Soaps Are Almost Done!

Many thanks for all your patience while I got my soap inventory back up and on the shelves.
While I am thrilled that I have been able to share my soaps with so many wonderful people, I felt so bad that my stock ran so low!
Well, problem solved.  I have been making soap almost every day and will continue to so that by the end of September, I should have a constant supply of all soaps available.
Have a look around at the Signature Soaps and Seasonal Soaps tabs and see what is new and what is on the horizon.
But for now, here is the soap schedule when most of the soaps will be available.
Thank you for your patience and I look forward to serving you soon!

Sending Apologies, But Yet Oh-So Grateful!

Dear Friends,
Just a quick update on the Farmhouse Soaps inventory.

While I am down to just two varieties ~ Sandalwood Vanilla and Pure Castile ~ know that I have over 250 more bars curing as I type this.
I am been making over 20 bars of soaps (sometimes more) every day and the hard part is waiting.  I am looking to have my inventory up over 500 bars as we come into the fall and Holiday season.

When producing cold process soap - the curing time is at least 4 weeks.  While there are other methods of creating hand-crafted soap, I believe the cold process method provides you with the best possible bar of soap.
A bar that is completely safe to use, that is hard, that will last long and retains all the moisturizing qualities that hand-crafted soap should provide!

So, while I am so very grateful for all the recent orders, I am so sorry that my stock has run so low.

Although - I guess that's a good thing, as Farmhouse Soaps is becoming popular and I am happy that you are all loving the soaps you have purchased!

Thank you for your business, your patience, and your encouragement as Farmhouse Soaps continues to grow!

Coming later - a sneak peek at some of the new soaps.  Black Raspberry Sorbet - oh my goodness - it came out beautiful and smells SO good!
Blessings!

Ahhh- What Happened to My Soap???

This is the phase that soap goes through that will scare the bajeebers out of every first time soaper!

I remember it well! I was making my very first batch of basic soap. I was SO proud that everything went just perfect. Although I was shaking like a leaf and so nervous, every step promised the perfect bar of soap.

Then it happened........about 30 minutes after I poured the soap into the mold, covered the top, and then covered with a towel to insulate it - I went and took a peek!

Eeekkkkk! What happened to my beautiful creamy-looking soap I made??
GEL - PHASE!!!

While I didn't know it at the time, a quick look on Google calmed my worst fears - that my soap was not going to fail.

Gel phase is the phase that occurs about 30 minutes after cold process soap is poured. The soap begins to REALLY heat up and is an early phase of the saponification process, the soap batter temporarily becomes a very warm transparent gel and slowly returns to being opaque, more solid, and cooler. 

So, while a completely normal phase of the soap-making process, it is sure to fire up every first-time soaper!

Farmhouse Soaps featured at the Nicholas Conservatory in Rockford, IL

Farmhouse Soaps are carried exclusively at the Nicholas Conservatory Gift Shop in Rockford, Illinois.

If you have never been to the conservatory - you must go!

It is a stunning greenhouse/conservatory, rose gardens, lagoon, beautiful walkways - all along the Rock River in Rockford!

Plus, my daughter, Allison, works there and would be happy to give you a personal tour!

Farmhouse Soaps featured at the Nick Gardens Gift Shop!

Nick Conservatory Entrance

The conservatory and lagoon

Inside the conservatory

The Soap Shop's Been Busy!

Whew! It has been SO busy here at Farmhouse Soaps!  

I have been selling soap non-stop for the last few weeks which has resulted in my inventory running unexpectedly low.

While I am thrilled that my soaps are becoming more popular and that they are off to new homes - I must send an apology to those who wanted soap, but are finding quite a few of my more popular scent are sold out.

Coconut Lime Verbena Soap Cut and Curing!

Know that I am busy, busy, busy creating new soap every day - sometimes 2-3 different kinds of soap are being made in a day to replenish supplies.  The difficult part about making soap is that it has to cure for a minimum of 4 weeks.

Why does soap have to cure??  Great question!
As the soap cures, most of the water used in the formula evaporates out of it. Cured soap is harder, milder, and more "finished."   Curing soap allows for the water to evaporate and the soap to harden. A harder bar of soap will last longer, lather better and just be overall better soap.

While the saponification process is complete after about 48 hours and the soap is safe to handle, it is still very, very soft.  If you were to use the soap after such a short time, you could end up with a bit of a gooey, very soft bar of soap. 

Curing just makes for a better bar of soap!

So, much like baking bread and waiting patiently for that first warm slice - patience is key with soap.  If we are patient and wait those dreaded 4 weeks - we will have a wonderfully hard bar of soap that will last a long time in your soap dish!

Thank you dear friends for your patience!  Know that I am upping my inventory to be sure to not run out again.  In the meantime, do have a look at the soaps that are available in both the Signature and Seasonal Soaps section of the blog here and be sure to check out the "coming soon" scents!

All the Best ~