The Ragtree Co.

Countdown to No More Soap on Etsy BUT Tarts Going Strong

2009-03-08T17:17:00.001-07:00

I have decided that the I am not going to sell soap anymore on Etsy. I don't know how other soapers do it, but I did some soul searching and realized that 1) the profit margin is too slim 2) the market seems to be flooded and most importantly 3) I don't want to spend the few precious hours that I have on the weekends working! I want to relax!

I will sell to repeat customers and I will always continue making soap for myself and my family and friends; after all, I am lucky to be able to make something so wonderful for gifts for birthdays and Christmas.

So what now? Mom and I started The Ragtree Company together and she has created fabulously wonderful candle tarts which she is in the process in getting into stores around the country once packaging issues are worked out. I think this is the direction that we should go in for now.

As a matter of fact, for my birthday she sent me a bunch of her new flavors of candle tarts and I melted an apple today and it is FABULOUS! I love how great my house always smells... thanks Mom :) I love you!

If you would like to purchase any of the soap that is left in my Etsy shop, mention this blog for a dollar off per bar :)

Renee

Finishing that Cucumber Melon Soap

2009-01-25T08:23:00.000-08:00

Good Sunday Morning! I have just finished cutting the batch of Cucumber-Melon soap and my house smells LOVELY!

Yesterday, I sat down white knuckled with my laptop in hand... I KNEW I was going to have to get serious about the business portion of my business. "Really?!" you may be thinking, a little baffled by my absurdness... after all, wouldn't you evaluate the bottom line and have a business plan BEFORE going into business?

Well, most people yes... but I'm a dreamer and my Mom (and partner) is an even bigger dreamer so we just jumped into The Ragtree Company without evaluating what we would have to make in order to make this business even break even. Think about insurance, labelling, packaging, raw ingredients, molds, racks to dry soap, containers to store soap, and then throw your hard work and time on top and the profit margin is incredibly small, if not non-existent.

So yesterday, I realized that 1) I am going to have to either raise my prices or start producing an inferior soap (which I REFUSE to do) and 2) I may stop selling the soap I produce in 2010 if I cannot justify my time and energy. I plan to spend part of my day raising my Etsy prices to reflect the quantity and quality that each bar possesses.

I realize many other soapers have came to this same conclusion as I was browsing Etsy yesterday and the average cost per bar seems to have jumped from $4 to $5. Some of my specialty bars (like Tea Tree and Peppermint) will soon be at least $5.50 due to the high cost of the ingredients.

So, if you want a bargain, rush to my Etsy shop and maybe you can catch my prices before they increase! I also plan on running a sale or two to rid of excess inventory.

Have a wonderful day!

Renee :)

Getting Things Done!

2009-01-19T11:19:00.001-08:00

In my last post, I was griping about being a slave to procrastination. Well, as part of my New Year's Resolutions, I have decided to quit putting off what I need to be doing and I've found I now have MORE free time and less stress!

So today, I had soap tasks to do. I had to wrap a LOT of oatmeal and beer soap but I just got up, printed my labels, shrink wrapped my soap, and sat in front of the TV and knocked out that chore! Sure, it is 2:21 and I'm still in my jammies, but I have gotten a LOT done today and I'm so happy!

Next on my list: I have to make a large batch of cucumber-melon. It seems I have a few loyal customers for each kind and Sue has been asking about my cucumber-melon and I just realized, to my dismay, that I only have one bar left. So I think I will weigh up my oils and let everything cool while I'm in the shower (trying out one of my new beer bars... yummy!)

Have a great one!

Renee :)

My Nemesis.... Procrastination!

2009-01-10T19:53:00.001-08:00

If anyone out there in blogland needs some advice on how to get behind, frustrated, and sometimes just downright mad at yourself, I will tell you how: just put off everything you need to do until the last minute and then try to do everything in one day! ARG!

So I have made a resolution for the new year to get myself in high gear (or at least in third gear) and get everything done on time or early so I don't lay in bed at night worrying about what I should have done.

Today, SATURDAY, I set my alarm... woke up early... and made a fresh new batch of my Fountain of Youth face soap. I was nervous because I wasn't sure if it was going to set up ( it is predominately olive oil) but then MAGIC... it looks fabulous. I scaled my recipe up and made large 5 + ounce bars because of requests to have this soap made for a body soap.

I made this soap because my beautiful Mom use to buy Kiss My Face soap and I absolutely hated it. It smells awful, it is ugly, and I don't like how it leaves my skin feeling. My soap is made from mostly olive oil with a little canola and coconut oil for lathering. I also add a dash of lemon essential oil but the smell is completely neutral (but nice) and natural

I let my soap cure for a month and because of my old arch enemy procrastination I will be sold out until then. One final note... this soap is very good for people who have undergone cancer treatments or other radical medical treatments that have left their skin dry and extremely sensitive. I didn't design the soap for that purpose but the feedback and response I've gotten from that demographic has been extremely positive.

Until later :)

Renee the Procrastination Slayer

Happy New Year!!!! Beer Soap in Progress....

2009-01-01T19:54:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! Luckily, I had to work yesterday and was too tired to stay up and party with too much champagne. As a matter of fact, most of it went down the sink this morning. The bright side? I actually had the energy to get up and bake fresh bread AND make a batch of beer soap. Gosh, am I turning into a fossil or WHAT?!?

I made this batch of soap as a special request.... I added a little finely ground oatmeal for exfoliation to my unique beer soap recipe. I also sacrificed one of my Sam Adams White Ales for this batch. It smells WONDERFUL on your body after you've showered, but it does sway WAY to the manly side. And for anyone who is wondering if beer soap smells like beer, it doesn't. Any fragrance from the beer is destroyed in the process.

Stop on over at our Ragtree shop to see what we currently have available:

www.ragtree.etsy.com

Renee :)

Contest Winner for Soap and Candle Tart gift set...

2008-12-09T04:57:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Designs by Danna for winning the Ragtree Gift Set Contest! Yeah Danna!

Actually, I hope you don't read this blog, Danna, because I think Christmas presents are much more fun when they are an unexpected surprise! I think I'm two parts crafter, one part mischievous elf...

Have a wonderful Tuesday, everyone, and if you'd like your own little gift set, please just hop on over to the Ragtree Station or drop me a line! www.ragtree.etsy.com

Renee :)

Handmade Soap and Tart Christmas Ideas

2008-11-10T04:28:00.000-08:00

Good morning! Even though I am usually the LAST person scampering around the mall with blood-shot eyes, disheveled clothing, and a general air of panic, this year I am going to get ahead on my Christmas lists!

I've been affected by the economy and my own foolish choices like many others so I've vowed to REALLY trim my holiday costs this year. I don't think there is anything better than giving gifts that are created by hand with quality and passion for the craft. As a matter of fact, I have just finished making two large batches of soap for presents.

