I can't believe 2012 is almost over! Here are a few resolutions I came up with for 2013:
1) Blog more. Has it really been 8 months since my last post??
2) Eat healthier & exercise more.
3) Save more, spend less.
4) Double my business income.
Anyone else want to share theirs?
Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Cupcake Evolution
If you've been following my facebook page, you know that I've been redoing my cupcake soaps.
Here's a peek at how the journey's been going.
This is what my cupcakes originally looked like. They're made with melt and pour soap, piping the icing on when it gets cool enough to keep its shape.
Since that method is very time consuming I decided to look into easier methods. This one was great. Super easy to work with and I could get about 10 done in the time it took me to do 1 with the other method. The downside? The icing doesn't harden very well. It uses foaming bath whip as the frosting so it doesn't get as hard as melt and pour soap. I'm afraid these will get beat up during shipping but aren't they pretty?
The next method was using melt and pour soap combined with foaming bath whip. These dried much harder. It wasn't quite as easy to work with though. The consistency was like that of Silly String which made it a bit harder to pipe onto the soaps, but still a lot easier than my original method. (sorry for the bad picture)
Then I decided to try cold process soap cupcakes. These are made from scratch like my bar soaps. It took a few attempts to figure out how to do it properly. I learned that I can't use the oven method with my silicone molds or it gives them a very ugly texture. I also learned that I have to pour the bases at a very thin trace and then I need to have patience to allow the "icing" to set up a bit before piping onto the bases. This one turned out nice but I didn't wait quite long enough and couldn't get much height with the icing.
Here's another cold process soap cupcake. This time I walked away for 15 minutes and when I came back the soap was perfect to work with. I'm loving these but the bad thing is that I can't make one at a time like I could with the melt and pour soaps. These need to be done in batches so I can't customize them unless someone wants a whole batch.
I think I'm going to sell both the cold process soap cupcakes and the melt and pour/foaming bath whip cupcakes. That way I can make the cold process ones in batches but still have the others for the option of customizing.
There's one more method that I haven't tried. It involves using melt and pour soap along with liquid soap. I'll post an update if I decide to give that one a try.
This is what my cupcakes originally looked like. They're made with melt and pour soap, piping the icing on when it gets cool enough to keep its shape.
Since that method is very time consuming I decided to look into easier methods. This one was great. Super easy to work with and I could get about 10 done in the time it took me to do 1 with the other method. The downside? The icing doesn't harden very well. It uses foaming bath whip as the frosting so it doesn't get as hard as melt and pour soap. I'm afraid these will get beat up during shipping but aren't they pretty?
The next method was using melt and pour soap combined with foaming bath whip. These dried much harder. It wasn't quite as easy to work with though. The consistency was like that of Silly String which made it a bit harder to pipe onto the soaps, but still a lot easier than my original method. (sorry for the bad picture)
Then I decided to try cold process soap cupcakes. These are made from scratch like my bar soaps. It took a few attempts to figure out how to do it properly. I learned that I can't use the oven method with my silicone molds or it gives them a very ugly texture. I also learned that I have to pour the bases at a very thin trace and then I need to have patience to allow the "icing" to set up a bit before piping onto the bases. This one turned out nice but I didn't wait quite long enough and couldn't get much height with the icing.
Here's another cold process soap cupcake. This time I walked away for 15 minutes and when I came back the soap was perfect to work with. I'm loving these but the bad thing is that I can't make one at a time like I could with the melt and pour soaps. These need to be done in batches so I can't customize them unless someone wants a whole batch.
I think I'm going to sell both the cold process soap cupcakes and the melt and pour/foaming bath whip cupcakes. That way I can make the cold process ones in batches but still have the others for the option of customizing.
There's one more method that I haven't tried. It involves using melt and pour soap along with liquid soap. I'll post an update if I decide to give that one a try.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Finished Projects
Here's a peek at some of the projects I completed lately. I've been in the mood to do a lot of knitting and crocheting. Here's the finished scarf that I was knitting before:
And a cute crocheted baby blanket. I'm loving these colors.
