In case you missed it, Saponifier magazine has released a Swirl Calender created from the Best Swirls Contest. 12 months of inspirational soap porn!
Best Swirls Calender 2009
And if you missed this month’s issue, you can purchase the tutorials on how to create the swirls seen in the contest! Swirling with the Best!

Nicole Benitex from Balsam has was voted “Best Swirl” in the Saponifier Best Swirl Contest!

Congratulations to Nicole and all of the Runner-ups!
To see all of the drop dead gorgeous entries and the Runner-ups, go to the Saponifier Contest Page.

I’ve been busy and sick and sick of being busy but I promise to be back full throttle next week.

I received the following email from Doneen about the BitterCreek Candle Supply and Soapmaker Convention coming up in May. I always hear wonderful things about this convention. Every year gets better and better.
I’m happy to announce that registration is officially open for the 2009 Bitter Creek Candle & Soapmaker’s Convention!  As with last year, space [...]

Sandi Garrett, President of the Alabama Soap and Candle Association passed me some info on  the 11th Annual Alabama Soap Meeting.  This year’s Keynote Speakers are Trina and Bill Wallace of  Snowdrift Farms.
From Sandi:
We hope you will come and join us! The 11th annual Alabama Soap Meeting will be held at the [...]

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Swirls over at the Saponifier.  There was a problem with the voting, so if you voted yesterday, you’ll need to vote again. Please take time to go back again as all of the entries are fabulous and deserve an award. It’s so hard to vote for just one.
Vote [...]

In case you haven’t heard…you can now purchase the MagneSafe Secure Card Reader to use with PayPal’s Virtual Terminal. The cost is $86.99 through Dell but if you already own the reader, you can download software to work with Virtual Terminal.
More info…

Many of my friends and colleagues are staunchly Republican and I respect their opinions and their dreams for our country. We aren’t as far apart as we think we are.  I am a registered Democrat but vote with the other side when necessary. It’s not about party for me. But having said that  I would [...]

Dig out those photos of your best swirls folks because if others in the industry think it’s the best, your soap will appear on the next cover of Saponifier Magazine!
From Saponifier:
Show us Your
‘Best Swirl’
January 25, 2009 is your deadline to enter!
(Voting will open to the industry on Monday January 26, 2009)
Attention all soapmakers: How’s your [...]

US employment rates were announced late last week and they were absolutely terrifying. 2.7 million jobs lost in 2008. More than 500,000 lost in December alone.  While many readers of this blog work from home, many of you are not and even more of you may have a spouse that has been laid off or [...]