For stocking stuffers, a bar of handmade soap is PERFECT. I also will create a little gift set for you. For men, I would recommend Hydrating Oatmeal Soap or Manly Man Soap (made with premium beer). And don't think men don't love this. My male customers are far more particular about their soap than my women customers!

For women who love candles, candle tarts are a wonderful, safe alternative. Not only do you avoid soot but also greatly reduce the chance of fire. We will happily create a gift set including a high quality candle tart burner.

For any questions, please just contact me or visit our Ragtree Shop (www.ragtree.etsy.com)!

Have a great day!

Renee :)

Getting Ready for the Holidays!

2008-11-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

Every year, I tell myself that I am NOT going to get into a baking frenzy to make gifts for everyone and yet every year I do. Last year it was pumpkin cranberry bread from scratch. I had loaves of pumpkin bread coming out my ears! This year, I decided I'm just going to give away one of my favorite soaps: OATMEAL! See my shop www.ragtree.etsy.com if you would like to purchase one of these bars.

So I cleaned off all my counter space, pulled out my kitchen scale and giant stainless steel pot, and started measuring out my oils. I guess if I have a part of the process that is my least favorite, it is measuring out the oils. My favorite part is mixing the lye with the oils and seeing it form "magically" into soap.

For this batch, I finely ground toasted whole oats into a very fine powder so that the soap exfoliates without scratching. This is by far my most requested soap, especially by men because it smells very earthy and natural. I am also going to add some natural, raw honey into this recipe to combat this drying winter weather.

I experimented with this batch by cutting the water down by almost half in my recipe after reading an article in my Handmade Soapmakers' Guild publication where a chemist had ran a series of experiments varying only the water content and the conclusion was that too little water was much less of a factor in soap-making than too much which could cause separation and incomplete saponification. I will report my results from this experiment in a later post.

Thanks for visiting!

Renee :)

Pumpkin Pie!

2008-10-28T09:42:00.001-07:00

To continue our fall theme, I am going to invite you into my kitchen and see what me and Brandon (my little boy) are doing today!

Brandon LOVES to cook. He made me a dark chocolate cake completely from scratch for my birthday (and he was only 10!) Now, he's making his first pumpkin pie from scratch, except for the crust which is too much for both him AND me!

First, you gather yourself a nice little pie pumpkin enough to yield 1 1/2 cups mashed.

Then, you preheat your oven to 365 degrees. Cut your little pumpkin in half, get all covered with goo while removing the seeds, and wash the pumpkin out. Wrap him in foil and bake him in the oven for about an hour until he is soft.

Get into your cupboard and gather:

1 cup sugar
nice dash of salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1 2/3 cup carnation milk
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp cloves
unbaked 9" pie crust
2 eggs

Mix the ingredients in with mashed pumpkin and pour into unbaked crust. Bake 15 at 450 degrees; reduce heat and bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees until knife comes out clean.

Don't forget to check out the Ragtree Station for affordable gift ideas for Christmas. I am getting ready to make a new batch of Manly Man soap made with Red Stripe beer. Mom is working on all sorts of sweet, spicy, and cinnamony scented candle wax tarts for the holiday season!

Renee :)

Why Handmade Soap and Candles are a Wonderful Gift

2008-10-27T05:08:00.001-07:00

Good morning! It is going to be such a chilly day with highs only in the 40s... BURR.... I think this morning I'm going to pop a couple of Hansel and Gretel tarts into my tart burner, pour another cup of hot coffee, and enjoy a quiet moment of blissful blogging before I head out into the cold!

I was thinking yesterday about why handmade soap and candles are such wonderful gifts. First, they are a luxury item that many people won't buy for themselves but that everyone could use and appreciate. Second, they are relatively inexpensive gifts but they are of the highest quality (make sure you buy from a reputable maker!)

For Christmas, Mom and I are offering free gift wrapping, entry into a contest for a free gift basket for Christmas (with a purchase of $20 or more), and wholesale prices on soap for orders of 10 bars or more. Contact me for details if you are interested at workinghands@ragtreepeople.com

Well, I'm off to eat a hot bowl of oat-something! Have a WONDERFUL Monday!

Renee :)

MMMM..mmmm... Chocolate Soap for Christmas!

2008-10-24T17:55:00.000-07:00

I want to write another customer appreciation blog tonight for Adrienne.

First about the soap: handmade soap is SUCH a wonderful gift for any occasion. First, it is made with much skill and devotion by someone dedicated to the craft (anyone who doesn't love making soap wouldn't dedicate all the time, money, and hassle to it!) Second, it is a gourmet treat that perhaps people would be hesitant to purchase for themselves. Third, it is functional and suitable for even the hardest to buy for friend or family member. Fourth, it is cost effective. You could give 18 gifts for under $80!

Now back to Adrienne who is a crafter at heart like myself. Just visit her ETSY SHOP and find items that are SO unique, quirky, and FUN!

Thank you for stopping in today and I'll see you tomorrow :)

Renee

Getting in the Holiday Mood!

2008-10-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

I have chosen not to think of the sinking economy (why worry over what you cannot control?) and instead to focus on how the holidays make me feel. I love the crispness of the morning air, the bright orange pumpkins and the changing leaves, and the spicy pies and warm cider drinks. Best of all, these things are mostly FREE!

This morning, I decided to post both what Mom and I have been working on. Mom is almost like a little mythical figure to me. I can imagine her living in the base of an old oak tree. I can just see her melting her candle wax in a giant cast-iron cauldron over an open fire!

If you ever stop by my other blog www.ragtreepeople.blogspot.com you will see that I have just completed my Hansel and Gretel witch for the season. I put so much of my heart in my work that when I sell one, it is like I've put a child up for adoption!

So here is a picture of our Hansel and Gretel candle tarts (a delicious gingerbread scent sure to lure fat little children!) and my Hansel and Gretel witch sculpture.

Thanks so much for stopping in!

Renee :)

Oh, that Harvest Moon!

2008-10-16T06:04:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness me and Mom absolutely LOVE Autumn (bad grammar, I know. I am going to school for my MBA and I want to take advantage of being able to use bad grammar and RELISH it!) Walking out of work last night, I was greeted my an enormous fiery orange moon. The Harvest Moon is said to occur close to the autumnal equinox (An equinox is the event of the Sun passing over the Earth's equator, in its annual cycle). About once every four years it occurs in October, depending on the cycles of the moon.

In celebration of Fall and the coming holiday season, we are offering a contest for anyone who purchases $20 or more in merchandise will be automatically entered into a contest that we're offering of a gift basket for Christmas. Today, I am burning a Warm Apple Butter in homage to the beautiful Fall season!

30 Scents of Fall Handmade Candle Tarts

2008-10-10T06:29:00.000-07:00

This morning I want to say a big THANK YOU to Danna for her repeat order AND our first international customer! Thanks to you, Danna, we feel like we're in the big time now (after all, we are just a couple of gals from the Hills!) I know Mom is busy as a bee right now gathering up 30 of her favorite tarts to send to you. I have never seen a woman so passionate about candle tarts!

