Handcrafted & Decorative Soap by Country Meadow Creations

After the Sales Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:16:00 +0000

Country Meadow Creations is offering customers a great deal for the remainder of December!

Did you miss the Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales? Are you looking for a great deal on handcrafted soap or gourmet goodies? Do you need a special gift for a secret santa, hostess, teacher, family, or friend?

For the entire month of December we are giving our loyal customers 10% off orders of $20 or more on All Natural Soap, Clearance Soap, and Kat's Coffees & More items!

This offer does not apply to glycerin soap bars or decorative glycerin soaps as we are not currently accepting orders on these items. Orders that contain these items will not be accepted.

The shopping cart will apply the correct discount. This offer does not apply to previous orders or wholesale orders. This sale is scheduled to end on December 31, 2009.

All Natural Cold Process Soap Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:53:00 +0000

Customers will enjoy a $1-$3 discount on select scents of All Natural Cold Process Soap November 27-December 4, 2009. This sale applies to regular size cold process soap bars and our Half Pack Stacks & Triple Treat Stacks.

This sale applies to new orders only, not previous orders or wholesale orders, and only select scents are discounted. The shopping cart will automatically calculate your discount.

Please note that quantities are limited and listed on the website pages, and orders are filled on a first paid basis.

New Product - Triple Treat Soap Stack

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:52:00 +0000

All Natural cold process soaps now come in a convenient full-size 3 pack, all scents your choice. This new item can be found on our All Natural Soap Sets - Gift Soap Sets page.

Each bar weighs approximately 4 ounces. Soap will arrive to you in a stack, without boxes, wrapped in either natural mulberry paper or raffia.

Price: $13.95

This item will make a great holiday or hostess gift!

**All natural soap is subject to availability. Quantities are listed on the main All Natural Soap page of our site.

Soap Molds & Supplies for Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:49:00 +0000

As I continue to re-do the website and focus on the All Natural Cold Process Soaps, I have put some supplies and soap molds up for sale on my website.

There are a variety of plastic and silicone molds available here - Soap Molds for Sale

Soapmaking Supplies for Sale offers various items useful to soap makers.

All soapmaking supplies are offered on a first come first serve basis. The prices listed do not include shipping to the buyer. All supplies will ship USPS Priority Mail, flat rate boxes used when appropriate. Customer will receive a separate invoice with shipping charges and orders ship when both item invoice and shipping invoices have been paid.

Happy Shopping!

Quality Link Exchanges Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:19:00 +0000

Do you have a high quality site & want to exchange links?

Check out the Country Meadow Creations Link Directory and see if one of our categories fits your needs.

We are happy to exchange links with relevant sites. All we ask in return is that you place a reciprocal link to us on your site. You will find our information below. We ask that you please link to us with the information we provide only.

Your site will be reviewed to determine if our link is present before you are added to our directory. Please note that your link may take 48-72 hours to be placed on our site.

**Only family-friendly sites will be approved. NO ADULT sites need apply. We also reserve the right to refuse any link submission.

You may only submit your website to one category.

Thank you for your interest in linking to us and please feel free to visit some of the other sites listed.

Email me with your name, URL, site description, category choice, and reciprocal URL to be considered.

Please Excuse our Mess!

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:23:00 +0000

Over the next couple of months Country Meadow Creations will be re-designing parts of the website. During this time frame some parts of the website may not be working properly or may be unavailable for customer use. We apologize ahead of time for any inconvenience this may cause our customers.

The company will be focusing on creating handcrafted soap that our customers purchase most, so you will see a lot of items discontinued. One peek into the future site is the focus on our all natural cold process soaps. These have been our biggest sellers since we added them to the site and we will continue to concentrate on those items, adding new items as we see the need for them and our customers request them.

If there is a scent or style of cold process soap you would like to see us carry in the future, please leave us a comment or send a personal email.

Thank you to all of our loyal customers & we hope this project will be completed in a timely manner.

Important Product Information

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Country Meadow Creations will not be creating/shipping any Glycerin Soap items from June-August, 2009.

We will resume Glycerin Soap sales in September, 2009.

In the meantime, check out our simply luxurious All Natural Soap Bars. These soaps are made by cold process and are offered in a variety of nose-pleasing scents. They are made with skin-loving oils and are formulated to be skin-friendly for all skin types. You can view the base oils, butters, and essential oils we use in our all natural soaps to find out if you are allergic to our ingredients before you purchase: All Natural Soap ingredients.

