Friday 31 May 2013

Behind the scenes...paper trails and tea...

         Well, the sun has got his hat on...and soon I'll be coming out to play :)

         Today is an enforced admin day (well morning) as my car is having a 'wee bit service' at the garage, so I'm at home catching up on all those things that I keep putting off...like paperwork and admin...sigh. I'd much rather be making more soap in my workshop, but needs must.

         You may not know this but to enable me to bring lovely handmade soap and bath goodies into being, there are an awful lot of legal aspects to consider...PIF's, MSDS, SA's and now a new EU Portal, not to mention a whole host of new regulations to adhere to from July....WHAAAA...??? I hear you cry...fear not, this mumbo jumbo is just for me to worry about...and make sure I get right!! so I can continue to bring you some lovely all natural and (hopefully) beautiful creations to pamper yourselves with.
Sooo...this is what has been keeping me awake at night...and is where the grey hairs have been coming from too I'll bet...well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!

        As a natural soap maker I have to keep records of every single item I make with batch numbers, manufacturing and use by dates, full ingredients (including Latin names) and allergen declarations for each essential oil I use in every single product. Each record also has to state the individual ingredients batch number form my suppliers too...so you can only begin to imagine how many files I have on the shelves and my computer now!! This is all so I can comply with current standards and guidelines of soap and cosmetic manufacture...I just have to remind myself that without doing this, I cannot play and make soap for you lot...so it's WORTH it! I just thought you might like to know a little about how much also goes on in the background as well as all about the products I make.

      I'm almost done now and my eyes are squaring up as I type, so how do you fancy a peek at some of my new LIMITED EDITION summer soaps...(and yes, I have done my paperwork for them too). I'd love to hear what you think :D

Find them on my website to order now... www.oakwoodsoaperie.co.uk

Summer Fayre - LIMITED EDITION with Rose Geranium,
Clary Sage, Rosemary and Thyme essential oils

Lemon Myrtle and Lavender -
LIMITED EDITION insect deterrent soap

Close up of Lemon Myrtle soap
 - with heather flowers for prettiness.

Safflower Sunset -
 Sweet Orange, Ylang ylang and Patchouli

I think that's enough screen time for the day, time for a bit of fun...I'm off into the garden to give it a bit of TLC...it's been a LOOOONG time coming, Hope the sun stay out for me!

TTFN soapies xxx