Three years ago I was invited to a Christmas exchange party for the physician's office I work part time for. It was decided in advance that we would create something by hand for presents. For some reason I decided to make some Melt & Pour soap. I really didn't have a clue where that simple act would lead me. I went to the library and checked out every book I could find that had to do with making soap. I studied, wrote down lots of recipes, and wondered if I would be able to figure out what "trace" meant. When my husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I told him I wanted some soap molds to make soap in. He didn't take me serious, and thought I was just into "another hobby" that would pass by the way side. Little did either one of us know.

I paid premium price at the local natural foods store for products to make soap with, and when my husband had to go to the hospital overnight for surgery, I stayed up all night and with fear and trepidation made my first batch of CP soap! I was so excited I could hardly contain myself! My husband wasn't very impressed with the soap, but he tolerated me making it. I started giving bars of soap to family and friends, soliciting their opinions, and with their encouragement started expanding my soapmaking efforts. Now that is all they want for Christmas, birthdays, or any other excuse they can get me to make soap for them.

A year ago my husband volunteered to go to Kuwait, and so I packed lots of bars of my soap into his bags instead of his favorite, Oil of Olay. I figured if that was all he had, he would use it. I was pleasantly surprised when he came home seven months later from Kuwait that there were no complaints of dry skin, and when he went into his bathroom and saw a fresh bar of his "favorite", Oil of Olay, he asked where the "real soap" was, because that is all he wanted to use on his skin. I was so tickled, I could hardly contain myself. Now, before I make a batch for anyone else, he makes sure that his favorite "Bay Rum w/Lime" is stocked in his bathroom, and that he doesn't run out.

A friend of ours went to Kuwait in January, and so I loaded him up with twelve bars of soap to last the year, and some lotion bars in the large deodorant tubes. They were clearly labeled as to what they were and what the ingredients were. I got a note from his wife saying how much he liked the deodorant! My husband and I laughed until our sides ached!!

We both work full time, but are about one year out from retirement, and already he realizes I need a shop to put all my equipment and soaping supplies in, and has volunteered to convert the garage for me. He has even volunteered to set up spread sheets for me and do the accounting! What more could I ask for. I truly believe in finding what you love to do, and in addition be able to get paid for it is the dream of a lifetime. My boss at my day job has even asked me to make soap in the shape of his Siberian Huskies and put them on his website. Now that is the best of both worlds!!

I almost feel I should put a warning on my soap labels that say, "Warning -- addictive". That is truly what has happened to me. What cleaner habit could we have? Thank you Bramble Berry for providing me with the excellent products that I couldn't do without to have success!!