Busy Bea

Leap Day Giveaway!

As promised in our first newsletter, my lovely assistant and I are conducting our first product giveaway. We're giving away a sampler of our handmade organic olive oil and beeswax soap (five varieties!) valued at $15. Click on the photo for details about this fabulous prize. (go ahead, we'll wait)

 

 

 

Before proceeding, I'll go over the rules and (terribly low tech) method:

To be entered into our periodic drawings you must be a busy Bea newsletter subscriber at the time of the drawing. If you're not already a subscriber and you'd like to be entered into future drawings you can subscribe here.  

We print out our current subscriber list, cut the peoples apart, cull out our relations, and put the slips into a hat. This time we're using Papa's Stormy Kromer cap.

 

 

 

Please notice the pains my assistant has taken with her appearance. For now, the integrity of our drawing is ensured by her illiteracy. Sometime before she learns to ready we'll learn to use random number generation to pick our winners. That won't be nearly as much fun, I think. Here we go!

 

  

Congratulations, Pamela!

How do we protect your personal information?

 

 

 

Rabbits and worms tell no tales!

Remember that the 20% off coupon code in the last newsletter will remain active until we send out our next newsletter. You can use it to procure the soap of your dreams in our etsy shop. Please be sure to enter coupon codes into the etsy shopping cart and apply them before choosing your method of payment.

Happy Leap Day!

 

 

Valentines have arrived at www.busybeasoap.etsy.com

Venersborg Community Club

The events hosted by the Venersborg Community Club at their 100 year old school house are definitely planned by kindred spirits. Seed exchanges, wreath making parties, Sweethearts' Dances, Homestead Days...Next up is Apple Fest this Sunday, October 23. I'll be there cutting (and sampling) some of the more than 200 (!) heirloom varieties.

I was lucky enough to be invited to demonstrate soap making at their recent Homestead Day. It was an opportunity for folks to share some of the skills that would have been vital to the community when the schoolhouse was built a century ago. I had a chance to learn a little about spinning and wool, ogle Brenda's Heirloom Hens and the beautiful quilts made by the lady set up next to me in between demos, but missed so much more like the pickling demonstration.

Oh, I also got a lesson from Jacqueline Freeman of Friendly Haven Farm on how to make real whitewash for the chicken coop. Jason got a chance to ask questions about the finer points of goat keeping, check out the school house's old school construction, and take some of his panoramas. Bea made delicious strawberry jam with other children and helped to ring the school bell! There was a nice article and photo gallery in the Columbian about the day.

 

Homemade Laundry Powder

Mix up some laundry powder to have on hand for very heavily soiled loads.

5.5 oz grated bar soap
1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Mix everything in a food processor and store in a moisture proof container.

Makes 3 cups (about 40 loads) Use 1 to 2 tablespoons depending on size & soil level of load.

adapted from www.duggarfamily.com/recipes

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap 1 and 5 gallon recipes

To make just 1 gallon:
1 cup hot tap water
1.5 oz grated bar soap
1/4 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
2 Tablespoons 20 Mule Team Borax

Add the grated soap to the hot water in a saucepan. Stir it over med-low heat until melted. Add washing soda and borax and stir until dissolved. Fill a 1 gallon jug half way with hot tap water. Add the soap mixture. Shake it up and then fill to the top with more tap water. Let it sit overnight to thicken. Shake before each use.

1 gallon = 128 oz = 16 cups = 32 half cups (extra-large top loader) = 64 1/4 cup (recommended top loader) = 128 1/4 cup (front loader)!

To make 5 gallons:
4 cups hot tap water
5.5 ounces grated bar soap (save your slivers for this)
1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (not Baking Soda)
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Add the grated soap to the hot water in a saucepan. Stir it over med-low heat until melted. Add washing soda and borax and stir until dissolved.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with hot tap water. Pour in the soap mixture and stir with a whisk, immersion blender, or paint stirrer drill attachment. Add more hot tap water and stir again. Cover the bucket and let it sit overnight to thicken. Transfer to gallon jugs and shake before each use.

5 gallons = 640 oz = 80 cups = 160 half cups (extra large top loader) = 320 1/4 cup (reg top loader) = 640 1/8 cup (front loader)

adapted from www.duggarfamily.com/recipes

Laundry Talk

My homemade laundry soap recipe was by the Portland Tribune today. Also in the Sustainable Life section is an investigative report about cold water washing. They felt the three detergents they tested did well in cold water for all but the greasy lip stick stain. I'm on the fence about cold water washing. This time of year I wash dark colors in cold water and that's about it. Experience tells me that despite the detergent or soap used, my clothes get cleaner in a warm or hot wash. My friend Michelle came up with a good illustration of this: does soap rinse from your hands more readily in warm or cold water?

