A Soapy Siesta

Hi Soap Lab enthusiasts! As you may have noticed, it's been a looooong time since I have posted. I've been really busy and I decided, alas, NOT to launch my modern soap line.

I had so many designs that I was excited to make but they all required custom silicone molds and I was having some technical difficulties. Although I was extremely passionate about the new collection, I realized that it was taking my focus away from my bigger projects - the Let's Get Soapy eZine and my Soapy Pop line.

So over the last couple of months I worked on making Soapylove better than ever. The website has been completely redesigned and incorporates every facet of my business: from the book to the supply line, from a class schedule to all of my social media. Plus the design is fresh, colorful, and even allows shop owners to order online. I'm super excited!

So even though I feel like I just dumped my new friend, I am confident that I'm doing the right thing for my business. Sigh!

Make sure to stay tuned to my Soapylove blog and become a fan at my Facebook page to stay up to date on everything in Soapyland. There's never a dull moment!

Show Off Your Gorgeous Soaps with BPR Designs

While developing my Little Althea line, I met Beth Reiman of BPR Designs, who makes extremely beautiful handmade glass soap dishes (and other designs as well).

She combines stripes of complementary colors and textures to create one-of-a-kind soap dishes in a few different sizes. I especially love the bubbly clear glass and her interesting free form scribbles. There are many color combinations available and every soap dish has raised glass ridges to keep the soap dry between uses.

To see her soap dish collection, click here. I can certainly recommend her work - I have one of her dishes at my sink right now! Add one to any soap gift and make it truly special.

New Tutorial Over at the Soapylove Blog!

Looking for a quick and stylish soap project? These Gothic Pumpkin Soaps fit the bill! Head over to the Soapylove Blog for the full tutorial! See you there!

Please Say Hi to Charles and Marie!

Charles and Marie is a gorgeous, modern, and eclectic shop. They just relaunched their site, and you should check it out.

Definitely a high end shop, it's titled "The Quintessential Lifestyle Navigator." Pulling from around the world, their items are unique and striking. When you're in the market for a gift that will leave a lasting impression (like that interesting soap at the bottom of the page...), definitely ask Charles and Marie!

Soap Blog du Jour

Today I am featuring another international soap blogger: Sapo-Onis. This beautiful blog is in Spanish but it is all photos, so you don't need to be bilingual! Check out the amazing assortment of styles and effects featured here, including some great packaging. There seems to be a combination of glycerin and cold process soaps so there's something for everyone!

Not only will you be inspired by their photos, but the blog roll is an incredible resource for other soap blogs. They really did their homework!

If you would like to see even more (and I strongly encourage you to), check out their Flickr soap photography set as well. It's a feast for the eyes!

Soap Blog du Jour

There are so many amazing and inspiring blogs from soapmakers all over the world. I love looking at designs from other countries. I will try to post about some of my favorites regularly because there are so many of them!

Today I chose suku.suku, "Handgemachte Japan-Seife." I love the fresh, clean, and artistic feel of this blog. The soaps are mostly CP. All of the articles are in Japanese but I have a feeling that the author is Japanese and lives in Germany (if you know, can you enlighten me?). There are many interesting soap projects including an amazing carved rose necklace!

Make sure to click through to some of the older posts to see packaging, travel, and of course soap photos!

Is there a soap blog that you love? Or would you like me to take a peek at your blog? If so, please leave a comment and your pick may be the next Blog du Jour!

Goodbye...and hello!

In May of last year, I began The Soap Lab blog as a way to indulge my love of modern and progressive soap design. I knew that now and then I would create some soaps to sell or write about, too.

And then... the Typography Soap happened. This one design has really gotten around and I've had several wholesale inquiries for it, too. Fred Flare and "Charles and Marie" both carry the Typography Soap, and I've had to turn away a few requests just because I wasn't prepared to make them in quantity.

But where there's a will, there's a way. I have decided to create an official collection of modern, 3 dimensional soaps. This new line will be named "Little Althea" Modern Soap Designs, after my baby daughter. I will start with 4 designs that will be offered in a few core colors and scents. The new prototypes are being developed right now, and I hope to get them posted in time for your holiday shopping. Expect truly unique styles presented in equally special packaging.

So now I am closing the Soap Lab shop I had on Big Cartel and will be launching a brand new site for Little Althea. I look forward to sharing the progression of the new shop with you. Make sure to follow this blog so you'll be the first to know when it's complete. And if you're a shop owner and would like to be the first to get the wholesale catalog and price list, please email me here.

Thanks so much for your enthusiasm for the Typography Soap and I hope you will like the new styles as much if not more!

Best,
Debbie