Yes, I am the owner/operator of Bootsie's Soap and I am a fully addicted hard-core handcrafted soap maker!! Since everyone always asks how I got started in my business, here is the short and sweet version.
Several years ago I decided to plant some luffas in my garden. They took off!! And before I knew it, I had luffas coming out my ears. To get rid of the luffas, I bought some melt and pour glycerin soap base from my local craft shop. I stuffed the luffas into pringles cans, melted the soap and filled the cans. After unmolding the soaps, I cut them into slices and wrapped them for Christmas gifts. They were a hit, my friends and family loved them. but, I wasn't happy with the texture of the soaps. (if you want to make melt and pour soaps, don't pick it up from your craft store...e-mail me bootsie@bootsiessoap.com. I can hook you up with quality suppliers)
I did a little research on soapmaking and bought a book. My next few months were spent drooling over beautiful pictures of handcrafted soaps before I finally got the courage to buy some lye and give it a try. Donning protective eye wear and gloves, I mixed my ingredients and stirred forever. Just as I was about to give up it happened!! My clear ingredients turned a creamy white, they thickened to a beautiful trace as the chemical reaction known as saponification began. From that magical moment I was addicted. My days were spent as a Registered Nurse in the med-surge unit....but my nights and weekends were spent turning any oil I could find into soap. I poured over suppliers and instructional websites for new formulas to try. I went crazy with exotic butters, essential oils, fragrances and botanicals. My husband thought I was crazy. He kept telling me "You are making more soap?? just go to the grocery store, they have all the soap you will ever need". Of course now I know he was wrong. The majority of the "soaps" sold at the store are detergent bars....but that's a blog for another day.
My cupboards were full of soap. My family's cupboards were full of soap. My friend's cupboards were full of soap. But, I couldn't stop. There was always one more recipe to try!! So, I took some advise from my daughter and started selling soap. Here is a link http://bootsiessoap.com/
I am not alone. Last week I went to the Handcrafted soap makers guild conference in Palm Springs and met over 200 addicts just like me!! And you know what?? They have inspired me and now I am resolved to make even more soap!!
