All In A Days Work

Since being laid off last October I have been been taking my soap more serious. I am actively looking for work but Nevada is now at 15% unemployment with the county I live in very near that number. Unemployment is fast running out and the Republicans just voted down the government extension. If I can not find a job I would love to be able to make soap full time. I have been visiting shops with samples, posting in the bath and body product forums, and telling everyone I know (and some I don't know) that I am taking the leap into wholesale selling. I have been contacted by several businesses who are interested in my products so I spent today making up samples to send out. I made lotion sticks which are beeswax, cocoa and shea butter, almond, grapeseed, apricot seed, and jojoba oils. They are waterless so there is no need for a preservative. It doesn't get any better than this for adding oils back into your skin. The sticks come in a large 3 oz. deodorant tube so the balm can just glide on and rubbed in. It works great on the heels of your feet, elbows, cuticles and any other body part aching for moisture.



You can buy them here. http://www.sierrasnowsoaps.com/3.html

My daughter sprained her ankle on Thursday. Iced for a couple of days, warm compresses after that and a little boo boo balm made with Arnica Flowers. I am infusing the oil now and will make a balm this afternoon with a little menthol and lavender essential oil.





Arnica montana is also known as leopard's bane, wolf's bane, mountain tobacco and mountain arnica. It can be grown in herb gardens and has long been used medicinally. Arnica should not be taken internally but when used in a balm it was found to have some anti-inflammatory effects similar to NSAIDs(ibuprofen). It contains the toxin helenalin. Helenalin is a sesquiterpene lactone (a class of chemical found in many plants that can cause allergic reactions and toxicity if overdosed but in moderate amounts the chemical can work with vernolic acid and other compounds in plants to reduce inflammation and improve the cellular structure of smooth muscle of blood vessels). Arnica is used for strains, sprains, and bruises by professional athletes and has been demonstrated to act as an anti-inflammatory and assist normal healing processes by facilitating transport ( by widening the blood vessels) of blood and fluid accumulations through a dilating action of subcutaneous (the layer of tissue that lies immediately below the dermis) of skin blood capillaries. (from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I also have a friend whose dear husband works on my daughter's car. We owe him oatmeal cookies so I made a double batch. Some for him, some for us, and some to freeze. I put these in plastic baggies and all you have to do to make a cookie or two is pop them in the oven.



We don't have too many left!