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.

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.

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!

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!

Are Your Organic Products Really Good For You?

Eco friendly and green products are all the rage now days. What would you do if you found out that it was all just a marketing scam? Well, I'm not saying that the entire green movement is a marketing scam. That's a bit conspiracy theory for me. I do think there are a lot of companies that are taking advantage of the general populace and their fears of global warming and eco maintenance. I hugely support caring for the environment and being good stewards of what our creator has given us. Shouldn't that include keeping our bodies free from disease causing toxins? I am going to show you why buying an organic product just because it has the word "organic" on it, isn't always the healthiest choice.

1,4, Dioxane, A Carcinogen in a Bottle
We have to either tackle this organic beast with full knowledge or just don't bother to tackle it. Many of us tend to avoid store bought shampoos and such because they have SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) in them. We've heard that this product causes a range of things from hair loss to cancer, but did you know that most products with the "eth" sound in them (either at the beginning of the word or the end) contains a super ultra bad toxin known as 1,4 Dioxane? (Julie Gabriel, The Green Beauty Guide 2008)
This tiny little molecule (Photo courtesy Wikipedia) packs a powerful punch. It is the by-product of all these eth ingredients and therefore is not required to be on the ingredient label. This hugely cancer causing ingredient is gaining mega attention in the beauty industry and alternatives are beginning to be considered. This is good news considering the vast majority of organic products (in their well meaning desire to be healthy) have inadvertently (we hope) put these eth chemicals into their products not realizing the horrible 1,4,Dioxane molecule would suddenly manifest its ugly little self.

It Gets Worse
You know all those great baby products you just bought your sister for her baby shower? You know, the ones you get at Wal-Mart claiming to be gentle on baby's skin? Well, these products are the worst for this terrible ingredient. They purposely add this stuff as a way to make the soap less harsh for the new baby's precious skin. "Less harsh?" you ask, "I thought you said it causes cancer." Oh yes. It does, but at least the babies won't be bothered with a sudden eruption of eczema or pimples or, dare I say it, dry skin. Castile soap is the best for a baby. The pure olive oil kind. And no, I'm not just trying to sell you something. You don't have to buy mine. Dr. Bronner's brand is just as wonderful, but please, don't use that department store carcinogen in a bottle on your precious baby! Just use castile soap and rub olive oil or apricot kernal oil or (honestly any oil will work) on the baby after the bath to hold moisture in. If you want a nice smelling oil there are beautiful smelling essential oils you can add to the oils. Just be careful to use only the baby safe ones as some will harm baby. If you would rather someone else do it there are plenty of shops on Etsy that would be happy to oblige. Desert Soapstone just happens to be one of them.

What Products Contain 1,4 Dioxane?
This terrible stuff can be in anything from sunscreen (maybe that's why so many people seemed to get skin cancer after the media started to push the use of sunscreen (maybe that's just me)) to shampoo, from lip balm to mascara, toothpaste, hand cream etc..The list goes on and on. Just look for the eth in the ingredient list next time you go shopping. If its got an eth ingredient, its got 1,4 Dioxane.

So Now What?
Well, that's up to you. You can do what I did and replace your shampoos with your own handmade castile soap (I rinse with a 1 Tbs. vinegar to 1 cup water solution to keep my hair shiny and no, I don't smell like apple cider vinegar head)and start making your own bar soap or or or or...You can buy handmade soaps and castile soap. Whole Foods Market has a pretty nice selection, but Etsy has an even greater selection. Desert Soapstone is also willing to customize an order for you for less than what it would cost for 8 bars at Whole Foods and that includes shipping.
Cancer is creeping up on America! Let's squash the causes so we don't have to find that impossible cure! Organic products can be good, you just have to look for the right ones.

We're back to blogging!

I am such a blogging failure, I apologize to everyone for being a bum...actually life called and I had to step away. Now I am back and hoping to blog at least once a week if not more. I will try and make it interesting. Now its late and I must get some shut eye, but thought I should share our latest sale.
New Sale! Up to 30% off
The condition to receiving the discount are, you have to go to the FB link below. "Like" our fan page and leave a post and then come back here and paste your post from our FB fan page in the comments field of your order. You will not receive the discount if you don't do this.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Desert-Soapstone/60275213527?ref=ts
You will receive 30% off big bars, 10% off 3 oz. bars or smaller and 25% off all orders over $30 (not to be coupled with other discounts). You will also receive flat rate shipping prices when applicable:
(8) 3 oz. bars $4.80
(8) 4 oz. bars $4.80
(4) 6 oz. bars $4.80
Sale ends August 4.

Super Soap Sale Jan. 20-24,2009

Just click on this link here. Go to the "Sale" section and if you buy three bars you get a fourth free. All bars have been marked down $2 in the sale section. Happy shopping!

Some more new items...

...Hopefully these guys will make it to the website, then again, if we sell out before that happens (like we did with the last all natural soaps) then I guess we will just have to make more. We take requests (for the most part) and will be adding even more options in the near future. The last two months have been crazy, but it appears that things are slowing down a bit and that we will be able to focus on creating some new designs and scents that are all natural. Stay tuned for further updates.

