What's in a Name?

When starting a business one of the most difficult decisions is what to name your new venture "baby". We agonize over it and eventually, hopefully, a name strikes us that has meaning to us and resonates with our customers.

For some of us (raises hand) it takes a few tries to find a name that suits who we are, or who we wish to be. I started my first bath product venture with my daughter, Teagan. When the time came to type a name on the line for the business paperwork I froze. I just stared at that line as the panic crept up my spine. Teagan, being the reasonable kid she was suggested her store (yes all along it was "Her Store") be named after her. She was sweet. So Sweet Teagans was born. To this day our mother company is still operating under Sweet Teagans. Your PayPal and Credit Card receipts proudly bear the original name. Her empire lives.

It didn't take long before the name didn't fit who I was at the time. Well, honestly it never fit "me", which made sense because it belonged to Teagan. Teagan was the artistic director, while I was the worker and bank roller who kept it all afloat. As she ran out of time, I realized I wanted to keep moving forward and needed something of my own.

Mr. Scenter Square and I moved to the historic town of Woodstock, IL in 2003. We fell in love with the charm, especially of the historic Woodstock Square where the movie Groundhog Day was filmed. Every cobbled brick in the road made this place feel like home to us. The shops that line the perimeter all beckon people to shop while visiting old friends and making new. It was instantly home. One day I dream of having a shop on the Square. I will be The Scenter on the Square with charming custom blends for every occasion and every individual. That description was a mouthful, but the Scenter Square part stuck. I still love the name and what it represents. I found the "me" for this stage.

Opportunity dangled a new challenge to me about 4 years ago. A good friend asked if I had

ever considered opening a shop at the Renaissance Faire. I laughed to myself because at the time the thought had never, ever even come to mind. What would I want to do THAT for? But my friend meant the world to me so we made a visit to the faire grounds and instantly fell in love with the new possibility. The hurdle was, yet again, to come up with a new name. The name had to fit our new shop, be 'renaissancy' and not be too embarrassing. It took a few days of tossing ideas to come up with one that fit: BeesWyck Chandlery. We are heading into our 4th season of the Bristol Renaissance Faire and look forward to many, many more.

The Faire is our "summer home". Teagan loves being whoever her imagination comes up with.

Some days she is Astrid, a nature witch with Acorn her animal familiar.

 Or a Viking Dragon Tamer with two Furrocious beasts.











Some days she is just a kind peasant who loves rainbows, sparkles and, of course UNICORNS. Seeing how she blossoms more every season is inspiring, challenging to keep up with and always stirs an overwhelming feeling of gratefulness.

Who do YOU want to be today? I can't wait to see what we all become in the next iteration.

Paisley's Woods

Every morning, whether rain, sun, wind, snow, or a combination of all Paisley expects "her" run. All winter long we were forced to stick to the country roads. Boring, same old same old country roads. 2 miles in the sub zero temps feels like 100 to me. Street walks are, for me, a chore that feel great when they're OVER. Street walks are only a wee bit better than the treadmill.



We were both so happy when Spring finally decided to arrive. When the sun rises, so does Paisley. She reminds me every morning why we are together: we are partners. Walking, jogging, hanging out enjoying the day. Perfect partners.

Paisley took over when Gracie the Wonderlab just could not keep the pace. At the tender age of 6 Gracie suffered two slipped discs in her lumbar spine. She recovered, but just can't put in the miles any more.She is my couch potato partner and loves it!

Paisley's choice is "Teagan's Park". The Conservation Group in our county purchased 600 or so acres  for Boone Creek Conservation converting it into a walking path where at one time was a huge hunt club. Teagan claimed it as hers when she got to use the ridiculously huge scissors to cut the giant ribbon at the Grand Opening. The current path is a combination of limestone, wooded path and fields. If we do all sections it is a nice 3.5 miles door to door. Paisley asks to do it twice some days.

Stage 1: a gentle open limestone path. Easy breezy.

Stage 2: Decisions Decisions. Left or right. Left is a shorter, steeper climb to the fields. Right is a longer, windy gentle climb to the same field. Paisley usually chooses left. We like to attack our runs.

Stage 3: Fields! The promised land. an open, breezy, gentle hilly loop.

The smells of the run are intoxicating: Mulching leaves, dry grasses, wood chips, pine needles, pine cones, dirt and earthy, musky humus. These all begged to be worked into a new signature scent blend. I love scents with a story. I hope you do too.

Today's Unique Scent Blend: Paisley's Woods:
Aroma Haven Red Maple Leaf  1.5 parts
my Douglas Fir  1 part
my White Oak  1 part
my Spiced Wood  1 part
Brambleberry Dirt 1 part
Brambleberry Earth Musk  1 part
Sweetcakes Sweet Grass 1 part

The swirl colors I chose were all from TKB Trading: Copper Penny, Sparkle Gold and Espresso for swirls. Espresso is much more brown in real life, like a black brown cup of dark espresso coffee. You can't really see the depth and sparkle in the photos, but they are there, just like the glint in Miss Paisley's eye when you say the work "Walk".

