I have to admit that I was a little depleted after the great Soap Guild Conference! Not only was there a TON of great information, but I was kind of out of my zone! Usually, I hang out with other mommies who are also sleep deprived and can't finish a sentence. Or else, I'm bubbling in the lab listening to Sirius and lost in my own thoughts. At the conference I was surrounded by sharp, talented people. I'm not saying that I'm not sharp and talented, just that I don't often get to exercise that part of my brain. It was a well-worth-it-wouldn't-trade-it effort to keep up.
One of the last seminars I attended was done by Alicia Grosso. Alicia wrote a book that I refer to often called "The Everything Soapmaking Book". It's a great reference and I love it. She also teaches at Otion. Her topic was "Hot Process Sculpting". I expected more technical information. What I got instead was a fabulous reminder of why I love making soap.
Alicia spoke about taking the time for ourselves and our customers to really meditate on good things while we create our products. She explained how important it is to nurture the love that soapmaking comes from. She shared that her brother is gravely ill and told the story of how she developed a fragrance blend with him a short time ago. She then went on to share with us the intimate moments of crafting soap with that blend and how she put all of her love and positive energy into making it a wonderful batch of soap. She distributed it amongst her family members and now they all have a piece of the love and good thoughts that came from the whole process. wow.
That night I came home and there was a little box from Scotland waiting for me! The second I opened it, I was enveloped by the most wonderful fragrance. I realized that it was from Elizabeth of gracefruit fame. She sent me 3 bars of the yummiest soap and 2 super-softening lip balms. Everything was made, wrapped and shipped with so much love it was palpable. I cried.
Who knew that soap could be so emotional? I did.
Thank you Elizabeth for your generosity and love. I felt it from the Highlands of Scotland all the way here in the Green Mountains. I can't stop pausing to close my eyes and inhale deeply the wonderful fragrance of love and kindness. Big hugs!
7 comments:
Oh this was very nice blog story~ warmed my heart.
Thank you so much for sharing your deep feelings about this past weekend and the precious gift you received just at the right moment. It is a passion and congratulations for finding such a place in your heart. Not many people ever find it.
What a wonderful experience and then to come home to a lovely box of soap from Elizabeth. You can certainly bet those feelings aren't going into the bars of dial that I used to buy!
You are more than welcome! Thank you for including me in your giveaway. I am really enjoying my footie goodies. :)
E xx
Joanna said it beautifully, Heather. I'm so happy for you that you got to attend a wonderful conference, particularly the inspirational speech by Alicia (whose book I have!). Gracefruit's gift was the perfect icing on your soaping cake!
Thanks, girls! I love being able to share stories about the conference! I wish you'd all been there! More to follow...and I wish you could all smell Elizabeth's soap! It's fabu!:)
Meanwhile, I'm back in full production mode for a craft fair next Saturday! :)
Aww, lovely! After poring over the library's copy of that book and renewing it several times, my very own copy arrived yesterday! :)
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