Monday, August 20, 2012

" Cell IT"....Sale it...SOLD


Fall is approaching. I cannot believe it. I ordered a few molds from Soap Hutch and expect that they will be ready within the next 1-2 weeks. I am so excited, and cannot wait to get soap into those molds. I wanted to post a few photos of a soap I made last year (lemon/desert/yummy/you name it - this blend has it)...


The scent did not meet my standards as far as "sticking" - holding up long and strong enough for me in a cold process (cp) soap, so I will use it in other products - but...it will be available soon.

Although the fragrance/scent/(fo) is a (cp) fail - I thought I'd show a few photos that I took with my cell phone to inspire everyone to create with what you have.

I do have a camera, and will later post photos that I take with the camera.


Today's theme is "cell it"... later soapers ;)


Please do not use images without my consent.

 I hope you enjoy these.


on the counter...just poured into mold


I like to take photos at different angles...

 time to add poppy seeds (I was sooo hungry when I soaped this)

 another angle shot

I just "flashed" my soap...looking at how the contrast between the colors work with the seeds added


another close up with the same setting for my cell phone background


No flash - just natural light, but there is "focus" on the center of the soap


up close - need to see those groves and waves


up top - same setting but I am missing "flair" - no glitter on this one....


Hollywood it. I may use this effect in part of a banner
(it is one of my favorite settings for this soap)


workin' it from another angle


just a little closer than the last pick - not afraid to get "close" - then I may zoom out


changed the angle of the phone to get a close up of the peak/texture


another banner pick - I think light against darkness...love it

I wanted a shot that reminded me of pearls...got it!


playing with flash and shading again

 wanted to focus on the seeds

pulling out more "yellow"


same effect


this looks so creamy like icing/pudding



a few other favorites


natural color of soap with flash

no flash (reminds me of how the colors appear before & after gel phase)

soap is actually going through the gel phase...cool


plain Jane

Jane's close up 


oh, just one more close up...who doesn't love soap?!

one of my favorites... 

 will put this on print...this is actually what I wanted to capture on camera. 
it reflects the actual name of my soap/scent:
Lemon Cream Supreme

There were so many photos to choose from. When I make soap/products I have to be in a "zone". I am a huge tester. I have worked on some blends/recipes/looks for the last 3 years. I have an idea, and have to "run" with it. I hope my customers will feel and enjoy my effort/work :). I usually listen to music while working. Play with your settings, use your imagination, don't be afraid to play with your devices to "cell it", and remember to have fun.


until next time...  - m. alán

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Soaping ... Lavender

Hey everyone.

It has been a long and I do mean loooonnnnngggg time since I have blogged. I promise beginning next month I will post at least monthly. I hope all is well with everyone. Get ready for the fall launch. I'm so excited. :) I am testing a few scents but have my Fall line together.

On another note.... I wanted to show pics for a lavender soap batch that I made for my mother's meet up with her friends.  I also wanted to let you all know that you can take neat photos on your cell phones/other devices if you do not feel that you have a "photographer's" camera lol...check out the next post for more.

Happy soaping :)


PLEASE
and I do mean PLEASE do not copy/post these photos without my consent/permission.

I've "been away" for too long so I am uploading photos from beginning to the end.

I put color with the oil 1st then blended in case my fragrance blend causes my soap to trace quickly.
 *do not try this if you do not know how to guage if/when your oil/lye solution is properly mixed.

Adding the lye solution

Mixing the lye/oil
*notice how the color changes from glossy glob to opaque

Lye & oil are almost combined notice the swirl

Adding fragrance oil (f/o)

Mixing f/o with soap base..no acceleration...yet
 (I blended this one and of course it was a larger batch lol)...

No issues. Poured soap into 2 molds and added lavender to the top. Thought I'd keep this simple/rustic once cut.

Used flash on cell phone to highlight the soap loaf. It looks like this will be a nice/creamy soap batch.

The other loaf/another angle.
*Play with your phone/camera/gadget settings until you have the picture that works for you. I did not worry about lighting with this - just put the setting on flash.

See what I mean...Up close and personal :)

Cut bars of soap

Stamped bars 


Stamped with tags

The end...Bagged and ready to go

Thanks for your patience if you have checked the site. I promise I will have more to come...by the way...I will have a lavender series on sale this Fall/Winter :)

Have a great week.

Monday, December 26, 2011

New Year...Launch

Happy New Year

So, I am working on products and have decided to launch balms, soap, as well as limited edition household products. I am excited, and hope the wait is worth it for --- you : ).

 I think about the planning and care that I am placing with each product. It is my name on the line so I have no problem waiting until I feel the product is perfect for you. Happy new year. May 2012 be the year that you enjoy, plan, and conquer no matter what your goals are.

I wanted to give you an update and let you see what I am working on. Keep in mind this is a update not a final photo session.

This will tie in with the overall look of my website. The soap is a orange/patchouli blend, which contains fragrance, essential oil, and natural colorants.

Enjoy

- moya 




Monday, October 17, 2011

mystery soaper...

I recently showed another soaper :) how to swirl. We made a few batches of soap (aprx 10 pounds) in a few hours.

Here are few pics from our soap session.
I wonder what ms minnie thinks about these. We may need her to do a candle post. I had a blast, and can't wait to post again. I have a few topics that I will blog about soon so stay tuned.

Oh, check out the pumpkin and lavender hot process soaps that Amanda, Ms Minnie, and I made http://www.lovinsoap.com/ we had so much fun! 

I hate to tease you with just 2 images, but the soaper will show the rest.
Happy soaping! 


Lavender

Bamboo Blend

                                              

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Saturday Soaping ... Our Way

Holiday season is here.

I am so excited and almost ready to launch. I am working on getting soap molds for my soap production. It makes it easier to be able to make multiple batches in 1-2 days. I have 3 holiday scents for the soap line that I will post later this month.

I got a chance to do a hot process soap tutorial with Amanda from Lovin' Soap and Ms. Minne with Cama Scents 'N' Such yesterday. We made 3 different batches of hot process soap. Amanda will post the tutorials as well, but here is a link to check out some of the soap.


It was awesome because I went to Amanda's soap making class in September of 2009, and Minnie was her first student. We had a great time, and combined have so many ideas. I have to blog to share these with you. If you are in Texas and want to learn how to make soap check out Amanda's soap class http://www.dfwsoaplab.com/. Maybe Ms. Minnie can teach us how to make candles :) ( Now that I think about it...I think I will stick to making wax tarts - my #1 love is soap - sorry Ms. Minnie)...

My favorite soap to make was the pumpkin soap which is made with pureed pumpkin. It is so wonderful and produces a nice creamy, yet bubbly lather.. I will have photos soon. I had a great time, and can't wait for you all to see the end results.

Check out Ms. Minnie's blog:  http://www.camascents.blogspot.com/ I still can't believe that bowl is made out of wax.

- moya

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

chocolate project....

It's been a while since I posted and wanted to let you check out a project that I'm working on. There are so many "goodies" packed into this soap from chocolate, vanilla, charcoal...it goes on. I think this is a winner, and one that I will have to sell. These bars are not finished, but weigh between 9.3-10 oz each. I love them, and hope my customer will love them as well.

I am showing a chocolate soap that I made. Is it just me? I find most chocolate scents don't "last" on skin once cold processed in soap...I found a blend that I made --- that works...finally.
















- Moya