If you ever have any questions about our soaps, please feel free to email!

Sale has ended

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 01:41:00 +0000

The big birthday bash sale has concluded. I would like to thank all who ordered during this sale. To those that received free orders, congratulations!

I hope that everyone will enjoy their handcrafted soaps!

Big Birthday Bash Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:12:00 +0000

Big Birthday Bash Sale

In celebration of my birthday and my daughter's birthday this weekend, I am offering 40% of $40 or more purchases of handcrafted soap and every 10th order is FREE!

If you are the 10th order, your purchase price will be refunded.

This offer is valid 3/27 - 3/29.

Offer is not valid on previous orders, wholesale orders, supplies, or Kat's Coffees & More orders.

Offer is valid on handcrafted soap orders only.

Visit Country Meadow Creations today!

Birthday Spectacular Coming Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:34:00 +0000

Keep an eye out for the super spectacular birthday sale to be posted the evening of March 27.

I will be celebrating both my birthday and my daughter's birthday with a huge sale March 27-29.

Stay tuned for the details!

Catch a Precious Little Duck!

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:37:00 +0000

There's a precious little glycerin duck swimming in a pond and he's waiting to swim into your life!

This handmade glycerin soap duck and pond are made from all natural vegetable glycerin soap base. They contain cosmetic grade mica and liquid colorants and are scented with high quality fragrance oils. The details on the duck are hand painted with non-toxic paint.

The scent of the pond and duck soaps is Ocean Splash - Light, airy, breeze off the water scent.

Your duck pond soap will arrive packaged in a cello bag, tied with a coordinating ribbon and ready for gift-giving!

This special soap is available only through our Etsy Soap Site!

Happy 2009!

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:18:00 +0000

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of my customers and supporters a wonderful New Year and to thank you all for a successful 2008.

I will be publishing an update soon on the top selling scents for 2008 so please stay tuned.

While you're here I'd like to remind everyone that the 10% off sale ends today and you can view the details on the sales page of the website.

I'm on Etsy!

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:30:00 +0000

I know it's been a while since my last blog post. I've been extremely busy with college work this semester. It's been a challenge keeping up with school, business, and family.

While I have not rolled out any new products, I have joined Etsy for some added exposure. I've heard great things about the site & I'm amazed at all the beautifully handcrafted items for sale.

If you get time, please check out my Etsy shop. There are only a few items listed now, but I hope to add more soon.

Handcrafted Soap - Wholesale

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:25:00 +0000

Do you have a business interested in selling high quality hand crafted soap? Country Meadow Creations offers both Glycerin Bath Bars and All Natural Cold Process Soap at wholesale prices.

Glycerin soap is made with a natural soap base and fragrance oils. Cold process soap is made with all natural oils and butters as well as essential oils for scent.

All soap is hand made by the owner and created especially for you. Once an order is placed and paid for, the soap is hand made for you. Your order will be freshly made, not one that has been sitting in an inventory for months!

All terms and conditions are listed on the Wholesale Soap page of our website.

Free 4oz Glycerin Bath Bar - August Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 23:29:00 +0000

Month of August Sale:

For the entire month of August, purchase $15 or more of handmade soaps and receive a FREE 4oz bar of Glycerin Soap!

Please make your choice of scent from our list, and place your request in the comments section of the shopping cart. If no scent is chosen, we'll choose one for you from our popular sellers.

**This sale applies to handmade & decorative soaps only. It does not apply to wholesale orders, previous orders, or Kat's Coffees & More products.

Where I spent my summer vacation...

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:08:00 +0000

Our family traveled to NY state for our summer vacation to visit family and friends. We had a wonderful time and even did a "touristy" thing, going to Boldt Castle in the 1000 Islands. I had never been and was just in awe of the amazing detail, scenic views, and just the thought of living in a castle was mesmerizing. I am hoping to upload my pics to Flickr soon and will post an update when they are viewable.

A highlight of my vacation was attending the CNY SoapMakers 8th Annual Soap Makers Gathering. This is a Yahoo group of soapmakers living mainly in NY state and the group gets together for food, fun, product swaps, demonstrations, and a wealth of sharing about our field once a year. This is the first gathering I've been able to attend in a few years, since moving to SC. It is a good opportunity for new soapmakers and experienced soapmakers to get together to network and share information about handmade soap.