I have a lot more in the works. I'll keep you posted when they're finished!
And a cute crocheted baby blanket. I'm loving these colors.
I have a lot more in the works. I'll keep you posted when they're finished!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Prize #6: $15 Gift Certificate to Add Some Stitches
Today's prize is a $15 gift certificate from Megan at Add Some Stitches!
This gift certificate can be used towards any of the wonderful items in her Etsy shop. That includes crochet hats, baskets, headbands and more!
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" Megan's Facebook page if you don't already:
www.facebook.com/addsomestitches
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" it. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
Be sure to check out my facebook page for previous prizes, and to stay posted when new ones are listed:
http://facebook.com/AngiesSudsNSuch
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" Megan's Facebook page if you don't already:
www.facebook.com/addsomestitches
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" it. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
Be sure to check out my facebook page for previous prizes, and to stay posted when new ones are listed:
http://facebook.com/AngiesSudsNSuch
Friday, March 2, 2012
Prize #5: Coffee Cozy by Eden's Aprons and Gifts
TGIF! Today's prize is a coffee cozy from Shyanna of Eden's Aprons and Gifts:
Fleece lined coffee cozy to keep your hands cool and your coffee warm! (This one is for US residents only)
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" Shyanna's Facebook page if you don't already:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Edens-Aprons-Gifts/116943978367572
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" it. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
Be sure to check out my facebook page for previous prizes, and to stay posted when new ones are listed:
http://facebook.com/AngiesSudsNSuch
Fleece lined coffee cozy to keep your hands cool and your coffee warm! (This one is for US residents only)
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" Shyanna's Facebook page if you don't already:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Edens-Aprons-Gifts/116943978367572
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" it. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
Be sure to check out my facebook page for previous prizes, and to stay posted when new ones are listed:
http://facebook.com/AngiesSudsNSuch
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Prize #4: Key To My Heart Charm Necklace by Something Monumental
Prize #4! This lovely "Key To My Heart" charm necklace by Mandy at Something Monumental.
This necklace features a silver key charm, a light purple crystal bead, and a dark metal miniature heart locket. The locket opens and closes. Chain is silver-tone and 18 inches (45.75 cm) long.
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" Mandy's Facebook page if you don't already: https://www.facebook.com/somethingmonumental
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" it. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
For an extra entry, follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MandyCrandell
and post here letting me know.
More prizes coming throughout the week! Be sure to follow my facebook page if you don't already so you can stay updated on when they're posted:
http://facebook.com/AngiesSudsNSuch
This necklace features a silver key charm, a light purple crystal bead, and a dark metal miniature heart locket. The locket opens and closes. Chain is silver-tone and 18 inches (45.75 cm) long.
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" Mandy's Facebook page if you don't already: https://www.facebook.com/somethingmonumental
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" it. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
For an extra entry, follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MandyCrandell
and post here letting me know.
More prizes coming throughout the week! Be sure to follow my facebook page if you don't already so you can stay updated on when they're posted:
http://facebook.com/AngiesSudsNSuch
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Prize #3: Stunning Necklace by Vixen's Natural Jewelry
Happy Leap Day everyone! For prize #3 we have this gorgeous necklace from Vixen's Natural Jewelry:
Glimmering Amber Sun/Moon embraced in a sterling silver tree necklace.
Pendant measures 1 1/2 inches long and 1 1/4 wide.
Antiqued frame and matching 18 inch chain finished with a lobster claw clasp.
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" Vixen's Facebook page if you don't already: http://facebook.com/TreeandMoonJewelry
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" it. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
More prizes coming throughout the week! Be sure to follow my facebook page if you don't already so you can stay updated on when they're posted:
http://facebook.com/AngiesSudsNSuch
Pendant measures 1 1/2 inches long and 1 1/4 wide.
