When Is A Supplier Not Just A Place To Buy Oil?

When they are having a contest, that's when!

Cibaria Soap Supply is having a fantastic contest with some fabulous prizes and I want to win them!
It is the
Cibaria Soap Supply’s Summer Contest.
You get points by passing the word and posting in several places.

The prizes are

First Prize: Free Consultation w/ a Veteran Web Designer and Internet Marketer on how to spice up your website (or start one), track your website visitors, and how to market your brand online! Get Ideas, suggestions, and build a powerful brand!

Second Prize: 35 Lbs of high quality Pomace Olive Oil

Third Prize: $5.00 OFF Of your next Order at Cibaria Soap Supply!

You can get full details here.

Cibarias Soap Supply's Summer Contest.

I first ordered from Cibaria a couple of years ago.

Their web site is so easy to navigate and they just have some of the best prices on oils. I loved that the shipping did not cost me an arm and a leg. I just wish I lived closer so I could pick up my oils. What a savings that would be! I have used their Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, and Olive Oil. They come in 5 gallon pails but the best part is they also box them up so there is not extra shipping charges for the pails. Isn't that silly when the pails cost more than a box? I do think the boxes are easy to carry and stack, so thanks Cibaria!

Check them out on Facebook and Twitter!

Tell them Michelle at SierraSnowSoaps sent you! :)

Here are a few pictures of soap made with oils purchased from them.
You can purchase them here.

Father's Day 2010

My family is spending this Father's Day working on an old 1983 Ford 3/4 ton pickup truck we are trying to sell. It has been sitting for a year so we are gassing and cleaning and changing whatever needs to be changed. I say we because my husband, daughter and myself are all part of the process. Everyone expects the dude of the family to work on cars but I have worked on cars all my life. I am teaching my 16 year old daughter to do the same. And where did I learn how to work on cars?

Why my dad!

My mom and dad did not believe in gender duties or tasks. For Mother's Day my dad would buy my mom


a new pipe wrench. For Father's Day he got a new vacuum. Before any of us kids (and there were 5) could get our driver's license we had to be able to change a tire. Or better yet, rotate all 4. My daughter can change a tire, because I taught her how. She will never be stuck out in the middle of nowhere, scared and not knowing what to do, because she has changed lots of tires. My daughter also checks her air pressure, changes her oil, checks her coolant, fills her washer fluid, and does not think that is a big deal. She also knows enough about how an engine works that when she has to go to a mechanic she will NOT be clueless.

I owe a lot to my dad. One time I told him that every time we get a little money ahead, something breaks. He said "No, every time something breaks, you have extra money." He always looks at the half full cup, never the half empty. Because of him (and you mom)


I try not to sweat the small stuff. Things will always work out, somehow. My family has gone through a lot of things in the last 40 years or so, both financial and medical. How your parents handle the problems of life teaches the children how to handle the same things that might happen later in their lives. Thanks to my folks, I feel like I can handle just about anything.

Happy Father's Day dad. I love you.

Markleeville Art Gallery Grand Opening

Yup, you guessed it. I put a soap display in another gallery. They are located in beautiful Downtown Markleeville. The owner is Evelyn Yonker, artist. She makes some of the most beautiful fiber art ever.




The gallery is located at 14841 Hwy 89, Markleeville, Ca. Hours will be 11 am to 5:30 pm. Friday through Tuesday, closed Wednesday and Thursday. Phone is 530-694-2782.


Items available are original paintings and prints in oils, pastel, watercolors and acrylic. There will be photography, greeting cards, sculpture, pottery, hand painted silk, jewelry, and books from local authors.


Some of the artists include Pam Brekas


JoAnne Wood


Lorraine Felix
and of course SierraSnowSoaps


The Grand Opening is Saturday. Take a drive and visit the wonderful town of Markleeville.

When is a heater not a heater? When it is covered by fine art!


