Skip to main content

....and that's all she said.

I started this blog on a whim in 2009.  At the time, I thought the concept of a blog was fascinating and what better subject than soap, my all-consuming hobby turned business?  Much later I summarized my reasons for starting this little blog.  From its beginning, I knew I wouldn't be doing this forever and I've been contemplating the end for the past 9 months.  But here at the end of the year, it's become clear to me that this is the time.

Am I quitting the whole soaping gig?  Not hardly.  In fact, things are getting busier for me all the time; I need to streamline, prioritize and make some decisions regarding the future.  I have taken on some responsibilities that need my attention and am considering some opportunities unrelated to my soap business.

I never expected to have a blog that had a steady group of followers--it's never failed to surprise me.  I appreciate all of you and as I've looked back over the last couple of years, I realize that I have made many friends through this blog that I never would have "met" otherwise.  I've always especially enjoyed checking the stats to see where my readers have come from.  (To my readers from little Luxembourg, I've always suspected that you're cousins of mine. ;)  I mean, really, the odds are pretty good!)  I especially want to thank Anne-Marie and Bramble Berry for the fun opportunities I have been given from time to time.  You have a customer for life here!

For now, at least, I'll leave this blog public.  Happy soaping to you all and all the best in 2013!


Adios, au revoir, auf wiedersehen, good night.


(Ten points if you recognize that line and ten bonus points if your parents spent Saturday nights with Bobby, Sissy, and Co. and assumed you enjoyed it just as much as they did....) :)
Labels:

Comments

  1. CeeJanuary 1, 2013 at 12:39 AM

    Ohhh, 10 points for me, that brings back fond memories! I sure have enjoyed reading your blog Amy, yours was one of the first I found when I started back into soapmaking and I have received much inspiration from your blog. I completely understand that as things get busier, you must prioritize, and I wish you all the best with your future endeavors. Happy New Year, and I hope that 2013 holds many happy surprises for you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LatherBeSoapingJanuary 1, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    I am sorry to see your blog go, Amy, but I totally understand where you're coming from. I have enjoyed reading about your adventures, soaping and otherwise. Best wishes to you in your future endeavors, and happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Menagerie SoapsJanuary 1, 2013 at 1:32 PM

    All the best to you in the future Amy - I have enjoyed your blog.

    Happy New Year!

    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  4. Shieh Design StudioJanuary 1, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    I can't believe it, this is the 2nd blog being closed down right before new year! So sad... one less soap blog to read. Best wishes to you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. SoDakSoaper {Kalla}January 2, 2013 at 1:18 PM

    Aww, sorry to see you go...I enjoyed reading your blog too! Best wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Diva Prirodna KozmetikaJanuary 2, 2013 at 2:51 PM

    Oh,I cannot hide I'm disapointed to hear that you're leaving your blog,but I'm sure you have a good reason. I'll keep it on my blog list,just in case you decide to come back. Wish you good health in 2013 and good luck whatever you are up to!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Two Blooms Design StudioJanuary 2, 2013 at 5:10 PM

    Sorry to see you go and I wish you all the best for 2013. Thought the quote was from "The Sound of Music."

    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  8. PattiJanuary 2, 2013 at 8:16 PM

    I'm sorry to see you go, but best of luck to you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Amy@10th Ave.January 2, 2013 at 9:43 PM

    Thanks so much for all your nice wishes! If I weren't absolutely certain that this is the right direction for me, you'd all have me re-thinking my decision! (I think you've inspired me MUCH more than I have you, though...)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anne-MarieJanuary 4, 2013 at 3:44 PM

    I will miss reading your blog, Amy! I've really enjoyed reading it over the years and seeing all the fun ideas that you have come up with. I wish you the very best! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.January 20, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      Thanks so much, Anne-Marie. And thanks especially for inspiring so many of us soapers (and for your interest and involvement with your customers--it goes a long way!)