So I will dedicate this blog to Danna today. After all, she made my country mother go international and what more can you ask for?

Danna has a wonderful shop on Etsy where she makes the most lovely purses. Not only are handmade items made with a love and care that you will NEVER find from manufactured goods, but they are DIFFERENT! Don't you ever get tired of going out and seeing your same accessories on someone else?

Danna, here is one of my favorite items of yours, although they are ALL super fabulous, and I want to say I am in great admiration of your talent.

Contest for Oct-November

2008-10-03T05:06:00.000-07:00

Good morning! Fall is definitely in the air here in BEAUTIFUL East Tennessee and it puts me in the BEST mood! So I want to pass on my great mood with a gift to our customers.

I was on the phone with Mom yesterday and she said "Hey Renee, I had an idea! Why don't we have a contest and give a gift set away to one of our customers for Christmas?" And I said "Gosh! I wish I had thought of that! Great idea MOM!"

So anyone who spends a total of $20 or more either in our Etsy Ragtree shop or our Ragtree webstore will be entered into a contest to win a gift set of: 1 bar of soap, 5 candle tarts, and 2 sachets in an attractive package.

Have a great Friday, everyone, and thanks for stopping in!

Candle Tart Tuesday

2008-09-30T04:30:00.001-07:00

Good Morning! I'm sitting here, sipping my coffee watching "Main Street versus Wall-Street" on the news. I decided that it would be much more pleasant to say "Thank you" this morning to Jennifer for her order of Warm Apple Butter Tarts. I would also like to say "Thank you" to Dana for her purchase of our Lemon Verbena Tarts (one of my personal favorites!)

Feedback from our customers drives us to constantly improve our products and service. All my marketing classes aside, it has always been intuitive to me that you if make people happy and satisfied, your business will grow. I've never been out to make a cheap buck... I've been out to offer a great service and make people happy. That is what makes me sleep good at night!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Don't fret over the market today, folks. Go out and smell the flowers and watch the beautiful sky. Give your family a big hug. THAT is what life is all about :)

Renee

Chamomile and Bergamot Tart

2008-09-25T18:45:00.001-07:00

This fragrance is a blend of chamomile, bergamot, with notes of tangerine, sage, geranium, and moss. I personally think that it smells a little herby and a bit like baby powder. I know that is probably hard to imagine, but I really like that the fragrance just smells fresh yet calming.

So far, I give this tart a definite thumbs up, but I do want to try it again when I will be home all day to see how long it lasts, how far it throws.

Orange Spice Candle Tart Review: Failure!

2008-09-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

Alas, our streak of good luck with fragrances has came to an end! I opened the bag of Orange Spice Tarts and they smelled SOOOOO good! Fruity yet spicy, a perfect fusion of citrus and Autumn.

I plopped one into my tart burner and immediately it smelled great. But then, uh oh! Where did the smell go? I backed off and waited an hour or so and yes, the smell was all but gone. I popped another one in, it smelled DELICIOUS, then POOF! Gone! Nothing!

We're going back to the drawing board on these. Sorry Mom! Get to work!

Fresh Batch of Handmade Beer Soap

2008-09-19T05:45:00.000-07:00

I have taken a brief hiatus from making soap (I had to find my passion again!) but luckily I had some batches curing that I wrapped up yesterday.

I altered my beer soap recipe slightly by adding a blend of essential oils to my standard fragrance blend and this is BY FAR the best batch ever.

If you are a soapmaker and would like to try making beer soap, here are a couple of tips:

Use ONLY good beer. Just like using wine for cooking (don't use it if you wouldn't drink it!), don't use anything but a GOOD quality beer... sorry, no Busch Lite. I have used Sam Adams, Pacifico, Sierra Nevada, Negro Modelo, and the batch I am getting ready to prepare is from a honey brown beer that is really too yummy to sacrifice but I will!

Secondly, let your beer sit out on the counter and get COMPLETELY flat before using it in your batch. This goes with any carbonated drink.

Third, don't worry that beer soap smells like beer. It has a really stinky smell when you mix the sodium hydroxide with the beer, but the finished, mellowed bar has a very NICE smell. It is receptive to either masculine or feminine fragrances, although I only use masculine fragrances and essential oils.

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT Friday everyone!

Renee :)

Honeysuckle Tart Review

2008-09-16T09:26:00.001-07:00

One note about our Pink Sugar tarts first: After I unplugged the one little tart that I had burning, the house STILL smelled wonderful for a FULL day afterwards. Wow. Pink Sugar has the best staying power of any tart I've burned yet.

Okay! Now on to Honeysuckle. Like all the other floral tarts, they STINK out of the bag (or at least to me!) When it started to melt, it smelled SO good. Yes, there is a definite tone of honeysuckle but there are deeper floral base notes that I can't identify. I know that the fragrance contains natural essential oils, but I'm not sure what they are because Mom is the candle maker and she is SO secretive with her recipes and fragrance combinations!

One note about honeysuckle... As you can see from the picture, I have a GREAT electric tart burner. It looks like a little crock pot without the lid! Anyway, I put in two tarts and I really should have only used one. I had to unplug the tart burner because the scent was so strong. Of course, Mom has strived to make the best smelling, strongest tarts available so you get what you pay for. My suggestion is to only use one tart at a time!

See you tomorrow :)

Pink Sugar Candle Tarts

2008-09-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

This morning, I am doing a "test burn" on our new Pink Sugar tarts. The fragrance is sweet, like cotton candy with a hint of vanilla but it has a nice depth to it.

The first thing I noticed with this tart it that there is an immediate scent throw as soon as the wax tart started to melt and now I'm in the other room typing and the smell has already spread throughout the house.

Mom kept telling me that I HAD to burn one of these because they are so fabulous and I agree. I think this tart will be my favorite!

One final note on the orchid tart (my last review)... It does have a VERY strong tone of rose. If you do not like rose, you will not like the orchid tart. If you like rose, you will LOVE this tart because the floral is more of a mix so it is a very well balanced floral.

Orchid Gourmet Handmade Candle Tarts

2008-09-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Anyone who follows my posts knows that my beautiful mom is the candlemaker and I am the soapmaker. She makes the tarts and then sends them up to me to review and then we decide which scents we are going to keep and which we are going to discontinue.

This morning, I decided to try the Orchid Tarts. Like the Gardenia, these tarts STINK in the bag. They just do not have a good "cold smell."

But, like the Gardenia, they smell REALLY really great after they have melted in the tart burner. The Orchid has a more floral scent than the Gardenia and I sense an undertone of Rose. I wouldn't recommend this tart is you don't like Rose, but I personally am not a fan of Rose and I really like this tart b/c it is very faint. It is a great floral, clean, fresh smelling scent.

