Soap Shop Update....

Once I get my videos edited I will post them here to show the progress from December to January!

I'm Opening A Store!

Silver Lining Soap will be opening a handmade bath and body store in Shorewood, WI this spring!

Stay tuned for more updates on how the renovation is going and more…

"Totally Nautical"

This is my entry for the Squiggle Pour Soap Challenge for August 2021. We were to use squeeze bottles to make a variegated design by squeezing soap in a zig-zaggy pattern in layers and then swirl it on top with something like a chop stick. My soap did NOT turn out how I planned but I am entering it anyway. I created a color palette that I thought looked nautical. I incorporated “waves” into the blue and when I gave the soap a few hours to sit, I realized bubbles had formed ont he white which only added more ocean vibes to the design. A happy accident. I thought this challenge was extremely difficult. I could not for the life of me get my batter to stay the right consistency. It was either too thin or too thick and when I used titanium dioxide for my white, it thickened way more than any other color so I had to start over and by that time, I was over it. So no, I do not plan on winning but congrats to anyone who does!

“Totally Nautical” soap design

“Totally Nautical” soap design

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! In celebration of Earth Day, I am posting a new soap I made with sea glass inspired embeds. They had nowhere to go but when @brambleberry released the Sea Glass fragrance it was perfect inspo to make this. I photographed it to look like it was underwater. I am enamored with how it came out. I wanted an under the sea vibe that was also a bit gritty and raw, just like nature with some abstract flair. A little pink and purple iridescence mimics the look of a jellyfish.

I asked my husband who is an encyclopedia of info for earth day facts and what I got was “Did you know that 100% of the earths oceans contain water?”. He either has an in depth response or a Dad joke. 😐

Here’s a real fact about how seagrass is made from Wikipedia:

Sea glass begins as normal shards of broken glass that are then persistently tumbled and ground until the sharp edges are smoothed and rounded. In this process, the glass loses its slick surface but gains a frosted appearance over many years.
Naturally produced sea glass ("genuine sea glass") originates as pieces of glass from broken bottles, broken tableware, or even shipwrecks, which are rolled and tumbled in the ocean for years until all of their edges are rounded off, and the slickness of the glass has been worn to a frosted appearance.
So there you go, now you know how its made.
This soap is made with 100% coconut oil meaning it is going to suds and foam like crazy. The embeds representing sea glass are glycerin. Scented with a fresh ocean and salt fragrance by Bramble Berry as part of their Salt of the Earth collection.

Giving to the Arts with Art and Heart

Art and creativity has become increasingly important now more than ever. We tend to get lost when a crisis happens and art helps to separate us from the mental chaos, removing and redirecting ourselves from stress and trauma in a healthy way. I found soap making to be incredibly healing in the last year with everything going on, but you can find relief in anything you find interesting. Its a great time to try something new or challenging, to explore your talents and foster new interests.

Which brings me to The Young at Art Museum, my favorite place on earth that has helped me and my family explore self expression, new ideas, different concepts, and creative ways to thrive and bond as a family. It has played pivotal role in my children’s education, growth and development, as well as mental, physical and spiritual well-being.

As a mom of 4, I needed a safe place to take all of my children to a place they could enjoy that wouldn’t drive me nuts. YAA is just that, perfect for the entire family, young to old. The focus of course is on the younger generation, but installations, activities and exhibits appeal to all ages. YAA selects a range of artists including local and emerging artists who are able showcase their work to a broad audience through interactive installations. All of the rotating exhibits are meant to submerse the visitors into a new experience unique to each individual. From lights, to textures, to sound, all exhibits appeal to the senses in some way. You will discover something new every time you visit YAA.

And if you want to support a great business that gives back, YAA is just that and more. There are various programs and events that better the community with a focus on fostering the talents of children and teens who are underserved, especially in the art world. YAA gives these kids an outlet to express themselves in a positive way in a supportive environment. The events include fashion shows where teens utilize recycled materials to create one of a kind works of art along with a silent auction that benefits YAA’s community art initiatives and programs,.

I have been a huge proponent of donating my time to underserved children through the arts since the early 2000’s, earning a Volunteer of the Year award in my early 20’s through AWE, Artists Working in Education. We would take the AWE art truck and travel around inner city neighborhoods in Milwaukee, WI during the summer, showing children how to create and paint murals as well as other interactive art-based activities. After moving to South Florida in 2012, I never stopped giving through art, and the way I continued to do this was to volunteer at YAA for various programs my children were a part of, attending fundraisers, workshops, fashion shows, and much much more. And of course, including soap making when the opportunity was there. One of my favorite ways to volunteer was to teach melt and pour soap projects to the preschool kids my son was in. Most kids (and adults) were so intrigued by the process, and the parents LOVED the sweet gifts their kids made for them.