I scented an 11 bar, 40 oz log at 5% PPO. That blend accelerated like Paisley - so apropos. Paisley goes from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. I use a 40% lye solution, so mental note, this one will need a bit more. Plus, I'll probably pull out the lecithin trick if I love this one enough to make again. Temps were already nice and cool, so the Earth Musk just made the earth move, lol.  In hindsight, I should have probably used a bit of Patchouli, but oh well. I bet this will make a spectacular candle scent.

 Not quite sure what I will see when this one comes out of the mold tomorrow, but it will be something special no doubt. I'll give it a quick photo op when I cut it to share with you. When it's ready I'll list a few bars on one of my shops for you.

DIY Reusable Soap Molds

Tech Tuesday combined with Throwback Thursday. A blast from the past. DIY Reusable Liners!
As I look at the prices, it's still TRUE! We can make reusable, no-line molds in just about any size, within the limits of the size of your foam sheets.
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A good friend of mine used this phrase "DIY til we DIE" in a recent email to me. I had to laugh because that totally describes us. Why pay huge $ for something made by someone else that I can make myself for next to nothing and performs every bit as good as the pricey purchased one (often better).

I like to participate in several research swaps each year. Fragrance swaps are one of my favorites because we get to sample 50+ scents in one go. Making small test batches for these swaps requires small-ish molds. I generally like to make 16 oz batches so that a 1 oz bottle is used up in a single batch. Here are the steps I used to make a triple log mold made totally to my bar specs for about $5.00. these little molds are absolute workhorses and paid for themselves after the first use.

Custom Triple Log Soap Mold for $5.00:
Materials:
- 6mm (1/4 inch) Craft foam (found at craft supply houses like Hobby Lobby)
- 1 sheet of Foam Board (the kind used for presentations that stands up on its own)
- Duct Tape (I personally use Nashua Brand)

Tools:
- Exacto Knife or razor knife or box cutter
- Ruler
- Self Healing mat (Didn't want to cut the table!)

Steps:



I wanted 6.25 x 3.25 x 2.5 inch logs for this swap, so I started cutting the foam into:

- one bottom piece (6.25 long x 3.25 wide)
- two long sides (3 tall x 6.25 long)
- two end pieces (3 tall x 3.5 long)

NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU USE THE 6mm craft foam. The 3mm and 2mm will not work for this application. They are simply too thin and tear very easily. I found bigger sheets of the 6mm on Ebay to make larger block molds.

Note2: Don't use the cheapo Dollar Store craft foam. The sheets are too thin and the color may leach onto your soap. these things will last you a very long time. Invest in the $1 sheets for the better closed cell foam.

I duct taped one side at a time to the bottom piece and then ran extra duct tape all around the outside to ensure it would all hold together. The little mold/liner ended up being waterproof and only bowed slightly when filled to the top with soap without any other support. I made 3 of these and they all worked out the same. They're not going to win any beauty prizes, but I like the colored duct tape
Wanting a little more support on the sides I made a frame for all 3 liners out of ½ inch rigid foam board (used for presentations). $5.99 for a poster board on sale 50% off for $2.98). I used half of the sheet for this project. I cut out a base, 2 long sides, 2 short sides and 2 internal spacers and duct taped it all together. Sweet success.The liners fit snugly and pop out easily to unmold the soap.



The photos of the whole setup were taken after the maiden batches. I didn't clean them so you could see how cleanly the soap unmolds. The soap unmolded perfectly after 12 hrs. It literally popped right out of the liners. The formula I used was high in castor (10%) and usually sticks a bit even to the mylar liners I have made before. (I did let it fully gel) Photo below is of log on its side to show bottom corner. Check out the sharp corners and smooth sides. (No wasted end cuts!)



Costs for this triple log set up:
- 3 pieces of 6 mm craft foam (.99 each x 3 = $3)
- ½ sheet of foam core board ($1.50)
- Duct Tape (2.99 for the whole roll" let’s be generous and call it $.50 for this project)
- Total: $5.00 for 3 custom molds.
- Time: 10 minutes per liner. 10 minutes for the holder: 40 minutes including interruptions.

Note: The 6.25 inch logs I chose to make can be cut into 6 one inch bars (4.5+ oz) or 5 1.25 (5.5+ oz) inch thick bars with no wasted ends. I plan to reuse these for many, many, many small test batches. I would not go much larger with this foam-only system simply because the foam board and craft foam are not nearly as strong as wood.

