Update #2!

Hello everyone! We're still hard at work getting all your soaps made, packaged and shipped. We're steadily getting through the massive number of orders, trying to make each one as good as it can possibly be. We have high standards for our products -- even more so after all you've done for us -- and if it's not good enough, we just don't send it until it is. In that spirit, today's update is: Soap Fails!, or Wow, I Totally Screwed That One Up!

Soaps with more than one element, like color or soap type, are at a much higher risk of failing than those with only one element. This is because the fusion of the two elements is necessary for creating one cohesive soap. If the first element is still liquid, the two elements will mix when you pour the second one, totally ruining the effect. That means the first element has to be at least partially set when you pour the second element, and that means you have to get the temperature of the second element just right when you pour it. If you don't, chaos ensues:

See? Utter chaos!

This is what happens when the second element (the green base) isn't hot enough. It wasn't able to melt the surface of the first element (the orange flower part) and fuse, leaving the two parts unattached to each other.

We might as well do away with all forms of organized government because this is anarchy.

This is what happens when the second element is way too hot. I actually ended up warping the mold on this one, as you can see from the bulges on the side and  the way the flower seems to be sinking into the base. You can also see that some of the green was able to seep down and cover part of the flower.

Left: A perfect mold with the flower part setting. Right: A shriveled, melted mess.

I call this one "Two Poppies: A Study in Failure."

The cameo soaps are also prone to failure. One reason is that the opaque layer has to be poured very carefully and very thinly, because the depressions in the mold that make up the rose and the border aren't very deep. Once I start to pour and the soap leaves the cup in a thin stream, it begins to set. So, if I don't pour in one continuous stream, when I do start pouring again the soap won't be hot enough to fuse with what I have already poured. You'll see what I mean in a minute.

Two cameo soaps setting. Both seem perfectly fine at this point.

One of these soaps is a liar.

When it comes out well, it's fantastic:

A perfect dismount! 10!

Look how it's reflecting the light in little rays along the left side. It's like it knows it's pretty.

But when it doesn't, it's a disaster:

Somebody call FEMA, 'cause this soap is a disaster.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

So that's a glimpse into some of the failures we've experienced on the road to getting orders out. Next update: Packaging and Glamour Shots!

Our Big "Thank You!"

April’s Army, Regretsy readers, and friends—

There aren’t enough words in the English language to accurately express our gratitude. This has been a miraculous experience for us. We began the week feeling hopeful, but you all quickly showed us kindness, love and generosity far beyond anything we dared hope for. Your messages of support alone have brought such a light into our lives, and the money you’ve contributed is truly life-changing.

We want to thank the over 250 people who purchased something from our Etsy store. Every listing sold out, so thank you so much for your overwhelming support. We appreciate your patience with the delay as we work to complete and ship all your orders. (In the meantime, I’ll be posting periodically at katieandmarilyn.blogspot.com with pictures of the soap making/packaging/shipping process in order to keep everyone updated and involved, so check back there often.)

We must thank all the people who donated money through our blog as well. You very literally gave without asking anything in return, and that is unbelievably moving. Thank you.

We also have to thank all the amazing artists and crafters who donated items to be sold through April’s Army on Etsy. It’s obvious that you all put your hearts into your work. Frankly, it was a struggle not to buy many of the items ourselves! They were just that fantastic. Your contributions have made an incredible difference in our lives.

And of course, we are immeasurably grateful to April and her whole charity team. Not one bit of this would have happened without your kindness and generosity. You really are improving the world, one Etsy seller at a time.

So from our family to all of you, thank you!

-Katie and Marilyn.

(Originally published on http://www.regretsy.com/2011/07/06/news-and-importantness/)

Thank You! With Photos!

This past week has been amazing for us! The outpouring of support from all of you has been overwhelming, mind-blowing, life-changing...there just aren't enough words. We've written a huge letter of thanks that will be going up on Regretsy very soon, and I don't want to spoil it, so I'll post it here after it's gone up over there.

What I will post now are some pictures! We received over 250 orders and completely sold out. (Thank you!) It's going to take a while to get all these orders out, so in the meantime I thought I would keep you all updated and involved with posts about our soap making/packaging/shipping process.

A vast expanse of yellow roses.

Soaps have completely taken over our house. There is hardly a surface that isn't covered with raw materials, setting soaps, soaps waiting to be packaged or the packaging itself.

Yellow roses are setting on every kitchen counter.

Yellow roses cover the living room table.

Once these set, they're popped out, and another color takes over.

They're even filling the refrigerator!

Once the translucent soaps are popped out, we store them in the fridge. Some of the translucent soaps have a tendency to "glisten" when they're put in warm, covered areas. You can see the effect here:

The orange and the purple are glistening. The pink isn't.
Why? The world may never know!

The glistening isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's actually very pretty. It's a lot like condensation on the outside of a glass of ice water. It wipes off easily, wet or dry. Still, we've found that putting the soaps in the fridge stops them from glistening for a while, even after they've warmed up, and that's good for shipping.

Closeups! Pink and blue stars.

Orange roses.

Pink roses.

That's it for our first photo update! Thank you all for your unbelievable generosity and your patience as we get everything put together and sent out. If you have any questions at all, leave them in the comments or email us at etsysoapmachine at gmail. Be sure to check Regretsy for the big thank you, and check back here as we continue to post behind-the-scenes updates!