Super Soapers February 2013 "Featured Artist"!!

 

 

 

"Featured Artist"

 

Maria Angeles Galan Thayer

 of

Kokolele

 

This Month's feature focuses on, Maria Angeles Galan Thayer & her passion for soapmaking, her love for her fellow soapmakers, & how soaping come to be a part of her life.

 

 

Super Soapers: Tell us a little about yourself.

Maria Angeles Galan Thayer: I was born in Venezuela. Every year I made visits to the United States to vacation all over. I had the opportunity to study at Boston University, & fell in love with the country, during my time spent there. I eventually became an American, & am now living in the, beautiful, and natural state of Arkansas, where I met & married my wonderful Husband & proud of my decision to belong to this country.

I have been making crafts ALL of my life, & after my retirement, I chose to continue making crafts. My crafting skills range from Metal Embossing, Painting, Embroidery, Ceramics, Candles, Scrapbooking, & eventually Soapmaking, which turned out to be a success for me.


SS: How did you get started in soapmaking?

MAGT:
When I first started making soap, my friends & family, including my grandchildren, were among the first to try my creation. They loved them so much that they inspired me share them with others. After sharing my soaps with my friends, they started wanting to buy them from me & gave me the idea to open an Etsy shop. Aside from my Etsy shop I also have business in Australia & France, that I started with my sisters. When I was living in Costa Rica I was interviewed on TV, & I sold a lot of soaps to a group of sellers. And every month I send free soaps to children in Africa, which I am very greatful to be able to do.

SS: Do you CP or MP, & why?

MAGT:
I do only MP because I love to create new things, something different, original. With MP, I can make many designs. I love CP but I don't want to be making only swrils.


SS: What inspires you most?

MAGT: Anything I see in museums, and around the world, pictures, glass art, everything involved with art. It inpires me to create a new design, even seeing the pictures of other great soapmakers creations.


SS: Do you consider yourself an artist?

MAGT: Back in my country of Venezuela, I was an artist working with Clay (ceramic). I loved working with "Raku", & was able to make some pieces that I won challenges with. For me, an artist is a person who can do something totally different through working with their hands, showing what is in their mind and soul.



SS: How has soapmaking changed your life?

MAGT: I love people, and love talking to them, sharing mutual interests with them, & to learn from them. Like the other crafts that I have made, the best part of any project is having the opportunity to meet people with the same crafting interests that I have and being able to share those experiences with them.



                                                                              SS: How would you describe your creative process?

MAGT:
It is something that comes from anything, or anywhere. It is something that you are born with, a blessing from God to have this "special" touch. Others are great at piano, some singing, or some can create a beautiful cake or dress.... And others can make a beautiful and unique soap.

SS: What do you benefit the most from other artists in your craft?

MAGT: I love to see all kinds of art, everything made by hand is great for me, I love to see everything from other artists that I can get inspiration from.... art is an inspiration.... it is magic.





SS: Now for a little bit of fun.

Most soap artists seem to be all about their FO's & EO's, which of course are an important part of soapmaking, & everyone knows that scent is the major trigger sensory known for people. If you could explain which, FO or EO, has triggered the biggest memory from childhood, or the most important time in your life, which would it be & why? (this is optional of course).

　

MAGT:
When I close my eyes and smell the "Ocean Breeze" FO, my mind transports me to the ocean like I have risen right in front of it. It is the same for when I smell the "Coconut", too. I can taste the coconuts when I smell this FO. I entered a contest (& won, yay!), & because of my love for the ocean, I decided to make a "palm tree" in black, because my idea was of the ocean in the sunset, & when I was making it, my husband thought I was making a spider. After I made the little coconuts for the palm tree, my husband thought they were the spider's eyes, lol. When I finished nobody could believe that all of the small pieces put together would look like a painting, made of soap. And of course the magic touch of the FO, was the Ocean! I had a great time making this soap.

But sometimes I have made a disaster mixing FO's, & sometimes I cut, & cut, & cut pieces that makes more of a disaster, but it always makes me laugh, & learn what NOT to do for the next time.





You can find more information on Maria Angeles Galan Thayer and her soaps at - Facebook:Kokolele Soaps
Etsy Shop: Kokolele

This interview was conducted & edited by Misty Raines Clapp, Super Soapers Creator & Admin. You can contact Misty @ thesupersoapersgroup@gmail.com

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Super Soapers January, 2013 "Featured Artist"!!

                                                   "Featured Artist"
                                          Dorenda Coger
                                                    of
                                      Naokeidoe Creations

Super Soapers: Tell us a little about yourself.

