Product Body + Absolute Soap Blog

A Farewell To Creme Fresh + New Surprises On The Horizon

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:12:00 +0000

As our soap business continues to expand, we've had to make tough decisions about where to focus our energies. So, in order to deliver the very best handmade products we can, we'll be dropping products that don't fit our future goals.

Unfortunately for fans of Creme Fresh, it is one of those products.

Manufacturing Creme Fresh poses a completely different set of hurdles than do the rest of our products, and splitting our attention isn't in the best interest of our customers or the business itself.

Soap. Crush On You. Perfume.

Focusing on this core group will enable us to continue to do what we do best: create and deliver unique and nourishing handmade products. No decisions have yet been reached on Mama Bomb and Bath Steeps (though it's likely Mama Bomb will remain in our line) and we are soliciting opinions on both - see our upcoming post on Bath Steeps to learn more. But it's a fond farewell to Creme Fresh as we start a new chapter in the Product Body + Absolute Soap story.

To Creme Fresh fans: we know some of you will miss Creme Fresh, but we're confident that the surprises that we've got planned for the coming year will help heal the pain.

To all customers, long-time and new: thank you so much for your support as we have continued to mature and grow over the last eight years. You have, and continue to, put your faith in us to deliver the highest quality handmade products on the market.

We will not let you down.

Joanna and Brad
Co-owners and Co-founders

Amber Soap Name Chosen- New Contest!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:34:00 +0000

Thank you for all of your input on name suggestions for our current Ambre de Nepal soap. They names were very good, but Brad and I had too much fun re-naming this morning.

The new name is:

SHERPA SHERPA

amber vanilla shea butter soap

Now, because we didn't choose from the suggestions in the comment section of The Renaming, no one won a bar of soap, but we will give away a bar to the first person who guesses what the reference is to. (Caution: not a direct reference...more of an inspiration)

Ready, Set, Go!

UPDATE: we have a winner: Heather!!! Sherpa Sherpa was inspired by Matt Stone and Trey Parker's movie Team America - "Derka Derka!"

New Salt Soap Coming Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:45:00 +0000

We have had such a huge response to our Hawaiian Sandalwood soap, so we decided to make it into a salt bar! We decided no swirls, just a dusting of gold on the tops.

It will be available on February 1st.

photo (painting) source: christyhayhoe

(we haven't decided on the Amber soap name yet...stay tuned)

Ambre de Nepal Shea Butter Soap

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:42:00 +0000

This is an amazing scent that I have fallen in love with along with many others. Let's have a contest!

Help us RE-name this scent. This is a Magic Hands Workshop replica (she passed down her recipes to me), but the name doen't roll off my tongue and it doesn't fit to me.

The scent is rich amber with faint notes of a number of fragrances like a touch of baby powder, a sliver of burnt sugar, black vanilla and cardamom which puts me right over the edge which its earthy, grounding and exotic aroma.

Help me re-name it...I have so far:

Amber Cream

Rapture

Amber Crunch

(but "Crunch" leaves me thinking of peanut brittle and it doesn't smell like that!)

Give me some feedback!

Thanks. If a winner is chosen, I will send a bar of the Amber soap along with any other bar of your choice! Thanks in advance for sharing your ideas and tapping into your creative pools!!

Much love and respect,

Joanna

New Winner For The Bath Steep + Soap Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:52:00 +0000

Sadly I never heard back from the winner of the give away, so I randomly picked a new winner and it is Celine of Soaperstar!

Congratulations, Celine!!

Contact me with your address in Ireland so I can ship your package on the 10th (when we get back to work). :O)

The Winner Is.....

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:15:00 +0000

For the Soap + Bath Steep Giveaway is...

kalilama said...
I love your soaps! I would love the Cubano or The Sea soap bar. Hope I win! :)

November 21, 2011

Well, The Random.org number generator came up with "NUMBER ONE" - Kalilama wins! Please send me your address so I can mail these out to you. I will be sending them mid-January...