Black Friday through Cyber Monday Sale

****Discounts****
All bars (except bars in the "soap on a budget" section) are $1 off (reflected in price)
All Bars ship for $.75 (reflected in listing)
Scrubs are $2.50 off (reflected in price)
****Deals (That include above discounts also)****
Buy three of anything get one free (Tell us in comments what the 4th is)
8 Bars ship for $4 (buy 6 and you get two free)
Free lip balm with all orders!
Great Savings! Great gifts for the whole family! Great Fun! Great Rewards!
All prices reflect sale price so no messing around in Paypal. Buy and go.

Click here to shop.

New Items We Are Working On!

When I started soap making it was because I wanted to get away from synthetic and get back to nature. I have since gotten caught up in all the glamour and glory of fragrance oils, but what I really love is working with essential oils. Recently I got an order from Cecilia's Day Spa in Prescott, AZ. The owner was requesting an all natural, scented only with essential oil, line of soap to carry in her spa. So we have been soap making and soap making and also waiting for a shipment and trying to keep ends from fraying, but currently we have an all natural black tea and spice soap, honey (which we will truly only know the value of once it has cured), and these two wonderful bars, rose geranium (green) and ylang ylang (pink). We are planning a lavender goat milk soap, lavender eucalyptus aloe soap and tea tree hemp soap to add to the line. These bars will also be offered on our Etsy shop toward the end of September and when they sell, we will make more. All in all our goal is to have set items we offer continuously to our customers. We are still in product development, but getting nearer to a bottom line. Feel free to keep letting us know what you want. We have taken into consideraton the comments left since our last giveaway and will be incorporating those ideas in with our new items. Since the architecture industry is currently down, my hubby has been getting his hands into the biz. He is most creative and I just know that what he comes up with will be incredible!!!

Wholesale Private Label Soap Company

We are so happy to announce the birth of Wholesale Soap! It is a place where party goers, gifters, retail shop owners and everyone can find bulk handmade soap for less. We work with you to create your custom order or you can order from the already exisiting list. If you need something more color or scent specific, convo us (email Etsy style) and we will get back with you.

Weekend Sale 08/05-10/09

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(¸.·´ (¸.·´♥ Weekend sales are as follows
All glycerin bars are 20% off
All cold process bars are 25% off
All Scrubs are 10% off
If you buy 4-8 of anything shipping is only $5. You can mix and match this offer. Discounts given in Paypal.
Only at Desert Soapstone

Sale Item the week of June 29-July 5.

All Cold Process Soap on sale. $1 off all cold process bars. That's 20% to you math whizzes. Take a look at Desert's shop. We just added Oatmeal Lavender Cold Process. Oh man! A scent you are bound to fall in love with and a Desert Soapstone original. Later this week we will be unveiling the giveaway for the month of July!!! Its getting exciting around here.

Blackberry Amber Glycerin Soap Giveaway

Giveaway:
Look through our shop and then come back here and leave a comment under this giveaway post and tell us what you like the best. Also leave a post on your blog about this giveaway and post your blog on your comment here...that way you can advertise too. :) The lucky winner will receive a free Blackberry Amber Glycerin Soap Bar and random samples. So pass on the word and let's get this party started!
The winner will be selected on Monday, June 22 using random.org

The Batik Collection

Introducing the first of many in the series of our Batik Collection. The above bar is scented with essential oils and has a distinctly lemon ginger aroma. These all natural bars are inspired by batik art and can be found online at Desert Soapstone.

Baby Shower Soap Favors

O.k. so my awesome sister got married a year ago and they are about to have their first baby. A girl, who will have a rock star name...Not going to say it here for the sake of privacy. But anyway, my sis's baby shower is this weekend and unfortunately I have to miss it (loser, I know). So in my stead I am sending down 32 pieces of soap for party favors that I hope her cheerful supporters will be able to relax and enjoy once they return home with a belly full of cake and excitement for the little bundle to arrive.

Anyone having a shower or party and in need of party favors or gifts should visit my Etsy shop and send me a convo (email, Etsy style) and I will be happy to customize to fit your needs.

Attention Wine and Soap Snobs

We have done it! It was a first attempt at something we have been wanting to do for a long time, but could never find the time to just play. Yes, we have taken the cheapest Trader Joe's wine we could find, Two Buck Chuck(Charles Shaw to you non Trader Joe's people) and made it into soap! We had a leftover bottle that turned to vinegar so we decided why cook with it when you can make something that lasts 50 times longer and smells great? Rustic was the goal and I think we achieved it. It was a simple process really. We let the fizz go flat, added a little this to that, and when we were all said and done we had a big bowl of phat. O.k. so I'm not as cool as I think, but at least I have great smelling soap and even better, a lodged cork waiting for freedom.

Customer review from buttonhead.etsy.com

Latest Custom Order: Arabian Spice

Here is a peek at our latest custom order. Arabian Spice with poppyseeds. The customer mentioned having tried a wonderful bar of soap in Jerusalem that had poppyseeds in it and was of a spicy nature. We are hoping he is overjoyed with our latest creation. Maybe he will let us interview him later. he he.