WHEW! I’m home. I had a fantastic time at the Central Soapers Workshop in Overland Park, KS. Toto, I’ve never been to Kansas before, but I am definitely going back!
People who live near the mountains have a terrible time navigating prairies. We just keep looking for mountains so we know which direction we are going. Had it not been for great directions from the rental car personnel I would have landed in North Dakota. On the way back to the airport I took Crystal Decker on the scenic route, which means a 28 minute trip actually took over an hour because I got lost took a right when I should have gone left. Thanks for putting up with me Crystal!
Do you know what impressed me the most about this trip to Kansas? Everyone was willing to learn. Kenna put up on the CentralSoapers.com site what to bring to a conference. If you have not read her post and the link to Little Miss Mocha’s blog about conferences, you MUST! Not only is Kenna’s blog and the Central Soapers site a great intro to this group, it is also really inspirational. When I arrived I wasn’t sure what to expect, I just knew I was going in my regular work shirts and my newly chewed shoe that I didn’t have time to replace before leaving (Thanks, Watson).
When I arrived I found people working hard, greeting with smiles, being beyond friendly, sharing their knowledge and being open to learning new techniques. The people there are brilliant! I learned about things I have never tried, never seen, and never used. WOW! This group was really ready to try anything to make awesome and unique soap. I was impressed beyond words. After I spoke about water replacement in soap making I put away my tutu, tiara and magic wand (my wand was correctly identified as a nostepinne – yarn ball winder – by Crystal Decker) and started a list of things I wanted to try when I got home. Colorful soaps like Amy Warden made at the workshop topped my list. Most of the time I am a utilitarian soap user. I figure it is for my own use so it doesn’t need to be colorful. Well, I decided to change my shower collection to be more colorful. These soaps were down right fun!
I brought home some Bath Fizzies made by Holly Port during the conference and they were a hit with the crew at MMS. I heard “my skin felt so good after that bath!” more than once. We even had a mistake. We have people on staff who English is not their primary spoken language. One staff member thought it was a room fragrance bomb and should be put in the toilet. After our good laugh we learned her bathroom did indeed smell nice after being bombed.
Column Swirling was demonstrated by Tanya Rasley. Ah! Gorgeous soaps! They really don’t take much more time than my basic soaps and the colors are incredible. Really incredible!
Cupcake Soaps done by Amanda Griffin were darling! I even saw the pair of cupcakes that looked more Dolly Parton-esque than cupcake-like. We giggled more and more!
By the time I got home I had laughed myself silly. I had a great time and it was worth every minute of lost sleep.
I WILL be there next year. I hope anyone that wants to learn more about soap will also attend. If you will check out the CentralSoapers.com site you can subscribe to the information feed so you can be sure to sign up and be there next year. I’ll be looking for a room mate and navigator. I know how to get lost, I’ll need someone to make sure my 28 minute trip is really 28 minutes. 😉
See you next year in Kansas!
Central Soapers,
Links are needed. Andee or Taylor will pop in here and make this post complete.
Yay Kansas! ! We usually get a bad rap for being so plain. Happy to hear you enjoyed it. 🙂
No bad rap here! I loved the area, the shops, the people, even the waitress who handled a group of approx 15 soapers. It was a fun time! The workshop was fantastically fun!!!!
Thank you so much, Tina for joining us at Central Soapers Workshop!! It was such a blast to have you there, and am looking forward to next year!
Kenna, thank you for having us! I told Andee and Taylor about the event and they want to come too! We’ll have a great time. 🙂
They will love the Soap Lab. Especially trying all the layering techniques. Those soaps are beautiful!
Though it was only for one day, it was wonderful to meet you, Tina! You are simply a hoot!
Once I got home and got my Wink soap cut, I HAD to order more. OMG, I love that scent! 🙂 Grabbed some of those awesome 1# clammies too. I love the idea of making customers small custom loaves. Larger ones are too cost prohibitive for many people.
See you next year. 🙂
Stephy, I’ll have to find the video for you. You missed the second day but you didn’t miss the great talent showing soap on he first day. The Wink is certainly fun, kind of flirty, and it makes great soap. I’m so glad you were able to make and take!
See you next year!
Tina
I actually missed the first day and was able to come the second. Not planning on missing ANY days next year. 🙂
Tina, it was so great meeting you at the Central Soapers Workshop! I loved your presentation on alternative liquids, especially the tiara and the tutu 🙂 Thanks for sponsoring the Soap Lab, MMS has always been very supportive of us soapers and it shows in your commitment to our trade. I had a wonderful time going to Trader Joe’s with you and Crystal, and enjoying a yummy dinner spread in our hotel room on Sunday night. I will definitely be going again next year, and recommend it to everyone!
Kathy, it was wonderful to meet you! I loved Trader Joe’s! The dinner of cheese, raspberries, popcorn, strawberries, pepperoni, blackberries and such was so much fun! It was so good! I still don’t understand why restaurants don’t serve things like that. The giggling was the best though!
I’m looking forward to next year when we giggle more. Especially if we can find tiaras for everyone!
Tina
Tina- it was a pleasure meeting you! Your pooches are super cute!! Hopefully I’ll see you again at the next conference!
xxoo
Tanya, It was a pleasure meeting you too! I’m planning on being there next year and I hope you have no conflicts regarding attendance. If I brought a noodle head with me he just might eat a shoe from every attendee!
So little time, so many shoes! – Watson
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Thanks so glad they liked the fizzies!!!! And it was so nice meeting you and the woman at the farm were over joyed with your generosity! Thank you thank you thank you!