The true test is what my finicky hubby will say when he comes home! So far, the ONLY tart that he is crazy over is Gardenia so we'll see if he can tell that the Orchid is different!

Here's our entire collection:

http://www.ragtreepeople.com/

Review on Gardenia Candle Tarts

2008-08-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

Well, my Gardenia tart that I was testing melted and when I came home from work, my hubby said "What smells so good in here?" Let me say that my hubby HATES my candle tart fetish. He doesn't like chocolate, gingerbread, Pandora's Bliss, or any of my other favorites. He immediately unplugs my tart burner when he comes home. I couldn't BELIEVE he liked the smell. I asked him if he was being sarcastic. I was afraid to tell him it was a candle tart b/c I was afraid that he would change his mind about liking it just to stick to his guns!

So FINALLY! A candle tart that my hubby likes! My opinion? The cold smell is not great, even bordering on stinky. The hot throw (when melted) is VERY nice, floral but not TOO floral (if that makes sense!) I am going to throw another tart in this evening and recharge the scent. This is a pretty strong tart (burning since yesterday morning continuously) so I only put one small one into my tart burner so far.

Gardenia Candle Tart Testing

2008-08-29T05:35:00.000-07:00

What am I doing this morning? 1) Putting off going to work by drinking WAY too much coffee 2) Blogging (of course) and 3) Melting a new Gardenia candle tart that Mom sent me to test Tuesday.

I've never actually purchased a floral candle or tart because I really like the gingerbread or coffee or chocolate scented ones. When I sniffed the Gardenia from the bag, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not. I asked Mom why she decided to make Gardenia and she said because it is her older sister's favorite scent. So I thought, "okay! I'll give it a try!"

It is only now starting to melt because I emptied my tart burner and just plugged it back in. I usually leave it plugged in all the time because I love to come home and have my house smell delicious :) So far, the tart smells SO much better than it does when cold in the bag.

I'll give you an update on my personal opinion of Gardenia. www.ragtreepeople.com

P.S. If you burn tarts, I REALLY suggest you get a high quality tart burner like the one in the picture. I found this one at a candle shop by the beach in Melbourne, Florida and it REALLY gets your money's worth from your candle tarts or old candles that have burned away.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: My Mom's Hilarious

2008-08-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

Funny because I've eaten, breathed and lived Ragtree (our company) for over a year now! This note was in a box of tarts that she sent me to take pics of. Thanks mom (please don't mistake the sarcasm for sincerity...and I love you too!)

Soap making on Martha Stewart

2008-08-25T17:47:00.000-07:00

My hubby called me all excited today because Martha Stewart was featuring a soap maker. I ran to tape the show (I don't think my life would be as full without my beloved DVR!) and just finished watching it. Good grief I sound like the world's biggest goober. I promise I'm not... I think....

Martha and her guest, who I think was also an employee, were making goat milk soap. The recipe was very basic and was basically was the formula that I used when I first started making soap: a simple combination of olive oil, coconut oil, and soybean oil (shortening).

Although that soap is fine, I've found as I've worked to perfect my recipe that adding more exotic oils like avocado and shea butter (as well as castor and palm oils) creates a bar with better skin-care properties. I was surprised when I looked up the soap from Martha's featured soapmaker that the product was SO expensive and that there were no essential oils added. But then again, I'm a certified soap snob :)

Fresh New Batches Ready to Wrap!

2008-08-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

I peeked into my dedicated soap room this morning to see what was ready to wrap. I get so excited when the product is finished and it is ready to be used! No wonder I have, no kidding, 20 bars of soap in my shower :)

The cream colored soap is Manly Man soap made with Pacifico beer. It doesn't smell like beer at all (the chemical reaction takes care of that); instead, it smells woodsy and masculine. I am not a fan of patchouli at all, but I added just a LITTLE to the fragrance that can be described as citrusy grapefruity-appley with a lavender-sage and jasmine middle-note and a mossy, vetiver and sandalwood base-note. Really, it is masculine without being cheap and "Old Spice-ish."

The pink soap is Sun-Ripened Raspberry. It smells fruity and delicious, but the scent is soft and not overwhelming. I added poppy seeds for exfoliation, but I didn't make the mistake that I've made in the past had so many poppy seeds that they were all over the shower...

The green soap is my newest acne bar that I made with tea tree essential oil, peppermint essential oil, grapefruit essential oil, rosemary essential oil, and lemon essential oil. I haven't tried it yet myself but I improved upon the recipe that I used before so I am certain this bar is going to be fabulous!

See my shop for what I am currently offering. I will be adding these new bars to the website in the next day or so when I get them wrapped.

http://www.ragtreepeople.com/

Thursday and Nothing to Say!

2008-08-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

I feel BORING... I really do. I've been blog-hopping and I've read blogs about people traveling abroad, people working on noble missions across the globe, etc. Me? Well, I guess people on the "outside" think I'm interesting too but they're wrong. As a matter of fact, the most exciting thing I did today was see how far my car would run on EMPTY... but I made it to the KenJo Market so that isn't even exciting.

After the white-knuckled dash to the gas station (where I dropped $45 bucks and didn't even fill up), I ate my dinner (a Snicker's bar) on the way to the store to get a bottle of Chianti. Yes. The Diet of Champions. But that is okay because when I was moaning about how I had gained some weight my dear friend told me that my head looked really good. Okay, he is a muscle guy and I think it was heartfelt :)

So tonight, I will post the picture of what my house smells like right now. Mom is the Candle Tart Queen and she kept insisting on making a more manly candle tart scent. I disagreed and disagreed but she is as stubborn as I am so she won out. I ran out of tarts (you can see I was complaining in another blog) but I found one of the "Pandora's Knight" tarts and popped it in my tartburner. Well, Mom, once again you're right. It smells very woodsy, kind of like cedarwood/sandalwood or something? I can't put my finger on it but I really LOVE the scent. I think we should market it to women, too!

Tea Tree and Peppermint Soap for Hair

2008-08-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

I want to make it well known that I am a sucker for infomercials. I've bought a food dehydrator, acne products (and I didn't have an acne problem), Victoria Jackson make-up, and more that slips my memory (I possess the skill of repressing mistakes!) I guess it runs in my family b/c every once in a while I'll get a call from my siblings with either glee or buyer's remorse over some infomercial deal. And delayed thanks for my QVC ham, Mandy (hee hee!)

So, my latest infomercial temptation was the "Wen Haircare System." It is supposedly a radical new way to care for your hair, but it is different b/c it doesn't lather up. Well, that is the ONLY reason I have hesitated to use a handmade shampoo bar for my hair. After the infomercial, I jumped in the shower with my tea tree and peppermint soap.

The results? Hmmm.... MUCH less frizz but I want my hair silkier (still better than shampoo, though...) So my next quest is to make a special tea tree hair bar loaded with jojoba oil. Any thoughts or comments appreciated :)

Renee

Where are my candle tarts???

