Soapsmith's Blog

September Garden Surpises

Published: 02-06-2012 07:54am
Posted In: Soapsmith's Garden Journal

Hello Friends, I love garden surprises. Look at the beauties I discovered this week. When I left for the office in the morning I was greeted with the bright lemon yellow blooms on one of my cactus. What a lovely, sunny treat. Earlier this month I noticed tomato leaves peeking around the back deck behind the grill. When I looked over the banister, lo and behold there is a huge Roma Tomato volunteer loaded with 67 tomatoes. It managed to thrive in the 6 inch gap between the deck railing and the garden fencing spilling out between the links. It is one healthy, vigorous plant. Here is the gap betwee... » Read More

Silver Platter Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

Published: 01-28-2012 01:11pm
Posted In: Recipes

Hello friends,Oh my, warm, spicy, gooey fresh homemade caramel pecan cinnamon rolls so perfect they deserve your best silver platter! I have been making these for my family since the 1970's, we love them. It takes a little effort but it is so worth it.Here's how:Ingredients:1 package of dry yeast dissolvedin 1 cup warm water (Be sure the temp is between 120 and 135 degrees,the yeast will be inactive at 140 and if it is too cool the yeast will not dissolve and rise)3 1/4 cups of flour (I use Robin Hood brand or best for bread)1/4 cup sugar1 teaspoon salt2 tablespoons of melted butter 1 eggCombine all the ingredients and mix, turn onto a flou... » Read More

Poor Cammie

Published: 01-17-2012 05:39pm
Posted In: The dogs

Hello friends,Cammie, short for Camaro, is my son's beautiful yellow lab. He also has Dale, a black lab. Here they are in a photo with my beloved Cocoa, we lost Cocoa last month.Our dogs are so loved and spoiled. Cammie, the only female, tends to carry a soft plush toy in her mouth as much as possible. She sleeps with her head resting on her stuffed companions. Every time they visit, Cammie manages to take one of Cocoa's stuffed toys home with her. If we are missing a soft toy, we know the next time Tom send photos, that toy will be right along side Cammie as she lugged it home from Pennsylvania to Alabama.Tom treats his dogs like roy... » Read More

A Traditional Polish Christmas

Published: 12-18-2011 01:20pm
Posted In: Holidays

Soapsmith's Christmas Traditions Wesolych Swiat! Bozego Narodzenia! is the Polish Merry Christmas greeting. Among Polish people, one of the most beloved and beautiful of all traditional Christmas gatherings is Christmas Eve. The Feast of the Evening Star, the Wigilia, is the time honored Christmas Eve Dinner. This solemnly celebrated occasion arouses deep feelings of kinship among friends and family gathered to honor the birth of our Lord. Christmas Eve is my birthday. My family gathers at my home for the festivities. We spend a lot of time preparin... » Read More

Gift Wrapping Ideas

Published: 12-14-2011 06:10pm
Posted In: Holidays

Hello friends,Festively wrapped and ready for the celebration with family and friends. Even the smallest token gift deserves a jubilant decoration.Flocked and foils, sterling spiral adornments, sparkling snowflakes...Velvet and Lamme florals to coordinate with elegantly printed papers, opulent cascading curls... Multiple layers of natural burlap, glitter netting, cellophane, tied with hemp cording, wood burned acorn and coordinating gift tags,bundled into a hobo pack enhances my eco friendly gifts...This is a versatile idea for odd shaped gifts. Just cut a bunch of squares of fabric, tissue, cello, bridal netting etc. plop down the g... » Read More

Advent Watch and Wait

Published: 12-08-2011 08:59pm
Posted In: Holidays

Hello friends,In this hectic time of holiday preparation, we are called to pause, take in the purple of the Advent season and savor the quiet serenity of this sacred time. We wait, we watch, we are still in this holy season of prayer. A quote from Edward Hays:"Advent, like its cousin Lent, is a season for prayer and reformation of our hearts. Since it comes at winter time, fire is a fitting sign to help us celebrate Advent.If Christ is to come more fully into our lives this Christmas, if God is to become really incarnate for us, then fire will have to be present in our prayer.Our worship and devotion will have to stoke the kind of fire in our so... » Read More

Sunrise at the Lake, Spectacular

Published: 11-26-2011 08:58pm

Hello friends,I want to share this morning's sunrise on the lake at Prince Gallitzin State Park, Glendale, Pennsylvania. Another beautiful day in the Allegheny Mountains, no wonder I love it here!This is the actual photo taken with a cell phone so the quality of pic is not great but there is no color enhancement. Mother Nature's color palette is magnificent. Enjoy!Bonnie... » Read More

Happy Thanksgiving!

