Lovely Scraps

They may be scraps but these end pieces, and shaved slivers, will be melted down for the big, funky, artsy blocks of soap that are so intriguing. I put a basket of them out at the farmer's market, and rarely do they sell, but people wander in and ask about them. Most think they are big hunks of cake. I tell them they are scraps from all my soaps and they will get the benefit of many different essential oil characteristics along with the olive oil, honey, oatmeal and shea butter. The blocks look like granite, or stone once cured, and never come out the same way twice. I cook them in a big pot for several days, mashing and stirring often, then pouring the molten mass into the lid of a copy paper box I bring home from school. One woman bought five blocks, and I think I may have sold one more piece all summer. Not to worry as they go quickly at the wool shows. Ag people know the value of a big hunk of good soap.