Summertime Product Development

​We are deep in the midst of product development here. Summer is the best time for me to work on formulations for new products because I don’t schedule shows during the summer months. I use this time to not only work on new products, but to stock up for upcoming fall shows and the holiday season which are some of my busiest times. Today, I started working on a cream soap to use as a women’s shave soap. I currently use the men’s shave soap with the shave brush when I shave, but I know some women may not want to have to go through the trouble of using a shave brush to lather up, so I saw the need for a women’s version. I am in the initial stages of production, formulating a conditioning cream soap that is stable enough to provide protection to the skin from nicks and razor burn, without clogging up the razor as you shave. It’s not an easy task, but one I’m tackling!
I’m simultaneously working on a conditioning liquid soap that is currently cooking in my soap pot as I type this. Branching out into other soaps broadens our product line and brings different options to you as customers. I know a lot of people rather liquid soap or body wash over bars, so I will be working on getting the perfect recipe that will be conditioning and not drying to the skin.
I’m also kicking around the idea of a few other products to add to the line as time permits. Soap production is still in full swing, and I am working not only on our regular bar soaps, but preparing some of our small soaps to include in this year’s teacher/friend gift bags we put out during the holidays. I want to have some of these gift bags ready for sale when we start up our holiday shows in October.
All of this production and product development is going on while I’m still homeschooling through the summer because I know that October I will be tied up with shows and the boys will be doing school just a couple of days a week in October. We have to get ahead so we don’t get behind during show season. I’m also working on potty training my youngest. He has the tendency to be a little stubborn, so this is proving to be a little more work than I was hoping. We will make it through it!
Are there any products you would like to see us make? I’ve had requests for items such as natural deodorant, which I have been working on to make it strong enough to fight off odors, but gentle enough that it doesn’t irritate the skin. Personally, I have sensitive underarms and using a deodorant with too much baking soda sets my armpits on fire! Creating a recipe has been a lot of trial and error, but I think I just about have it down.  If you have any product requests or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you! Let us know what you would like to see!