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THURSDAY25th JUNE

Just thought I would take half an hour from working to update my blog...only 2 weeks left at school and the kiddies are off, I think it is about seven and a half weeks off school...YEEK...will have to think of lots of day trips out!! So I am working like a mad woman at the moment to make lots & lots of stock so I don't have to make too much through the holiday :)

Have lots of fab shows booked in through the summer - and my favourite show...Sandringham is coming up soon!! Hopefully I will have lots of new products to take there. I have been working on some new ranges including shower gels, shampoos, face & body scrubs, foaming hand wash...and lots more, all scented with a new range of natural aroma oils. I am loving the 'Wild Berry' and 'Pomegranite' scents!!  I am just in the process of choosing my bottles and having some labels printed, so I am VERY excited about launching my new stuff. Everything should be on the website within the next month and I think I may run a competition for someone to win some of the new stuff :) Keep a look out!!

I've also been running my Lil' soap shack workshops for a few months now and I have to say it is very rewarding teaching someone a new skill!! Talking of new skills...I am also learning how to become a tattooist at the moment:) And I am pleased to say I have completed 3 real tattoo's already!! I will post some piccies on my gallery soon!!

Lots of foam and big bubbles - Keilly x ps - have now raised over £50 for the BOS!!

THURSDAY 2ND APRIL

Am feeling a bit poorly today with a nasty head cold so thought I could do something nice & quiet like update the website!! I have now got in stock the specially made soap...Ruthie's Rescue Bar -  £1.50 from every bar sold will go towards the Borneo Orangutan Survival, the programme was so moving it may me cry to see hundreds of little orphaned Orangutans! Ruthie is our adopted baby Orangutan, so thought it would be fitting to name our newest soap after her!!

Also got some new bars on the website....Gingerbread man for little people, a kind & gentle soap that is unscented and basically just pure soap - look out for my new range of Gingerbread products which will be specially made with little people in mind. Also coming soon are a new range of naturally scented goodies....from wild berry,Pomegranite, citrus coconut....oooh good enough to eat!! And something I am really excited about are a new range of bubble baths, shampoo's, shower & bath gels, foaming hand & facial washes - these will be completely naturally derived and are 'ecocert' which is environmantally friendly!! I have been experimenting and using them for the last month and can say I am absolutely in love with them!! Molly can now have BIG bubbles in her bath and I feel assured that being naturally derived, I can report it has not flared up her eczema!! YIPPEE...3 cheers for BIG bubbles!! So keep a look out.....

MONDAY 9TH FEBUARY 2009

Well it's a little late but 'Happy New Year'!! The snow has just about melted but some more is on the way - My first event of the year (Burbage Farmers Market) was cancelled due to icy conditions, so I went sledging instead with a group of bonkers people to a rather large hill at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire!! What fun can be had on a plastic surf board :)

I am venturing into something new starting from this week - I have decided to run workshops from my 'little soap shack' and teach basic soapmaking, cream and bath goodies. I have had so much fun creating and thought it would be great for other like minded people to learn something new! I know how much I enjoyed the courses that I went on!! So if you fancy a playday - send me an email for more info.

 

FRIDAY 24TH OCTOBER

It's half term week, so have taken the opportunity of experimenting with lots of candle ideas! The candle course I was booked in for was cancelled due to the tutor being ill - so I decided to take the bull by the horns and ordered lots of different waxes to have an experiment with! It's actually easier than I thought - just need to add a bit of creativity!! I've made some hurricane lamp candles which are bit tricky, but I just love them! The great thing about them is they are everlasting - once the candle in the centre has burnt, it leaves the shell in which you can put another small candle inside! Also been making gel candles and decorated with lots of Christmassy themed things like orange slices and cinnamon sticks!

