Doggone Fun on the Run - Sept. 27

Doggone Fun on the Run, a two-mile walk/run for individuals and their dogs, will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at Otsiningo Park, Binghamton. This event will benefit the Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) program at the Southern Tier AIDS Program. PAWS helps people living with HIV/AIDS to maintain the health and well being of their pet companions. All participants who donate $25 or more will receive lunch courtesy of Outback Steakhouse. To register: Mary Kaminsky, 798-1706.

I'll have my booth set up there (hope the weather cooperates) selling lots of healthy Pet Soap. Hope to see you!

Broome Community College Beginner Class

Natural Soapmaking - Beginner
Saturday, September 20
Session 1 – 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

It will be here before you know it. It is limited to 10, so don't hesitate to sign up. Call BCC at 778-5012.

Best Festival Ever!

Gorgeous weather, tons of festive people and delicious food. It was an angelic day and a monarch butterfly kept visiting my booth. What a great time! Now I must rest. xo

Garlic Festival Time

Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17 at the American Civic Assoc., 131 Front Street, Binghamton. This is the one outdoor festival I vendor every year. Mainly because the multi ethnic food and people are interestingly diversified for a small local festival. It started seven years ago and is focused on many local/northeast garlic growers, with braiding demos and tons of garlic kinds. So come on out and check out my garlic soap (yes, that's right) and have some fun. See ya.

Watch out for Triclosan

"Triclosan is used in a nauseating array of household products such as toothpastes, soaps and lotions. Synthesized over 30 years ago, it was once thought to be a safe and effective antibiotic. But a recent UC Davis study shows otherwise. Scientists discovered that triclosan accumulates in the body – even when applied topically – to eventually disrupt hormone activity. Once absorbed, the synthetic toxin throws our thyroid and sex hormones out of whack, potentially leading to obesity, infertility, cancer and age acceleration. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently discovered that a ghastly 75% of random people tested were positive for triclosan!
The gender bending triclosan was recently approved by the EPA for use in over 140 household products. There is simply no law that requires its removal, despite the real and present danger.
The best way to avoid triclosan and many other toxins is to choose organic. Natural soaps and the antibiotic zinc oxide work as good as triclosan at beating infection. "
By Shane "The People’s Chemist" Ellison..............AMEN BROTHER SHANE ELLISON!! Study your essential oils and other natural additives to put in your soap and it is a natural antibiotic that is more than skin deep. Start your day soapy! Ri

Wine Soapmaking Class Results

It was a beautiful day and we had fun. Definitely a cautious teacher, there were no events. We learned:

- measure 1/2 cup more wine than the recipe calls for and simmer it 5 minutes.

- Chill the wine on ice down to about 50-60 degrees.

- Add the lye very slowly.

- Add extra scent and study flashpoints since the cook is warmer.

- Have a taste test to be sure you like the wine.

- Red wine pours brown but will lighten up as it cures.

I used a vegan base with Berry Wine scent, swirled burgandy color and sprinkled mauve mica.

HSMG NEWS!

At the last meeting of the Board of Directors, I was appointed to fill Nadine Laurant's vacant seat. I will serve until the seat is filled by election at the next Annual Meeting (Palm Springs, May 13th). If you haven't already, I hope you'll take a few minutes to take a look at the HSMG site and contemplate a membership. There are alot of exciting things going on with HSMG to continue to make soapmaking growing and professional (we already know we have alot of fun). Please feel free to contact me and list your ideas and concerns as soapmakers and I will certainly bring them to the Board. I am so honored to be asked to fill in for Nadine. She will be very missed.



http://soapguild.org/