Dorenda Coger: I was born and raised in the beautiful New England state of Connecticut by my loving parents. I have an older brother and I am the youngest. I have been a resident of Chesterfield, VA a suburb of Richmond, Virginia for about the last three decades. I’ve been blessed to have the most wonderful, fabulous family on the planet and I love them so much. I’m married to Clifton, and he is the sweetest, most supportive husband and a super father. He is a CPA and owns a CPA firm here in Richmond. We have 3 amazing, beautiful, smart children, one son and two daughters; Keith – 25, Dorian – 23, Naomi – 6. Keith and Dorian are in graduate school and Naomi, the life of the party, is in the 1^st grade.

 

SS: How did you get started in soapmaking?

DC: Well, I guess I need to start with my Mother. She was a master tailor and a gourmet cook with the gift of extreme creativity and craftiness. I’ve definitely inherited her genes, so I think this path was inevitable. Although my mother never made soap, soap making was natural progression for me. My first handcrafted items were hair care products that I started formulating about 8 years ago. Six years ago, our youngest daughter, Naomi, was born with eczema. It was then that I started making everything that goes on her body and in her hair. I even made her diaper cream. Skin irritants, chemicals and unnecessary ingredients in soap, and bath & body items lead me to create a more natural, minimally processed option. Soap making had to occur because I was terribly unpleased with the choices for soap and skin care. Too many detergents. Too many irritants. Too many chemicals. I needed to find a better option. When I couldn’t find a better option, I created it.

 

SS: Do you CP or MP, & why?

DC: I am a Cold Process soap maker. The first soap I ever made was a Goat Milk Melt & Pour. I was so excited to be making soap! I bought my first and last 2 lb block from a popular online supplier and went at it. I liked it, but wanted more of a challenge and more control over the ingredients. I wanted to add my own oils, butters, botanicals, milks, additives, etc. I wanted to create my own recipe based on the properties of the ingredients. Hot Process was next. It satisfied me for a few months and I didn’t mind the cooking process, but the look I was trying to achieve wasn’t there. I still wasn’t totally satisfied. I thoroughly enjoyed the close to immediate gratification of having your soaps saponified after the cook, but wanted to achieve the sleek, smooth and often artistic look of cold process soap. The only reason I didn’t first start soap making with the cold process method was because of the cure time. I was impatient and wanted my soap ready as soon as possible. After I made my first batch using the cold process method, I was hooked...totally hooked. That was many years ago and I am thankful that I have tried various methods of soap making because I can appreciate the pros and cons of each.     

 

SS: What inspires you most?

DC: I am inspired by everything around me. I don’t limit myself because we live in a world where we are surrounded by beauty on all sides. Inspiration can be found in my 6 year old daughter’s coloring. Last year she made the most beautiful picture with amazing color combinations. I saved that combination for one of my designs. Inspiration can be found in the most amazing places and often when you’re not looking for it.

 

SS: Do you consider yourself an artist?

DC: I do consider myself an artist and I am glad to see others recognize soap making as an art form, as well. I can only speak for myself, but a tremendous amount of thought, vision, time, creativity and preparation is involved in making artisan soap. It is a creation made by hand. Soap makers use the medium of soap to create masterpieces like none other. I have been part of quite a few Art Shows and that is because my finished hand-crafted product is viewed as art by the curator. Unique, one-of-a-kind, creative, elegant, beautiful, hand-crafted pieces of soap art. We are definitely artists in every sense of the word.

 

SS: How has soap making changed your life?

DC: Gosh. How hasn’t it! As any soaper will tell you, it definitely has a way of taking over your mind and thought process, if you let it. Even when we try to suppress it, it still pops up right in front! Most times, everything is thought of as a soap/bath & body opportunity. This is my third entrepreneurial venture and I still get excited about all of it and the wonderful opportunities that Naokeidoe Creations has been afforded. I still operate the other two businesses, in addition to creating at Naokeidoe Creations. I am crafting products by my own hand and my own formulations and that can be very time consuming, but rewarding. The use of hand crafted soap and bath & body items is definitely on the rise. Consumers are more educated about and aware of what goes on their bodies and into their system. For that, I am thankful because it makes my job that much easier. I have been going semi-full time at this for about the last 2 years. We have online, wholesale, retail and private label customers. Our lives have changed and it’s such a wonderful ride. The entire family is involved in one way or another. Ours is a family business and I wouldn’t have it any other way.   

 

SS: How would you describe your creative process?

