I'm back on my feet.

Hello my friends.  As you may or may not know, I recently had surgery and am recovering nicely.  I am starting to get back into the swing of things and what better way to do that than with several inquiries into my cutie pie wedding favors for some upcoming autumn weddings.

A big congratulations to Allison B., a lovely lady who recently got engaged and has multiple bulk Sudstress purchases under her belt.  She'll be getting married this September and I'm super excited to get back on the horse, starting with her wedding favor project! 

On the topic of weddings, I'd like to give a shout out to a very talented photographer Kelley Klein of Kelley Klein Photography in Atlanta, GA.  Not only have we been friends for a decade, but she puts out supremely beautiful work.  If you're in the market for a wedding photographer (or just a photographer for whatever reason) you can find her here:

http://www.kelleyklein.com/

That's all for now.  Short and sweet.  I have a batch of soap with the working title of Choco-nilla that is probably ready for sale that I will list soon and will be churning out more as I continue to heal.  No matter what happens in life, I always come back to soap.  That's true love.

You can learn more about my experience with Graves' Disease and my Total Thyroidectomy here:

http://alumpinmythroat.wordpress.com/ 

Until next time, thanks for sticking with me!  As a token of my thanks, I'd like to leave you with a few happy pictures of springtime around here:

Wedding Favor Samples ...duh, can't believe I didn't think of it sooner.

I know wedding season doesn't start until May, but I make stuff that has to be thought of ahead of time.  I got a late jump on the Christmas season, so I'm getting an early one on the wedding planning season.  If all those radio ads are true, there will be a bunch of ladies walking around with some new jewelry, ready to make one of the biggest promises of their lives. 

The result of this, weddings!  The result of weddings...   wedding favors!

I feel like such a dummy for not offering this publicly before.  Anytime someone has contacted me regarding wedding favors, I describe them to the best of my ability, but I know they sound small to some people.  Granted they're favors and are supposed to be small, but it's also soap and people think twice about tiny soap.  That's when I offer to send a sample so they can actually see what they're giving their guests.  I've never had a future bride not sign on as a client once they hold it in their hands.  So, I've set up a listing on etsy - my commerce site - for ordering a sample.  Easy peasy.  No email necessary, no long description, just a sample in your hand. 

The sample costs $0.20 because that is the minimum listing value on the site.  Just pay shipping and it's all set.  I can't guarantee the color / scent combination since they are previously made, but that won't really matter too much.  Each sample will come packaged to give you the total effect.  Here are a few examples:  You can order one by clicking here.

Babies and weddings and boyfriends, oh my!

This has been a good month for Sudstress.  A few weeks ago, I got an email from a woman who was looking for 40 baby shower favors and had been referred to me by the lovely Joanna of The Soap Bar and Product Body.  (Thanks Jo!)  Her shower is this weekend and all has been delivered and signed for.  She was so kind to still work with me even though I couldn't do custom without more time; we figured out a way to make what I had in stock, custom for her.  I hope they're a hit.  We went with exotic berry, stamped 'Baby M' with some pearlescent purple mica.

Then I got an email about a week ago for 60 wedding favors.  All was confirmed a few days ago, and I made them Tuesday morning.  Her wedding is in September.  I've already ordered the gift tags - my best design yet, thanks to istockphoto and their amazing vector artists.  One in particular whose style I LOVE.  A month seems like plenty of time, unless you're talking making soap, cutting it into 60 little pieces, stamping 60 little pieces, assembling 60 boxes, filling them with shred, packing the soap in them, tying a ribbon and gift tag around each one, packing them and shipping them....  whew! 

They will look similar to this:

Today I received confirmation from Allison, who bought a custom order of Gravel Road Grunt - a novelty scented soap with pumice in it that I made for gift bags given away at the Fool's Gold 50/100 mountain bike race a few years ago.  Apparently he really liked it because he kept the label all this time and this is the second custom bulk order for it!  I'll be making the batch this Sunday for local delivery in a handful of weeks.

Sorry for the poor quality on that last picture.  I sort of took it last minute before moving it to the curing shelves.  I wanted a record of it, but who needs it when it looks so poorly lit and on paper towel...  clearly not staged properly, but you get the idea.

Finally, I blog about soap...

I've been extremely busy the last few months.  I've worked hard to find balance in my life and include time for my relationships, my soap, meditation and exercise on top of full-time work and school.  I haven't had as much time to soap as I would like, but I still was chosen to create some wonderful gifts for the guests and wedding party of a few brides to be who have a wonderful appreciation for unique, handmade gifts.