Have got a fairly quiet weekend this week - only got one farmers market. I will have to make the most of having a Sunday off this week, as I have a really busy November coming up with lots of craft events to go to! The Fresholi forum seems a little quieter than normal - this time of the year is absolutely manic for soapmakers and crafters...making enough stock to sell at this time of the year! A good friend of mine has decided to take the plunge and sell her wares at Sandringham craft show - she makes the most wonderful hand knitted pure wool items! So I know she is knitting all sorts of stuff through the day and in the evening in front of the tv!!

I am just about to set up a new page on the website for limited editions - I have been selling a floating cake soap at some shows and they are really popular, so would like to sell one off items or items that I am experimenting with and have limited stock of - I think I will add some of my candles on this page aswell to see how they go!! I will have to ask my friend if she wants to add her knitted items on here too :)

Anyway, bye for now - Keilly x

SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER

Woken up to a miserable morning and will be on my way to the 2nd day of a country show soon..better get the wellies out! Had quite a good day yesterday with everyone stocking up on xmas pressies - I had heard that people are buying early this year and are spreading the costs over the next few months - that makes sense to me - I normally buy everything on xmas eve in one mad rush!! I did try an experiment a couple of years ago where I brought ALL my pressies from car boot sales -  I only picked out new stuff still in the packaging and that had not been used! I found brand new pasta machines, cheese board from whittards, candles, toiletry gift sets (before I made my own!!), board games, picture frames.....too much to remember!! This year I am going to have a go at making my own gift hampers for everyone - definately with some soap and cream, but also with some handmade candles, felted items and maybe some homemade xmas themed chutney (with homegrown onions)!! Talking of candles....I am off on a course in a weeks time to learn how to make all sorts of candles - pillar, floating, gel, containers, etc! I really am looking forward to this and hope to have a small range out before xmas.

My little one is now at full time school, I really miss her but am really making the most of my time!! I have been trying all sorts of new soapmaking techniques and am quite surprised by the results!! I had an experiment with some floating soap....it really does floap :) Also going to be trying some new ingredients soon, so watch this space!!

I joined the most fanatstic forum a couple of months ago at a site called fresholi - the main site provides ingredients for soapmakers and lotion makers. There is a seperate section where soapmakers and lotion makers all come together and chat about new creations and problems and get help from each other! It is fantastic and I have made lots of new friends and contacts. If you make cosmetics it really is the place to join in and be involved in a freindly community full of experienced people!! :)

Anyway better go and get my waterproofs on....will write again when back from my candle making day - bye for now - keilly xx

MONDAY 21ST JULY 08

I did promise to keep this thing updated but have failed miserably!!  And my excuse for this....an unloved little patch of earth, neglected for years has now taken up a good deal of my time in between soap making and school runs!! MY NEW ALLOTMENT!! The months when I have ached from digging all day and come home with rosy cheeks and covered in mud are now paying me back with some lovely potatoes and fresh flowers every week - I will soon be harvesting tomatoes, carrots, onions, pumpkins, french beans, and lots of other crops. I also have a plan to grow my own Lavender, Rosemary, Elderflowers and lots of other useful herbs & flowers that I can use in my soaps and new range of creams! I have been selling the new creams for over 2 months now at my regular markets and craft shows and am pleased that they are selling well - the Lavender & Geranium is my very favourite and I have to say I am on my 3rd pot already - I just spread it on like butter - although I did use almost a whole pot on my sun burnt shoulders the other week!! It was very soothing though!! I'm also gearing myself up ready for the Xmas period, I have gots lots of great shows booked in for the rest of the year and will be updating the monthly events diary page so you could come and find us and have a good old look at our new stuff! I have been updating the website all morning (am still in my pyjamas!!) and will be adding new photos of things later this week! Anyway I had better go and get dressed and put some more washing out - it's actually sunny and feels like summer!!