Published: 11-23-2011 06:27am

Hello friends, As we gather at the richly laden table with cherished family and friends to celebrate the marvelous feast of Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the abundant harvest. The earth has yielded its fruit. God, our God, has blessed us. Ps 67 I wish you and yours a glorious holiday filled with the wondrous joys of spending time with with loved ones, the breaking of bread, the sharing of traditions and a knowing, sincere, prayful gratitude for our bounteous blessings. May we always be open to the needs of the less fortunate. “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest app... » Read More

Soap Rock Tutorial

Published: 11-18-2011 05:34pm
Posted In: Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials

Hello friends, I often do demonstrations at soap making conferences. One of the most popular classes is for making my gemstone soap rocks. Today's blog post is drawn from the handout notes that I offer to soap makers who attend my presentations. Through the years, I have emailed these notes over 700 times to soapers who have requested them. Today I share them with you. How to make gemstone soap rocks Yes, these are truly easy to make. Even my very first attempts came out great, yours will, too. Here's how! ... » Read More

Handmade soap, the basics, part 1

Published: 11-18-2011 05:33pm
Posted In: Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials

First in a series of educational and informational blog posts about handmade soap by Bonnie Bartley, soapsmith. Handmade soap is true soap in its purest form. True soap is the result of a chemical reaction, called saponification, between fatty acids and an alkali. Each oil, butter and fat has its own fatty acid profile that lends unique properties to the soap. For example, olive oil is high in oleic acid that is gentle to the skin, the lauric acid in coconut oil provides for a fluffy lather but can be stripping to dry skin conditions, palm oil offers palmitic acid that contributes to quality lather b... » Read More

Handmade soap, the basics, part 2

Published: 11-18-2011 05:33pm
Posted In: Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials

Handmade soap vs soap from pre-made bases You will find two basic types of handmade soap. The handmade soap that I discussed in part 1 of my blog is soap formulated and "made from scratch" by the soapmaker. The other genre of soap is pre-made bases. What is the difference? True soap created by the soap maker by formulating the recipe based on the attributes of the different oils, fats and butters can be made using many different processes. Cold process and hot process are the two main procedures for handmade true soap. In cold process, we combine our meticulously measured ingredients: oils... » Read More

Soapsmith's Studio Part 1

Published: 11-18-2011 05:32pm
Posted In: About Allegheny Hearth Soaps

Hello friends, I get a lot of inquires about my soap making equipment. Today, I will share a few photos of my studio work space. This is part of my collection of soap making essential and fragrance oils in the first shelving unit and my colorants, micas, oxides, fdc lakes and dyes, and some natural herbs in the second unit: Another cupboard with more essential and fragrance oils. I try to keep them separated by natural essential oils and fragrance oils, then either alphabetized or organized in groupings such as florals, spices, herbal, fruity etc. The colorants are separated in order of their use, i.e. mica... » Read More

Soapsmith's studio Part 2

Published: 11-18-2011 05:31pm
Posted In: About Allegheny Hearth Soaps

Hello Friends, In response to requests about my soap making studio, equipment and supplies, here is part 2 of some photos of my workspace: These are some of my six storage closets with some base oils and butters used in my cold process soapmaking This closet houses my labeling supplies, recipe library, file notes etc. This is my sewing area with dried herbs, some from my garden & cherry pit warmer supplies: Packaging supplies, bottles, jars etc. I hope you enjoyed ... » Read More

Lavender Dream Pillow

Published: 11-16-2011 05:22pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Product Information

