I just finished a batch of Coconut Crème and for the first time ever with that soap I had a visit from the soaping gremlins. It started to curdle after I added in the FO, which could lead to total separation. I have no idea what would have caused it. There are a few factors like heat, or the FO or even the coconut milk I added. I put it into the oven (great place to put the soap while it goes through gel stage and solidifies, it's warm and free of drafts) and I'm going to ignore it for a few hours. I hope to god it doesn't separate. I hate trying to figure out where I can get rid of a mush of highly caustic semi-soap and lye water.

I'm so not going to make the ideal date of November 1st as my launch of the new improved SW. Most of the soaps won't be cured until mid-month, I haven't spent any time on the redesign, and it's just not going smoothly. *shrugs* Been doing this long enough now to realize that that's just the way it goes in this business, and probably most. Not like anyone really knows what I want to do when I'm finished except me so there's no expectation there.

Oh, absolutely awesome thing yesterday. I, on a whim, checked out PayPal again to see if they had lifted the requirement of a Credit Card to use them. They had and I could sign up SW for an account! So I did and right now I'm just waiting on my bank account to be confirmed so I can say officially that I accept PayPal and through them Credit Cards. That should really help business pick up. I'm really excited about it and it's given me ideas of what I want to do with the redesign.

I think I'm going to use CSS in the redesign. I have a tenuous grasp on the concepts and it really does seem to make it easier to change design while keeping content static. I have some ideas but it requires finding some quiet space and time to get right into the code and the... zone. Hee. Maybe I'll take some markers and one of my sketchbooks with me to Sara's dance lesson tonight and do my prelim sketches.

I've fallen behind again in my changes I've been trying to make with my life. I haven't focused on the schoolwork at all this week, partially because it's time to do the "Key Questions" which are little essays and even though each entry of mine here is like a mini-essay I'm still intimidated at the idea. I think once I'm caught up with the soapmaking and product re-stock and the website redesign I'll figure out a workable daily routine. Right now the soap is taking focus because I really want them finished and available soon.

I may move the redesign/changes to December 1st. Not sure. *sighs* I thought a month would be enough time but I overextended myself again. We're still getting used to the new routines we have with Sara being here. I keep forgetting that I don't have a full 9-5 day anymore. I have to be out the door at 3:15 or so and there's no work that gets done when Sara is home after school. Then it's time to practice "Word Wall Words", math and finish up homework.

Ahh well. Once I edit and post this I have to go back and make another batch of soap. Or perhaps I'll do what I usually do when visited by the soaping gremlins. I go do something completely different. I do have a pile of movies due back tomorrow that I haven't finished watching. I've really enjoyed one of them, The Italian Job and it's going on my To-Buy list. It's just if I only do one batch today, it leaves 2 more that have to be done tomorrow. I still don't know what my 12th standard stock soap will be. The votes are pointing at a soap that simply does not sell, at all. Most of the others are a solid link between sales and votes.

I used to be all determined that I would never be like the Body Shop and discontinuing favourites. I thought I would keep making all the items I ever sold just so they would be always available. I've realized that people really like to say, "Keep that one!" but then they don't buy it. I've also realized when I threw out another batch of soap that has sat there and rotted on the shelves that I can't afford to do that and stay in business.

I figured out a solution though. I'm going to keep all soaps available for full batch purchase. If it's someone's favourite soap, then they can order a batch made just for them. I'm going to try making a half size batch (1.5 pounds) and see if I can make it that small. I don't see why not, and it would make it a bit more cost effective. Not half the price because no matter the size of the batch my time is the same and the most expensive ingredient. I don't think fragrance oils go bad and once I have a bottle in stock, it's in stock until it gets used up.

I'm still debating how to do the massage melts. The foil and plastic baggy was a short-term option and it sucks. I'm considering putting them in the same containers as the Body Butters just because it's cleaner and more convenient to use. I'm also wondering if I could find mini-chocolate bar molds and do it that way. So that someone could break off a piece each use and then tuck it back into whatever packaging I figure for that. We'll see, it's a problem I'm tossing around.

I also want to get some E-wax so I can make some more of my heavy shea lotion. Damn, the buzzer scared me. That's 30 minutes.