One of my favorite ways to participate in events that give back was to create a collection of soaps for YAA’s auctions. All proceeds go directly to causes listed below. Enriching the community and fostering talent that would otherwise be impossible to showcase. The generosity of the working artists of YAA is immeasurable. They are highly talented real deal artists who share ther knowledge and expertise to at risk teens who have a creative outlet to showcase their art and put them on a path to success. YAA is pivotal in the development of young peoples talent in the Broward and surrounding areas. It is a safe place for all kids to volunteer as teen volunteers and to participate in numerous art programs. Art does not discriminate, art embraces all. YAA strives to embrace all ethnicities, socioeconomic classes, fully supports the LGBTQ+ community, encourages all people from all walks of life and welcomes everyone into its valuable space.

Recently, YAA has sadly had to move from its building of over 8 years due to unforeseen circumstances with the city of Broward and will have to relocate its installations and exhibits through pop up art spaces and throughout Broward and Miami until a permanent home is established. We want to keep YAA alive, it is too important of a place to just disappear. The community needs it, and as I said we need art in our lives now more than ever. A safe place for everyone to find support, connection and social diversity. YAA does just that. In times as hard as these, where many of us are struggling after losing their jobs (me included) I realize it is hard to donate to any cause right now. But if you are able to donate anything at all to a place that builds community and supports so many through the arts, please click on the link and give whatever you are able. Or book mar it for later! But no matter what, please consider supporting the arts, especially The Young at Art Museum who has supported so many through the years. 

Since auctions and public fundraising events are put on hold while this virus continues to escalate, Silver Lining Soap will be donating 10% of its profits at the end of the year to The Young at Art Museum in support of its relocation and future initiatives. We want to give back to a place that also gives, and couldnt think of a better place than YAA. We will also be volunteering again when it is safe to do so including soap making work shops that are safe for kids. Meanwhile me any my family will be speaking out through art in support of YAA through creating and participating in various at home art projects, promoting YAA and supporting the artists who have been so kindly creating projects for kids to keep busy safely at home. Please check out the links below for fun, imaginative art projects for humans of all ages. Stay safe and remember to give what you can to causes that matter to you. We can all make a difference in this weird world right now.

Young At Art Website:
https://www.youngatartmuseum.org/

Donate HERE!:
https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/support-yaa-now

Free art projects HERE!
https://www.youngatartmuseum.org/yaaathome.php

Past Events:
Festival of the Arts
https://www.youngatartmuseum.org/artfestivals.php

Recycled Fashion Show
https://www.youngatartmuseum.org/fashionshow.php

Supersaturated event 
https://www.youngatartmuseum.org/supersaturated/



Young At Art Website!

https://www.youngatartmuseum.org/

Donate HERE!
https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/support-yaa-now

Free art projects HERE!
https://www.youngatartmuseum.org/yaaathome.php

Past Initiatives and Events
Festival of the Arts
https://www.youngatartmuseum.org/artfestivals.php

Recycled Fashion Show
https://www.youngatartmuseum.org/fashionshow.php

Supersaturated event 
https://www.youngatartmuseum.org/supersaturated/




Halloween Glowing Soap Tutorial

Squishy Eyeballs Glowing Soap

Squishy Eyeballs Glowing Soap

Make these easy and fun glowing melt and pour soaps for your next Halloween get together. Its the perfect project for quarantined kids!
Traditional door to door trick or treating might not be a thing this year, but that won’t stop us from having a ghoulishly good time. You and your family can still celebrate Halloween 2020 spookiness with this kid-friendly super easy glowing soap project. Bonus, these soaps can be made while social distancing! Try these creepy creations out at a gathering of 6 or less for take-home treats that don’t spoil teeth. 

Eyeballs, brains, spiders and more. Make one or all of these for Halloween festivities. Be creative, you don’t have to make these exact soaps - these are just a few kid-friendly ideas. You can use any silicone mold of your choice from brains to ghosts, you are sure to find something spooky at your local craft store to create glowing soapy creations. The instructions will tell you how to make any melt and pour soap for any simple silicone mold so feel free to get creative with what you find at your local craft stores.

This project is super easy - you really just melt soap base, color and scent it, then pour it into silicone molds. But I show you step by step as there are a few tricks to get it right.

Things you’ll need:
TOOLS
Microwave
Heat safe microwavable container/pitcher/bowl with a pouring spout
Heat safe spoons for stirring hot soap
Washable surface to work on

SOAP SUPPLIES
Clear melt and pour soap base. Most soaps weigh about 3-4 oz so just estimate how much you need based on how many soaps you plan to make. (You can get the soap base from Michael’s and use the 40% off coupon.)

Neon mica. Any neon color will work under a black light, but if you really want it to glow at night, you will need glow in the dark mica powder. (See below for where I get mine.)

Skin-safe soap fragrance oil - NOT candle fragrance! (Or anything else.)

Small rubber or plastic toys. We used squishy eyeballs (from Michael’s) but feel free to use any Halloween toys you like. Please remember, these might eventually fall into the sink - and always be careful if you have kids 3 and under as small toys pose a choking hazard.

I would say to have rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle on hand since a few sprtiz’s get rid of surface bubbles, but I cannot find it anywhere, so this is optional. If you do have it, spritz 1-2 times over any surface bubbles and they will pop.