Something not addressed in the investigation is what constitutes 'cold'. Some new and fancy washing machines have thermostats that heat water to the correct temperature for the selected cycle. Hot is upwards of 130 degrees Fahrenheit, warm somewhere from 90 to 110, and cold is actually between 60 and 80 degrees.

Most of us are relying on less sophisticated machines. In our older machines hot is whatever temperature our water heaters are set for. Warm is a fifty-fifty or sixty-forty mix of what is coming from the water heater and what is coming out of the cold tap. Sometimes, specially in winter, the cold water coming through the pipes is well below the 60 degrees needed to wash clothes effectively. I wash more clothes on the cold setting during summer than I do in winter.

I've decided to write about the topics covered in my laundry classes so check back soon for more laundry talk. 

 

Buy Soap

Our premium cold process soap is made by hand in small batches using organic extra virgin olive oil and locally sourced beeswax with pure essential oils and other natural ingredients.

All cold process soap retains the natural glycerin created by the saponification process. Olive oil soap rinses cleanly away leaving behind no oily or greasy film. Most olive oil soap is made with the lowest 'pomace' grade oil which is treated with solvents and not intended for human consumption. Our soap is made with oil of the highest grade available, organic extra virgin. In addition, we add locally sourced beeswax to our bars. Our soaps are mild and suitable for sensitive skin.

Currently in stock, as of 12/12/10:
 

Lavender Everyone's favorite. Reassuring lavender essential oil is heavenly in these olive oil and beeswax bars. Generous 4oz bars available at $5.00 each. 

Geranium and french green clay Geranium essential oil lends a rose-y fragrance to these gorgeously green facial bars. Generous 4 oz bars are available at $5.00 each.

Geranium Just balancing geranium essential oil in these soothing bars. Generous 4 oz bars are available at $5.00 each.

Anise A great kitchen helper, anise essential oil neutralizes the fishy, garlicy odors it encounters. Approximately 4 oz bars are available at $5.00 each.

Lemongrass Brighten your day with a citrusy burst of pure lemongrass essential oil. Generous 4 oz bars are available at $5.00 each.

Ginger and Lime A warming combination for chilly days. Generous 4 oz bars are available at $5.00 each.

True Olive Oil Castile Soap  This is it, the real deal: no beeswax, no essential oils, just organic extra virgin olive oil. For your household, crafting, and skin care needs. Need soap for felting, homemade laundry soap, tooth soap? Generous 5oz bars are available at $5.00 each

Little bits. Assorted blocks of soap each weighing 0.5 - 1 oz each and perfect for guests, children, what-have-you. Sold by the pound ($20) and half pound ($16.00).

Our packaging is minimal and (mostly) sustainable. Our cards and labels are made from elephant poo paper.

Place your order by emailing kristinasalmiklotz@gmail.com. Local (Portland-Vancouver) pickup available at no charge. We ship via USPS Priority Mail Service.

Soap and Laundry Workshops

Workshop Descriptions

Cold Process Soapmaking 

Never buy soap again! In this class Kristina will share the olive oil & beeswax soap recipe she’s been perfecting over the last decade. Learn why she and others favor this high quality, moisturizing, and versatile soap made with easy to obtain natural ingredients. Topics covered will include: budget-wise equipment, why use olive oil, beeswax & lye and how to obtain them, choosing essential oils, the cold process method, getting comfortable with lye, choosing molds, and proper curing and storing. We’ll make a batch of Lavender & Honey Organic Olive Oil and Local Beeswax Soap from start to finish and everyone will take soap to cure at home along with the basic recipe and variations such as anise & poppyseed kitchen hand soap and peppermint & pumice foot soap. Please bring a large bath towel and apron.

Natural Laundry Care

Do you do laundry every day? Learn how to make- in 20 minutes and with $5 worth of materials - enough laundry soap to last you six months! Get tips for saving time and other precious resources and find answers to your most pressing laundry quandaries: Should I really wash everything in cold water? How can I keep my whites bright without using chlorine bleach? Is there a science to treating stains? How do I keep my clothes looking new for longer? What causes static cling? What does permanent press mean anyway? Go home with plenty of tips, recipes, and enthusiasm!

Our 1st Annual Community Supported Soap Event!

***The sale is ended. Go in peace***

Who? Busy Bea Soap Company LLC - Kristina, Jason, and Beatrix Salmi Klotz

What? Premium cold process soap made by hand in small batches using organic extra virgin olive oil and locally sourced beeswax with pure essential oils and other natural ingredients.

When? We're taking orders now through November 5th for delivery the week of December 7th.

Where? Pick up your soap in North Portland, collaborate with others for free delivery near you*, or receive your shipment via USPS Priority Mail outside of the Portland metro area (USPS flat rate shipping charges apply).

Why? This is your chance to stock up on the healthiest, highest quality soap available at a price you can afford. Participants in this community supported soap scheme receive a 25% discount on our regular pricing and orders of $50 or more going to one address will be delivered free* in the Portland area.

