Our handmade soap has been enjoyed in these countries: U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, Norway, Netherlands, Russia, Finland, France & Lebanon

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Winners!


3rd Prize: Small Footprints wins (1) 3oz bar from our shop.
2nd Prize: Anne JK won (2) 3oz. bars from our shop.
1st Prize: Salad for Breakfast won 1 pound of soap. Pick a scent from our shop.

Thank you for participating everyone. You should be receiving an email soon from us regarding where to send your prize(s).

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Fall Handcrafted Soap Giveaway


Phoenician Blu

Its time for another giveaway! This one is a soapy one. No scrubs allowed. We are streamlining things at DS Soap Company. We like focusing on what we love making most...Soap! So check it out. Give us your feedback and follow the hows and whats its below and win some sweet soap!


Cranberry Fig

The Prizes:
1 Grand Prize: One pound of soap, (4)4 oz. bars, you decide the scents from our shop.
2 First Prize Winners will receive their choice of 2(3oz.) bars of soap (you choose any bar scent from our soap shop).
3 Second Prize Winners will receive 1 (3oz.) bar of soap from our shop.

How to participate (you may do 1 or all of the below):
1. Post your favorite things from our website http://www.desertsoapstone.etsy.com on your FB page and then send us the links in a comment on this blog. = 2 entries.
2. Make a blog post about our giveaway on your blog and post the link in a comment on this blog. = 1 entry.
3. Make a post about our giveaway on your Twitter account and give us the link in a comment on this blog. = 1 entry.
4. Make a post about our above website and post the link here. = 2 entries.
5. Follow our blog. = 1 entry
6. Become a DS fan on FB https://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Soapstone/60275213527?ref=ts = 1 entry. If you are already a fan make sure we know so we can give you an entry.
7. Visit our website above and tell us what your favorite item is and what you would like to see more of and post it in a comment here. 2 entries
8. Join our mailing list. Send us a comment with your email address (we will not publish these posts. Please post this post separate from your other posts so I can include your other posts on the blog. 1 entry.

There is the potential to have up to 11 entries for this contest. We can't wait to hear from all of you and get to know you better on your FB pages, blogs and Twitter. So get busy, your prize awaits you!

Frankincense and Myrrh

Monday, September 26, 2011

Some New Things


Hi handcrafted soap fans!
This has been a crazy year and although its not over yet, it is drawing to a close. We have had the privilege of meeting so many new people all due to our Etsy shop and we are so thankful for our new connections. We would like to bring you up to speed with the shop. We have brought scrubs back for a limited time, however you will always be able to get them at our Exfoliate site. We are behind on our gift packages as far as photos go as our camera was unfortunately dropped on its eye and broken. The future of our photos hangs in the balance...o.k. not really, but we are thinking we will have to wait until the end of the month for new gift packaging photos. Until then, here are some mediocre shots of some of our new soaps.

Please check back at our shop for more items in the coming weeks and don't forget our 100 bars for $250 deal. Psst... You can use coupon code SUPER10 for 10% off. This is a great package for staying under budget these 2011 holidays with your gifting and you can change it up and request any scent you would like. Did we mention how much people like handcrafted soap? Once you try it you'll never want to use store bought again!

So just a friendly hello and what's happening. Hopefully we will have some great photos of us and the soaps and the haps soon.

Smiles,
Kelli (Sass)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

New Clearance Section, Discounts and Incentives


Greetings bath and body enthusiasts!

Now that summer is drawing to a close, its time to start pampering your skin again. To help you, we will be adding more and more clearance items to our new clearance section as we gear up for the new Fall and Winter scents and designs. Don't forget to check out our scrub site too as we will be adding some amazing scents for this upcoming holiday season.

Whether you buy clearance or not you can always use coupon code LOYAL20 at checkout for an additional 20% off whenever you shop at Desert Soapstone online. Feel free to tell your friends, but make sure they tell us about you. If they mention your name in the comments field at checkout when they spend $30 or more, you get a free bar of handcrafted soap as a reward for the referral.