2008-08-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

I brag on my Mom too much I know, but I am so PROUD of her. She's the most determined little Irish lady I've ever met. If she puts her mind to do something, she does it. So she put her mind out to make better candle tarts than Yankee and I believe with my whole heart (and nose) that she has. Now, the problem is that I am conditioned to burning a candle tart all the time and having my house always smelling of caramel coffee, chocolate cake, gingerbread, cinnamon, or pink sugar. And now I'm OUT! Mom! Where is my box of candle tarts????

We actually take our business very seriously. In return for her keeping me supplied with candle tarts, I keep her supplied with soap. It is an arrangement that works out VERY well :)

Love Spell Scented Natural Sachet

2008-08-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

Mmmm....Mmmmm.... I'm a sucker for anything that smells great. I love candles, candle tarts, and sachets in my drawers and cars. This sachet is one that Mom makes from natural materials, flower petals, and the ultimate highest quality fragrance oils.

"Love Spell" is probably my Mom's favorite scent. Love Spell can be described as the marriage of citrus, cherry blossom, hydrangea, apple and peach with a slight woody base note. The sachet is enhanced with the natural essential oils of orange and grapefruit. The sachet doesn't smell too floral or too fruity. It smells like romance. I love to pull my undies out of the drawer and have them smell like this... I feel sexy before I even put them on!

For more scents and ordering, visit our little shop online at http://www.ragtreepeople.com/

Freshly cooled Lime Fizzy Soap

2008-08-14T05:18:00.001-07:00

This is 36 bars of freshly made Lime Fizzy soap... it isn't REALLY fizzy but it smells like a delicious lime-citrus drink with just a hint of spice. I had just pulled the insulating blanket off these two batches and grabbed my handy camera to take a pic. Later (when I return from my much hated day job...ICK!!!!) I will pop them from the molds and cut them while they are still soft. Then, like all cold process soap, I will let them cure for at least a month. It is SO hard to wait a month to use my new soap!

I made this batch predominately with moisturizing olive oil and added shea butter for extra moisturizing. I love when people comment on soft my skin is :) I also added lemon essential oil because Lemon essential oil has been widely used in skin care to cleanse skin and reduce wrinkles. It promotes clarity of thought and purpose, as well as health, healing, physical energy, and purification. Its fragrance is invigorating, enhancing, and warming, but for me I personally favor the whole anti-wrinkle bit...

If you're interested in what I have freshly cured and available, please visit www.ragtreepeople.com

Wordless Wednesday

2008-08-13T14:15:00.000-07:00

Gourmet Handmade Soap Varieties

2008-08-12T05:04:00.001-07:00

Here is the result of my Sunday: I wrapped over a hundred bars of my handmade soap to get ready for this week. I choose to keep my company small and manageable at this point so I make only small batches of select varieties. This week, I have Tea Tree and Peppermint (great for all skin types from oily to dry and SO refreshing!), coconut-lime which is "citrusy"and zingy with tangerine essential oil, lemon poppy seed with lemon essential oil (oh my gosh does it smell GOOD!), orange spice with sweet orange essential oil, and strawberries and cream which was a special request. All of these soaps are enriched with natural shea butter and made predominately with moisturizing olive oil. If you have oily skin, don't be afraid. I have EXTREMELY oily skin and my soap gives me the perfect balance of great looking skin and moisture that all skin needs. It is a MISTAKE to try to completely dry out your skin to fight acne.

If you're interested in seeing the current inventory, please swing on over to http://www.ragtreepeople.com/ and browse through :)

Renee

Wrapping Handmade Soap

2008-08-07T04:16:00.000-07:00

Since my handmaking soap/business journey has progressed, I have went through many different soap wrapping styles. I always like colorful paper, but I wanted my soap to be wrapped in some sort of protective plastic that would keep it clean and fresh.

So here is what I spent the biggest part of yesterday working on: wrapping my face soap and my hydrating oatmeal soap. The pic on the left is just soap wrapped in paper and raffia. The soap on the right has a shrink-wrap under mulberry paper and then my custom label.

Let me know what you think!

Beautiful Skin Handmade Gourmet Soap

2008-07-30T06:05:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to create a more refreshing soap for oily skin so here is my latest recipe. I have included Grapefruit essential oil, Rosemary essential oil, tea tree essential oil, peppermint essential oil, and poppyseeds for exfoliation.

Grapefruit essential oil has an uplifting effect on the mood and helps with stress and depression. It helps to clear congested oily skin and also assists with acne, while toning the skin and tissues.

Rosemary essential oil acts as an astringent and will help regulate or decrease oily skin. Peppermint essential oil is refreshing and opens/clears pores. I LOVE to use it after working hard in the yard or after exercising because it is SO exhilarating.

One of the more popular home remedies for acne is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. It has been found to have anti-microbial properties, so it is often applied topically to acne lesions to kill acne-causing bacteria. Applied directly to the skin, tea tree can be irritating. Blended into this moisturizing soap, tea tree is effective in fighting acne without irritating skin.

When I was younger, I tried to completely dry my face out to combat acne. This oily skin bar is better because it has the perfect balance of moisturizers to make skin healthy and acne fighting ingredients to clear skin.

Guardian Angel Handmade Sachet

2008-07-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

My dearest sweet mother creates these little dolls from a pattern that she created. I LOVE the little doll all by itself, but what makes her even better is that she smells like heaven, too!

Our products revolve around pampering yourself with luxurious body products and scents for your home/environment that really do improve your mood. I have always associated my mom's house with how delicious it smells. When she sends me any sort of package, I always get a whiff of cinnamon or apple.

I believe it is vital to surround yourself with things you love, including aromas. We decided to create the guardian angels to hang from our rear-view mirror to impart a whimsical, folky twist to our aromatic sachets. My cars smell wonderful, by the way.

Beer Soap Tips

2008-07-19T20:43:00.001-07:00

Here is my latest BEAUTIFUL batch of beer soap made by the cold process method using Pacifico beer. I make this a real "Man's Man" beer using premium beer and fragrance/essential oils with scents of sandalwood and cedar with a citrus top-note.

One note on the beer for beer drinkers: flush the Corona down the toilet. This is a great tasting brew from Mazatlán, in the state of Sinaloa, México. Not only does it taste great, it makes a wonderful soap.

For you soapers out there: some tips for making soap with beer:

1) Let the beer sit and get completely flat before mixing with your sodium hydroxide. I let my beer sit a full day for the carbonation to dissipate.

2) The beer and the lye will cause an AWFUL smelly reaction: do not worry. When the fragrance/essential oils are added and the soap cures, it will turn out fine. The soap does NOT smell like beer.

3) A quality beer makes a much better soap. If you wouldn't enjoy drinking it, then don't make a soap out of it. I made my first batch from my hubby's nasty Busch Lite... ICK! Use only good beer. Trust me.

Let your soap cure for at least 4 weeks and then enjoy. To see what I have available, visit http://www.ragtreepeople.com/.

