Hi Everyone, I too found my way here thanks to Tiggy's mention in her tutorial 

My name is Clare, or Clear as friends call me .. I'm originally from Australia but moved to New Zealand (along with the kids) for the 'lifestyle', so this has been home for the last ten years .. I live in a small rural community (semi isolated by mountains) at the top of the South Island, and absolutely love it! 

I've been making soap just coming up a year now and am as passionate (read: obsessed) as the day I got up the courage to try my first batch .. I do RTCP (oils & Lye) as well as make lotions, scrubs, balms, body butter etc .. And I like to use a lot of local ingredients like Goats Milk, Manuka Honey, Herbs/Botanicals, Olive Oil, and even water collected Te Waikoropupu Springs just up the road ..

Anyhoo, that's a brief outline of me, but please feel free to check out my blog for more info - or ask via comments ..

I see a few names here that I recognise so *waves* to those I already know, and I look forward to getting to know and sharing with the rest of you 

Welcome!!! Hope you enjoy it here, the more you post the more boards open up and, in case someone doesn't mention it (cos they're very shy and retiring) we do love pics on here!

Loving the monkey!!!

Emmm did I mention we love pics btw??

Hya and welcome. Theres loads on here and we are a very friendly bunch.

We are goiong al international its getting very exciting

Hi Clare, welcome to Fresholi forum. Please provideHoney with some pics. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your creations.

Eire

It's not just me!

Yer so mean to me Mrs  and in front of company too! 

I wasn't being mean, I was aiding and abetting.

Eire

lol, aiding and abetting - soapers are brilliant at that!

Ok, for your viewing pleasure: A Soap (Desert Rose: Oatmeal, Goats Milk, & Clay Castile)

A Scrub

A Balm (Kiwi Kisses)

A Lotion /Cream (Aloe & Rose Hip)

And an Experiment (Vanilla Files)


*All my soapy p%rn in one spot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/artisansoaps/
but again, the blog (linky in sig) has regular photo updates - AND all the scent details of the above Vanillas 

PS: Dang if you guys are quick to respond - I swear I only made a coffee and fixed my son an ice-cream cone! 

Hi Clare 

I love the description of where you love - it sounds so idyllic and peaceful. 

And your soaps are stunning, really amazing, (and brilliant photography too  - I'm getting more jealous by the second here  )

I'm off to check your blog for my morning dose soap p%rn (though i've only just realised the clocks went forward to it's not as early as I thought)

Hi Clare,
That is a lot of lovely photo's, should keep Honey happy for a couple of minutes

G'day 'Clear' (te he.....)

It is lovely to have you here.  There are one or two who are originally from Oz but now live in the UK (with one set to return to Oz quite soon).  New Zealand sounds wonderful and it must be such a lovely lifestyle.  When I was little, my dad (who worked for British Gas) nearly took a position in NZ and we all were about to emigrate.  My parents decided not to in the end (a big decision I guess).

You take some amazing pics, they are presented so beautifully.  Those lovely swirls in the soaps and the creams look lovely and rich, smooth and creamy.  I love the look of the scrub and particularly like the lil' puppy dog that is obviously top model   

Thanks for the intro and for sharing the pics and I look forward to chatting with you around the boards. 

Hi Clear!

It's very nice to meet you (and your monkey)

I've had a look at your blog and I'm now following it. There are some really lovely posts on there and I love all of the pictures.

I've just started making HP myself and was a bit scared of making castille because of the long cure time but reading your posts has given me the confidence to give it a go. Now I just need to decide on a fragrance...

Kevin x

Hello and welcome! 

Love your products and the arrangements in the pics.
NZ sounds like a great place to live. 

Hi Clear

Loving the money, your pics are great, hope you are well today 

Hi Clear and welcome and what a fab introduction with all those beautiful pics