      Delete
  11. Jessie YJanuary 6, 2013 at 10:03 PM

    Amy, it was rather a shock to me first thing for the new year. Your blog is one of my favorite blogs and always inspires in many different ways, not just soap..... but also the writing itself. I'll keep it on my reading list and wish you all the best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.January 20, 2013 at 12:32 PM

      The writing part is half the fun of a blog and I'm glad you've enjoyed it. Thanks! (And I've always LOVED your blog, Jessie!)

      Delete
  12. Amy WardenJanuary 17, 2013 at 5:03 PM

    Amy, I'm so behind I can't believe I missed this!! I wish you all the best and know that I have enjoyed your blog and your friendship on Facebook - which I assume will still continue. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amy@10th Ave.January 20, 2013 at 12:34 PM

    Thanks for the nice words, Amy, and of course, FB friendships continue (and I will continue to enjoy your soap projects!) :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. BethFebruary 14, 2013 at 10:01 PM

    Well, bummer, I am just now reading your blog for the first time and you will not be continuing it :). Thanks for keeping it public, perhaps, in my spare time I can enjoy past posts. O.K. that was a bit of a joke since I don't believe in spare time. "Making the most of the time, because the days are evil." Eph. 5:16. Rather, perhaps, if it is a wise use of my time I will enjoy past posts. Blessings to you and your future endeavors! ~Beth

    ReplyDelete
  15. KimMarch 16, 2013 at 5:10 PM

    I know I'm a little late Amy. Like you I haven't had the time I thought I would when I started my blog.
    I really wish for you all good things and your continued success along your journey. Take care and thank you for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Soaping with Madder

I know that any color added to soap can morph into a surprise, but there is an added element of unknown when using botanicals to color my soap.  Some people jump out of planes or ski off mountains, but this is how I live on the edge these days.  Hmm.  If I weren't having so much fun, I'd be embarrassed. I recently had my first go with madder.  So....whatsa madder?  It's a root--the root of the madder. Ahem. (I love puns...) I infused 8 oz. of olive oil with 2 t. madder root powder for almost a week.  This amount worked out to be 20% of the oils in my batch. I wanted something in the way of embeds to add visual interest.   I dearly love my soap balls but I don't want to over do a good thing.  I've recently done square-shaped embeds, so this time I cut a bar of white soap into slices. I panicked a little that it wouldn't get dark enough--it was kind of a dusty peach--so I added 1/4 t. dried powder right before pouring. Madder powd...
21 comments
Read more

Loofah--from vine to soap

If you've followed my blog for a long time, you've already seen a post on one of my favorite things to grow--loofah, but I think it's time for another one.  People are often surprised when they learn that loofahs are grown.  No, a loofah isn't a sea sponge, but the mature "skeleton" of a zucchini-like plant.  Everyone knows they are good for the bath but they also make great natural pan scrubbers in the kitchen.  They are so popular that I have to remember to tuck away any that I want to keep myself. I raise three or four plants every year.  Like a zucchini or a cucumber, it likes to spread out with little regard to another plant's personal space.  Here is last year's crop. Early in the summer, the loofahs remained neatly on the trellis: But then they wandered over to the basil: Cozied among the tomatillos: And hung out with the butternut squash: Harvest time was a regular treasure hunt.  But I ended up with about 20 loofahs fr...
17 comments
Read more

Soap Challenge--Dandelion Swirl

This Great Cakes challenge started off, well, challenging for me.  I had internet problems (a lack of it) and something went rather tragic in my attempt to cobble together a recipe without access to my online lye calculator crutch or a good saponification chart.  Obviously, I need to work on this skill, since my first batch of soap is still not firm enough to cut.  I've seen firmer marshmallow cream.  I'm estimating that I'll be able to cut it in a week or two or maybe three. The top came out pretty, though, didn't it? Sigh.  I wonder what the inside looks like. On to batch number 2.  I went for a winter/snowy theme this time, scented with BB's Fresh Snow fragrance. I made a small 6-bar batch.  I kept noticing that my divider (a dollar store cutting mat) didn't stay in the center but kept migrating toward the edge with every pour.  I was concerned that it would ruin the design, but it held well enough. I know this challenge was all abo...
29 comments
Read more