I started making soap almost two years ago. I became interested in it when visiting Tarpon Springs, FL and stopped by a soap shop. For months I just kept thinking about all the wonderful hand-made soaps and longed to try making some myself. One day, I bought a kit at Hobby Lobby that included molds, scents, and soap. Since I didn’t know a thing about the process, it was a good place to start. Turns out, I quickly realized that the melt and pour method wasn’t for me. I wanted to make soap from scratch and to know exactly what was going into my soap. I began to research and found recipes for making soap using cold process. Needless to say, in all my experimenting, I think I’ve finally found a recipe that I really like.
Since Robert and I live in our RV, my kitchen space is limited and I cannot make large batches. With that said, I have come up with a recipe that fit into wooden Cracker Barrel cheese boxes. One mold makes seven bars that weight about 5oz each. I’ve utilize my space well in our Alfa. I have storage containers that go in our highest shelves that hold all my supplies. I use the oven to store the soap as it is curing. Everything has its place. It sure has been fun creating different soaps, and I figure when I started this hobby that even though I mess up, at least Robert and I would be one clean couple.
During all my experimenting, my friends and family have received a LOT of soap. I so appreciate their comments and suggestions. One thing that kept coming up was if I made goat milk soap. Even though you can buy goat milk at any grocery store, I hadn’t really thought about giving it a try. All the goat milk soaps I see at Farmers’ Markets are produced by goat farmers, so I guess I have it in my head that the best kind of milk to use is straight from the source. Since it would be pretty awkward to travel with a goat, I decided that I would continue with my non-milk recipe.
Currently, we are in Missouri close to where we grew up. Our close friend has a couple of goats. She has been so generous to allow me to milk her goat and use the milk for my soaps. First of all, I had NEVER milked a goat before. I was willing to try though. I love my goat visits because that type of work is a nice change of pace from office work. What fun I’ve had and I’m so pleased how my soap is turning out.
The word has gotten out that I make soap and now I’m getting order requests. I’m so pleased that others like what I make and best of all I’m having fun making it in our rollin’ home.
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