Good thing y'all love me for my bewitching soaps, candles, etc., etc.

Speaking of, my products are now available on well.ca, an online retail pharmacy that offers free shipping in Canada!  Please, check out my page here!

*returns to her secret basement laboratory*

Current Mood: chipper

I've found that I have a batch of bad wicks among my supplies, and I have no idea how many container/votive candles I've made using the bad wicks before I discovered this...  so, please,

IF YOU'VE BOUGHT A JAR CANDLE OR VOTIVE FROM ME WITH A BAD WICK (that is, it burns itself out in the pool of wax) PLEASE LET ME KNOW.  I'D BE HAPPY TO REPLACE YOUR CANDLE, OR RE-POUR IT, OR AT LEAST APOLOGISE A LOT.

Thanks.  And please, really, seriously, don't spare my feelings or consign it to be burned on one of those electric burner things...  I want very much for you to be happy with your products, and candles are most beautiful while burning.

Much love,
Maddy

Current Mood: distressed

Or, what's wrong with Lush.

To be clear, I actually love Lush (or, rather, I did before I started my research for this post).  While I react poorly to some fragrances, I don’t react to the ones they use, and their set up is pretty cute. Their bath bombs are *far* fancier than mine are, and contain all sorts of exotic ingredients that I don’t have the slightest clue where to find; their bubble bars are divine (as well as something that I’m not able to make, myself), and their shampoo bars are wonderful and don’t leave the emollient layer that mine do.  That said, I’ve long known how full-of-crap it is that they’re “all natural”.

To be fair to Lush, they don’t actually say the words “all natural”, but they imply it heavily.  

What Lush does say, on the Canadian version of their website, is that they use fresh ingredients and the “safest, mildest preservatives” they’re able to find.  I’m not going to argue their use of fresh ingredients (I’m sure they do), but even the “safest, mildest preservatives” are still preservatives; and, at least in most body-products, the ones you need, unnecessary.

Until recently, I hadn’t looked into it much deeper than that.

My Lush flyer arrived a few days ago and I thumbed through it lazily while I waited for something-or-other to happen (kettle to boil?  Computer to reboot?  I really don’t remember), and I happened to glance at the ingredients for I-don’t-remember-what when one of those nasty, don’t-ever-buy-products-containing-this-substance words:  paraben.

Now, I realise the whole paraben thing is controversial, and that correlation is not causation (ie., simply because high concentrations of parabens have been found in something like 80% of breast cancer tumours doesn’t mean that the parabens necessarily caused the tumour).  I’d argue that correlation is a good indicator for a need of caution, however, and until we have definite proof one way or the other, we should probably avoid them like the plague.

Yet a number of their products (most notably, to me, is their Cynthia Sylvia Stout shampoo which smells lovely and rich, and makes my incredibly fine hair look much thicker -- without looking poofy -- and incredibly shiny) contain both methylparaben and propylparaben.

In addition to the breast cancer issue, by the way, parabens have been linked to organ toxicity (both reproductive and non-reproductive) at relatively low doses in animal studies.  Also, it’s a human skin toxin.  And a neurotoxin.  And an environmental hazard.  Are they necessarily a serious issue in the small doses to which we’re exposed?  Perhaps not.  Is it worth taking that chance? My feelings on the matter are probably pretty obvious.  Especially since parabens are not the only preservative on the market.

Having discovered this (and having made the reluctant choice to never again use my sweet, sweet Cynthia Sylvia Stout shampoo), I decided to go on their website and check out what else their products contain.  What follows is a list of the first two products (literally the first two; feel free to check the pages -- linked to in the titles -- yourself.  I haven’t cherry picked *any* of this) found on each page of their “bath” section (the first section at the top of the home page), and the questionable ingredients found therein.

Bath Bombs:  big, glorious, exotically spiced bath fizzies... can’t be all natural, right?  Well, honestly, I’ve nothing to report here. At all.  They have a different formula for their bath bombs than I do, but they appear to be completely safe to use, and all natural (at least, from the first two listed), and harmless unless you’ve a specific allergy. Credit where it’s due... Lush *so* did this one right. Pity about everything else in the “bath” section.