So what are you waiting for? Luxurious, premium quality handcrafted soap awaits you.

Friday, July 29, 2011

A Word From One of Our Nation's Greatest Leaders: Abraham Lincoln


Found this very interesting.

“[I]t is the duty of nations,
as well as of men,to own their dependence upon
the overruling power of God … and to recognize the sublime
truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all
history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the
Lord. … We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties
of heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace
and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power
as no other nation ever has grown, but we have forgotten
God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved
us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened
us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our
hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior
wisdom and virtue of our own.”

-President Abraham Lincoln

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Happy Father's Day All You Dads!


For some people their Dad is not much a part of their lives, but for me, my dad was everything. If it hadn't been for him, who knows where I would have ended up? He taught me to keep my word, love my neighbor, seek truth and was always there for me. My relationship with him as a youth was more important than I realized. When things were hard, my dad was always the one I would turn to. He taught me the life lessons that have lead to this beautiful life I now have. He was my rock in many ways and always corrected me if I belittled myself. He never hesitated to take the time with me that I needed. He taught me what a father should be and what I should look for in a father for my children. In fact, when I met my husband, his voice reminded me of my dad's and for some weird reason, the rest, was history. I have many fond memories of childhood with dad, getting ice cream, traveling across the country, gardening, washing windows and wrestling when I was younger. My dad still means the world to me. He is far away now, but when I get to see him again I am going to give him the biggest hug ever!


Take care of your father's. You never know what the future holds. May all you father's out there have an amazing day!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

June Hand Crafted Soap Sale is Afoot!


Don't be missin' this crazy hand crafted soap sale. 35% off everything store wide.Use this opportunity to buy one of our bulk handmade soap packages for wedding gifts or your next corporate event. Click on our wholesale/party section for more details. Just visit us at our Etsy shop and use coupon code JUNESOAPSALE at checkout to receive your discount.
Get it while its hot! Sale ends Thursday, June 9, 2011.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Hand Crafted Soap Sale Coming Up.

We're planning a site wide (everything on sale), 35% off sale in the early part of June. Will it be the first week of June? Not sure, you'll just have to keep checking. You don't want to miss this hand crafted soap sale.

Bulk hand crafted soap


Great for wedding gifts, showers, parties and events. Do you have an event coming up that you want to give out awesome gifts at? We have the perfect stash of sweet gifts. We can also customize labels if you are having a corporate or other such party and want your logo to get out there.

Soap Loaves

This is a great option for parties, events and weddings. Do you know someone who might need some ideas for their event or wedding gifts? We have specialized hand crafted soap options and thrive on custom orders. Hit us with your best shot by contacting us through our Etsy handmade soap site or leave a comment here.

Want to send a bar to a far away friend?
We can do it. When you check out as a buyer on our Etsy site, there is a comments field perfect for those special requests that we look for on every order we receive. So don't delay, buy your far away friend or family member that special gift. We'll even use ribbon and include a hand written card if you would like.

So many options, where to start? How about starting by "liking" us on Facebook so you can be up to date with the latest additions, sales and surprises we offer. Next, check back here over the next week or so and find out when this amazing hand crafted soap sale is going to take place. Third, ditch the dispenser. That soap is way bad for you and give Desert Soapstone a try. You won't regret it.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Mother's Day is Coming!!!


What would we do without our moms? None of us would be here for one thing and even if your circumstances are such that that's the only thing you are grateful for, well, that's something big! For the rest of us that have awesome moms that would bend over backwards and do anything for us, we owe them a big thank you.

Most moms just want to make sure we are happy and healthy and don't require a gift. Mine for one will and would complain with any gift she gets because she would not want me to waste my money on her. Well, someday that will have to change and she will have to accept my help. Until then all I can do is say THANK YOU!!! I LOVE YOU MOM!!! You make my life better!