Thank you all for playing!!

Happy Holidays!

You Still Have Time...

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:22:00 +0000

Place your holiday orders by December 16th to ensure that you'll receive your package before the 25th! Every order placed between now through midnight on Friday, December 16th WILL ship on or before Monday, December 19th. We love to bring you scrumptious bath and body products.

We have Gift Sets and other gift items. Shop now for treats!

Happy Holidays!

xoxo

Gift Sets Are Now Available!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:01:00 +0000

Just wanted to let you know that our gift sets are up and our shipping is very straightforward:

If you order anything from us by midnight on December 16th, your order will ship by the 19th ensuring that your package will arrive before Christmas Day. if you live in the contiguous Untied States.

So shop away!

Here's a photo of the new sets that are available:

Holiday Gifts Sets 2011

We also have redesigned our website a bit (thanks, Brad!) and have some new items listed there as well which we are very proud to offer. We have a limited supply as things are flying off the shelves very quickly and when the Limited Edition Soaps are gone, they're gone. Others will be re-stocked sometime in January.

Soap + Bath Tea Giveaway!!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:03:00 +0000

soothe bath tea by Product Body (coming this week)

We have a giveaway, a giveaway, a giveaway! You could win:

1. TWO handmade cold processed bars of soap (of your choice) from Product Body, and 2. TWO of our not-yet released bath teas... (sealed in tea bags! yay!)

All you have to do to get entries is “LIKE” Product Body on Facebook, if you haven't already, then go to our website, view our handmade soaps here and comment below with the two soap scents you’d like to try. That's it! Come to our website to browse to see which soaps float YOUR boat, then leave your comment back here.

You get an extra entry for blogging about this giveaway (just comment back that you did so we know about it). If people comment and say that you sent them, you get an additional entry!

Bath Teas with be put on the site this week, hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday. These tea bags are chock full of skin softening powers and will make your skin feel better than it has for years. They include a citrus-y coconut milk, orange peel and sea salt blend, and a soothing bath sea salts, with milk, lavender, calendula, chamomile botanical blend and lastly, a botanical-free tea bag: coconut milk, oatmeal, sea salts. They will be sealed in a naturally biodegradable tea bag that will not spill the flowers, peels and petals into your bath. You get the benefits of the ingredients without them all floating around and leaving you with cleaning up the "exploded garden" in your tub. Just let the botanicals steep and the sea salt, oatmeal and milk dissolve. You will be in heaven. and when you're finished with your tubby, simply toss it or re-use it. Easy-peasy!

A winner will be chosen at random and notified on Thursday, December 15th, 2011.

Good luck! xx

Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:19:00 +0000

Our Everyday bars, usually $4.95 are on sale for $3.95 until they are gone.
Happy shopping!

The Herb Garden Carrying Exclusives

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:04:00 +0000

Magic Hands Workshop recipes, Product Body's flare. Custom soaps for

The Herb Garden is carrying custom exclusive soaps that I have made for them. They smell amazing!

Changes In Latitudes Shea Butter Soap
Black Raspberry Cream Shea Butter Soap
Black Raspberry Cream Sea Salt Soap
Buttermilk and Honey Shea Butter Soap
Sandman Shea Butter Soap

I've also made some new ones that are almost cured and are fantastic and will be shipped in the next few days and headed to Allison! She is very creative and we are working together to offer you all great new and exclusive soaps, so go check out her website to see what she has! And mid-November she will have a bunch more soaps for you to check out.

Believe you me, I will be photographing the soaps better than THIS! Ugh!