Bubble Bars: ah, Lush’s solid bubble bath... easily my favourite product made by Lush. Unfortunately, in both the Karma Bubble Bar and The Comforter Bubble Bar I found Sodium Laureth Sulfate (a detergent, which is not even remotely natural, and is used to make those lovely, long-lasting bubbles that natural soap cannot, as well as a well-known skin irritant), Lauryl Betaine (a neurotoxin which is also a skin irritant and cause of non-reproductive organ toxicity, also a foaming agent), and Cocamide DEA (linked to cancer and non-reproductive organ toxicity, and is a known skin irritant... and, again, a foaming agent.  You can’t have enough of those crazy foaming agents...).  Crud.  I mean, I’ve long suspected that this product *must* be detergent-based, simply because soap doesn’t behave like that, but I’d held out hope that the crappy-for-you-and-the-environment chemicals were at a minimum.  And maybe they are, and maybe they’re in such small quantities to render them harmless... but how many bubble baths have you had in your lifetime?  How about your children?  And what are you flushing down your drain, back into the already-taxed environment?

Bath Melts: Lush’s bath melts are kind of like solid bath oils.  I’m not a tremendous fan of them, honestly, because they don’t really *do* anything.  Much like regular bath oils, they moisturize your skin (provided you’re being responsible with water temperature... too hot, and nothing will make up for the water and oils lost from your skin, aside from time and more restraint in your bathing future), but they don’t fizz, they don’t bubble, they don’t even really colour the water... they just kind of float there.  And, well, melt.  They do smell pretty, though.

But I digress.  The chemicals.  Both Something Wicked This Way Comes (I may not be impressed with the product, but what an awesome name!) and Dreamtime contain Laureth 4, which is admittedly safe enough for your body and the environment, but *is* a known skin irritant (and emulsifier, which is why it’s in the product).  Use at your own risk... I’d be much more likely to risk it if they actually did something more exciting than... well, what their name indicates they do, I suppose.  

And lastly, and most upsettingly (to me, at least)...

Soap!

Little explanation is required here, I think.  We all know about soap.

Let it be said, I’ve never liked Lush’s solid soap very much (I’ve always found it leaves my skin dry and itchy... I’d always chalked it up to their choice of scent materials), but it’s soap.  You mix together a solution of lye and a carefully formulated blend of oils, then you add herbs and essential oils for scent and texture, and maybe some nice mineral oxides or plant matter for colour, and you mix it some more, and cure it for a month and you’re ready to clean yourself naturally, right?  You don’t need to add all sorts of damaging (to us or the environment) chemicals, right?

Well.  You’d think so.

Both of the first two soaps on the list (Honey I Washed The Kids and Karma) contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate -- a detergent (?!?) which is  a potential carcinogen and neurotoxin causing non-reproductive organ toxicity, as well as being a skin irritant and suspected environmental toxin -- and Propylene Glycol, a humectant which is also a potential carcinogen that causes reproductive/developmental effects in animal studies at moderate doses, is a known skin irritant causing organ toxicity.  Additionally, Karma contains Sodium Stearate, which causes non-reproductive organ toxicity and is also a suspected environmental toxin.

I am really disappointed in Lush.  I knew they weren’t as natural as they could be, but I’d held out hope that they were at least using their preservatives and such responsibly... until I started reading the soap ingredients. Soap does not require a detergent, what with it being soap.  It does not require a humectant, what with its natural glycerin content.  And, above all, Lush has no right to imply that their soap is “natural”.  Lush has no right to distort the meaning of that word. I know for a fact that it’s possible to make good, handmade soaps without adding things that function as carcinogens, neurotoxins, or are listed as a suspected environmental toxin.  