Eric & Tangela ~ married August 19, 2010

"Words can't express my gratitude enough!  These favors bring my wedding full circle.  I had a vision in the very beginning and you made the vision a reality!  I also got my extra gift, thank you so much.  I was going to take a favor from a guest for a souvenir, but you prevented that by being so gracious.  I am going to tell all my friends who may be getting married where to go!  Thanks again!"  

~ Tangela P., New Jersey

Ahmad & Andrea ~ to be married sometime in 2010

Maggie & Joey ~ to be wed March 5, 2011

"I just wanted to tell you THANK YOU SO MUCH for the wonderful favors, cake slices and cutie pies!  They are ADORABLE in person!  When I brought them home Joe carried the box in and remarked how they smelled just like chocolate.  He loves them and thinks they are so neat.  He said the cutie pies look like he could take a bite out of them.

They are delightful and I think they will be a big hit at the wedding.   

Everything exceeded our expectations and the colors match the linens I have been looking at for the tables - woot!  Again, thank you."

~ Marguerite D., Atlanta 

 

 

 

 

Lisa & Josh ~ to be married September 22, 2010 

VD - the good kind!

Ahh, Valentine's Day.. the day that suggests everyone be partnered; a day where all too high expectations are set and unfulfilled expectations occur if all is not just as imagined. Valentine's Day should be a day to be filled with love and laughter and appreciation for any and all loved ones, not just a romantic partner. I do love all those bitter themed parties and stinky garlic dinners prepared every February 14th, though.

Despite that awkward intro, the truth is, Valentine's Day is just like every other day in life. When approached without expectation, but rather with appreciation, it will always be wonderful regardless of your relationship status. Maybe I'm being idealistic, but the more days I put under my belt, the more I realize that life unfolds as it's meant to in its own time. The fewer expectations we have and the less attached we are to the outcome of our journey, the more fulfilling each day will be. Look around and appreciate the people who bring joy into your life. This is the perspective I am trying to adopt daily.

Even though I've been going through a really difficult and often scary transition in my work life, I am so lucky that I have family that supports my choices and will do anything in their power to help me. I love my friends, many of whom I don't have the chance to spend much time with as our lives have evolved and all but eliminated our proximity to each other. These are people I can call and talk as though no time has passed.

When fear and doubt creep in regarding all the unknowns in my life, I think of all the amazing opportunities, people and events that have been dropped into my lap at just the right time or as "dumb luck" after a lot of hard work. These are things we can not plan for or schedule, but must learn to surrender to the energy of the universe (God, Source, Creator... you get the idea) and trust that it will provide. The last several months have been a real test of faith for me and I suppose this post is my way of reaffirming my belief and trust. I've been pretty shaky lately.

So this post really evolved from where I thought I was going to where it went. My intention was to unveil a new item available for Valentine's Day, which will also be added to my wedding line. I went the traditional route with the couple's name. These hearts can be custom stamped with any short phrase you'd like. May I suggest the following?

Romantic interest:
I like you
I love you
Do Me
Take off your pants
I heart you
Let's do it
You complete me (if the recipient has a good sense of humor or likes campy movies)
any number of dirty phrases that might be in poor taste to post publicly

Friends & Relatives
Thank you
BFFs 4-ever (again, if the recipient has a good sense of humor or you are both 12 year old girls from 2005)
Best Friends
Mom
Mom & Dad (nice little anniversary gift too)

So they don't get the wrong idea
Friend Zone
Buddies
Love you like a brother
You remind me of my dad
You have a great personality
Hey Pal!
Let's watch the game
Sorry, I'm just not attracted to you

Okay, so I am kidding about some of those, but if they fit on the heart, I'm not gonna deny you...

Enough with the talk, more with the show:




Each custom stamped heart is in the Midnight Mint scent (kinda like sweet mint chocolate minus the chocolate), weighs approximately 3 ounces and comes nestled in recycled tissue in a lovely matching gift box seen above for $11.95 and you can click here to order.

presenting...

custom cutie pie soap slices

I've finally come up with the perfect wedding favor soap. I was on the verge of this idea when this contest surfaced. Please view and comment on my entry. Mark is my brother and Melissa is his wife. They're such a positive example for me that it seemed only fitting to use their names.

Each slice weighs approximately one ounce and will be available presented in either an organza bag or white box with affixed label. Presentation and packaging photos still to come..

I will make available several versions of this. I will be offering whole cutie pies (pre-sliced if desired) for under $15, including gift packaging. Also, I will offer 4 slice gift packs for about $6.50 - pictures coming soon.