All my soaps are made using the cold process method of soapmaking. Cold Process means that the oils are not subjected to external heat (the only heat comes from a chemical reaction called saponification.) The texture of cold process seems to me like the finest texture and quality of soap. I also favor more natural colorants such as clays, activated charcoal or sometimes; just the color the oils themselves provide.
One of my favorite soaps that I make is-“Orange Honey Drizzle with Oats-A generous drizzle of aromatic Citrus Honey and Sweet Orange essential oil mingle with hand ground colloidal oats; this wholesome soap is like breakfast for your skin.” I think it exemplifies my style and what I like about soap. It’s wholesome and real, it looks beautiful, it smells wonderful and it makes your skin feel amazing.
Michele Lang
Random Facts About You?I am a huge "I Love Lucy" fan. I think the writing is better than anything today and the clothes are just entirely beautiful. I would love to wear clothes from the 50's.
My favorite artist is Georgia O'Keeffe. I visited the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico last summer and highly recommend it.
I love trees,and think they are a perfect work of art.
I dream about moving to New Mexico and living in a small sustainable home complete with a sheddio for soap making.
What got you started crafting?
I have always loved the idea of handmade soap, however I would have never, ever thought about making it until my husband sort of goaded me into it. My very first batch closely resembled a brown blob, but that didn't discourage me-instead I tried again and again, and one day I finally ended up with a pristine log of soap and I was hooked. I can't remember ever in my life being so enamored with a process or creative outlet. Soap making is a fascinating chemical reaction that allows for generous artistic expression.I think that I never really grasped what "handmade" is truly about until I developed such an appreciation for the soap making process.
What is your source of inspiration?
First and foremost, the ingredients I work with are fabulous. Seriously, who wouldn't want to work with such great ingredients as goat's milk, fresh honey, colloidal oats, botanicals,clays and beautiful plant oils. What's not to love about that? Secondly, I am often inspired by nature in a broader sense and try to come up with scent blends,textures and colors that would harmonize well with a natural element I am currently inspired to keep my soap simple so that the scent blend is the featured element.
What have you made recently?
I try to make soap often. I am always inspired to try something new. My most recent soap is one I call "Lavender Rustica" I describe it as "Romantically rustic; encrusted with lavender buds (with a few sprinkled throughout) this soap is for the person who is romantic at heart. Immerse yourself in the calming, soothing warmth of lavender and vanilla while restoring soulful balance to the end of a long day."
I wanted to make a soap that was sort of old world rustic and romantic. I think that my latest line has been a bit on the refined side and I wanted this soap to have a more earthy, natural,rustic feel.I used beautiful lavender buds to encrust the top(there are some sprinkled throughout as well for added texture)to add that old world romantic touch and scented it with an essential oil blend I knew would darken the body of the soap to add a bit more rustic flair.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
Presently, I sell online through my website and am in the process of exploring several other opportunities.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
Handmade soap is just unequivocally better for your skin because of the retained glycerin- the very thing that makes it special. Commercial soaps are stripped of glycerin for use in other cosmetics and often contain many questionable ingredients. Using handcrafted soap is a unique therapeutic experience that utilizes the very best that nature has to offer to sooth both the body and the soul.
Find Me
LocationLubbock, Texas
Email Address
Michele Lang
Personal Website
http://www.tierraverdesoaps.com/
Store Website
http://www.tierraverdesoaps.com/
ilovesoap