It’s important that people become more aware of what their “natural” products contain.  I’m not saying to not shop at Lush (though I’m highly unlikely to do so myself, more out of principle than anything else) if you’re cool with what they use; goodness knows that you’ll find significantly worse covering the shelves of your local grocery store/pharmacy/big box store.  But please, don’t buy their -- or anyone else's -- products because they’re “natural” or “good for the environment” without reading the ingredients very carefully first. Lush is certainly not the only company out there doing this; I pick on Lush both because I loved their products, and because their flyer is the one that set me off. We honestly have very little effect on advertising or labeling laws outside of occasional rallies and voting with care... as consumers, however, we have a great deal of control over where we put our money.  If we stop buying products that contain neurotoxins and carcinogens and environmental toxins, companies will stop making those products.  It’s simple supply and demand.  I’m not even saying that you should buy my own products but that you should choose your products carefully.  There are lots and lots of natural soap (and other natural body product) makers out there.  We may be hiding away at your local farmer’s markets and bazaars, or putting our wares quietly on the shelves of your local independent stores.  We’re on Etsy and at your seasonal faires and we’re probably a friend of your brother, or your cousin, or your best friend’s roommates’ ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend.  We’re out there, if you just take a moment to look.

Current Mood: distressed

1) There is no loan for this little soapmaker. The bank evidently noticed that everyone involved is poor, and with no asset *other* than the house, few investments (my father's, none worth more than a grand or two), and no real grownup jobs involved... so, no storefront yet.  It was a worthy attempt, and will happen in time, but not as quickly nor as easily as I had hoped.  I'm upset, of course, but I've not given up.  Until another avenue presents itself (or I create another avenue, I suppose... I'm not under the impression that a pile of startup money is going to magically appear on the kitchen table), I'm going to take some time to relax, do more product research, work on expanding my customer base, and concentrate on all the lovely festivals and faires that come with the autumn and midwinter seasons.

2) There is also no bunny for this little soapmaker.  Nibbler wasn't actually blind, he was just *really* young... and not a bunny, but a hare.  Hares make both poor and unhappy pets, and so my little Nibbler was sent off to a wildlife rehabilitation centre, eventually to be released back into the wild (assuming he heals from the ass-whooping his mother gave him... otherwise, he stays with the rehabilitation people, who can better care of a hare than we can).

That is all.  Sad news on both accounts, but there's life here, and beauty and hope and love. You only fail when you cease trying, no?

Much love,
Maddy

Current Mood: sad

So, rather than a loan, I've decided (at the encouragement of my lovely banker lady) to mortgage my father's house, instead. I'll have *far* longer to pay it off, lower monthly payments, and access to a lot more money.

The downside?  More waiting... and waiting, and waiting... and trying really hard to not fret.

In the meantime, I'm narrowing down my options for a storefront (I'm still hoping for the place on Carden -- on the same block as Footprints the Eco Store and Hempire -- but there's a nice, relatively cheap and quite large place on Quebec and Baker, same block as the Bookshelf and a half block from St. George's Square... I think it used to be a gift shop, and it looks pretty big).  Looking for an accountant.  Making tons and tons of product.  Making extensive lists of all the things a retail store requires.

Fretting. Y'know.

Also, I have a business partner!  His name is Nibbler, he fits in the palm of my hand, and he's blind as a bat.  We found him last night (as he sauntered slowly in front of our car), and because I'm a big squishy Maddy of a creature, I couldn't bring myself to just leave him to get eaten by a cat/coyote/bird of prey/front wheel of someone's car.




We're not sure yet if he's a bunny or a hare, though we've a vet appointment tomorrow to determine this, as well as whether or not he's a he, the best care and feeding for him, and whether or not he's healthy.

Obviously, keeping a bunny/hare at home isn't going to work long term, what with my three bunny-hungry babies, so I've decided to keep him at the shop... I've seen lots of places with a shop cat, why not a shop bunny-or-quite-possibly-hare?  He can help me pass the long, long days at work, live free of predators, and give the customers something to ooh and ahh over.
(and then I get to keep him).