Some Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Evening Clutch by Biologyrose

What Mom doesn't need a Mom Mug.
Try this one by Misspottery

Jewelry
Check out this sweet Silverware Bracelet by MindyG

Soap! (of course) by Desert Soapstone
1940's Girl Handmade Soap
Enter coupon code: ILOVEMYMOM and get 20% off your order from now until May 10.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Mac vs Wild

Vegan fans turn away from this post, but everyone else check out this video of my whacko friend, Andy. You'll either laugh your heinecken off or be disgusted.


Vegan fans turn away from this post, but everyone else check out this video of my whacko friend, Andy. You'll either laugh your heinecken off or be disgusted.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Living the Dream!

Many of us in the soap making industry would love to open our own BBW type body shop. In fact many of us are gearing toward that and doing so by starting small and reinvesting all our proceeds until, one day, we have the right amount and launch. Well, I am unable to do this due to starting home schooling in the fall, assisting my work-from-home husband and let's not forget running an internet based soap shop.
So I guess you could say I am a bit envious of those able to do so, but not willing to trade my amazing life for one equally amazing.Caption: Stacie(L) and Me(R) )
That brings me to my friend Stacie, from Luster Canyon. I first heard of Stacie from my step dad. They work at the same company and Stacie had mentioned to him that she was making soap also when she found out that I was making soap. Small world. That was a couple of years ago and I actually met Stacie about a year ago when we both had booths at a local craft show. Since then I have watched from a distance, as Stacie built her business from the ground up. She first came to Prescott and opened a little nook at a local craft market. That took off and then the opportunity every soap maker dreams of came along. She found a great location at Bashford Courts, upstairs, right off the square in downtown Prescott. Right next to a booming restaurant called the Prescott Brewery. Stacie found a dream location to live her dream.
Her daughter Ashley, is the perfect employee and would do anything for her mom. Together, along with help from Stacie's dear husband, they have Caption: Stacie and Ashley
created Luster Canyon and Stacie has launched her dream career. I'm jealous a bit, but mostly incredibly happy for her. Seeing her live her dream and working so hard toward it should be inspiration for all soap makers and crafters the world over.
My purchase at Stacie's new shop.

They even carry sheets!

You can find Stacie at her Etsy shop, here, or if you are a local to Northern Arizona, visit the Prescott Square. Especially the upstairs portion of Bashford Courts, off of Gurley St. and get ready to slather on luxury. Kudos Stacie! May your endeavors thrive!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

And The Winners Are...


Everyone should be home from work now so...

First of all we would like to thank deeply, from the bottom of our heart, the pit of our stomaches, the all of us, every single awesome person that contributed to this giveaway. You all gave us a lot of names to drop in the hat and some more than others. You guys are amazing!!!

O.k. o.k. o.k. I know, you just want to know if you won...So here you go...

Names are posted by blogs and don't think of getting funny if you aren't the real winner because we have their email addresses and ways of finding out. Winners, you will need to email us back your mailing addresses or tell us by leaving a comment on this post.

(3) 2nd Place Winners Please tell us which bar you want from our shop.
-Rachel
-Trixx
-Lisa

(2) 1st Prize Winners Please tell us which bar(s) you would like from our shop.
-Robin
-Scott

(1) Grand Prize Winner
-Scott You lucky dog, you won twice!

Monday, February 28, 2011

It's Time For a Giveaway!!!


It has been an eternity since we have hosted a giveaway. We have just been so busy with shop improvements (which are not visible to the general public yet) that we have been wiped out energetically.

Now its time to get my counting glasses on and step it up!

Winners names will be thrown into a hat, drawn at random and announced March 31, 2011.

See below for the many ways you can participate.

The Prizes:
1 Grand Prize: 2 bars of soap (you choose from our soap shop) and a scrub from Exfoliate.
2 First Prize Winners will receive their choice of 2 bars of soap (you choose from our soap shop).
3 Second Prize Winners will receive 1 bar of soap from our all natural line of soaps from our soap shop.

