Recently, Mom, Sam and I visted a new member of my hometown. Her name is Naomi and she is a soapmaker. She graciously agreed to show us her soap room and "talk soap" with us.
My interest in soapmaking is largely due to my friend, Becky. She has been collecting the knowledge, equipment, and ingredients to make her own soap for several months. And now that she has gotten the family settled into their new home, her soap making has begun. She and her daughter Emma have a couple of batches under their belts. So thanks to Becky I have a small knowledge of soapmaking. (Although, as yet, I have received no soap. Hint, Hint!)
Be patient, this is going to link together eventually!!!
So anyway, when I was at the Clarinda Craft Show a few weeks ago, Naomi was there selling her soap. I bought a bar and told her about my friend who is just learning the process. After using Naomi's soap for several days I was amazed at how much softer my face had become. I
called Becky to share my revelation with her. What? She cried! Naomi? Naomi's Soaps' Naomi??? You can't be serious!
It's because of Naomi I became interested in soapmaking! My sister gave me some of her soap and I loved it! My sister knows her!!! Yes, it was a six degrees of separation moment.
So, there's the connection!
Naomi has built a beautiful home outside of my beloved, little hometown. I could smell the soap as soon as I stepped out of the car. Her soap room was spacious and well-equipped. Bars of soap were lined up on racks, aging. Others were packaged for an upcoming show. She kindly answered our questions as we proceeded to smell everything. I told her how soft my skin was after using her soap. Interestly, she said she felt that most people buy her soap based on having the color of the soap match their bathroom. I totally could not relate to that. I've never been one of those people whose ensemble matched from earrings to socks! Let alone have soap that matches the color of my bathroom. Ok, get real, I'm lucky if my socks match!!! Naomi said the second criterion for buying soap was the scent and thirdly, because it was good for your skin. (It is, I'm telling ya!) Silly me, I'd have thought that would be the reason to buy handmade soap. Among other little details of making handmade soap I learned, the biggest shocker was how expensive emu oil is! Glad I'm not filling up the Jeep with that stuff!
After smelling everything I chose a bar of spearmint, one of lavender, and one called Winter Ice. I'd hoped to find a pumpkin soap, but she said she'd stopped making it as it wasn't a big seller. Neither was the coffee scented soap. Darn, two of my favorite scents in the world. She then told us that she uses the spearmint soap to brush her teeth. I haven't tried that yet, but I will.
After saying goodbye to Naomi we landed at the Methodist Church for the annual Lord's Acre Supper. My friend Brenda, who had been at the craft show with me, said that several others wanted to get together and visit Naomi's Soaps. I laughed and told her we had just come from there! Not to worry, though, I'd gladly go back again. There were several other scents I wanted and Naomi also makes a shaving soap I want to try. So look out Naomi, I'll be back with more people!!!
Try Naomi's soap yourself. You can find her at http://www.naomisoap.com/. Too bad you can't smell them over your computer!
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