Current Mood: anxious

Okay guys, quick freaking-out-on-my-part... I set up my business account at the bank yesterday, and today I have a meeting to apply for a loan and ohmygoshwhatifidon'tgetitwhatifican'tpayitbackholycrapholycrapholycrap!!!

okay, breathing...

Anyway, I'm more than a little freaked about this whole thing (being able to properly finance my store front being a kind of big thing), so anyone who wants to say something comforting is more than encouraged to do so, and please think good loan thoughts for me around 4 o'clock today.

In the meantime, I breathe.  And also, make pumpkin pie soap.

Much love,
Maddy

Current Mood: nervous

I'm plotting out my autumnal soap selections today (all of which will be made in the next two weeks, in preparation for the coming of autumn and the (hopefully!) accompanying less-muggy weather), and I thought I'd run them by y'all and see if you had any thoughts, or any autumny requests beyond what I've come up with:

1. Chai Tea Soap - this will be a blend of chai spices (some in powdered form, some as essential oils) and black tea and milk, with extra vanilla for a bit of added sweetness.  The spices will add an element of gentle exfoliation to the soap, and the milk will add both extra moisture and additional exfoliation from the lactic acid. Added cocoa butter for moisture.

2. Pumpkin pie soap - a three-layered soap with real pumpkin, cream and powdered vanilla bean.  Good for all skin types.

3. Berry Crumble - will contain berry juice and milk for a nice astringent effect, and a layer of brown sugar and oatmeal on top for a nice, scrubby surface and colloidal-oatmeal goodness.  Added hemp oil for moisture.

4. Berry Swirl - similar to berry crumble, minus the scrubby oatmeal layer. Added jojoba oil for moisture.

5. Pomander Soap - a blend of sweet orange oil, orange zest, and a blend of cinnamon/clove evoke the classic, comforting smell of pomander.  Excellent for oily skin but suitable for all skin types.

6. Pumpkin Swirl - creamy pumpkin soap swirled with pumpkin pie spice. Excellent for all skin types.

7. Spiced Apple soap - warm apple scent with mulling spices (may or may not also make an apple crumble soap)

8. Gingerbread soap - based on my own recipe for actual Gingerbread, this soap will use real honey and molasses for their skin-soothing benefits, along with Gingerbread spices.  May or may not add a milky-sweet scented layer on top as 'icing'.

... and that's it for now.  Is there anything else that evokes autumn for you?  Can you think of something that would make the above better?  As always, I love your feedback!  Please, talk to your Maddy!

Much love,
Maddy

Current Mood: thoughtful

I've successfully finished my second month at the Kitchener Market, and so far, so good.  I've done well better than breaking even, even considering my week lost to a broken bum... I'm thinking it's time to start work on the third major step for Yggdrasil's Child:  an actual, physical store. I've nefarious plans to go talk to people on Tuesday morning.  Business Plan under way. Working on loan proposals... all that jazz.

I'm normally feeling more excited about all this (I was chair dancing at the thought, as much as I could, as I was doing some planning yesterday), but Some Dude felt the need to rush over to my stall earlier today and accuse me of "totally ripping off Lush"... which has actually got under my skin. This tells me, of course, that I need to develop a thicker skin (I was an irritatingly sensitive child; little has changed); it also has me thinking.  Am I?

In short, no, and certainly not any more than Lush themselves have.

I'm actually quite a fan of Lush; some of their soaps are fantastic, I love their bubble bars to death, and their squeaky green shampoo bar is to die for.  Before I discovered Lush, though, I had discovered The Body Shop (which predates Lush in Canada by quite a bit), where I'd spend hours (or, at least, long enough to make the sales staff look at me suspiciously) looking at the clear, neatly labeled bottles of bubbles and lotions and magic potions to make my skin softer and smoother; I'd stare longingly at the brightly coloured and highly fragrant bars of soap piled elegantly beside shining glass bottles of perfume oil, on the shelf above the bath bombs and votives candles, all scented and coloured to their specific fragrance. It was beautiful.  I was inspired.