Finished Handsewn Sachet... Yeah!

2008-07-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

I like to add imagination and love to everything I do, so after I picked out this color combination of palm green and black, I wanted to add something something that I really love to this sachet. I whipped out the fabric paint and painted this little Man in the Moon with his companion Stars.

I have a long-standing love affair with candles, candle tarts, and anything else that is wonderfully aromatic. One thing that I adore about Mom's house is that it always smells SO heavenly... spicy, feminine, and inviting. I have had friends tell me that my house smells that way, too, and that is what they associate me with! Wow! What a compliment :)

I put a sachet that Mom made for me in my car (Baby Grace scent) and now my car is as homey and inviting as my house...

I beg that you try adding some fragrances to your everyday life that you love. You will find that it has such a positive effect on your overall mood and well-being that your whole outlook will brighten (I promise!)

Monday... A day for organization!

2008-07-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

I decided to make today, Monday, my day off this week so I can organize my soap/sachet materials. Last night, my dear hubby and I had quite the argument about how cluttered the house was. The problem? He was wanting to drag his microscope out of the closet and just keep it displayed (in all of its plastic sheeted glory) on the furniture. YIKES! However, who I am to make a fuss when I have taken the kitchen over with my soaping, sachets, and art supplies? I am a woman in dire need of a workshop!

I absolutely cannot stand a hypocrite and quickly I realized I had no argument as long as I was being such a clutterbug myself. So this morning I have organized my cabinets, thrown out every scratched pot and pan and a small mountain of mismatched plastic containers, thus creating space for all my soaping supplies, fragrance oils, molds, pots, pans, labels, etc. So now I can almost take a partial sigh of relief... (we'll have to deal with that microscope later!)

The pictures above are of my curing, natural sachet fillers. The fragrances I have chosen are peppermint (with both fragrance and essential oil), lavender (with fragrance and essential oil), juicy peach (a wonderful fragrance that wreaked havoc on my soap recipes), and a fragrance that my mom and I have dubbed "Sea Fairy Dance" because it is the sexy, open scent of the ocean... I can't describe it but it is fabulous!

I am still working on sewing up some little sachet pillows. Keep posted!

Ragtree Sachets in Progress

2008-07-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

I have gotten this idea in my mind that I just can't shake... anyone who has followed my blog knows how much I love art dolls and all things girly. Well... I want to make aromatherapy sachets that are very feminine and therapeutic at the same time. I would like to make them in the shape of little dolls. The problem? I am SCARED TO DEATH of my sewing machine. I keep in the closet under lock and key. I have spent this evening making sachets (sewn by hand...) from a color palette of palm green with rust, gold, ivory, and cocoa accents. Keep posted for how it turns out (and keep your fingers crossed for me!)

Coconut Lime Verbena with Tangerine Essential Oil Gourmet Soap in Progress

2008-07-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

This particular batch of soap is my luxurious gourmet secret recipe to which I've added fragrance and tangerine essential oil. I have been researching my essential oils and it has been discovered that the essential oil of tangerine has a calming effect on the human nervous system and may be a good source to combat anxiety and panic attacks. Tangerine essential oil is also very good for the skin and helps to prevent stretch marks. Interesting, eh?

I have taken the past couple of days off from my day job (ugh!) because I have REALLY just wanted to concentrate on boosting my soap inventory so I can start branching out into other products. My goal for the next six months is to start a fabulous aromatherapy line of products.

Mom has been doing her candle tarts and now she is doing scented sachets which EVERYONE should have in their car. Oh my gosh my car smells so feminine and sexy! But of course we have masculine scents, too. I want to create some pure essential oil sachets based on their calming/relaxation properties. We also are working on bath salts, lotion. bath tea, and liquid body wash/shampoo that have the same high quality skin care properties as our gourmet soap.

One thing I have realized is how surrounding myself with wonderful fragrances has boosted my mood and made me feel much better about my home and my life. I never really thought much about aromatherapy, but now that I have experienced it through making my soap and through Mom's candles, I am a believer. Ok... I'm rambling!

The Handmade Soap Marathon Continues!

2008-07-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

After making the mistake of under estimating the popularity of our handmade soap and QUICKLY running out of inventory, I have been on a soap making marathon.

I love to turn up my radio (Susan Tedeschi blaring!), sniff through my favorite fragrance and essential oils, measure out of my ingredients, and let the outside world just slip away.

I've really been into researching the aromatherapy aspect of essential oils and have fell in love with the relaxing, anti-anxiety properties of Lavender. I also love the fresh, summery fragrance of cucumber-melon and tropical passion fruit (to which I devoted 2 batches of fresh soap) and the orange spice was an experiment that may possibly end up being my favorite soap. I also love the stamped dragonfly that adds visual interest to an already beautiful bar of soap.

Scented Sachets are here!

2008-07-07T06:10:00.001-07:00

Ragtree artisan Darlene (a.k.a. Mom) developed these scented sachets because we discovered how great our bagged, cold candle tarts made our drawers, closets, and rooms smell. I actually was putting my wax tarts in my drawers because they made my dishtowels and clothes smell so yummy.

Mom created these sachets with all natural filling, dried flower petals, and the highest quality fragrance/essential oil blends. I think they make fabulous little hostess gifts and wedding favors as well as a great way to reward yourself. We take requests so if there is a favorite fragrance that you'd like, please just let us know!

The Family Business Thrives

2008-07-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

I am currently visiting my wonderful family (and other part of The Ragtree Co.) in Florida this week. After spending an extremely active and eventful weekend in Savannah, GA, we drove back to Melbourne and quickly got back to work. I was so proud to see Mom's secret candle recipe tonight (although I will never remember it!) and watch her and my little sister whip up a delicious batch of Cranberry Citrus Tarts. I remember the days when we would sit and dream of owning a family business and now HERE WE ARE!

We have been working so hard lately, developing new products and preparing ourselves to expand the Ragtree line. My sister Mandy has been working the bugs out of a lotion recipe and I believe she is very close to success, Mom has had a large number of clients order wax tarts to keep in their closets and drawers so she is developing sachets with her custom scents, and I am working on expanding my gourmet soap line to include liquid soap and shampoo. I can't wait to see where our company is this time next year!

Thanks for dropping in and keep your eyes open for our vacation pics on Flickr.

Handmade Gourmet Soap Marathon!!!

2008-06-26T22:06:00.000-07:00

Our gourmet soap sales have drastically increased so I have been on a crazy soap making marathon for the last couple of weeks. I like to make my soap in small batches... why? I don't know. I just feel like I have more control over every bar when I create smaller batches. I want the highest quality and I want to know that every bar is perfect.

This past week I've made Oatmeal Milk and Honey, Tea Tree and Peppermint, Herbal Heaven, Heavenly Lavender, Fountain of Youth facial bar, and Tropical Passion Fruit that I JUST finished. I had planned on making Orange Spice but my special colorant that I use suited the tropical passion fruit MUCH more than the orange spice so I went with the flow.

