Welcome to SoapNuts!

This is the monthly companion publication to the much beloved Soapnuts mailing list (subscribe at onelist.com). It was just about a month ago that List Mom Becky allowed and encouraged me to try my hand at this project. We feature Becky Erisch as our first "Soapnut of the Month" in an interview by Sue Frelick.

Lisa Hawkins has written a fascinating article introducing us to the world of federal cosmetic regulations. Holli McCarty reviews Sweet Cakes fragrances and Country Living's Handmade Soap book.  Also, be sure not to miss our regular columns--Nicolle Field's Swaps, Co-ops, and Sales list; and Camille Pratt's monthly list round-up, "Camille's Spiel." 

As though it were not obvious from the daily banter on the Soapnuts mailing list, the writers contributing to this issue are all talented, knowledgeable, and charming. I hope you enjoy reading their work as much as I've enjoyed working with them. 

I invite you to contribute to SoapNuts. Submit articles, ideas, and letters to me at courtney_danforth@yahoo.com. 
 

Happy sudsing,
Courtney

 A customer walks up to your booth, picks up a bar of your wonderfully hand-crafted soap and inhales the delightful floral scent. You step up and say "Isn't it nice, and this bar is so moisturizing". The astounded woman replies, "Whoa, stand back! Did you say moisturizing? By golly, this is no ordinary bar of soap you have here, it's a cosmetic"! 

Yes, that's right, a cosmetic. Welcome to the world of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). First, understand that "soap" is exempt from FDA regulation, but it must be just that, soap. To qualify as soap, the vast majority of ingredients must be fatty acids and an alkali. In addition, it must be labeled, sold, and represented solely as soap. Lastly, its purpose is to clean the human body. You cannot state that it moisturizes the skin, exfoliates, cures, or any other such claims. To say it moisturizes, makes your soap a cosmetic; to say it relives itchy skin, makes it a drug. All drugs must be approved by the FDA. This is a costly project, to obtain FDA drug approval. It takes years of testing, and lots of money.

This month, Holli reviews:

• The Country Living Handmade Soap Book
• SC Green Tea
• SC Peach
• SC Apricot Freesia

Tucked safely under her mothering wings are her two sons: Eric (10) and Aaron (6), and her daughter Megan (8).  Becky (becnbrat@yahoo.com), and her partner of twelve years, Brian Erisch, are co-creators of this enchanting scene. Next to their home, delightfully surrounded by indigo shrubs, is their business, The Country Petaler (http://www.angelfire.com/mi/countrypetaler/index.html). 
 

• M&P Co-op 
• Stacey's FO Quick Buy 
• Mango Madness and Bay Rum FO buy
• EO Quick Buys 
• Shea Butter Co-op 
• Swaps 

Holli-isms: 
Holli confounded all of us and helped to pop someone out of lurk mode with her creative flair for the English language.  I thought 'Buttcrax' was pretty well disguised as an offensive word, and very descriptive at the same time.  Holli also tops out list news with her new "aka", henceforth she shall be known throughout the Soapnuts Galaxy as the "Hollinator."  We dub thee the Hollinator, and hope you take seriously this new title and the job that goes with it.  Party poopers beware...anyone looking for the anal-retentive lists should contact our List Mom, Becky, for further instructions.

Major news: 
Due to all of your diligence, Linda Jines, owner of Sweet Cakes (http://www.sweetcakes.com/), has brought back  "Apricot Freesia" to her line of FOs.  Greedily clutching mine (after snatching my box from the fearful UPS guy) and sniffing, I know what all the fuss was about and I am so thankful that we found out, once more, that we have a voice and it does count!!

This months soap swap was a huge success...never again will I sit in a corner and "wait until I get better" at making soap!  Get into one, ladies, it will stretch your mind without tearing it! I enjoyed the descriptions of all the soaps and was inspired to become even more creative, and to take more "chances."