Before that, there was the bath and beauty section of Zellers, and I really don't feel like I'm ripping off Zellers, either.  Nor, before that, Bargain Harold's, which had a lovely selection of fizzy bath tablets.

Maybe I'm not ripping off anybody.  Maybe I just like soap and bath products, and I'm tired of irritating chemicals, environmental damage, and astronomical prices.

I'd told Some Dude that Lush wasn't the first and isn't the only seller of handmade soap and body products, and it's absolutely true.  Soap has been sold commercially since the industrial revolution.  There have always been perfumeries, apothecaries were chemists -- both in the sense of medicinal preparations and in external preparations for the body -- and specialty bath and body stores have been around since at least the early 80s, when I first saw them as a child..  Lush makes claims to have invented the bath bomb, but the truth is that -- whether or not they coined the term 'bath bomb' for 'really big bath fizzy' -- bath fizzies have been around since I was a kid, some of which were quite large and round.  We've all been inspired by something.  It's entirely possible that, back in 1994 when the first Lush store opened in the UK, they were accused of ripping off some other soap and body product maker. Like I said, they weren't exactly the first.

In sum, I'm not "totally ripping off Lush", any more than I'm ripping off The Body Shop, Zellers, or Bargain Harold's.  I'm not ripping off Lush any more than any hamburger joint is ripping off any other hamburger joint.  We all have our own ideas, our own recipes, and our own goals.

And our own selection of merchandise.  Lush doesn't sell candles or hemp jewelery.  I don't sell solid perfumes or hair colourings.

(though, I have to admit, the part of me that's still feeling really hurt that Some Dude felt the need to come over and say something like that to me, without even looking all that carefully at my products, wonders exactly what he's doing for a living that is so terribly original and uninspired by anything anyone else has ever done, and in fact has nothing in common with anything anyone else has ever done.  *grump*)

Enough about that.  Onto better, less hurtful things:

My site is partially completed, go look!  www.yggdrasilschild.com

Also, I've a (partially full) Etsy shop up; go look there, too! http://www.etsy.com/shop/Yggdrasilschild

This week, I've a bunch of soap curing that will be ready to go out, including:
- Coconut Milk Soap
- Patchouli and Lemongrass Soap
- Seaweed Scrubby Soap
- Cedar and Spice Shampoo Bar (oh, and Some Hurtful Dude?  Lush didn't invent shampoo bars, either... in fact, before detergents, all we *had* were shampoo bars... just sayin')

I also have a few improved recipes for my Bath Bombs, some clay facial masks, new bags for my soaps, and a few surprises.  I hope you'll join me in ushering in August, and my lovely new products.

(and maybe give me a hug, because that Hurtful Dude really did hurt my feelings.)

Much love,
Maddy

Current Mood: still a bit hurt

Yes!  Open!  Come see me!
(new this week:  chocolate soap, vanilla soap, and perhaps clay face masks (if my back hold up long enough to make some up)

In other (arguably more interesting) news:  I've stumbled across the most wonderful natural beauty blog!  It's called Homemade Beauty With Victoria: your essential guide to natural skincare, and it's wonderful.  I won't waste your time describing it, just go!  Now!  Go and read about natural skin care and check out her amazing recipes, and thank me later.

Hope to see some of y'all tomorrow :)

Much love,
Maddy

Current Mood: lethargic

Theoretically, I'll be up and running again by Saturday (I hope), but it turns out that I've fractured my tailbone (or, as I recently explained to my middle god son, "broke my bum"), so I'll be doing far more research than crafting for the next 6 - 8 weeks (well, 5 - 7 now, I suppose).  Do forgive my sparse entries... at the end of this, however, I'll have many, many nefarious plans for new products and new flavours of the products that I already carry.

In the meantime, know what y'all need?  A picture of a dog:



Much love,
Maddy

Current Mood: sore