Still pretty chilly in the unit but have had little heater to keep me warm, and have been wearing lots of layers! Now I can really focus on what I'm doing, so made small test batches of a new doggie shampoo bar, made with all natural ingredients including castor oil (for a good lather), lashings of kukui nut oil and calendula oil to nourish fur and the delicate skin underneath. Can't wait to try it on Lucy! (our golden retriever pup - now 6 months old) We take her down on Berrow beach every morning which she loves. It's such a great big open space for her to run about on, and I like to go beachcombing for driftwood for my friend Eleanor's open fire. Lucy gets a bit smelly though, with all the sand and saltwater (and mud!) so I'm hoping she'll enjoy a bit of a soap-down with my new solid shampoo bar!

I've also made a batch of my new soap for 2010 - Neroli, Ylang Ylang & Frankincense - mmm, yummy! This will be ready for sale beginning of April. The fabric is ready and waiting, and should look fabulous.

Am so excited to report that soaps are now made at my lovely new premises in rural Somerset! This week thanks to the extra room and fab new oil melter I have managed to make batches of English Rose & Buttermilk, Honeysuckle & Rose and Rosewood & Patchouli soap. Peter and Jill (the site owners and makers of The Beautiful Beanbag Company www.beautifulbeanbags.co.uk) have made me feel very welcome (thanks guys!) and have already baggied (Sorry - no pun intended!) some of the soaps, once they're ready.

Hi to everyone who reads this - Happy New Year by the way! (yes, I know it's a bit late...)

Well, the year got off to quite a good start. Signed on the dotted line for my new premises (yay!) at Badgworth Barns, Weare and have started moving stuff over there. It's basically a single-storey converted cowshed with an office, kitchen and huge storage room. (no heating though, so it's also freezing at the moment!) Doug, my carpenter neighbour (lovely guy) and I went out to get some timber and stuff as he is going to build me a little drying room (ok, a glorified airing cupboard) that I can dry and cure the soaps in. I've also arranged for an electrician to come over to give me a quote for a bit of work I need doing (a few extra sockets and stuff) but unfortunately the snow has meant I couldn't get up to the premises so everything has been on hold until the weather improves.....what a pain!
So I'm continuing soap/handcream/balm production here at home until the above work is finished. Made a batch of 'Violet and Rose' soap on Friday and will make another batch of 'Heather and Honey' soap tomorrow, all being well...

Will keep you informed of developments.......!