted wash (or dish) clothes. Now I have 6 beautiful ones. They are soft, delicate, yet sturdy. And the neck scarf is gorgeous! Susanne stitched a “Hand-made by Susanne” tag inside the scarf. Absolutely fantastic!

I cannot thank you enough, Susanne.

I couldn’t wait to make an announcement of the surprise package here!

Posted in Family & Friends | Tagged crocheting, hand-crafted wash clothes, knitting, special customer | 6 Comments »

Product Monday – Annie’s Goat Milk Soap Love Basket

January 25, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

One of my goals in 2010 is to offer more gift sets, new products, and to bring in the candles that I have been talking about for much too long! I am excited to begin meeting goals with the announcement of a new gift basket!

The Annie’s Goat Milk Soap Love Basket is filled with luscious items that can help transform a bath into a spa experience! The products are scented with the beautiful Annie’s Love fragrance (similar to Victoria’s Secret Love Spell).

Included in the gift basket:

sugar scrub (with sweet almond oil, vitamin e and evening primrose oil) 6 oz.
fizzy mineral salts for the bath 10 oz.
goat milk lotion 4 oz.
goat milk soap approx 4.25 oz.
soy votive candle

Have you ever used a sugar scrub? A sugar scrub is wonderful for the rough areas of the body that suffer from the elements of winter. I use it anywhere on the body that needs a boost from gentle exfoliation (to slough off dry dead skin). I occasionally use the scrub on my face. But, I recommend going very gentle with a facial scrub. Facial skin is much more delicate than skin further down the body!

A gift card is available, as well as drop-shipment for gift sending. The gift set will be shrink wrapped, ensuring the basket arrives in excellent condition.

The basket itself is very attractive, with a removable liner.

The Annie’s Goat Milk Love Basket is now listed in my goat milk soap store.

Happy (early) Valentine’s Day!

Posted in AGH Business News, In The Soap Shop, Products | Tagged Gaot Milk Soap, goat milk soap gift set, Valentine's Gift Basket | 10 Comments »

Product Questions – Uniformity Between Batches of Soap

January 23, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

Today I am covering a valued question from a customer.

The soap that I normally purchase from Annie’s Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps smells slightly different than the soap I purchased in the past. Did the recipe change?

Essential oils are natural. An essential oil can differ for various reasons. Factors that play into variances in essential oils are: the plant crop, the manufacturer (and distillation method), the region/climate the plant is harvested in, and the harvest practices.

Essential oils, like a good perfume, can age somewhat in the bottle. With good storage practices, essential oils can actually strengthen with time.

The creation of a natural soap requires careful measuring and tracking. Each recipe is followed to a “t,” using an electronic scale that weighs the ingredients to the tenth of an ounce. Even with careful measurements there are additional factors that can affect the soap from batch to batch.

Season – humidity and temperature play a role in the soapmakers crafting practices. A difference in room temperature can greatly affect the first 12-24 hours of soap, changing the insulation needs, which could greatly affect the hardness and scent of the soap.
Milk – varies from season to season. Have you heard the term “grass fed beef”? I can attest to grass fed milk. It is sweeter. Sweeter equates to more sugar in the soap recipe, which in turn affects the entire stability of a batch of soap.
Age – of the actual soap bar itself. The curing process (4-6 weeks) not only allows the soap to become more mild, it also gives the soap time to harden (the moisture content in the soap drops drastically). I personally prefer an older bar of goat milk soap, especially one of my all natural soaps (some soaps contain man-made fragrances).

So…to wrap this up, with all of the careful intentions in place, natural soap can differ slightly from batch to batch!

I love questions, please keep them coming!

Posted in AGH Business News, Products | Tagged essential oils, Goat Milk Soap, natural soap, soap making practices | 10 Comments »

Clean The World

January 20, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

Today I am talking about an organization that does a tremendous service for impoverished people around the world. The name and link to the organization is CleanTheWorld.org .

I will quote to you, in their own words, what Clean The World is about, “CTW is a non-profit, charitable organization that recycles soap, shampoo and lotion discarded by hotels, and distributes the recycled products worldwide to people who need it to prevent the spread of disease and death.”