Antiqued frame and matching 18 inch chain finished with a lobster claw clasp.
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" Vixen's Facebook page if you don't already: http://facebook.com/TreeandMoonJewelry
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" it. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
More prizes coming throughout the week! Be sure to follow my facebook page if you don't already so you can stay updated on when they're posted:
http://facebook.com/AngiesSudsNSuch
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Prize #2: Any Hat, Any Size, By Stitch by Nicki!
Are you ready for prize #2? It's an adorable hat by Stitch by Nicki! Nicki has offered up any hat, any size, for our giveaway. Here are a couple and you can find more on her facebook page:
Isn't this just the cutest?
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" Nicki's Facebook page if you don't already: http://facebook.com/StitchbyNicki
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" it. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
More prizes coming throughout the week! Be sure to follow my facebook page if you don't already so you can stay updated on when they're posted:
http://facebook.com/AngiesSudsNSuch
Isn't this just the cutest?
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" Nicki's Facebook page if you don't already: http://facebook.com/StitchbyNicki
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" it. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
More prizes coming throughout the week! Be sure to follow my facebook page if you don't already so you can stay updated on when they're posted:
http://facebook.com/AngiesSudsNSuch
Monday, February 27, 2012
Let The Games Begin!
We finally hit 1,000 fans on our facebook page so we're having a "1,000 fan giveaway"!!! Throughout the week I'll be posting new prizes for you to enter to win. Winners will be announced on March 5th.
Prize #1 is from my own shop, Angie's Suds 'N Such. A lavender gift set!
This gift set includes:
1 Lavender Bar Soap (4.5+oz)
1 Jar of Lavender Sugar Scrub Cubes (6.75-7oz)
1 Lavender Lotion Stick (1.1oz)
1 Lavender Solid Perfume (.35oz)
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" my Facebook page if you don't already: http://facebook.com/AngieSudsNSuch
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" my page. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
Ways to receive more entries (you will receive one more entry for each):
1. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SudsNSuch and post here letting me know.
2. Visit my Etsy shop: http://SudsNSuch.etsy.com and comment here telling me your favorite item.
Good luck everyone!
Prize #1 is from my own shop, Angie's Suds 'N Such. A lavender gift set!
This gift set includes:
1 Lavender Bar Soap (4.5+oz)
1 Jar of Lavender Sugar Scrub Cubes (6.75-7oz)
1 Lavender Lotion Stick (1.1oz)
1 Lavender Solid Perfume (.35oz)
***Rules for entering***
You MUST "like" my Facebook page if you don't already: http://facebook.com/AngieSudsNSuch
and post a comment here telling me that you "liked" my page. *You will not be entered unless you do BOTH of these things.* Be sure to leave an email so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win!
Ways to receive more entries (you will receive one more entry for each):
1. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SudsNSuch and post here letting me know.
2. Visit my Etsy shop: http://SudsNSuch.etsy.com and comment here telling me your favorite item.
Good luck everyone!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Progress and New Projects
Well, I'm nowhere near as far on this blanket as I hoped to be by now but I keep getting distracted by other projects. Making this put me in the mood to knit and crochet more. Here is the blanket so far:
2 rows done! I need 18 for it to fit our bed.
This is one of my other projects. A new scarf to sell in my other shop!
This one is my favorite. A new dress for baby-to-be! This is what it's going to look like when it's done:
And here's what I have so far:
The pattern starts at the top and works its way down, so that part is the collar.
And last but not least, some new face scrubbies for my Etsy shop!
That's it for now but I have many new ideas floating around in my head. I'll keep you posted!
This is one of my other projects. A new scarf to sell in my other shop!
This one is my favorite. A new dress for baby-to-be! This is what it's going to look like when it's done:
And here's what I have so far:
And last but not least, some new face scrubbies for my Etsy shop!
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