Wildberry Mousse Candle Tarts

2008-06-23T19:30:00.001-07:00

These wildberry mousse gourmet candle tarts are fresh out of the Ragtree workshop. I think little hobbits must sneak in as Granny Ragtree sleeps and whip up these delicious tarts because I can't imagine where Granny Ragtree finds all of her energy!

Wildberry tarts have been a huge request so we happily complied. What happens when you combine the creamy taste of mousse with the refreshing tart notes of freshly picked wild berries? An irresistible fragrance that makes your whole home smell like a gourmet bakery.

I have a heavy-duty tart warmer and many of these tarts I must cut in half because they are so highly scented. With our tarts, you get a much higher quality item for your money. Many of our customers will simply place a bag of tarts in their closets or drawers to enjoy the scent.

If you have a request or an idea for a scent, please let us know! We are always looking for feedback!

Delicious Chocolate Candle Tarts

2008-06-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

This is the rich and creamy Chocolate fragrance that you've been looking for. It is a cross of german chocolate cake and delightful creamy chocolate candies. It will have your home smelling of a fudge shop... delicious!

My mom and co-founder of The Ragtree Co. (Darlene) has worked so very hard to develop the best candle tarts on the market. We use only the highest quality oils to produce the best fragrances.

Candle tarts are a wonderful alternative to burning candles. You have all the scent without any of the smoke or mess. Simply drop one-two tarts into a specified candle tart warmer and enjoy the fragrance.

What are we working on now? Aromatherapy candle tarts. Stay tuned...

Lemon Verbena Candle Tarts

2008-06-20T17:41:00.000-07:00

When my family started our business, it was my mom's goal to create a candle tart that would put Yankee Candles to shame. Well, she has definitely done that and more! She's done so well, in fact, that I have to only leave my tart burner plugged in for a few minutes and then unplug it and the wonderful scent lingers for hours. One tart can last me DAYS!

What amazes me even more is how difficult it was to get a wax blend that actually worked. After throwing out garbage bag after garbage bag full of "dud" tarts, the recipe came to Mom in a dream and she has been going full steam ever since.

These are her newest addition to our Ragtree line: Lemon Verbena. This Lemon Verbena tart is a wonderfully complex blend of Italian Bergamot, Lemon Verbena mixed with sultry Primrose and Violet. Rounding the blend out is a dry down of Amber and White Musk and just a little drop of Peppermint for an energizing surprise.

Be careful what you wish for!

2008-06-19T17:47:00.000-07:00

Since my family has started our business, I have always hoped for the days that I was so busy that I couldn't sit down... well, be careful what you wish for! My sister Mandy has turned out to be a great little salesperson and our soap sales are REALLY picking up. I am so happy, but my delightful little sister called me last night and informed me that I needed to spend the day getting my butt in gear and MAKE SOAP! So today, I have had to replenish supplies, shrink wrap and label all of our cured soap, box up all of our orders, and make a HUGE batch of Hydrating Oatmeal. Whew. Now I'm sitting here with a glass of Shiraz relaxing and enjoying a job well done :)

Here is a pic of a freshly made batch of Cucumber-Melon. Not only is it beautiful, it smells so fresh and wonderful. Unfortunately, I have to wait a month to let it cure before I can do my own quality check on it (use it in my shower!)

Wow! I'm so happy!

2008-06-17T18:53:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy because my newest soap recipe is a HIT. I've worked so long on it to get just the right mix of oils to make a great bar and the response has been fabulous. Our orders are booming, especially for the Oatmeal variety. It is such a WONDERFUL feeling to get such positive feedback from something that you've created. Many people will order one bar, use it, and within a couple of days order 2 or more bars just because they don't want to run out. It really validates all those LONG days and nights of constant experimenting and researching. Great feedback is what makes it ALL worthwhile!

Cucumber Melon Handmade Cold Process Soap

2008-06-12T04:28:00.001-07:00

I just finished making a delicious batch of cucumber-melon cold process soap. The pics to the left are of a previous batch. My newest batch is now curing, all swaddled up in a warm blanket to cure.

I have tried many different recipes and I finally created what I believe to be the optimal soap recipe. It isn't quite as bubbly as previous batches, but it is twice as moisturizing due to the HIGH olive oil content. When I get out of the shower, water is beading up on my legs. I love the feeling.

I have had such a high demand that many of my newest batches aren't listed in either my Etsy shop or on our Ragtree website. I have a few bars of Tea Tree and Peppermint, Lavender Romance, and Bubbly Beer if you'd like to contact me.

The birth of my newest herbal soap

2008-05-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here is the birth of my newest batch of herbal soap. You can see my little trusty soap pot that I have used for MANY experimental batches.

This batch I'm making especially for a very wonderful, helpful lady who I met on Etsy that gave me some very honest, helpful feedback. Thanks Kristi! http://www.kristismart.com/

The problem? Some essential oils are so finicky and fade so easily. For this batch I am DETERMINED to make it the best herbal soap in the history of soap making. I love a challenge :) I am going to add the essential oils of rosemary, eucalyptus, spearmint, peppermint, sage, and tea tree with a dash of crushed, dried mint and a speckling of poppyseeds for gentle exfoliation. My basic recipe is heavy on olive oil which is wonderful for your skin. The soap is going to be YUMMY!

Pandora's Bliss Handmade Candle Tart

2008-05-23T18:20:00.001-07:00

Why did Pandora take her wedding ring off? This is a mystery that we may never solve.

Pandora's Bliss is a sultry, sexy scent that is neither too fruity or floral but a perfect fragrance blend.Pandora's Bliss is currently our number one selling tart.

We have worked many long hours in our Ragtree Workshop to develop our secret wax blend to produce the best, most highly scented candle tart on the market today.

We use only the highest quality oils to produce the best fragrances.
Candle tarts are a wonderful alternative to burning candles. You have all the scent without any of the smoke or mess. Simply drop one-two tarts into a specified candle tart warmer and enjoy the fragrance for days.

Lemon Zing Gourmet Soap

2008-05-12T04:47:00.000-07:00

This is my son Brandon's newest favorite soap: Lemon Zing. It smells very lemony and refreshing and is a wonderful way to start (or end) the day!

Love Spell Handmade Candle tarts

2008-05-09T17:34:00.000-07:00

These candle tarts have the soft, lingering scent of citrus, cherry blossom, hydrangea, apple and peach with a hint of blondewood. Possibly one of the best fragrances I have encountered, it is light but very romantic.

My mom and co-founder of The Ragtree Co. has worked so hard to perfect her scented wax melts. She has literally thrown out garbage bags full of candle tarts that don't live up to her high standards. I just sent her a few to try out from a local candlemaker here in TN and she said that she threw out tarts better than the ones I bought (not to knock our local candle maker. I thought they were okay!) But my mom is so picky about her product and it makes me very proud to be her business partner!

