Here in the East Village Ghetto, we are always trying to find new crafts that contribute to a healthier life for ourselves and Ms Gaia. I have a dear friend who shares our feelings about Mother Earth and this week she taught me to make homemade soap! This soap is very special for many reasons. My friend works with the woman who sources the Shea Butter directly, so there is a very strong connection between the village that processes it and the person who provided it to me. Also, there are very few ingredients, which means we know

exactly what is going into the soap, into our bodies (even though we rinse off soap, our skin absorbs so much of our 'beauty products') and finally down the drain.

The picture with the crock pot is one of the final steps, but as usual, I can't predict what order the pictures will appear in!

because the mixture can be hot and splashy, we had to don

our haz-mat suits. Safety First!

Look at all those kitchen gadgets! No wonder I love this new hobby, I got to use a stick blender, crock pot, 16 thousand separate and adorable bowls, measuring cups, a scale and a candy thermometer. My friend brought some of her gadgets b/c believe it or not I didn't have some of the equipment required. So I am on the lookout for my own tools to add to our already ridiculous collection of kitchen appliances. Good thing Mister built so much storage!

That mini-coffin is the mold we pour the liquid soap in to shape it. Since I had never made soap before my friend brought her mold for me to copy. Before I could get to making mine, Ian had made me one the very next day. Evidently he is also very excited about soap making:

Mine has these wing-nuts, so if the soap gets stuck I can unscrew the entire box and pop it out. Also an ornate handle to pull the top of the mold off.

So I guess y'all can predict what you will be getting for gifts in 2011!