Soapsmith's Blog

Father's Day Tribute

Published: 06-15-2013 05:07am
Posted In: Family

Hello Friends,This is a tribute to the great loves of my life named John; my Dad and father-in-law Pap Bartley. I miss you both every day. Here are some old photos of my Dad. His Polish heritage with the accordion (check out those boots), school photo, pics of him and his parents. Handsome devil on his wedding day. This was taken at his 75th Birthday Party. His children and some of the grandsons. He was proud of his service in WWII. This photo was taken in front of the POW camp. He had been wounded by a machine gun, note the bandage on his leg. He spent 6 months recovering in a French hospital. The signature reads Love... » Read More

Spring sunrise at the farm

Published: 04-27-2013 05:32am

This morning's sunrise, White Bridge Farm, the barns warming to a glorious spring morning!... » Read More

It is on the way!

Published: 04-13-2013 01:38pm
Posted In: About Allegheny Hearth Soaps

Hello Friends,For the first time, after 34 years in business, I have shipped an order of soap so large it had to be picked up at commercial loading dock, palletized, loaded with a fork lift and travel by tractor trailer!400 pounds of soap, each bar handmade one at a time by me. Thanks to my son Rob who helped me with the heavy lifting and used his Marine Corp warehouse management experience to take care of the professional pallet packing. Also, thanks to Carol who helped with the final packaging of the soaps into individual boxes. This was quite an undertaking but it was successfully shipped three weeks before deadline. Thanks to Fiore's for... » Read More

The language of flowers

Published: 03-22-2013 07:50pm
Posted In: Sharing with you...

Hello Friends,Then gather a wreath from the garden bowers and tell the wish of thy heart in flowers - Percival Floriography is the language of flowers., In Victorian times floriography was used as a tool for communication. Floral arrangements of meaningful flowers were used to send coded messages, allowing people to express feelings which dare not be voiced aloud. Tussie-mussies were charming little bouquets that were a popular use of Floriography. Every gift of flowers sends good will to the recipient, while each flower in the bouquet carries its own message. The nuances of the language of flowers has sadly been ... » Read More

Magazine Feature Article

Published: 03-05-2013 06:17am
Posted In: About Allegheny Hearth Soaps

Hello friends, I want to share my latest magazine feature with you. This is a small national publication for members of wholesale buyer group. It covers cottage industry arts and crafts of the Appalachian and Allegheny Mountains. The articles are presented as a profile portfolio for each artisan. I am truly honored to be included. The woman that spearheads this venture visited me last summer before we lost our beloved Cocoa so it was nice to see him included in the article. True to form, everyone who ever met Cocoa was enamored with his gentle, loving demeanor. Meghan Carroll spends her summer traveling the mountains ... » Read More

Palm Weaving

Published: 03-04-2013 05:14pm
Posted In: Holidays

Hello friends, The Crown of Thorns Palm WeavingA wonderful tradition passed through the generations is the weaving and braiding of the palm into sacred reminders for the Easter season. The blessed palm branches are bestowed upon us at Passion Sunday Mass. The triumphant entrance into Jerusalem is recalled in solemn procession and heralds the beginning of the ancient rituals of Holy Week of the catholic church that culminate in the glorious celebration of the Our Lord's Resurrection on Easter Sunday.Each Palm Sunday I weave the palm into decorative auras, crosses, roses and crowns for our liturgical celebrations at chur... » Read More

Blessing of the Christmas Crib

Published: 12-25-2012 07:51am
Posted In: Holidays

Hello Friends,Sending wishes to all of my family and friends for at least a moment of solitude and serenity to contemplate the solemn mystery of this great feast - the coming of the Prince of Peace. Blessing of the Christmas Crib Lord, as we place this straw in our manger and await the feast of the Birth of the Holy Child, may we wonder and rejoice in this most ancient celebration. With straw as his blanket, he came to us and in his humanity, experienced the chill of the Bethlehem night, the roughness of the manger straw and the gentle touch of Mary. Lord, look upon this manger scene; may its simplicity and s... » Read More

Gift Wrapping Ideas

Published: 11-25-2012 03:53pm
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

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Published: 10-11-2012 02:15pm
Posted In: Recipes

Hello friends,Homemade vanilla extract with its smooth, rich flavor profile is a wonderful addition to your spice cabinet and an appreciated gift for your favorite baker or gourmet. The process is simple with great results. As with any cooking project, always choose quality ingredients. A finished product is only as good as its components - inferior ingredients will yield a lesser quality extract. I am using Indian Vanilla Beans from my friend, Gabi. She lives in India and is able to source only the finest spices and botanical finds.You want beans that are fresh, plump and fragrant with abundant, glossy seed interiors. Vanilla bean... » Read More