Lavender Sugar Scrub

Lavender Cold Process Soap

Sedona Glycerin Soap

How to participate (you may do 1 or all of the below):

1. Post your favorite things from our websites http://www.desertsoapstone.etsy.com and http://www.exfoliate.etsy.com on your FB page and then send us the links in a comment on this blog. = 2 entries.
2. Make a blog post about our giveaway on your blog and post the link in a comment on this blog. = 1 entry.
3. Make a post about our giveaway on your Twitter account and give us the link in a comment on this blog. = 1 entry.
4. Make a post about one or both of our above websites and post the link here. = 2 entries.
5. Follow our blog. = 1 entry
6. Become a DS fan on FB https://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Soapstone/60275213527?ref=ts = 1 entry. If you are already a fan make sure we know so we can give you an entry.
7. Visit our websites above and tell us what your favorite item is and what you would like to see more of and post it in a comment here. 2 entries
8. Join our mailing list. Send us a comment with your email address (we will not publish these posts. Please post this post separate from your other posts so I can include your other posts on the blog. 1 entry.

There is the potential to have up to 11 entries for this contest. We can't wait to hear from all of you and get to know you better on your FB pages, blogs and Twitter. So get busy, your prize awaits you!

Monday, February 21, 2011

For Those Thinking of a No Makeup Look

Me before giving up the goop at 19 (I look much older here than without it).

About 13 years ago I threw my makeup bag away, for good, to embrace a no makeup lifestyle. The following article details the adjustments of going makeup free and hopes to encourage those of you thinking about natural beauty to take the plunge.

1. But Will Anyone Want to Marry Me?
This was the fear of taking the plunge into no makeup world while having a phone conversation with my awesome dad. "Honey, women wear makeup for other women. In all honesty, men hate it when you gals slather that gunk on your face." This was the response from the most dominant male figure in my 21 year old world. It wasn't too long after this that I realized he was right. To a young 21 year old, makeup was the way to be attractive and without the proper guidance this is the way most young women think today. That is, that being attractive on the outside is THE most important thing. Not to mention the fact that "natural beauty" is considered something you get by wearing paint on your face. I honestly blame the cosmetic industries for this societal pressure. Can I say I love, love, love the Dove campaign for natural beauty? Whoever thought of that should be handed the keys to the company.

2. Where! Are my eyes?
I remember, shortly after giving up the goop, I had begun a new job. I quickly bonded with Chrissy. The tall, blond, bombshell that had men ogling over her every move. Chrissy if you read this, I miss you! Anyway, after looking at her perfectly model-made face all day while we waited tables, we headed to the bathroom for a break. That's when I saw myself through new eyes. Wait. Where were my eyes? "I know they're here somewhere?" I thought. "I think its cool you have the confidence to do the no makeup thing," Chrissy told me as I looked crunch faced at myself. "I miss my eyes, " I said. "You just need to get used to it," she replied.

A few weeks later I had gone on a camping trip with some comrades in the no makeup, natural beauty dept. As a result I brought photos to work for Chrissy to see as I had been interested in a certain beau(now my husband)and wanted her to see a pic of him. There were lots of people pics and all women were makeup free. "These women don't have makeup on!?" Chrissy exclaimed, almost exasperated. "Not one of 'em," I told her. She continued staring at the pictures as if trying to find a flaw. "These women are beautiful!" She shouted. "I never, never would have guessed they weren't wearing makeup if I didn't know you!" She said amazed. Wow! I was amazed at her amazement.

Me after giving up the goop at 21.

3. You have to have support:
Its like anything in this world, if you are going to decide to go against the grain you must have a support group. It can be as simple as someone like Chrissy just encouraging you and seeing your inner beauty radiating to make your outer body just as beautiful! I remember visiting some cousins in Oregon one summer and I decided to go without makeup one day. One of my cousins came around the corner and jumped when she saw me so as to indicate that I was a freak without the face. We laughed and I said, "I'm not putting it on today. You'll just have to introduce me as the sheet." I had no support that day and felt naked and ashamed all day. Crazy! I felt ashamed of my own face showing through.

