Come see an excerpt from The Art of Soap, featuring SV Soaps!

The book is coming along very nicely, each feature looks so bright and beautiful.  Since explaining a book is never as good as seeing it for yourself, I have uploaded an actual feature!  Here is an excerpt from the "Technique" chapter, showcasing the amazing work by Silvia Victory of SV Soaps.  You can flip through it right here on the blog by clicking on the grey page edges, or click on the page center to see it full sized.

Open publication - Free publishing - More soap

There are 23 other incredible artisans as well, each with a very distinctive style and point of view.  The Art of Soap is still on track to be published next month, so don't forget to sign up for the newsletter and be the first to know when it's ready!

Chapter 1: Philosophy

Last week I completed chapter one: "Philosophy."  As I read through all of the soap makers' essays for the book, I found that many people are driven to make soap because of their values and beliefs.  If you saw my earlier post about Brown Rice Family, they try to have a natural and healthy life, and their soaps are made with organic ingredients.  Yiuchi even travels to Japan to visit the farmers that supply green tea for his soaps.

The cover page for this chapter features Maggie Wang's beautiful soaps (shown above).  In her write-up she explains:

I began making soaps when my husband's co-worker lost his wife to cancer. That's when I realized how many harmful chemicals go into our daily cleaning products. I then began my ever-evolving quest for the all-natural soaps: I'm always hunting for natural ingredients, natural scents, and natural colorants.

She also focuses on using animal fats in her recipes.  Her designs are modern and striking. 

I am almost finished with the second chapter and will post a preview of that one as well.  In the meantime, you can get another preview of a featured artist by signing up for the newsletter (click here).  You'll receive a desktop wallpaper featuring A*Kang (also part of the Philosophy chapter) and an excerpt of her write-up.

I look forward to sharing more of the book with you.  It's coming out beautifully, thanks to the incredible work of the soap makers and Erin Pikor's photography.  I know you will love it!

New Desktop Wallpaper Featuring A*Kang

For the month of August, all newsletter subscribers will receive a desktop wallpaper image featuring the beautiful soaps by A*Kang.  Hailing from Taiwan, A*Kang is dedicated to using all natural ingredients in her cold process soap bars and adorable soap confections.  To learn more about A*Kang and receive your wallpaper, sign up for the newsletter (click here).  You can opt to only receive the book publication announcement, or get all updates from now until then!