Goat Milk Soap | Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps

Posts Tagged ‘Goat Milk Soap’

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!

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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!!!

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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.

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Country Home Crafts

Posted in In The Soap Shop, tagged Goat Milk Soap, Soap Shop on October 30, 2009| 6 Comments »

Country Home Crafts Display

This week I restocked gift sets in a retail store where I sell products, Country Home Crafts in Hillsboro, Ohio.

In July I posted photos of my soap making studio here and here, today I want to share with you photos from the retail shop. Much to my disappointment the camera on my phone was being stubborn!

Country Home Crafts is a wonderful rustic/country shop. They make primitive furniture on the premises, made to order, with many pieces on display as well. In addition to the furniture, a handful of crafters, like myself, place their beautiful handcrafted handbags, candles, and linens.

The top photo in this post is located on the left side of my display. Notice the Christmas gift tags on the sets. I am adding a few additions for the holidays to my packaging this year, such as, red and green raffia, Christmas gift tags, and in some cases red or green tissue paper. Very simple, pretty. Want a laugh? I am horrible with tissue paper! I am much better with excelsier and pretty bows and ties! When I use tissue paper in a gift set, I stand back and look at my work and wonder, did a 5 year old do that? Not my cup of tea!

The next photo (below) is the hutch I originally started my product display in, and still do.

Goat Milk Soap Display

Below is the right side of my display area. My products are worked in with quaint hand towels, quilted and heritage printed linens, and rustic/country bathroom accessories. A bit messy in this photo…but the holiday switch over (decorating) is under way as I write. I love the rustic bench, crates, and enamel dish pans.

Country Home Crafts Display II

I thought you might enjoy seeing my section of the store. I have been at this retail location now for 9 months. It was the first place I wanted to get into, and am very proud to be a part of their shop. It is rustic, quaint, country, and beautiful. Love it.

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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

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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

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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!

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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.

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Busy In The Shop

Posted in In The Soap Shop, tagged Goat Milk Soap on October 8, 2009| 4 Comments »

Hello!

I have been working at keeping the ball rolling in the shop, at the retail location, and in the office. So far, I have it in the bag!

Regarding the blog…I have had a real sorry case of, “What do I write about?” Thankfully, when that happens I know better than just to slap on a post!

Today I added new soap gift sets to the website. I plan to offer holiday packaging in the next several weeks. My retail location asked me to hold off until the last week of October. I am planning everything around that.

Anyone else suffering from major allergies this season? My last major bout was in 2001. The husband and I are both downing the Allegra this season!

I am hopeful this post and the attached photo publish. I am writing from my phone. The rain clouds are heavy enough to block my Internet signal! Glad to have the opportunity to at least phone-write!

The fall rainy season has arrived!! Do you love hearing it too?

Goat Milk Soap Set

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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!

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