Magic Hands Workshop is in the HOUSE

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:07:00 +0000

Magic Hands Workshop (MHW) made amazing soaps, and as you know, Jackie of MHW gave me her soap recipes and I have been offering a few of them: Hawaiian Sandalwood Shea Butter Soap, Alabaster Sea Salt Soap, Red Currant Sea Salt Soap and Eucalyptus Tea Tree Facial Soap. Well, this month, there will be much more added to our line:

Lavender Mint Sea Salt Soap, Bitter End Shea Butter Soap, Ambre de Nepal Shea Butter Soap, Cucumber Mint Sea Salt Soap and perhaps Wildwood Rose Soap.

This is Bitter End revealed - just out of the mold.

Bitter End is AMAZINGLY fantastic. (you think I kind of like it?)

This is Jackie's photo (above) and here is the description she wrote in her old listing:

Isn't it odd how something bitter can seem so sweet? Bitter almond, bitter orange, and bittersweet chocolate. Smells like something you'd want to eat. As long as that's really almond and not cyanide, that is. Ingredients: Olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, water, sodium hydroxide, palm kernel oil, canola oil, shea butter, fragrance, bittersweet chocolate.

So how could I NOT make this soap? It smells unreal. It smells like everything I love. So, perhaps I have more chocolate in mine than she used to make. It's my first time making it, so when you buy a bar of it, I'd love your feedback. Perhaps, I'll dial back the chocolate a tad.

Bitter End, coming soon: End of November.

What are YOUR favorite Magic Hands soaps. Perhaps I could bring them back for you?

Soaks

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:28:00 +0000

Update on the soaks: They will be offered starting next week. We had a supply and demand issue and the release day has been pushed back a wee bit.

Coming Soon - New Soap

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:57:00 +0000

Margarita On The Rocks Shea Butter Soap: November 20th
Smells just like a margarita!

________________________________________________________

Magic Hands Workshop's Ambre de Nepal Shea Butter Soap: November 20th

(Warm, rich and sexy, this scent is beloved by men and women alike.)

________________________________________________________

Magic Hands Workshop's Lavender Mint Salt Bar: November 15th

photo courtesy of magic hands

News From The Lab

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:52:00 +0000

We have some new things happening and some trusty old items that are returning so I am writing this quick post to let you know what's going on in the lab. I am pleased to announce that we will be releasing some new decadent products beginning on Halloween. Here are a few items that will be released and nicely priced:

Dead Sea Salt Soak
Oatmeal, Sea Salt + Coconut Milk Soak
Fizzy Milk Bath

Mama Bomb will also be returning to all of those who have been waiting for the weather to break, it finally has in Florida, and we are confident that shipping balms won't be a melty mess. Yay for the cooler season... well, at least on this side of the planet. ;)

There are a few products we've added to our Etsy shop that we've made available so go take a peek if you're interested in these things: Our newest Drunken Pumpkin Goat Milk soap made with real pumpkin (3.5 - 4 oz bars). We also have Wasabi green Crush On You in 5.5 oz. size, Sexy Butts small Sexy Laundry Day soaps, Fresh Linen Blue soaps at a discounted price. Also, some items are on sale that have been discontinued or are imperfect.

That's the news for today. More later......

xo Joanna

Discontinuing Soaps and Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:00:00 +0000

Hey all.

We have decided that we would like to offer a couple of new scents but need to weed out some oldies but goodies before we can.

We have the entire soap list here which lists all soaps, whether they are in stock or out and when curing ones may be due. This list is available to you all the time if you look right under the PRODUCT BODY header on the left, you will see top links. Home, then Soap Cure Dates. There is also a soap picture on the right side bar that says, "What Soaps Are On The Curing Rack?" Either of these links bring you to the same page.

As of today, we are discontinuing certain soaps:

Thai Sticky Rice is a fave of ours and for a number of you, but it will be discontinued once the soaps that remain are sold (we have about 12 left as of today).
Tea Flower was discontinued. sold out.
Blue Agave Nectar was a Limited Edition and once they are sold, we won't be returning it. (Etsy only).
Mar Bar will be discontinued. Fat Boy is a great replacement for Mar Bar, folks.
Fresh Linen Everyday bars will be retired once the soaps that remain are sold.
Pineapple Icee Everyday bars will be retired once the soaps that remain are sold.