Bye for now - Keilly :)

MONDAY 10TH DECEMBER

Well not long to go before this soap madness ends - I am counting down the last few days of work to enjoy a few weeks off!! I have not had chance to update the blog since September - my life has been totally manic making soap like there's no tomorrow! I did want to make lots of new products before the xmas period but have not a a chance at all - so January is my month of developing new products (thats a promise) haha!! On the list to get out before end of January is some lovely face & body moisturisers made with some gorgeous exotic oils,butters & local ingredients, shower gels and foaming liquid soaps - I have made some and have been testing it out on myself all month and it is fab!! Also coming are some lovely little pots of  face masks made with powdered fruit extracts and a whole new range of soap bars and gift sets! Well looks like I won't be having much of a holiday after all!!haha!! I have been to some fantastic shows and events this year - some of my favourite events have been Burbage farmers market - it has been great to build up a regular customer base! Also some of the bigger shows have been really exciting, especially at Sandringham - it is a great feeling being able to go home with an empty van after a show!!

I would like to thank all my customers for a successful first year in business, and my family & friends for helping this year to run smoothly with their endless amounts of support! I would also like to wish all my regular and new customers a happy christmas & new year

MONDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER

Hello, Just wanted to say a big well done to Marina for being successful on our new farmers market stall at Lutterworth which will be held every 2nd Saturday in the month. Leicestershire food links have some fab little markets which sell all locally produced goods from cheese, pies, flour, meats, fresh veg, breads and all sorts.
It's been a busy few weeks - I went on a liquid soap course last week so am really excited and am getting my new liquid soap products into the production stages. I'm liking the idea of a hemp shaving foam, organic woof wash and some lovely smelling shower gels. Now I know the tricks of the trade...no more exploding soap pots!! It took me 2 hours to clean the cooker after the last attempt!haha!
Had a great weekend at Sandringham Country Show, it took over 2 hours to get there so my mum and I decided to camp over....NEVER AGAIN!! I think I had about 1/2 an hour sleep all night - if it wasn't the industrial sized generator next to our tent keeping us awake it was the rowdy traders trying to find their tents!!! I think a bed & breakfast will be happening next time!

The Xmas shopping season has started - the nights are getting darker - soon we'll be digging out our winter woolies. I'm making some blackberry brandy ready for those cold nights in (in front of lord of the rings) my dad's allotment has done really well in the blackberry department this year  - so what better way to use them up!! I think my friends will also be getting bottles in they're Xmas boxes! My parents are off to America this weekend to stay with our relatives  - mum is getting quite excited about touring the huge craft department stores - soapmaking is quite big in the USA so I've got a long list of stuff for her to bring back for me - hopes she takes a spare suitcase!haha! I'm looking around for a greenhouse at the moment - I'm going to have a go at growing my own loofahs - they are just like cucumbers apparently!! I've been growing sweetcorns, tomatoes & rhubarb this year, might be a bit more adventurous next year  and try a few other things!
Anyway I'm off for an early night with my book ' Goodbye Jimmy Choos' which was kindly donated by my good friend Claire - so will update soon! Goodbye for now - lots of foaming soap and big cheesy grins - Keilly xx

MONDAY 20TH AUGUST 2007
 
Hi there, well I thought the summer had finally arrived last week until yesterday, when my mum and I were packing away the stall and got drenched through! I have just gone past my first year milestone of the business and am very pleased with how it has grown over that year. I'm still very excited and as enthusiastic as ever to keep producing natural products and new ideas - I'm just getting my new gift ideas together ready for the xmas rush and will be putting them on the site within the next 2 weeks.
I would like to say that over the last year I have also met some amazing people that I would never have come across if I wasn't doing this business - thank you for all your support and friendships! Please have a look at my new gallery page to view photos of the new workshop where all of our products are made. I will be adding to the gallery every now and then if I have anything interesting to show you.
Well I have a busy few months coming up making lots of new stuff and meeting more lovely people.
See you soon - Keilly x