If you'd like to check out our selection visit http://www.ragtreepeople.com/

Customize Your Bath Experience!

2008-05-05T10:36:00.000-07:00

I am offering a FABULOUS deal on my wonderful, gourmet soap. Customize your own batch for LESS than I charge wholesale!

Pick your flavor of soap and any additives that you would like for ONLY $2.50 a bar! My soap sells normally from $4.25 and up, but this is an offer for a whole batch of 18 bars (over 4 pounds) of custom, gourmet soap made to order.

Please see my Etsy shop for details :)

Better care for oily and acne prone skin

2008-04-28T04:29:00.000-07:00

When I was in my teens and twenties, I tried to control my acne and oily skin by using harsh products that dried my face completely out. My thought process was that if I dried my skin out, then I wouldn't have acne. The problem was that I just had terrible dry patches AND acne AND an oily T-zone. As a matter of fact, the harder I tried, the more I aggravated my skin and the more I broke out.

Luckily I have become a soap maker and through the process I have conducted a LOT of research into natural ways to take care of my skin and the results have been amazing. First, your skin needs to be healthy and moisturized, EVEN if you have oily skin. Second, there are many natural ingredients that perform amazingly well.

I have developed what I believe is the ultimate acne bar. I make my soap in small batches using the cold process method. I am a professional chemist and have an extensive knowledge about the art of soap making. In my acne bar, I include ingredients known for their acne control properties: tea tree oil, bergamot essential oil, and lemon oil. I also use avocado oil for moisturizing.

One misconception that I use to have about cold process soap was that the olive oils, coconut oils, and other oils would make my face break out even worse. Well, this isn't true. When the oils undergo the chemical reaction with sodium hydroxide that produces soap, they essentially "stop existing" as oils.

I have been amazed at the effectiveness of my soap on my face, my brother's skin, and now my sister's skin because she is entering the teen years where skin often completely changes. Please feel free to contact me for details.

Gingerbread handmade candle tarts

2008-04-25T11:59:00.001-07:00

Here are the newest candle tarts from our Ragtree workshop! Using a secret soy wax blend that candle tart expert Darlene developed over months and months of trials and experiments in conjunction with the best fragrance oils on the market, these tarts are so delightful for the senses!

We sell our tarts in different size packages. We sell up to a pound and a half for those true candle tart addicts (like ourselves) and we have found that after people purchase one, they often come back for a two month supply. Each candle tart easily lasts 3 days in my super tart burner. Plus, by using tarts, you have better indoor air quality than if you burn candles.

Sierra Nevada Beer Soap

2008-04-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

I can't tell my buddy Marty, our local beer connesoir, but I have sacrificed a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale to go into my next batch of "Bubbly Beer Soap." He's on a Lowenbrau kick now, so maybe I won't get in too much trouble :)

My first batch of beer soap I used Busch lite. Not only is it gross to drink, but it makes a horribly stinky combination with the sodium hydroxide base. My second batch, I used Blue Moon's Rising Moon beer which produced a BEAUTIFUL bar of soap with a very mild, non-beerish smell. This latest batch I will use my Sierra Nevada. I have several orders lined up for this already, but if you're interested visit http://www.ragtreepeople.com/ and see if there are any left in the shop. This makes a FAB gift for men!

Handmade Citrus Ginger Gourmet Soap

2008-04-11T04:34:00.000-07:00

This bar is a citrus delight. It is a delicious blend of mostly citrus with a hint of ginger but does not smell artificial. Each bar is approximately 4.5-5 ounces.

I am a chemist by profession and adhere to the highest quality control standards. Aside from that, I am passionate about creating the best bar of soap possible with a blend of oils that create a luxurious, moisturizing, refreshing bath experience.

I create all my soap by the cold process method using predominately olive oil and superfatted with either shea butter or avocado oil for an extra luxurious bar. I produce many small batches so I can offer a wide array of exciting soap recipes and combinations. I have gotten rave reviews from all of my bars and have many repeat customers.

I have found men really enjoy the fresh, clean scent of this bar. I had asked one of my male friends what he wanted his soap to smell like and he told me "Pine-Sol". Well, of course I tried to smack some sense into him and then I promptly developed this bar which is citrusy and clean but NOT Pine-Sol.

Gingerbread Candle Tarts

2008-04-09T16:57:00.001-07:00

These pics are of "Hot Cinnamon Kiss" candle tarts, but Ragtree artisan Darlene has been working all day today to produce a highly scented, beautiful batch of Gingerbread tarts.

Darlene is a candle connesoir who has devoted so much of her time (and money) into experimenting with an endless variety of wax blends and fragrance combinations in order to produce the best candle tart on the market. Sounds easy? NO! For months she tried wax after wax after wax and fragrance after fragrance after fragrance. Many days, she would call frustrated and almost hopeless but then one fateful day! Hallelujah! The Ragtree Secret Recipe!

We are so proud of our highly scented candle tart. I use them in my home and they not only are as strong as Yankee tarts but last 3 times as long. Contact us if you're interested in trying our tarts :)

Handmade Cold Process Tea Tree and Peppermint Soap

2008-04-09T04:56:00.001-07:00

Last night I unmolded my freshest batch of Tea Tree and Peppermint soap. I have a hard time keeping this soap in stock because it has gained a reputation for giving a luvin' tingle (I'm NOT kidding!)

This is an all natural soap that I make with the finest oils (predominately olive oil), real crushed mint, peppermint essential oil, poppyseeds for exfoliation, and tea tree oil that is known for its antiseptic properties.

I will never stop singing the praises of my small batch handmade soap because it has made such a difference in my skin and my family's skin.

Handmade Oatmeal Soap for Men

2008-04-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

I have conducted a random survey and my handmade, moisturizing oatmeal soap is the favorite of men BY FAR. Perhaps it is the fresh, clean scent or natural, rugged beauty of the soap... I'm not sure.

I am a professional chemist and I have worked so hard to develop soap recipes that offer the best combination of scent, lather, and skin hydrating properties on the market. I am so certain that my soap is the best on market that I offer a money back guarantee on any of my products.

I have a little boy with extremely dry skin. After only a couple of days his skin was so much more hydrated with this soap that I was amazed. I make no outlandish claims. I am very proud of the product that I make and the benefits for myself and my family.
Thank you for reading my blog and if you're interested in any of my products or if you have any questions at all about my products, please don't hesitate to contact me!

Pandora's Bliss Exquisite Candle Tarts

2008-04-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

Why did Pandora take her wedding ring off? This is a mystery that we may never solve.

Pandora's Bliss is a sultry, sexy scent that is neither too fruity or floral but a perfect fragrance blend.Pandora's Bliss is our number one selling tart.

We have worked many long hours in our Ragtree Workshop to develop our secret wax blend to produce the best, most highly scented candle tart on the market today. We use only the highest quality oils to produce the best fragrances.