Back in the Kitchen

With the realization that my first show is in three weeks (umm, actually, that would now be two weeks), I've done the only thing possible in such situations: I've made a lovely list (I love lists) with things I need to make in order of importance, and have started making them. (So far I have yet to make the list of other stuff that needs to be done, like working on my booth display, since I've decide to change it yet again).

So I've spent the past two days in the kitchen (much to the detriment of my knitting). On Tuesday, I spent the day making over 200 tins of lip balm. Then I went out and taught a workshop on natural body care for moms and babies. The lip balm went well, the workshop, not so much. There were only two people in the workshop (there were supposed to be three, which still isn't very much, but its a bit better), and only one of the people there was there because she was pregnant. The other woman has sensitive skin, and simply wanted to make some gentle products for herself. Which is totally fine, except I had planned the workshop to focus on moms and babies, and when that information doesn't apply to half your class, its a bit strange.

As well, more people means more time. When theres only two people, we just whip right through everything. So we ended a little (a lot) early.

Oh well, what can you do? One thing I've learned, though: I definitely won't be running workshops anymore unless they have a least four people in them. Five or six is ideal, more gets a bit crazy, but is still doable.

Yesterday I made soap. Ever since I started making soap with a hand held blender, instead of just stirring and stirring, it has been amazing. Where once it took 30-40 minutes of stirring until I reached trace, now it takes five minutes at the most. I've been able to shave one hour off my soapmaking time (I make two batches a day). Enough time left over to take myself out for lunch (which was incredibly disappointing, but we won't talk about that).

Today I'm catching up on desk work, as well as (hopefully) labelling the 200 or so lip balms currently all over my desk, as well as getting some soap trimmed and labeled. Does that seem unrealistic to anybody else, considering its already 1:30 and I've really just started working?

Wish me luck.

Aimee

Tags: handmade soap, soapmaking, lip balm, bath bombs, Sacred Circle Herbs, Soap Bubbles Blog