What's in a name?

I am often asked why I chose Stargazer Soaps as my business name.   It isn't a simple answer!

Years ago, I had a small business.  At the time, my brother lived with me.  When I was searching for a name, he actually chose it for me.  Almost 4 years ago, my brother passed away.  

So many things I do, I do because of my brother.  He has inspired me.  To follow my dreams, to change the world, to be a better person.  When trying to find a name for my soap business, I wanted something to honor him.  But the name he chose years ago was not appropriate for my soap business.  One evening I was outside looking up at the stars.  Something my brother and I used to do.  When we were children, we would lay in the yard and watch the stars together.  It was a peaceful thing for us.  That is when it hit me.  Stargazer Soaps.  And for a theme, I can name each soap after something in the sky.  

I research every name I chose, and try to find something fitting for my soap.  It isn't easy!  However I am really enjoying learning so much about our universe.  And I feel like my brother is still involved in my business, from the Heavens above.  

So in honor of my Brother Aaron, Stargazer Soaps will continue to find inspiration from above.  

Who doesn't want FREE soap?

Last year I had the opportunity to work with a few bloggers.  They did reviews of my soaps, and even giveaways.  That was very exciting for me!  And one of my favorite blogger.... Bianca from The Pierogie Mama just posted another review for me!  

Not only did she did a review, but a giveaway!  You can enter to win a $25 gift certificate!  And after you enter, take a look at the other bloggers she is working with as part of the Natural in the New Year Blog Hop, and enter to win many other prizes!

Working with Bianca has been such a joy!  If you aren't already following her, be sure to start today!  I offer special discount for her readers!  

New soaps!

I was finally able to make some soap!  Ahh.... how nice it was to be able to create again!  

First I made Oatmeal, Milk & Honey.  I did two batches, one scented & one unscented.  I used raw goat milk from a local dairy, and fresh, raw honey from a local farm, Creekside Honey.  (LOVE their Honey!)

This is a rough photo - I took this right after I cut the soaps.  But I am so pleased with them!  I took a little sliver and tested it - super early to do this BUT the bubbles!  Holly cow!  I can't wait to use this soap!  

Then I got to play with COLOR.  Here are Lyra, (Plumeria), & Cygnus, (Coconut Lime Verbena).  My 8 year old chose the colors and design for Lyra.  And she did an amazing job!  These soaps smell simply amazing! 

You can see me make these soaps!  Follow me on YouTube!

All four of these soaps will be fully cured March 4th, 2014.

Where have I been?

It has been way too long since I have written on my poor, neglected blog!  The holidays were crazy in our home.  But things are finally getting back to normal!  (With 4 children, is that even possible?)

A wonderful customer posted this on her Facebook page the other day: 

How cool is this?  Sadly, my shower does not look like either of these photos.  I don't have bottles in my shower, but do have a dozen or so soaps!  Like me, she has tossed all the chemicals.  She is even using Stargazer Soaps to wash her hair!  Now let me talk about that for a moment.

If you decide to toss your shampoo, know that your hair will have to detox.  It takes about 6 weeks for your hair to adjust.  In the meantime, you may need to use a conditioner once in a while, an apple cider vinegar rinse, or just rub in some coconut oil.  I have heard different reports - from oily, waxy hair, to dry and stringy during the detox period.  I can tell you - I almost gave up on several occasions.  But I am so glad I didn't.  My hair is soft and manageable, and I don't have to wash it every day anymore.  Which is better for your hair and scalp anyway!  I cut my husband's hair last night, and noticed his hair is thicker.  His bald spot is smaller!  (Sorry Honey!)  Something to note - the PH of soap is much higher than shampoo.  Depending on your hair and water, your results may be different than ours.  Everyone is unique!  I am currently playing with a shampoo bar and will share the results!  

My whole family uses our soaps for our whole body - face, hair, shaving, (my husband shaves his face with it!).  I even wash my dishes!  

I am preparing to make Oatmeal, Milk & Honey soap tomorrow.  I will be using Raw Goat milk from a local farm, and Raw Honey from a local bee keeper!  I am so excited!  I will be offering scented and unscented versions.  Yay!

Holiday Discounts & New Soaps

Well I am a little behind this Thanksgiving weekend, BUT.... a few discounts to share!

Small Business Saturday - November 30th 2013.  25% off the Twilight collection!  

Code Twilight

And Cyber Monday - December 2nd, 2013.  Free shipping on all orders! 

Code FreeShip

And don't forget - 20% off all orders over $30 until December 15th, 2013!   

Code Holiday2013

I have been busy soaping!  I have sold out of so much lately, I have had to make tons of soap!  And with the exception of 2 remakes, they are all new!  Including a Vanilla Beer Porter Soap!   AND..... BIGGER BARS!  YAY!

Why Beer soap?  Well there are many reasons really.  There are a lot of benefits to beer in soap.  But as I don't make claims other than my soap will clean, I cannot go into that here.  You will need to do some research!  You can research online, or order a bar and see for yourself!  While the Vanilla Porter Beer soap is geared toward men, I wouldn't hesitate to use it myself!