I have also made large block molds and log molds using this foam liner method. They work brilliantly and last for countless batches. Occasionally a batch gets very hot in the mold and makes little moon craters on the outermost sides of the log/block. These scrape off effortlessly with a plastic scraper. In all honesty, once cut and packaged nobody ever notices the edges so I don't worry about it at all.

Fragrance does not stick in the foam since it's a closed cell material. If I get really messy and the liners seem dingy, I can just scrape them with a wooden spatula. They can be washed, just be aware that duct tape isn't friendly with water and your seams may begin to leak. Slap on a new piece of duct tape and you'll be back in business.

I hope someone finds this useful!

Gotta stop dragging my BUT around.

I'm guessing I am not alone when I say I have a huge BUT. A great BUT. A BUT crafted with such precision that the Swiss are envious of the craftsmanship.

We all have a BUT. I would exercise more, but.... I would go back to school, but.... Our BUT is ours. We own it.  We feed it. In the end, it consumes US.

Spent the past weekend at the Central Soapers Workshop in Kansas City. I was invited to speak to a group of Indie Business Owners about formulating products for Hair Care on Sunday afternoon. I arrived a day early and attended a few sessions in the Business track. Topics ranged from Brand Identity to GMP. All of them made me think. And think hard.

Danielle Vincent of Outlaw Soaps asked us to answer various questions to ourselves about our brand identity and where we wanted to see our products.

Lela Barker of Lucky Break Consulting asked if we were all Down With GMP.

Anne-Marie Faiola of Brambleberry gave 6 Steps to Social Media Success

Kayla Fioravanti spoke magical words about Crafting Compelling Copy and Self-publishing.

While none of this is 'new' to me, I have been failing at it all. Why? Because I spend way too much time on things that are really, truly unimportant. I have fallen into a comfortable pattern that ends up draining me creatively. My biggest BUT.

A typical day starts out with a delicious cup of coffee. That is a great start. I love that start. Coffee with sugar, whole cream and a splash of extra special vanilla extract made by my dear friend Carrie is pure perfection. (Recipe for Real Vanilla Extract is below). That is not the problem. The problem is what I choose to do as I enjoy that coffee. Raise your hand if you start your day with catching up on Facebook, Forums and email. Be honest. I bet you do the same more days than not.

That one cup of coffee, refilled to empty the pot, turns into a time suck vortex that swallows up the whole morning. Poof go healthy productive Hours that could have been spent writing to you. Sharing with you. Collaborating with YOU. I have been cheating on YOU with Facebook. And I am truly sorry.

Will you let me make it up to you? 

I'd like to start my day with you. I'd like to share ideas with you.

Will you help kick my Big BUT?

My professional BUT is not alone. My personal one has grown too. Why? I would run with Paisley today, BUT it is snowing outside. I would write more, BUT I used up all my time on Facebook. I would have not put on 10 lbs this past Winter, BUT I love to make comforting bread. Well, the bread is not the problem, the first BUT, not exercising Paisley has more to do with it. Why deny every single earthly pleasure? Enjoy the journey.

I have taken the first step. Will you join me?

I pledge to use that first part of my day productively. I will share with you things I have learned on my journeys. Here's to a good start.

Real Vanilla Extract
Enjoy the real thing in baked goods, pastry, shakes and a good hot cuppa in the morning.

Ingredients:

3 whole Vanilla Beans (more are better, less will take longer)
slightly less than 4 ounces of an edible alcohol (Vodka, Everclear, Bourbon...)
A bottle or jar with a good seal

How To:
1) Cut your vanilla beans lengthwise to reveal the "caviar" seeds inside. Then cut into several pieces that will fit into the bottle or jar you chose. Stuff the beans in there.
2) Fill the rest of the bottle or jar with the alcohol you chose. Vanilla is extracted with alcohol. It will not work with water or oil. It must be a quality alcohol.
3) put the jar away for a few weeks. Give it a shake once in a while, if for nothing else to look at it and marvel at your brilliance.

The longer this jar sits, the more full the flavor will be. The color will continue to darken as it sits. I have some vanilla in sealed bottles that has been infusing for years.

When you can't wait any longer, or after at least a month, add a bit of your masterpiece to something you bake in exchange for store bought vanilla. Add a dribble to your coffee and think of me. Enjoy.

Where to buy Beans
Vanilla Beans are spendy. The grocery store carries them if you just have to have them right this second. It's ok if they are shriveled. They will extract just fine.


If you have a bigger vanilla habit (like me) visit Ebay and look for vanilla beans in bulk. The seller VanillaProducts has many sizes and varieties.

I have also purchased from an online site named ThePoster.com..Weird name for the site, but if you poke around you will find bulk vanilla beans, saffron, extracts and more. It's totally worth the time if you love Vanilla.