Clean The World was in service prior to the earthquake in Haiti. More than ever, they need additional funds, soap and shampoo, and volunteers to aid with relief efforts.

I am inspired and touched by the videos on the Clean the World site. I hope you are able to watch and see for yourself the magnificent efforts of CTW.

Thank you, and God bless!

Posted in Health, Inspirations | Tagged Clean The World, Haiti assistance | 8 Comments »

Do Not Purchase Goat Milk Soap…

January 19, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

Please, do not purchase goat milk soap…unless you try handcrafted goat milk soap first!

Have you ever tried handcrafted goat milk soap? If you have, you know the luxury of a good bar of soap.

Goat milk soap is gentle, with a soft silky lather that pampers the skin.

There are a lot of goat milk soaps on the market. Try going a Google search. You will find an amazing number of goat milk soap makers! What I have found, however, by trying the soap myself, is that some larger producers sell goat milk soap that has more of a processed feel than the average handcrafted bar of goat milk soap.

I am not into knocking competition. In fact, I love seeing the varieties of soaps, creams, scrubs, and other cosmetic products! Most soapers are very much protective of their own product. There isn’t one I do not want to see succeed. Soap crafters seek and expect good results! They make their products gingerly, in small batches, using the utmost care. I support small business, especially the soap and cosmetic businesses!

The only thing I ask is…when you purchase soap, spend your money carefully. Watch the mass-produced cosmetic companies that stake a claim on goat milk soap. In my humble opinion, their soap is simply not the same.

I am jumping off my soap box again (for now)!

Posted in In The Soap Shop, Products | Tagged Goat Milk Soap, handcrafted soap | 8 Comments »

Cutting a Solid Path for the Future

January 18, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

Today, as I cut two batches of fresh soap, I thought about my shop, the past year, and how I plan to grow (in both a personal and business sense) in 2010.

Like loaves of soap, formed from an idea, cut into bars, ready to be placed on the curing rack until ready for use, my mind is carving out my future endeavors, deciding how to solidify my dreams.

Have you put together solid plans for 2010? Or, like me, have you made sure most plans are in order, ready for accomplishment (written and measurable), with a few ideas still dangling? Perhaps you know what you want to do, but you are not sure when or how it is going to happen.

I treasure the idea of making things happen.

I see good things evolving. Many are reaching out to better themselves. Many are taking classes, planning businesses, re-thinking budgets, arriving at a calmer place in life. Some of these self-improvements were forced on by the economy, but evolved into wonderful opportunities for the future.

How many times have you said, “I’ve always wanted to do that!” Think about it…what have you always wanted to do? What is holding you back?

I am going to do what I have dreamed of doing. And the only way to do it is to take the first steps, then keep moving.

How about you?

May the dreams of your past be the reality of your future. Author Unknown

Posted in General Reflections, In The Soap Shop, Inspirations | Tagged aspirations, Goals, Goat Milk Soap, Planning | 2 Comments »

The Kid Goats Are Growing

January 17, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

Lucy The Boer Goat

No, there are no kid goats on the ground. But they are definitely growing from the looks of the does.

Lucy (in the picture above) is my smallest boer goat. She always has one nice sized kid. We love Lucy. She is a dandy, a sweet girl. A little odd she is, with long hair that drapes from her hind legs. From the looks of her right side, she has a nice sized kid blossoming again this year.

For those of you unfamiliar with goats. A doe shows pregnancy in her right side, the left is the rumen. Notice the difference between the left and right side of the doe in the photo below.

Some of the girls are very much wide loads. I will attempt good pictures later this week. Each year I think, “They did not look that wide and heavy last year!” Annie, Valentine, Oreo and Sunday all look as if they could drop triplets tomorrow. I do not expect kids until at least March. I could be wrong. We had planned a very small kidding season, but the buck made the decision for us. He paid more than one romantic visit. He made his rounds.

Last but not least, I have another breed of animal that is pudging out (not due to pregnancy in this case), Henrietta (the largest pig), and her un-named sister. I estimate Henrietta’s weight at 80 lbs. I still know very little about pigs, but I know this pair have grown very well, very quickly.