DC: My creative process certainly begins in my mind when I first see an ingredient I want to incorporate into a creation or smell an essential or fragrance oil that I just can’t wait to use. I begin formulation in my mind long before it’s ever put into action. I know how I want the end result to function and how I want it to look. I always begin at my desired end result and add components that bring me to the beginning where I can start the creative process. When creating new products it is always completed by trial and error...research and development...formulating and testing. I still have R & D soaps from years ago that are still hanging around. The feeling that you get when you know you’ve finally created “My Soap Recipe”?  Priceless!

 

SS: What do you benefit the most from other artists in your craft?

DC: I am truly inspired by all of the wonderful soap makers and formulators I encounter on a daily basis in forums, groups and online, in general. The artistry and level of mastery is totally amazing. It’s very nice to be able share your passion with others that feel the same way you do. Not everyone knows what I’m talking about when I say I want to just bask in soapy, lather goodness and feel the silkiness of the suds on my skin and feel the properties of each ingredient as they’re combined to create this wonder we call soap.

I know that soaping is addictive and once you start making soap it’s very difficult to stop. You want to learn more and be amongst those with the same mindset and soapy thoughts. The opportunity to grow and learn is unlimited. We are only limited by our own minds and thoughts. I just really love to read and learn and put what I learn into action. No matter how much you think you know, you can never know it all.

 

SS: Now for a little bit of fun.

Most soap artists seem to be all about their FO's & EO's, which of course are an important part of soapmaking, & everyone knows that scent is the major trigger sensory known for people. If you could explain which, FO or EO, has triggered the biggest memory from childhood, or the most important time in your life, which would it be & why? (this is optional of course).

DC: I can answer this question when they create a FO that smells like my mother’s Thanksgiving Dinner. J



You can find more information about Dorenda Coger & her
soaps at  www.naokeidoecreations.com 

 

 

 

 

This interview was conducted & edited by Misty Raines Clapp, Super Soapers Creator & Admin. You can contact Misty @ thesupersoapersgroup@gmail.com

Super Soapers Facebook GroupFollow us on Facebook & Twitter:

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Super Soapers December "Featured Artist"!!

                                                               Featured Artist: 
                                                                   NaYeon Kim

This month we introduce to you NaYeon Kim, a very talented, & artistic Soap Artist... It is a real treat to see her creations... We love having her as a member in our Super Soapers Group, always looking forward to seeing her next creation... It makes it very exciting to have her as our "Featured Artist" this December... And, being that this is December, & Christmas is right around the corner, this is our monthly gift to you...

Super Soapers: Tell us a little about yourself.

NaYeon Kim: My name is NaYeon as you already can see. I’m originally from South Korea and moved here to America about 3 years ago. I live with my wonderful husband and 2 lovely cats. Even though I sometimes miss my country and family, I really enjoy living in Washington state.

 SS: How did you get started in soapmaking?

NK: I had always been interested in homemade soaps but didn’t start actually creating my own until 2010. I had come across some YouTube soap making videos one day on the internet and decided to give it a try. I watched many videos from variety soapmakers and bought some books to get me started. The first batch I made was a plain cold process soap without any colorant and scent. I was very excited with my first creation even though they were just plain bars.

 

SS: Do you CP or MP, & why?

NK: I do both CP and MP, simply because, I love to do them both.  They have their own unique characteristics that allow me to do many different things.

SS: What inspires you most?

NK: I can’t pick just one or two. Whenever I see something cool and unique, I try to recreate it in my own way.

 

SS: Do you consider yourself an artist?

NK: I definitely consider myself an artist when it comes to soap creation.  I try very hard to challenge myself with new designs, and techniques.  I do take a lot of inspiration from other art work and even enjoy finding ways to recreate them into my soap.

 

SS: How has soapmaking changed your life?

NK: The community that has been introduced to me, through my soap hobby, has been amazing.  I have made many friends through online social networks, where we share our creations and stories.

 

SS: How would you describe your creative process?

NK: Well, in many cases, I really try to create complex soap designs, once just for the challenge, and may not do more of that particular design. After that I move on to my next inspiration, and find the real fun lies in figuring out the technique for each unique soap creation. But saying this, I really love rustic or plain looking soaps.

 

SS: What do you benefit the most from other artists in your craft?

NK: I love to see other crafter’s creations and finding new, & evermore challenging designs, techniques and information to learn, like piping flowers, or blending solutions to create that interesting and eye popping look. I also watch many soapper’s YouTube channels where I can follow their stories and learn more about the craft, from other experienced crafters, which helps me to continue to become more knowledgeable in the process. 






Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, & Happy Holidays, to ALL of our Followers.... -From the Super Soapers Group...

This interview was conducted & edited by Misty Raines Clapp, Super Soapers Creator & Admin. You can contact Misty atthesupersoapersgroup@gmail.com

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Super Soapers November "Featured Artist"!!