*Optional - spooky music while making the soaps!
Glow Powder: nurturesoaps.com, madmicas.com, startdustmicas.com

Instructions
Step 1 Chop your clear soap base into small chunks so they easily melt. We used a crinkle cutter since it is way less sharp than a knife and kids can actually use it.
Step 2 Place the soap chunks in your heat-safe container.
Step 3 Microwave in small bursts, checking frequently. Stir every 20-30 seconds.
Step 4 Once the soap is completely melted, add your mica or liquid colorant. Start small, a 1/4 tsp to start, then add more if desired. Stir until fully incorporated.
Step 5 Add the glowing mica powder and stir. I used 1/2 tsp for about 12-14 oz of soap and mine definitely glowed in the dark!
Step 6 Add your fragrance oil. .3 oz of fragrance oil would be considered skin safe for 16 oz of soap.

Step 8 Pour the melted soap into the molds. Place toys on top of soap. If your toys sink, either go with it since toys in soap can be fun, or let it cool and add a 1/2 in layer, then add the toys.

Step 8 Cool in the fridge for about 30-45 minutes while the kids do another activity - snacks, watch a movie or scavenger hunt. Then carefully unmold and show off your ghastly glowing creations! To get the soap to glow, hold it under a bright light for 2-3 minutes.

Fall-inspired Wellness

Fall-inspired wellness items to warm you up as the weather gets cold.
Comfy, cozy and warm. These are the words that come to mind when I think of fall. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for 30+ years and now living in Florida, I miss fall more and more every year. The golden to red changing leaves, apple picking, star gazing above a bonfire holding a mug of hot chocolate. Not too cold but enough to get bundled up with a plaid flannel blanket and be super cozy. I tried to emulate these feelings in this collection. Rich layers like a favorite sweater are emulated in soaps and body butters that nourish and soothe. A focus on comforting scents and thick textures - honey, beeswax, and super-rich butters paired with rich and comforting scents like fresh raw honeycomb, vanilla cocoa creme, cold-brewed coffee and dark chocolate IPA craft beer.

All of this and more are the focus of this collection meant to ease you into the omnipresent cold fall weather. I hope you enjoy perusing through these handmade artisan soaps, wellness, bath and body creations. And I hope you have just as much fun using them as I did making them. Don’t forget about self-care in whatever form you can get it. Candles, balms, butters, soaps. Its all-encompassing and its all about the little things right now. Welcome to Fall!


Coffee and Beer Soap with Vennture Brew Co

Its been forever since I made a soap video, post, or a soap for that matter. We've been traveling for the entire month of July, visiting friends, family and brand new babies - and now, a brand new coffee joint-brewery run by old friends. So of course I had to check this place out. Did you know that you can put just about ANYTHING (skin safe and/or edible) into soap? Things like coffee and beer!

I had been dreaming of making a coffee and beer soap forEVER but just never got around to it, or had the inspiration to do something fun with it. Then came along Vennture Brew Co. A brand spanking new and totally amazing coffee shop + brewery + open air hang out in my hometown of Milwaukee, WI run by Jake, Simon and Rob. I actually went to college with Jake back in 2001, and get this, he and the other owner Simon, were actually my wedding photographers. I was lucky enough to get my wedding pics taken by them while they were still photogs, because now, they are killing it with this new shop.

I happened to be traveling to Milwaukee for a month long visit this summer from Fort Lauderdale and it happened to be the week they opened so of course I jumped at the chance to check it out. Coffee, beer and community is what this place is all about. A chill place in Milwaukee to drink something awesome. I thought, well this is perfect. Coffee, beer, old friends. I have got to make a soap out of these ingredients for them and of course, myself because who doesn’t love a good coffee-beer soap?

I started with their logo, I knew I didn’t want to replicate it exactly, but I did want the main features to be present so I recreated the tri-level “V” with 3 soap color variations. The surrounding soap around the V (triangle shape) had granules of ground espresso mixed in, and the soap itself is made with beer and cold brewed coffee. I added Wasabi Fragrance oil because this is a wake you up kind of soap for guys and girls. Caffeine is known to give your skin a boost. It is actually used in many cosmetic products for the effervescent properties it has.

So there you go. A soap for everyone made with local, handmade ingredients. Oh, and they were nice enough to let me use their space to photograph these babies. And yes, I gave them more than enough soap than they could ever want or need….

If you are in the Milwaukee area, check this place out!

VENNTURE BREW CO

5519 W North Ave Milwaukee, WI 53208

http://vennturebrewco.com

My first Blog Post and FIRST interview (exciting!!!) →

Thank you for visiting Silver Lining Soaps! In this post you will find out how Silver Lining Soap began, who is behind it and what's to come.

I should preface why this post is super special and a huge deal. I was interviewed by the soap making guru, Amanda Aaron of Lovin' Soap .  She's the soap making guru behind the (soap making website) and blog dedicated to teaching everything you could ever want to know about soap which she manages and runs with her husband, Benjamin. It is not only an excellent source of info through blog posts for everything soap, but it also offers a great selection of eBooks and classes on soap making. Tons of tutorials for free and a lot of great tips presented in a friendly and approachable way. Check out her blog Lovin' Soap and also read the interview she did with me, the creator of Silver Lining soap to find out how this began and what's next...