We are considering dropping Ruby Rock Star from our entire line, but we may get some resistance. If you love it and can't live without it, please email me.

Creme Fresh is BACK! We apologize to all of you who have been waiting. At the moment, we are offering it in Lemon Scone, Sexy Laundry Day and unscented - - for now. New scents will be added soon.

Mama Bomb is coming back on November 1st and we are in the middle of preparing some awesome winter elixirs, so keep it here to find out more....

xo Joanna

boo!

Patchouli One Note Wonder

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:23:00 +0000

We are now offering Patchouli Perfume Oil made with the pure, natural patchouli essential oil harvested in Indonesia blended with the purest form of coconut oil. Coconut oil absorbs easily into the skin leaving the patchouli's woodsy, deep earthy scent.

Patchouli is not for the scent lovers who prefer light, floral or sweet and clean fragrances. This is a heady, strong and earthy aroma. Because it comes in a great glass roll-on bottle, you can dab a tiny amount to your pulse points without getting any on your fingers when applying.

Get your earthy goodness here at our website or in our Etsy shop.

I'm Not Sick. I Promise.

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:53:00 +0000

Proof: a picture of me.

Happy and healthy.

I want to just let everyone know that I take great care to bring you the freshest, purest, cleanest product. Let me assure you that, yes, indeed, I was sick, but I was not handling products or packing orders at all. My germs were not any where near the products. I can assure you.

Because of my strict policy about "hands off when sick", I had a two week period where no orders went out. Etsy customers, Product Body customers and my wholesale customers all stood waiting. Some were fine with the delay and understood there was a sickness while others tapped their feet impatiently.

I can only say, that we can accomplish what we can. Our goal is to exceed our customers expectations with our products and customer service. Occasionally there is a blip (illness), but do really understand our policy: Your order will definitely be late, because I am NOT touching it until I'm better. Isn't a late order better than a contaminated one?

O.o
I think so! I am better, feeling healthy and packing orders. In fact, all retail orders made before September 30th have been shipped as of Friday.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. And to those unaware of our policies, I hope I have cleared some things up. Feel free to always email me with any questions: jo(at)productbody(dot)com. I am always willing to share information I have. I always will make time for you.

Patience

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:14:00 +0000

To all of our awesome customers and lurkers,

Almost two weeks ago I had the misfortune of getting really sick. I got better on Friday and, again, was unfortunately slammed with a nasty cold. Because of this lame chain of events, I have been basically out of commission. Producing, processing and shipping orders had come to a slow crawl.

We were supposed to launch our three new soaps: Bubbling Cider, Fat Boy and Black Pumpkin for our Autumn Release today, but we had to postpone that for a day or two because of the current situation at hand. I am feeling as if the continual doses of vitamins, juice, green tea, oatmeal, bananas and cold medicine are mending my cold.

I publicly would like to thank you for your patience if your current order is delayed in getting out. This just couldn't have been helped. We love every customer of ours and will slip in an extra treat for the people who have been waiting.

Our deepest apologies...

Love,

Joanna

Soaps Replenished

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:53:00 +0000

Fresh Banana Buttermilk, Thai Sticky Rice and Hawaiian Sandalwood are all back in stock!

They all have a different look, too. A little.

The Fresh Banana Buttermilk goes from a 4.25 oz bar to a full sized bar: 4.75 oz.
The Thai Sticky Rice has a caramel color this time.
The Hawaiian Sandalwood has a swirled top instead of a copper top.

Coming Soon - New Soap!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:13:00 +0000

Coming Soon - New Soap!
Monday, September 26th!

Black Pumpkin Limited Edition (from last Autumn)
Warm, baked pumpkin bread.. .. Smashed pumpkin with notes of cinnamon,
clove, nutmeg and buttery brown sugar.