 

 Featured Artist:

Suzanne Alexander

 

 

This Month's "Featured Artist", Suzanne Alexander, comes to us from Ohio. She shares with us the moves around the country that her husband's work has taken her, her career, & her passion & creativity for MP soap making.



Super Soapers: Tell us a little about yourself.

Suzanne Alexander:

Along with crafting soaps and more under the name of Suzy's Soaps, Etc., I also am a third grade outreach teacher for the Huntington Museum of Art in West Virginia, across the Ohio River from me in South Point, Ohio. Over the years, I have been an elementary school teacher and librarian as well as a freelance writer. For eight years, I wrote a weekly book column for the “Kokomo Tribune” in Kokomo, Indiana. Due to my husband's job, I have lived in five states since we were married 38 years ago and have had a variety of positions in the education field. Now I am pursuing my creative side with my work for the museum, some freelance writing and photography as well as my soap making.

SS: How did you get started in soapmaking?

SA: I always have loved creating with my hands, from cooking to crafting to gardening. Over the past few years, I began to see some beautiful and unique soap molds in craft stores and thought that I would like to try soap making someday. Then I met Linda Mays through a local writing group and discovered that she also had an interest in soap making. We both decided to pursue this interest and do some research. Linda found cold process soap making was for her and I determined that I loved melt and pour soap making. However, we still get together occasionally to do some related soap projects. We are good cheerleaders for each other.

SS: Do you CP or MP, & why?

SA: I prefer MP soap making for a couple of reasons. First, I love all the soap molds available for MP soaps. I find them hard to resist and have quite a collection of soap molds now. I almost feel I could start a “soap mold museum!”

Second, I like MP soap making because I can custom make soaps for people. They can choose any one of my molds as well as the color and fragrance or essential oil that they would like. (As with most soapers, I have quite a collection of fragrance and essential oils, too.)

SS: What inspires you most?

SA: It is hard to choose what inspires me the most. However, I would have to say that I am inspired by the soaping blogs I read (am an avid follower of the Soap Queen blogs and this blog) and books (especially “Soapy Love” by Debbie Chialtas.)

Also, I find inspiration in the molds I discover. For example, I came across a mold in the shape of a foot and knew immediately that it would be perfect for a foot scrub soap with shredded loofah in it. It has become a popular soap of mine.

 

SS: Do you consider yourself an artist?

SA: Yes, I definitely consider myself and all other soap makers artists. We all use the elements of art in our soaps from color to texture as well as many of the design principles. I enjoy looking at all the artistic soap creations from the Super Soapers group members.


SS: How has soapmaking changed your life?

SA: I must admit I am watching a lot less television which I think is a good thing. I am just too busy making soaps.

Plus soap making has allowed me to explore more of my creative side.


SS: How would you describe your creative process?

SA: My creative process usually begins with a mold I see as well as the colors of the season. When I discovered a guest soap mold in the shape of leaves, I knew it would be perfect for autumn wedding soap favors or even Thanksgiving dinner favors. I then thought about the autumn colors and wanted to combine a couple of them, such as burgundy and gold, in each of the leaves by doing a double color pour. I also experimented with fragrances that represented the spicy, crisps scents of the season. I was very pleased as to how my autumn guest leaf soaps turned out.


SS: What do you benefit the most from other artists in your craft?

SA: I think I benefit the most from the support of other soap artists. The Super Soapers group facebook page is great and so is the Melt and Pour Soap Crafters group on facebook. You can present a problem you are having to the groups and other soap artists quickly try and provide some solutions. We are all wonderful cheerleaders for each other as well.

SS: Now for a little bit of fun.

Most soap artists seem to be all about their FO's & EO's, which of course are an important part of soapmaking, & everyone knows that scent is the major sensory trigger known for people. If you could explain which, FO or EO, has triggered the biggest memory from childhood, or the most important time in your life, which would it be & why? (this is optional of course).

SA: When I was 7 years old, I lived with my family in Santa Barbara, California for a couple of years. There was a lemon tree and a grapefruit tree in our backyard. I loved picking the lemons and grapefruits and smelling their refreshing tart aroma. I have loved citrus-y scents ever since.


You can find more about Suzanne & her soaps by following the links below:
http://www.luulla.com/store/suzyssoapsetc

https://www.facebook.com/SuzysSoapsEtc

http://pinterest.com/suzysoapsetc/suzy-s-soaps-etc/

 

 

 

This interview was conducted & edited by Misty Raines Clapp, Super Soapers Creator & Admin. You can contact Misty at:thesupersoapersgroup@gmail.com

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Super Soapers Fall/Halloween Contest Winners!!!