Next on the list is Umbriel soap.  Name for one of the moons of Uranus, this creamy silk soap is fragranced with McIntosh apple, steamed milk, pure sugar, caramel candy, toffee pudding, apple butter, fresh nutmeg, vanilla bean & soft musk.  

This is Neptune. Neptune is a masculine soap fragranced with a spicy, cultural blend of crushed cloves, cinnamon sticks & crisp pine needles, with a sweet orange freshness. 

This is Ariel.  Named for one of the moons of Uranus, Ariel is a creamy silk soap with a stimulating blend of Citrus, including Grapefruit, Lemon & Lime, with hints of fresh Cucumber & Jasmine, and a touch of Pineapple, Blackberry & Champagne. 

  

Callisto begins with a creamy top note of coconut, followed by a warm middle note of buttercream and a well rounded with a base of note dark cocoa.  Topped with real cocoa, this is certainly a chocolatly treat! 

Designed completely by my girls, Cartwheel soap is named for the Cartwheel Galaxy.  This fun soap is fragranced with top notes of fresh bananas & juicy grapefruit, middle notes of kiwi, juicy bubblegum, strawberries, with a hint of vanilla as a base note.  

Don't miss out on these amazing soaps!  A stay tuned... more coming soon!

Fragrance

I have been getting a lot of questions about fragrances.  What are they?  How are they different?

I use two type of fragrances in my soaps.  In my Purely Natural line, I use Essential oils.  In my Pure Silk Soaps, I use Fragrance oils.

How are they different?

Essential oils are purely natural.  The oils are extracted from plants.  Many believe essential oils can be beneficial for many things, such as medicinal purposes, acne, mood, illnesses just to name a few.  I do not use essential oils for a specific purpose other than scent.  However, I may chose to use one bar over another one day because of the essential oil used in the soap, not just for the scent but for the purpose of the oil itself.  As I do not make claims as to what essential oils or my soaps can do for you, I recommend you research the oils.  There is a wealth of information online, and in books.  I have found multiple free Kindle books on Amazon about essential oils.

Fragrance oils are a wonderful way to achieve a scent not possible with essential oils.  For example, you can't capture the smell of bubble gum with essential oils.  Fragrance oils contain both natural and synthetic ingredients.  I choose high quality fragrance oils from companies I trust.  My whole family uses soap from both of my lines.  

I am very sensitive to fragrances & perfumes.  I use half the recommended amount of fragrance and essential oils in all of my soaps.  I prefer a light scent to something you can smell from down the street.

I hope this helps explain the difference in scents!  If you ever have a question about an essential oil or fragrance oil, contact me!  http://stargazersoaps.com/contact.htm  I am always happy to answer any questions!

Holidays & Twilight

All of my holiday soaps are finally listed on my site!  As well as my Twilight soaps!  I thought a long time about how to list my Twilight soaps.  Individually, in pairs or as a set?  More than one option?  Well, I decided you can't have Bella without Edward, and Jacob without Forks, so a collection it is!  All 12 soaps will be offered as a collection, along with a discount code! 

November 1st - December 15th 2013, all orders over $30 qualify for a 20% discount!  Use code Holiday2013 at check out!  (For those in the local area, use code LocalHoliday2013 if you would like to pick up in the Vancouver, WA area!  No shipping charges!)

What is available right now?  All of my soaps are posted for order on my website!  If not already cured, all soaps will be ready for shipment November 30th.  Plenty of time for Christmas!  

Let's meet some of my Holiday soaps!  (Be sure to visit my website stargazersoaps.com to see my full line!  There are several warm, winter scents to chose from!  Pumpkin spice anyone?  Mulberry perhaps?)

Named Aurora for the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, this amazing silk cream soap is fragranced with topped with berries and sugar, and toned down with the addition of Rose and Carnation notes. Just like Holiday Candy! 

 Juicy, ripe crimson pears sprinkled in caramelized brown sugar with fresh churned maple butter, drizzled with honey and vanilla. Simply amazing!  Mouthwatering!

Christmas fragrance that blends pomegranate, strawberries, raspberries, with a subtle hint of fresh peppermint leaves and fresh vanilla.

 A pure silk cream soap scented with a blend of fresh essential oil of peppermint and huckleberries, hints of violet and white florals, with creamy base notes of vanilla marshmallow. The yummy peppermint oil leaves a slight tingly feeling - yum!

 A pure silk cream soap fragranced with rich, dark chocolate swirled with ribbons of buttery caramel and vanilla creme, sprinkled with toasted almond slivers and creamy hazelnut. Topped with buttery, toffee caramel. Smells good enough to eat!

 A pure silk soap fragranced with strong notes of buttercream vanilla and hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. 

A pure silk soap fragranced with fresh lime and menthol, notes of Douglas fir and lavender; with full-body base notes of eucalyptus and pine. Freshly fallen snow in the forest! 

Twilight soaps are finally ready for preorder!  YAY!  

They will be ready to ship November 30th!  

To see the full collection, click Here

Shop early, and don't miss out on the discount!  Soaps are moving quickly!  

I haven't soaped in 3 weeks - I was busy moving my soaping room!  But more soap is planned very soon!  Yay!  Purely Natural Lavender?  Restock of my Purely Natural Lemongrass Triple Butter?  Something fun for the kids?  (My girls are planning a soap!)  Stay tuned!