New Soap Log

I made a new soap log yesterday and I don't know what to call it. I used some very sweet essential oils and it smells like candy or a very sweet drink. I have posted a video on YouTube about my name that soap contest. You can view it by putting 1dreampainter into the search. It is made up of four luscious layers. A lavender color on the bottom (not scented with lavender), a natural unscented soap on top of that, then an oatmeal pink lemonade soap on top of that. Finally another layer of unscented natural soap again. Then I topped it off with dark blue dried flowers.

It was a long process in making this log. I started with making just one batch but realized too soon that it wasn't enough soap so I had to quickly start a second batch to finish it. It is pretty and smells soooo good. I LOVE making soap it is so much fun experimenting and playing with it relaxes me.

I wish I could say the same thing for my other interests. Some of them stress me out to no end. I ALWAYS think everything has to be so perfect. I strive for that and it never happens. I am trying to learn to just let go and just BE. Just enjoy the moment and see where it takes you. After all, you do only get one life so Stop all the craziness and start enjoying it. (I know easier said then done, right?!)

Making Soap

 Today I made a new batch of cold process soap. I tried a new fragrance oil, I usually use essential oils or e/o, they are better. I only had rose petal in a fragrance. I know where I got it but I don't like to talk ill of people or their business unless it's really awful. Anyway, getting back to the soap. This fragrance oil ruined my batch. I have been making soap for some time now and never had this happen before. It seized on me. What that means is: my soap was just getting to a good trace, so I added the fragrance and it suddenly got hard with my hand blender still in it. This totally freaked me out. It got hard fast, no warning. One minute I have a great batch of soap and seconds later it's a hard mass in my bowl. So I naturally try to fix the problem, I don't like to waste things and in this economy who can afford to? I shaved it down immediately and put in my soaping crock pot to remelt and try again. (this is called re-batching or hand milling) I added more colorant and stirred it in. I let this sit and slowly melt til it looked ready to put back into my mold. It is still in the mold at this time but the color looks great so far and it smells like roses. 

I am not fond of this rose petal fragrance. I like roses but only a couple kinds have a really great fragrance and so far I haven't found a fragrance or essential oil that mimics those. I will cut this batch into bars tomorrow and make labels to fit them and then list a couple in my esty shop to see how they sell. I usually only lightly scent my soaps as to not over power them. This fragrance and my Victorian memories soaps are the strongest I have made. Tomorrow I plan on making another batch but using my essential oils this time. I am thinking of using the honeysuckle scent. We will see. 

If there are any other soap makers out there that would like to talk soap or share some of their knowledge and experiences let me know. I would love to hear about them.

My second post

So this is my second post. I am still learning and trying to come with things to post here. Not much happens around here and I need to add some pictures and make it more professional looking. If you stopped by, I thank you much and hope you will visit again. I do have several other places you can find me that are almost done. Just to name a few:

alittledream.etsy.com
alittledreamstore.com
youtube.com/1dreampainter
twitter.com/alittledream2
myspace.com/alittledreamstore

Please stop by my store or my etsy shop to take a look. Everything in both stores are one of a kind pieces made by me. I just listed several new things today. I have a few more ideas that I am going to try later today to see how they work out before I list them. I am always trying to add new items. Well I need to run to the store so I will post again later.

Just things to ponder

So this is my first ever blog and I had a few problems setting it up. I am NOT so internet savvy, if you know what I mean. That is where my daughter comes to the rescue. She can sit at a computer and open something and within a matter of seconds knows how to work it. She figures things out that it would take me weeks to do. I envy her with all her technology know how. She has tried her hardest to be patient with me as I learn how to finagle my way through getting my art out there for others to see and hopefully buy. I have been dabbling in art for years and years and years. (you get my point....lol) She made my website which is Alittledreamstore.com and she set up my esty account which is alittledream.etsy.com. She showed me how to use both sites but I am still not real good at working my store yet. I think I have etsy down pretty good though. I just need to figure out how to get more people there to look at my art.

I have always had problems trying to figure out how to price my artwork. I sometimes think that things are worth a lot because of the cost of materials and my time that I put into them. Then again, I think people won't pay a higher price because they won't see the value in it. I met somewhere in the middle of what I think I should get and what I think people will pay. Hopefully right now, we will both be happy until the economy gets better and I get my art out there. Other artists have told me that you take the cost of your materials and your time and triple or quad it to get your asking price. I am not really sure if that method works. If I used that as a basis for my glass mosaics, I think they would cost to much for most people to purchase. (They take me a long time to do.)

I really think that most artists get the shaft in selling their art. After all they spend so much time creating the piece only to have others ponder why it cost so much. Society doesn't value art as it once did. Just because we don't clock in and out five to six days a week doesn't mean we are NOT working. It also does not mean our time is any less valuable then anyone elses. I get so tired of people ALWAYS asking me to make something for them but not wanting to pay up when I am finished. Anyone else have this problem? They see my work as good enough to do them a favor but not worth the money I want when the job is completed.

Words to ponder.......What do you think art is worth? Do you think artists should be paid like everyone else out there doing a good job? What are your thoughts on cookie cutter art? (you know, art that others copy and claim as their own.) for instance.... Suzi Blu makes cute little girl paintings, she teaches classes on how to make girls just like hers. Now the internet is being flooded with everyone trying to sell these petite dolls that all look the same. Suzi, I am sure was not the first to paint this way or will she be the last. But for crying out loud, can you put some of your own personality into the work? That's all I'm saying. I LOVE SUZI BLU! I am NOT downing her, I am downing the copy-cats out there using her style without changing it to fit themselves. Then they also use her name to promote their art for sale. What do you think about this? Am I the only one who thinks like this?

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