SUNDAY 22ND JULY 2007

I must admit I'm not really being good and keeping this thing upto date! I have lots of brilliant news to share! I had some really great help from business link & the Sir Thomas White Charity last month and have invested some funding into Mad About Nature products. It has enabled me to have a specially adapted workshop put in place - away from the kitchen - I can finally keep the house soap-free (haha) I was beginning to feel like Hansel & Gretal with soap crumbs all over the place! My workshop took my builder 3 weeks to complete and is lovely & cosy with lots of space for drying soaps and lots of worktops to start making all my new products. I am also expanding my range of products using certified organic ingredients - by the beginningof the month I will have for sale various therapeutic oils, balms, bath goodies, and lots more. By the end of August my range of creams & moisturisers will be available, and by the end of September I will have a range of liquid soaps. So I shall be pretty busy up to Christmas.
I would also like to welcome Sue and Marina to the Mad About Nature sales team - well done for your success so far! I am really excited to have these two vibrant & enthusiastic people on board!
To celebrate the launch of my new products I will be having some special offers available for the people who sign up through the homepage to the mailing list - those of you already on the mailing list you will receive an email within the next few weeks letting you know of these offers!
Goodbye for now - I need to find out what happens in the new Harry Potter
Lots of soap bubbles and exploding bath bombs - Keilly x


FRIDAY 4TH MAY 2007

Gosh - it seems ages ago I posted my last blog - I've been quite busy since the last entry..I've tested out a good few farmers markets, tried a HUGE craft event at Belvoir Castle (and LOVED it), teamed up with a few other businesses, and have been to some business sessions provided by Business Link with whom I may have some exciting news soon - I can't say much yet but it may mean I have the chance to go global...haha not really (not yet anyway!!) but I have lots of plans in the pipeline - I will keep you updated when things have been confirmed and I'm ready for my new launch!!. There will be lots of new products appearing soon. I'm happy to announce that all my products will be Organic and my production methods are changing to environmentally friendly using renewable energies. When everything is in place I will post some photos and info.

As you can see from the events page, I 've got a lot of shows booked in for this year, and I am extremely happy to say that Arts & Crafts in the Village have me on board to help organise some of they're events, It's all a bit new to me but I am really looking forward to my first one at Market Harborough, although a little nervous also!

Anyway, I will make make sure I don't leave it sooooo long before my next entry - hope you are all well and the springtime sunshine is making you all happy!! - Keilly x

WEDNESDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2007

Brrrrrrrrrr.......did my first farmers market today with my lovely mum, and have been home for about an hour and a half to find I'm still frozen from the nose down!! The ten minute monsoon and 150mph gusts didn't help - I realise I now need some plastic sheeting and some minor adapting to the gazebo (is that how it is spelt??) as the rain actually washed the writing off the labels!!haha!! But it was a good day out and we met lots of interesting people. So I'm looking forward to the next one (with some stall protection of course!!) Whenever I  go to shows or markets...I get placed next to the most gorgeous food stalls. It's either chocolate or fresh cooked foods that you just cannot resist no matter how hard you try!! No wonder my J-LO is expanding!!haha!!

I just received (today) my ingredients for my cream making sessions...lots of lovely herbs to infuse (chickweed, hyssop, echinacea, etc) I'd like to add some therapeutic elements to my creams & balms. I'm working on an anti- wrinkle cream that I will be testing out on my crows feet - (did I hear the word miracle thought aloud )!! My friend has been trying out my cream (I made with Jane on my course) and has ordered a lifetime supply already!! I may get my pots out this week, if I can squeeze any time out from making soaps!!

Anyway, I had better go and sit on a radiator for the next hour to thaw - bye for now!! X

SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY  2007

I am going to predict that I will become obsessively hooked on making creams, balms, moisturisers, scrubs & masks!! What a brilliant day on the course learning how to make all of these with the Eynsham soap company. I made some avocado & cocoa butter cream scented with lavender & geranium (to match my soap) and it is GORGEOUS!! So hopefully within the next few months and after evenings of bending over a pot of bubbling brew - I will be starting my new range of natural skincare products. Also been experimenting on bath bombs with added Shea butter and rolled in rose petals. I've also decided that I will start selling Rhassoul mud - you can use it as a face, body, hair mask with absolutely fabulous results! If you would like a free sample & information leaflet, please email your details - it will be available to buy from next week on the website.