Bubbling Cider Limited Edition
Simmering apple cider with cloves, orange peels, nutmeg, cinnamon
and brown sugar. Mulled cider but not as spicy. Reminds us of what it would be like if we could click our heels three times with our red glitter shoes.
A staff favorite!

Fat Boy

(Milk + Butter Bar)

All natural, ultra moisturizing unscented soap, made with buttermilk, goat milk,

coconut milk, and yogurt, cocoa butter, shea butter, aloe butter,

mango butter and activated bamboo charcoal.

New Eucalyptus Tea Tree Facial Soap

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:43:00 +0000

Now with activated charcoal soap bits. Not only does activated charcoal have benefits for the skin like deeply cleansing and detoxifying pores, but, it makes the soap even prettier! The bits remind me of chocolate chips, even though the soap look and smells nothing like cookies!

This is a wonderful facial soap for anyone who has problem skin. Tea Tree essential oil is amazing for rashy, acne prone and irritated skin. It is naturally anti-bacterial, anti inflammatory, analgesic and has antiseptic properties. When applied on acne, tea tree oil helps the immune system to kill the bacteria and reduce the inflammation in the pores.

Tea tree coupled with the multiple antiseptic properties of eucalyptus essential oil is like having a cleansing BOMB in your hand ready for action, except the great thing about this bomb of a soap is that it is handmade and therefore full of the naturally occurring glycerine you'll find in cold process soaps, plus the generous amounts of olive oil and shea butter we add. This is a gentle yet effective bar of soap good for maturing skin and acne prone skin and it should leave your skin soft, clean and smooth.

And it has spots now, too!

Poison Apple Soap Is BAAack

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:20:00 +0000

It's back, as promised. Poison Apple Soap. This year we added coconut milk for extra conditioning for your skin. It imparts no scent to the soap, so don't worry that it's changed. It still smells divine! Just more moisturizing properties.

Scent description: Crispy, juicy apple, drizzled with caramel and dusted ever so lightly with black pepper and sugar sprinkles.

This is the first of our Autumn Soaps. This is a Limited Edition and will disappear after my stash of scent disappears, so get it while I continue to soap it all Autumn and Winter long.

Stay tuned for the Autumn Release Coming in September!

Pics From August's Scrub Of The Month Subscription

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:11:00 +0000

Jasmine Iced Tea Sugar Scrub

This month, we made our scrub with real passion tea including hibiscus flowers,

licorice root, orange peel,cinnamon, rose hips, lemongrass, fruit juice extract,

white tea and two jasmine pearls adorning the top of the scrub.

Next month's Scrub Of The Month Sugar Scrub is "SUGAR KISSES" which smells like

sticky cotton candy, caramel, vanilla, musk, bergamot and fig leaves.

For the sweet tooth without the cavities!

If you want to read about or sign up for our subscriptions, come check it out here.

We always welcome your feedback.

Thank You Palm Beach Post!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna Schmidt) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 13:45:00 +0000

Wow wow wow!

We've been so busy since our write-up in The Palm Beach Post on Monday I think I've had 5 minutes to breathe. This is a GOOD thing. No complaints here. :)

Staci Sturrock wrote such a wonderful piece on our company and really knocked it out of the park. I couldn't have asked for a more positive piece. Really. Since that morning, we have been slammed with orders and our soap has been flying off the shelf.

We also stocked our shelves the same morning the article appeared at Amici Market, a gourmet grocer on Palm Beach Island, and they sold out of almost everything that day. We had to re-stock the next day.

I have been soaping like crazy so that there isn't too much time between when we run out of stock and when the new soap will be ready, but I do hope you understand if your favorite bars are temporarily unavailable. We put great care and time into the soap we make and we can not rush the product. You know we have to do it right.

On that note, I would love to know what soaps are your favorite because I think we may drop a few and add a few based on sales, so if you have a strong opinion about one or two, please yell out!