One of our members gave a shrink wrapping demonstration and another talked about herbs. I would like to incorporate more herbs/botanicals into my all natural cold process soaps and this was just the information I was looking for! I hope to put what I learned to good use in the near future.

I would also like to thank all of the very generous soap making suppliers and other companies who donated items to the group for goodie bags for all attendees and for our door prizes. The companies who donated can be found on our website: CNY SoapMakers

10 Uses for Hand Made Soap

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:07:00 +0000

"The soap is too pretty to use. I'll just put it in the soap dish in my bathroom."

Those are two of the top statements many handcrafted soap makers hear when potential customers see their decorative soaps. Soap is a consumable product. The soap maker can always make more. This is something others don't seem to understand. Handcrafted soap makers enjoy creating their products and love to see the look on others faces when they see the uniqueness of handmade soap.

What is the greatest compliment you can give to a soap maker? Use their soap and order more!

Here are some great uses for hand made soap:
1. Hostess gift
2. Travel soap
3. Leave small bars wrapped and put in drawers like a sachet
4. Gift sets
5. Wedding/Baby gifts
6. Put it in the guest bath with a cute note that guests can & should use it
7. Soap favors for parties
8. Seasonal decor
9. Fun baby/kids soap
10. Take it in the bath or shower!

How Do You Make Your Soap?

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:21:00 +0000

I often get this question when people see my soap or purchase it. Is it hard to make soap? What do I need to make soap?

Here are the basic instructions to make glycerin melt and pour soap bars:
1. Purchase high quality soap base, fragrance or essential oil, colorant, and soap mold.

2. You will need a good quality scale to measure your ingredients.

3. Know how much soap the mold holds. The supplier will typically list this on their website.

4. To make a basic bar of soap you will need to cut the soap base and measure it to the exact quantity the mold holds. (I use a Pyrex measuring cup to hold the soap while weighing.)

5. Using small intervals and watching carefully I melt the soap base in the Pyrex cup in the microwave. (Caution - You need to watch the soap to avoid boiling it. The soap base and/or cup will be hot when taking it out of the microwave.)

6. If the soap base is steaming when you take it out it is probably too hot to add your fragrance oil. The fragrance will dissipate if the base is too hot. Let the soap cool down as you gently stir it to prevent a "skin" forming on the top.

7. When the soap is cool I add the colorant, either liquid or powdered, and mix well. I then add the fragrance oil and stir gently to incorporate.

8. When it is all mixed, slowly pour the soap base into the mold.

9. If there are small bubbles on the top of the base you can spritz with rubbing alcohol and they disappear.

10. Let the soap air dry in the mold (times will vary depending on ingredients used, size of soap bar, and mold used). When it is hardened, gently release it from the mold.

And there you have it, your first bar of glycerin melt and pour soap!

*Please note that this is not the only way to make melt and pour soap and the above is the method I prefer to use. Other soapmakers may prefer other methods.*

New Product - Half Stack Sampler Packs

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:23:00 +0000

Just what is a "Half Stack Sampler Pack"? It's a set of all natural cold processed soap in half bar sizes. You choose the number of bars and the scents that you will receive. These sampler packs are perfect for travel soap, hostess gifts, college students, and small gifts.

The Petite Half Stack Sampler Pack is your choice of 2-2oz bars of cold processed soap. The Regular Half Stack Sampler Pack is your choice of 5-2oz bars, and the Grande is your choice of 8-2oz bars.

These sampler packs are subject to current inventory as listed on the All Natural Soap pages.

If you're overwhelmed with scent choice, just want to try a small bar of a new scent, or looking for a travel soap or small gift, these sampler packs are for you!

Closing for Inventory - Notification

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:13:00 +0000

Country Meadow Creations will be closed July 17-28 for mid year inventory.

Look for some great deals on soap making supplies and extra stock items when we re-open.

All orders placed during our closed period will be process on July 29 and you will receive email notification when your order will ship. This includes both handcrafted soap orders and Kat's Coffees and More products.

Thank you for your continued support of our business!

1st Week of July Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:00:00 +0000

To celebrate July 4th, Country Meadow Creations is offering a $5 discount on all handcrafted soap orders over $30.