Hello friends,This charming little poem was found in an ancient Scottish Traveler's Inn. I like to place a beautifully printed copy on the pillow when guests come to visit my home:Oiche Mhaith(Good Night)Sleep sweet within this roomwho ere thou artand let not dreams of yesterdaydisturb thy heart,Nor let tomorrow, with its fear of coming ill.Thy maker is thy changeless friend,His love surrounds thee still.The stars are watching overheadPut out each earthborne light. Sleep sweet,my friend, good night.Good night. The herbal aroma therapy fragrance of lavender is renowned for its relaxing properties. Allow this delightful scent to lull you and yo... » Read More

Soapsmith's Homemade Fudge

Published: 11-12-2011 07:55pm
Posted In: Recipes

Hello friends, To continue with my homemade Christmas cookies posts, today - instructions and recipes for homemade fudge. I always include homemade fudge with my cookie deliveries. I make the classic Chocolate Walnut Fudge, my own formulated Peanut Butter Fudge and Peanutbutter Meltaway Fudge. To make fudge from scratch, there are techniques that I use for that perfect creamy delicious fudge. These procedures can be used with any fudge recipe you want to use. The results will always yield success. Tips for perfect fudge: -Always use a candy thermometer. You cook the fudge to soft ball stage, which is 234 degrees.... » Read More

Soapsmith's Homemade Pierogi

Published: 11-09-2011 09:16pm
Posted In: Recipes

Hello friends, We make these traditional delights without a formal recipe. I have estimated the amounts to give you a good starting point. As with most ethnic foods, the recipe is very forgiving. Feel free to substitute to meet your own tastes. Makes 4 to 5 dozen. Dough: 4 cups flour – plus extra for rolling 1 teaspoon salt ¼ cup sour cream 2 tablespoons melted butter 2 eggs plus 2 yolks 3/4 cup milk or water Combine all ingredients. You can work the dough with your hands or start in a mixer wi... » Read More

Preservatives vs all natural

Published: 11-09-2011 02:07pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Product Information

Preservative vs All Natural Hello, Friends The great debate in skin care products seems to center around preservatives and all natural. All natural is a hot button item. What constitutes "natural"? As a long time soapmaker, I have many times heard things like: "I want all natural." "I don't use chemicals." "I want a preservative free lotion." Today's subject will deal with the truth about the various bath and body products I offer for sale. You can refer to my other blog posts about handmade soap and glycerin soaps and the great natural preservative free debate. In... » Read More

Shea Butter

Published: 11-09-2011 02:06pm
Posted In: Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials

Hello friends, I will be creating a series of blog posts about the soap, bath and body care items I offer for sale. These articles will be educational in nature to offer my customers an insight as to why I choose certain ingredients and their benefits, as well as more detailed directions and suggestions for use of my products. Today's entry is about my pure natual shea butter. Shea Butter Information Unrefined Shea Butter is 100% natural and absolutely no chemicals are used in the processing. This shea butter is processed by a fair trade women’s co-op in Ghana Africa and is shipped fresh, ready ... » Read More

Soapsmith's Christmas Cookies

Published: 11-09-2011 02:05pm
Posted In: Recipes

Hello friends, This week is cookie baking week at Soapsmith's. I gift homemade cookies to many friends, family and co workers each year at Christmas. This tradition began decades ago. As a single Mom of 3 boys with limited income, I was blessed by a large group of benefactors who came to my aid that first Christmas until I was able to secure a strong financial status. During the holidays, I wanted to thank those who were so generous. I used to bake cookies for weddings so I have a great spacious kitchen and professional equipment. I put that to good use returning the favor to my extended family, especially my fantastic in-... » Read More

Soapsmith's Polish Easter Celebration

Published: 11-09-2011 02:05pm
Posted In: Holidays

Hello Friends, I received such positive feedback from my traditional Polish Christmas blog that I decided to share with you our Polish Easter traditions. Much of our Easter celebration centers on the Holy Week services of the Catholic Church. Beginning with the gloriously triumphant Palm Sunday mass, through the Holy Thursday commemoration of the Last Supper, institution of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, recalling Christ’s perfect example of humility and service in the washing of the feet, the solemnity of Good Friday with the recollection of Our Lord’s horrific passion and even... » Read More

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