So often we just think that if we look a certain way that we'll have it made in life, but in reality if we act a certain way that is far more likely and I don't mean act badly. If you want a great career, work hard for it. Don't rely on looks. If you are in love with Justin Beiber and you were ever fortunate enough to get close to him, be yourself. If he doesn't appreciate your humor or artistic side or sporty athleticism or brainy rationale then he is probably a shallow punk not worthy of your attention. I can't tell you how much more fulfilling my life became when I finally took the plunge and decided to be comfortable as myself. I couldn't have done it without people like Chrissy or my fellow no makeup wearing family of friends.

So I hope this has given you a bit of food for thought. Next time I'll talk about the benefits of going makeup free and how you can radiate and glow in your new no makeup lifestyle.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Introducing Exfoliate!


Our new shop Exfoliate, and why another shop:
We've been taking these internet marketing courses and we're going to test them to see if it has been worth the money. They have told us not to put all our eggs in one basket unless it all falls under the same heading. For example, if you make handmade soap, like me, and you want to be successful at marketing soap on the first page of the Google search engines, you would have to sell only handmade soap. It gets a little tricky when it gets down to properly writing the page and etc.

Anyway, we figured, since we are going all natural, why not start a site for all natural body scrubs? So we are launching Exfoliate! Bear with us while we stock the shelves of our new little endeavor to add to all the others, soap maker, mommy, wife, screenwriter...I digress. Anyway, if you love sugar scrubs, we're the place you want to visit. If you have been a customer at our other shop, then you will be happy to know, yes, we still carry scrubs, you just have to change sites (Somehow this is supposed to get our ranking up. eh. We'll see).

The good news is, if you just want a sweet and amazing salt scrub, sugar scrub or other body polish, Exfoliate is your place. You won't have to wade through mountains of soap at our other site just to find that one perfect body scrub for you. Exfoliate will be offering an array of body exfoliation...stuff (eventually), but for now, enjoy these five or maybe 10 by the time you read this. We will eventually do a post as to why exfoliation is so great for you. In the mean time, take our word for it and Exfoliate today!
Smiles and All,
Sass, The Soapstress

Sunday, January 23, 2011

The Flu is No Fun!


"Great! Now I'm getting asthma." A tiny little cough had been plaguing me for two weeks, coming and going and making me think I was allergic to something one minute and asthmatic the next. Then, after a bit of personal stress, wine and not enough sleep, it became clear that the asthma I thought I was getting, was really my body naturally fighting off the flu until finally, my tissues and limbs succumbed to the evil virus and I found myself bedridden, calling my mom to come rescue the household from imminent death. (How's that for a run on sentence?)Wow! I haven't been this sick in years. My whole body felt like it was giving up on me. Its at these moments that you begin to realize that ultimately you don't care about anything. A giant spider could cross your face in the night and you would welcome it as long as you could go back to sleep.

Needless to say, the cough got worse. The whole family got it and my mother? So far no flu for her. I am so relieved. Its miserable and her help was so much appreciated I would hate to repay her with a stint in hades, no matter how short.

As for me, I've now had it. No doubt due to the close encounters with the nice people getting the flu shot to protect themselves. I now hope that I have enough antibodies in me to keep this little cuss far away for a while. Needless to say the workout routine has been derailed, but back on the wagon we must climb! Onward and upward. Keep moving forward.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Featured Artist: Luster Canyon


As a soap maker myself, I tend to have stringent standards for the soap I use. Recently I had the pleasure of using a Sweet Pea scented bar of soap from my friend Stacie at Luster Canyon. Her soap met my standards very well. Often, when I use someone else's soap and wash my face with it, I am left with a tightness that I hate, because I know once my face has dried the dryness will ensue. Not with Stacie's soap. Her lather was soft and all over the place and my skin was left feeling not only clean, but moisturized as well. Not only does her soap pass the lather and face test, but it smells divine. She uses the perfect amount of fragrance so that you can still smell the scent on your skin after the shower. Furthermore, I didn't have to use lotion after my shower to keep my skin feeling soft. Her packaging is simple yet elegant, which is perfect for gift giving.
Bravo to Stacie of Luster Canyon. May your soaping days be plentiful and profitable!