What do you bottle in?
If you want a fancy bottle, check out places like Uline.com or SKS-Bottle.com or even your local farm stores in the Honey aisles. You can use any bottle you like. I prefer glass myself. Amber glass actually, but any will do.

If you make a LOT of vanilla, you can infuse directly in the original bottle the alcohol came in. Add as many beans as you can fit into that bottle. I tend to use one
bean per ounce of alcohol. WHen you have a bottle of vanilla infusin you will always have a great last-minute gift on hand.

Vanilla Sugar
Stick a vanilla bean pod into a bowl of sugar. Let it sit there as you use the sugar. As time passes that sugar will infuse with vanilla essence. It is a totally easy delight.

Here's to Kicking BUT!

Special Ingredients - Infused Herbs!

At ScenterSquare we make dozens of scented, colorful and fun soaps. Sometimes, though, we feel the need to get back to basics making soap with no added scent.

Hold the phone! No added scent? How boring! What's the point? Have you lost your mind?

Who says unscented soap needs to be boring? Not us! This is a wonderful opportunity to let the wonderful ingredients take center stage. Does triple infused Chamomile Oil sound boring? Making our Chamomile soap with triple infused oil and chamomile tea lends a complex all-natural scent that is not overpowering in the least.

Some infusions are used in soap made with Essential Oils to add that special je ne sais quoi that makes the bars irresistible. Other infusions are made into salves and balms like our ever-popular Arnica Balm for sore muscles.

Once or twice a year I stock up on botanicals to infuse into organic olive oil. Those oils are used in special limited edition soap, as candle anointing oil, in salves and other beauty products. It all starts with the botanicals! Below is the result of today's start.

From left to right, Arnica Flowers, Calendula Petals, Catnip, Cedar Tips, Chamomile, Comfrey Leaf, Eucalyptus Leaf, Lavender Buds, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Spearmint and Rosemary.

Tomorrow I will begin spotlighting each of the infusions and what they are used in.

Lather Lovers Swap - Part 1:The Plan

Do you like lather? Ever wondered what you could add to give that little extra "oomph" to create bubbles so abundant that Hollywood scene setters will bang down your door to get them? Well, maybe that's a little extreme, but if you're interested in learning about a few options to possibly improve your formula, then read on...

18 accomplished soap makers got together at the Dish Forum to test various additives in a simple soap formula to compare and contrast the changes imparted on the lather. Participants are located across the United States and Canada giving us a nice cross section of water types to compare.

The Challenges:

• Test 1) 10 second sink test. The tester washes their hands for 10 seconds noting the lather.
• Test 2) 20 second sink test. The tester continues washing hands for an additional 10 seconds noting changes to the lather (building, breaking, bubble size and texture)
• Test 3) Shower Test: The tester takes a typical shower using the control and a sample. Lather and skin feel are noted.
• Test 4) the "Blob" test. A blob of lather is coaxed using a shower net pouf. The lather is observed for 10 minutes, and photographed at the beginning, middle and end of the time. This is to take stability of lather into consideration.

The Formula:
50% Olive Oil (Type A or Pomace, not EVOO)
25% Palm Oil
25% Coconut Oil

8% superfat
"Full water" using Distilled Water (or other liquid additive as noted in the list)

Using Soap Calc, here's how the formula stacked up:

We chose to each make a batch using 24 oz of oils. When cut to 1 oz "hotel" sized bars we were able to fit all of the samples in a padded flat rate mailer.

The Additives:
1) None: #1 is the control with no additives.
1a) None: This sample was made with a 5% superfat to note any differences in lather between SF levels.
2) Sodium Lactate added at .25 oz/PPO (per pound of oils)
3) Granulated Sugar added at 1 Tablespoon PPO
4) Honey added at 1 Tablespoon PPO
5) TBA later (silk)
6) Rosin
7) Bentonite Clay
8) Tetrasodium EDTA
9) Powdered Goat Milk reconstituted as the water
10) Alow Juice subbed for all the water
11) Canned Coconut Milk subbed for all the water
11a) Powdered Coconut Milk subbed for all the water
12) Beer substituted for all the water
13) Fresh Goat Milk subbed for all the water
14) Canned evaporated milk
15) Powdered Sugar added at 1 Tablespoon PPO
16) Kaolin Clay added at 1 Tablespoon PPO
17) Cetyl Alcohol
18) TBA (would have been beeswax)
19) Oat MIlk
20) Yogurt
21) Sorbitol
22) Sodium Citrate
23) Palm Kernel Oil subbed for the Coconut Oil
24) Kefir substituted for all the water
25) Sorbitol and Sodium Citrate

Over the next few weeks I'll go into detail about the additive (how it was added, any notes about difficulty with addition, etc.). I'll also share the photos and video of each as it is put through the series of tests.

At the end of the study you may discover a few surprises, as the group of testers surely did.