Here are the winners of our Fall/Halloween Soap Contest!!! There were First, Second, & Third place winners, each receiving an e-Gift Certificate of $20, $15, & $10 to Lather and Lotions. Congratulations to our winners Silvia, Sarah, & Maria.

Super Soapers October "Featured Artist"!!

                                                     Featured Artist:
                                     Andanily Piggott

We want to introduce you to, this month's "Featured Artist", Andanily Piggott. She is the Soap Artist behind SoapMuchLove, LLC, where many of her soaps seem like a "sweet treat" for your skin. We are very lucky to have her as this month's "Featured Artist", and hope everyone enjoys what she has to share with us, as a mom, a Soap Artist, & business woman.
 


Super Soapers: Tell us a little about yourself.

SoapMuchLove: My name is Ada Piggott, I am the crafter behind SoapMuchLove, LLC. All of my products are handmade out of my kitchen in Windermere, Florida USA. I  grew up in Venezuela and moved to The States in 2005 because I enrolled at FAU to do an Intensive English course. I am currently living in the Orlando area with my husband Kurt, and our two little girls, Hannah (4), and Ella (2). I am very friendly, passionate and a perfectionist. My biggest competitor is myself.  I am always experimenting with new techniques, trying to improve the soaps I have made or to make new designs. I am attracted to bright colors, so I love to make modern and unique soap designs.

 

SS: How did you get started in soapmaking?

SML: As a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) I was used to working crazy hours, but it wasn't until the birth of our first daughter, Hannah, that I realized I couldn't take being away from her for a minute, & I didn't want to work anymore. In August 2010, I reconnected with my creative side and developed this passion for handmade soaps. I researched and got more involved into the soapy world every night. My play date moms were my testers, and first clients. In July 2011, with the support of my family, and my husband I decided to take my handmade soap hobby a step further, and created SoapMuchLove, LLC.  

 

SS: Do you CP or MP, & why?

SML: I developed a passion for MP soaps, and initially decided to make MP soaps because I did not want to have Lye around the house with two little ones around.  However, I  fell in love with it  soon after I started.  I love that there is no limits to your creativity when designing a MP soap.  I also like the fact that I am able to participate at any craft fair without having to plan too far in advance.

 

SS: What inspires you most?

SML: Anything! My girls, any pattern, any color combination, magazines, bakery treats…. I could get inspired at any moment by anything.  I will never leave the house without my iphone.  My phone carries  "my inspiration board".  I have pictures of all the things that inspire me each and every day, so every time I go to  my soap room, and look at them, a new soap is created. I will say I am more aware of what surrounds me, and I love that!

 

SS: Do you consider yourself an artist?

SML: I will say that anyone able to create beautiful things with their hands is an artist. I believe that each piece that an artist creates has his/her personality, energy, and passion behind it. Each piece is unique!

 

SS: How has soapmaking changed your life?

SML: Becoming a soap maker has helped me reconnect with my creative side and find inner peace!. It is something I could totally say that I feel passion for, and I love to do.  I am grateful to be able to bring  smiles at someone's special occassion with one of my soap designs.

 

SS: How would you describe your creative process?

SML: It starts with the vision in my mind (color and design), and I draw it in my notebook. If I am making a soap bar or scrub, instead of a yummy or fun soap design, I research about which additive I want to add to it. Last but not least is choosing the fragrance or essential oil. 

 

SS: What do you benefit the most from other artists in your craft?

SML: Each artist is unique, and the beauty of that is being able to identify which soap maker makes that soap. As I mentioned before, when you make a handmade piece you leave personality in each soap. I am grateful to say I have gotten closer to many of the soap makers I admire.  Facebook and the group within are a great way to bond. It was a pleasure to meet some of them at the soap conference.  I not only learned more about helping my business grow, but it also helped me meet fabulous people. I don't feel competition, it is more about you and how you make your soaps. I feel that you could enrich your knowledge every day by interacting with other soap makers by sharing ideas, techniques,  and experiences.

 

SS: Now for a little bit of fun. Most soap artists seem to be all about their FO's & EO's, which of course are an important part of soapmaking, & everyone knows that scent is the major trigger sensory known for people. If you could explain which, FO or EO, has triggered the biggest memory from childhood, or the most important time in your life, which would it be & why? (this is optional of course).

SML: I will say spice scents.. it reminds me of Christmas time!









You can find more information on Andanily & her soaps by following the links below.

http://www.soapmuchlove.com//

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Soapmuchlove

 

 

 

This interview was conducted & edited by Misty Raines Clapp, Super Soapers Creator & Admin. You can contact Misty at:thesupersoapersgroup@gmail.com
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