Now the Valentines rush is over, Mothers day will be here shortly! Look out for March's special offer - soap on a rope (for mothers) and mothers gift boxes (filled with hearts & rose themed things!) xx

MONDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2007

I held a table at a really nice craft show in Ibstock yesterday, there was a friendly atmosphere with a steady stream of people in all day. Quite a lot of familiar crafters were there, and some new faces. There was loads of things I could have spent a fortune on - the handknitted bags were very nice!! As were the handmade chocolates on the table right next to me!!!!

Well my time is certainly getting used up...lots of wholesale enquiries, shows & markets being booked, parties & office sale enquiries, orders coming through the site.....and trying to make some soap would help!! It's quite a nice kind of stress - just not too much of it though! You'll be pleased to know I've booked a place on a workshop next week with Jane from The Eynsham Soap Company to learn how to make creams, moisturisers, face masks & salt scrubs (hopefully we'll have time for all that) so anymore guinea pigs will be welcome...I've had a few takers already - so be warned a suspicious looking pot of goo may arrive in the post!!!haha!!!I'm really looking forward to it! Well time for my bed - goodnight -xx

 

SATURDAY 27TH JANUARY 2007

Well another busy week that just disappears before my eyes!! I never seem to catch up on the forever growing list of things to do!!! I've had a steady stream of orders this week from individuals, and 3 retail outlets are going to be stocking my soaps - FAB - I'm just looking into what shows I want to do this year aswell, I think a regular spot on some farmers markets, my ususal appearance at arts & crafts in the village shows and I may even go for a couple of big craft shows. And hopefully my site and Tuggle will bring in some steady online orders!! Speaking of Tuggle....what a fantastic site, it promotes parents who work from home and produce some fabulous crafts. You can get to them from my links page.

I've also been desperately searching for heart shaped moulds, ready for some different soaps for Valentines day gifts...hopefully I should have some on the way at the beginning of the week. So keep an eye on the gifts page!

If anyone fancies being a guinea pig for me, I'm going to be experimenting with creams & moisturisers within the next week.....mango body butter, lavender & rose night cream, olive oil & vitamin E body balm, and maybe a few others!! Sound good enough to eat! So hopefully within the next 6 months I will have a skincare page full of luxurious creams and skin food goodies!

TUESDAY 9TH JANUARY 2007

Happy New Year to everyone. We had a lovely quiet xmas - did nothing but eat chocolate and watch cheesy films...GREAT! I've finally finished the site, I've been working on it quite a lot over the last week, I hope everyone likes it - I'm quite proud of myself as I have never done anything like this before!! When I finish this I'll be off into the garage to sort out all my stock and equipment, I also have my tax return to sort out, my files for the business to set up, complete an order, make stock for myself and take some photos for this site....it's none stop already and it's only the 2nd week in January. My sister returned from America with my soap stamp - you can see on the photos how it makes the soaps look...I'm really pleased with it although I've got to work out when is the best time to stamp the soap - if it's a little tacky the stamp sticks to the soap and you don't get a very defined image  (there you go...an interesting, or not, soap fact of the day)!! Well better go and crack on with soapy things!! Bye for now...

WEDNESDAY 20TH DECEMBER 06

Well it's 12.15am and I am still working on this website, I've finally decided on what soaps should be in my range so now i'm going to have to make a stock pile of them to get some good photos!! I'll be back working on my site on Friday as Molly has the day off with me tomorrow, we were going to have a little xmas party but she's been a bit sick tonight so we'll have to see how she is tomorrow!! Also my sister comes back from America tomorrow night and she's bringing back with her my custom made soap stamp - I can't wait to try it out! I'm looking forward to xmas week next week as I can stop thinking soap for at least a few days, I can't believe how busy I've been with my first xmas as a soap maker - people are going mad for the stuff, I really could'nt keep up making it! For next xmas I will be making soap in the summer ready for the mad rush!! Anyway I'm off to bed now to dream soap things!How sad!