A bit about Markleeville.
With the Sierra Nevada mountain range seperating Alpine county seat Markleeville and Woodfords from the rest of California they have developed a close association with Western Nevada. Jacob Marklee established a toll bridge across the Carson River in 1861 during the silver mining boom and the town served as a supply and shipping center for mining, lumber and local ranches. When the mines shut down Markleeville assumed the county seat and today is home to a mix of local, state and federal government employees, ranging from the U.S. Forest Service to the state highway department, and small businesses catering to the tourist trade and visitors to the nearby Grover Hot Springs State Park.
During the winter months, the community is only accessible from the north via Highway 88 & 89, as both Monitor Pass* and Ebbett's Pass close for the season due to heavy snow.

I Am Putting Soap Into A New Store

I put a soap display into a shop in Gardnerville the other day.


Heartstrings Gallery Gifts
1572 US Highway 395
Minden NV 89423
Phone: 775-781-0861

Long-time artist Lee Lewis opened the shop in October of 2009 in the Copeland Center site that now is home to the Arts Council. She makes and sells her own work: silk scarves and ties, jewelry, wall hangings, mosaics, hand painted glassware, candles and original watercolors and prints.


Her partner is photographer Rich Farrar.


She features several other artists.
Laura Burt shows her glass art and fused, leaded, etched and stained glass.


Kim Johnston shows her ceramics and pottery.


And now there is me.


The store is bright and the colors are brilliant. It makes you happy just walking into the door. And now it smells good, too! Lee has the eye when it comes to decorating. The store flows from one treasure to the next. It draws you in, you know there will be another delight to the eyes right around the corner. I am so happy to be here.


As with all the shops I put my soap in, this one is community friendly too! We all believe in shop local and support your local businesses and friends. This is Lee donating a painting to the DAWG representative for their fundraiser. I love our no-kill pet shelter and try to support them any way I can.


Lee will have the shop open for Carson Valley Days, so stop in and say hello!

Heartstrings Gallery Gifts
1572 US Highway 395
Minden NV 89423
Phone: 775-781-0861

It Is All About Choices

A crisp clean scent, Mountain Lake.

While stocking the shelves at one of the stores I sell my soap, a customer walked by and started smelling the different scents I sell. Upon checking the price of a bar of soap she asked me, "how do you stay in business selling soap for $6.00 when a person can buy soap much cheaper at the grocery store?"

That is a good question. First I have to think about the product. Soap is a reusable product. Everyone uses it. Everyone buys more when they run out. I need to be the one they come to when they run out. I can not compete with the stores on price so I have to have a better quality product. My soap sells for $6.00 for a 4 oz. bar of soap. It has been over 10 years since I bought soap at the store but I am sure you can buy something for $1.00. I make sure my soap uses the finest ingredients. I buy local whenever possible to reduce the impact I make on the environment. I support local merchants to keep my money in my community.

A sweet tart scent, Sunkissed Currant.

My goal is not to compete with a grocery store when it comes to selling soap. They can sell a basic bar of no frills soap for a cheap price. I want to sell a quality, luxurious bar of soap that will delight your skin, overload your senses with pleasure from the soft silky bubbles to the heady scents I use. I want you to breathe deep and imagine yourself in a spa instead of your shower. When you are drying off I want your skin to feel soft and pampered.

I want you to have a choice. I want to make the best soap possible so you don't have to settle for less. I guess that is how I stay in business. There will always be people who will not settle for anything but the best. I will be there for them.

A fresh green scent, Clover.

School Is Almost Out

And it is still snowing! This has been crazy weather in the Carson Valley this year. Now that school is out and the volleyball season is done for my dear daughter I will be able to spend a lot more time on the soap business. I am going to show you how I make soap and a few other bath and body products I make. It should be fun, for me that is.


An artist I work with at the Brewery Arts Gift Store made me some soap dishes. They are adorable and functional too. Let me know if you want one!