Shenandoah Trip

Published: 10-08-2012 02:47pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Garden Journal

Hello friends,I took a short trip to see my son's new home in Virginia. I missed the peak autumn colors except for the highest elevations, but the mountains are always magnificent. These photos speak for themselves. Shenandoah National Park, skyline drive, natural bridge, some from Pennsylvania I 70 and Tom's gorgeous property which backs up along the Appalachian Trail. Thanks for visiting, enjoy autumn!Bonnie... » Read More

Herb Infused Oils by Soapsmith

Published: 08-24-2012 08:48pm
Posted In: Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials

Hello friends,Herbal infused oils are a wonderful addition to any soap maker's supply cabinet. You can create simple infused oils for your own personal use.(catnip, lavender, hops, arnica, rose hips and petals, St. Johns Wort, calendula, juniper berry blend) Properly prepared herbs, whether they are wild gathered, garden grown or purchased from a reputable supplier, are important. It is as simple as air drying until the leaves or flowers are crispy and the stems are dry. Herbal root infusions follow the same procedures, finely chopped roots allow for even drying. My previous blog post on proper procedures will offer guidance o... » Read More

Soapsmith's Shower Gels

Published: 07-27-2012 05:47pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Product Information

Hello friends,For those who prefer a liquid gel shower soap, I now offer a line of body washes. I have chosen my top selling customer favorites for the fragrances. If you would like another scent, let me know. I am happy to create custom orders, at no extra charge, in the scent of your choice from my extensive product line.Always a classic, pure lavender that calls to mind the spicy herbal aroma that emanates from my herb garden when the lavender is in full bloom - offered in a pretty shade of lavender purple.A customer favorite, blackberry sage. Sun ripened sweet juicy blackberries that line the edges of the forest tempered with the disti... » Read More

Drying Garden Herbs

Published: 07-16-2012 06:26pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Product Information

Hello friends,The Herb Woman(author unknown)She harvests yards and countrysideAnd hangs the dried snippets tiedor braided, their aromas reelingfrom the rafters of her ceiling -Fennel, bergamot and yarrowPlucked to song of thrush or sparrow,Coriander, mustard, squillBay and basil, anise and dill,Catnip, sage and elderflowers.Blessed in potent thunder showers,Witch hazel leaves and cherry barkFrilled with snows of winter's dark.So she listens - gives adviceDispensing freely - herbs and spiceMy herb garden yields an abundant harvest of a wonderful variety of culinary, medicinal and fragrant herbs. There are many ways to preserve these wonders of n... » Read More

By the Sea Soap

Published: 07-06-2012 03:41pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Product Information

Hello friends,Summer vacation at the shore is always a delightful time with family and friends. Our trips to the Eastern Shore favorites of Stone Harbor, Cape May, Wildwood, Virginia Beach, Rehoboth, Ocean City and Assateague Island are the highlights of summer leisure.To recall the carefree days at the beach, I offer my By the Sea line of glycerin soaps.Beautifully detailed starfish clinging to a pearlized sea shell makes a dramatic addition to your bath decor.All of these glycerin soaps are cast in molds with my own blended transparent glycerin soap. The vegan friendly soap features a full fluffy lather that bubbles up to fill your tub or show... » Read More

Strawberry Time!

Published: 06-21-2012 03:48pm
Posted In: Recipes

Hello friends,Our local farms offer pick your own strawberry fields, I can't resist. Each June, my Mom and I took my sons to pick berries fresh from the farm. My Mom is no longer able to go but I still enjoy the experience. Nothing can beat that sweet juicy tangy aroma and taste. These are such a treat compared to the flavorless supermarket berries that are shipped in from other states.Acres of fields of glossy red beauties, filling the air with fragrance, shining in the summer sun ready for harvest.I picked 16 quarts, it only took a little while. I was home by 10 AM.We always have homemade strawberry shortcake with sweetened bi... » Read More

Great Gift Ideas for Father's Day

Published: 05-31-2012 02:01pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Product Information

Hello friends,Father's Day is just around the corner. I have some wonderful unique gifts to pamper your Papa.My Microwaveable Cherry Pit Heat Wraps are always appreciated. I offer them in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, fabrics and all natural or fragranced with aromatherapy herbs.Here are a few masculine fabric choices:Classic fishing lures, perfect after a day on the river.Lots of warm cozy plaids, always in fashion for Grandpa. For fun, how about some sock monkeys!Gearhead Dads would get a kick out of my custom made gear soap created in my soap studio with molds that I cast from automotive gears - Chevy small block timing gear,... » Read More

Seller's Information

Soapsmith

United States
Items Sold: 5819
Last checked in:
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Seller Rating:
5 stars
based on 538 ratings and 94 reviews
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