How? Review the options below and email busybeasoap @ gmail.com with your shopping list and other pertinent information like name, address, and phone number. We'll record your order and generate a paypal invoice that you can pay securely online or mail a check.

*Help us conserve fuel and make this effort sustainable by allowing us to coordinate delivery of orders to as few stops as possible. Please let us know if your home or business would be a possible location for those nearby to pick up their orders. Please let us know if you belong to an established buying group so that we may coordinate your order with others in your group. We will make our best effort to deliver your soap at no additional cost to you.

All cold process soap retains the natural glycerin created by the saponification process. Olive oil soap rinses cleanly away leaving behind no oily or greasy film. Most olive oil soap is made with the lowest 'pomace' grade oil which is treated with solvents and not intended for human consumption. Our soap is made with oil of the highest grade available, organic extra virgin. In addition, we add locally sourced beeswax to our bars. Our soaps are mild and suitable for sensitive skin.

 

Hand-cut Bar Soap. Pretty straightforward. Each hand-cut bar weighs around 4 oz. Available in anise & poppy seed, bay rum SOLD OUT, geranium, geranium & oakmoss, ginger & lime, juniperberry, lavender, lavender & peppermint, lemongrass, or unscented bars. Contains saponified organic extra virgin olive oil, local beeswax, and essential oils. Anise & poppy seed bars contain poppy seeds. Regular price $5.00, Event price $3.75 (25% discount)

Round Jelly Jar Soap. These soaps are molded in re-purposed vintage jelly molds collected by everybody's favorite jar guy. Some have delightful etchings, each is unique and weighs about 4 oz. Available in anise & poppy seed, geranium, ginger & lime, lavender, lemongrass, and unscented.Contains saponified organic extra virgin olive oil, local beeswax, and essential oils. Anise & poppy seed bars contain poppy seeds. Regular price $5.25, Event price $3.94 (25% discount)

 

Romantics. Lovely, highly detailed giftable soap. Weights vary from 3oz for Lovebirds & Round Foliage to more than 4oz for Arabesque Square, Fleur de Lis, and Scrollwork Heart. Is there someone on your holiday list who is sensitive to fragrance and often misses out on bath & body gifts? They may appreciate receiving one of these pretty bars Unscented. Also available with Lavender or Geranium. Contains saponified organic extra virgin olive oil, local beeswax, and essential oils. Lovebirds & Round Foliage Regular price $4.75, Event price $3.56 (25% discount), Arabesque Square, Fleur de Lis, and Scrollwork Heart Regular price $6.00, Event price $4.50 (25% discount)

 

Lavender & Honeybees Honey brings a little something extra to these honeybees and honeycomb squares. Both make heartfelt gifts especially when paired with your hand rolled or dipped beeswax candles. Bees are about 3 oz, honeycomb squares are about 2oz. Contains saponified organic extra virgin olive oil, local beeswax, honey, and lavender essential oil. Honeybees Regular price $4.75, Event price $3.56 (25% discount), Honeycomb squares Regular price $2.75, Event price $2.06 (25% discount)

 

Anise & Poppy Seed Piggy (SOLD OUT for this event, you can still order them, but I can't guarantee them in time for Dec 7th delivery ) is the perfect kitchen hand soap. Anise essential oil neutralizes fish, garlic, and other strong odors. Some fishermen use anise to hide their human scent from the fish! Poppy seeds scrub away dough & dirt without stripping skin. This is a great hostess or holiday gift all on its own and downright fabulous when paired with a handmade potholder, crocheted or knitted dishcloth, embroidered tea towel, or apron. A simple apron can be made from a large hankie or bandana by sewing a length of grosgrain ribbon along one edge. This soap weighs in at about 4oz. Contains saponified organic extra virgin olive oil, local beeswax, poppy seeds, and anise essential oil. Regular price $6.00, Event price $4.50 (25% discount)

Not pictured

Just Olive Oil Soap  For your household and crafting needs. Need soap for felting, homemade laundry soap, tooth soap? This is it. No beeswax, no essential oils. Sold by the pound in chunks (you grate!) Contains saponified organic extra virgin olive oil. Regular price $16 per pound, Event price $12.00 (25% discount)

Little bits. Assorted blocks of soap each weighing about 1oz and perfect for guests, children, what-have-you. A good mix. Sold by the pound and half pound. $20 per pound, Event price $15.00 per pound (25% discount), $10 per half pound, Event price $7.50 per half pound (25% discount)

Our packaging is minimal and (mostly) sustainable. Our business cards and labels are made from elephant poo paper. Soaps can be individually wrapped with joie de toile printed tissue (20% recycled content), hemp twine, and brightly colored Busy Bea business card for an additional $0.50 per soap. 

Thank you!