This sale is being offered July 1-7, 2008. The discount applies to handcrafted soap orders only. It does not apply to prior orders, wholesale orders, or Kat's Coffees & More products.

To receive the discount, you only need to place an order of $30 or more through the website and the shopping cart will deduct the $5 discount.

You can order as many times as you'd like during the sale period to receive the discount.

Happy Shopping!

How Do You Define Success?

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:16:00 +0000

What is your definition of success? How do you determine if you have become successful in your business?

Each of us has our own idea of what a successful business is and how we're going to get there. I have created a new blog to showcase women-owned businesses and to help women find success in their lives.

A flower in bloom shows growth and prosperity that are supported through nourishment from soil, water, and nutrients.

Are you a woman in business? Do you want to share your success story with others? What type of bloom are you?

Businesses will be featured on a first come, first serve basis for no cost. This is a great way to highlight your business, network, and get some free advertising.

Please visit Success in Bloom Blog for more details!

FDA Globalization Act of 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:02:00 +0000

As if rising gas and food prices weren't enough, now small business owners who are struggling to provide for their families may have a bigger struggle ahead. In comes proposed legislation from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Read the Discussion Draft

Read the Section-by-Section Analysis

Read about the hearings held by the Subcommittee on Health

When you are ready to join in with other Indie Business Owners to have your voice heard, head over to Donna Maria Coles Johnson's Indie Business Blog to sign the petition to:
Stop the FDA Globalization Act of 2008!!

All Natural Soap Ingredients and Uses

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:49:00 +0000

Country Meadow Creations uses the following ingredients in our All Natural Cold Process Soap Bars:

Cold Process All Natural Soap Bars: Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil, Castor Oil, Shea Butter, Essential Oil and/or botanicals/herbs.

Base Oils and Butters

Olive Oil: This oil is known for its moisturizing and gentleness. Olive Oil attracts moisture to the skin while allowing the skin to perform its natural functions.

Coconut Oil: Is used in soap to produce a creamy lather and hard bar of soap that won't clog pores. Note that this oil may affect those prone to allergic reactions to nut products.

Palm Oil: Is water soluble and its firmness will hold up longer throughout use. Contributes to a harder bar of soap.

Avocado Oil: Absorbed easily by the skin and good for all skin types. Contains many vitamins, including A, D, and E, amino acids, glycerides, protein, among others.

Castor Oil: Is easily absorbed by the skin while attracting and retaining moisture. Is softening and emollient.

Shea Butter: This butter nourishes all skin types while soothing and softening dry skin.

Essential Oils

Tea Tree: Anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial. Can aid in the healing of chapped or troubled skin. Uplifting and purifying.

Cedarwood: Has a woody, slightly camphor-like scent. Relaxing and stabilizing.

Eucalyptus: Can stimulate circulation, is purifying, cooling, and invigorating.

Lavandin: This oil is produced from a cross pollination of true lavender and spike lavender. It has a woody scent with a hint of camphor. Balancing and calming.

Lavender: Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Balancing and relaxing.

Lime: Used in facial soaps for its astringent properties. Refreshing and equalizing.

Sweet Orange: Known for toning and circulatory stimulation. Refreshing and uplifting.

Patchouli: An anti-inflammatory that is said to tone and tighten skin while regulating oily skin. Earthy, balsamic, woody, spicy scent.

Peppermint: Is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, and toning. Refreshing, vitalizing, and cooling.

Spearmint: Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Refreshing, cooling, calming, and uplifting.

Tangerine: Antiseptic, astringent, and toning. Cheering and uplifting.

Botanicals/herbs are added to the all natural soap bars for their aesthetic value and gentle emollient properties.

*Please Note* This information was provided to inform and educate our customers about the ingredients we use to make our handmade products. We make no claims as to the effectiveness of the ingredients. This information should not replace advice from your physician.

*As with any product, if irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately.

To purchase natural soap made with these fine ingredients, visit our site:

Country Meadow Creations - All Natural Cold Process Soap Bars

They're Celebrating 8 Years!

noreply@blogger.com (Colleen) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:40:00 +0000

My friend Lisanne and her husband Jeff are celebrating 8 years of marriage today. They are parents of two beautiful children. Lisanne currently works from home, juggling freelance work and two toddlers.

If you get a second today, please visit Lisanne's blog - Bathtub Junkie and wish her & Jeff a happy anniversary.