On weekends, normally I am found pottering around in the garden. This weekend has been a little different, as Kim and I felt the need to get busy to distract us from the sad events of the previous two months.
We focused on building our business, and preparing and delivering the last beginners soap making workshop for this calendar year.
Beginners soap making course – student workstation
We made the demo block of soap very early Saturday morning. We use this block for a demonstration near the end of the course to show the students what to expect when they take the soap out of the mould 24 hours later, and how to cut and cure the soap over the next four weeks.
Kim and I then spend the rest of the day topping up the ingredients for the soap making workshop, making products for sale, and packing up the kit ready for transport to the community centre in Melton South the next day.
Today was another early start. We arrived at 9am to set up for a 10am start. The class was fully booked and we made eight ladies very happy by teaching them how to make their own soap at home using simple ingredients. We managed to finish the class on time at 12.30pm and left at 1.30pm after leaving the community centre cleaner than we found it.
If you would like to read how the class typically unfolds during the 2½ hours, and what to expect when attending, please click-through to the Little Green Workshops site and blog. Kim hopes to have our online shop ready to open by mid November so that students (or anyone else for that matter) can buy supplies as they need without having to travel to our place to top up.
We had a great weekend focusing on something we both really enjoy doing. And that is my friends, teaching others simple living skills.
Next weekend (I have four days off due to Melbourne Cup), I will be working hard in the veggie patch, harvesting the last of the winter crops and putting in the summer crops. More tomatoes and the first of the cucumbers, pumpkin, potatoes, and sweet corn.
I would also like to thank everyone for their support during the last two months. Although it has been difficult at times during Pam’s illness and subsequent passing, we couldn’t have gotten through it without the support of family and friends, many of which we have met via this blog.
Thank you so very much.
You get back what you give Gav. Am very excited for you guys xxxx
We are too! It was great to get in front of a class again.
I still haven’t made my soap yet and have run out. It’s in my October list and this is the last week of October so it will be done. Glad you were able to focus on doing something that you both love to get distracted as it’s a difficult time and it’s not all over nice the funereal is done. There’s weeks of grieving and doing something you live will give you a little time to enjoy life while you are going through this stage of life. Have a good week. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane
Thanks for the kind words and thoughts Kathy.
On the topic of soap, don’t forget that it takes at least 4 weeks to cure before you can use it.
I too NEED to get some soap made, for Xmas gifts and for us to use too. I Might have a go thoday since the fire is lit once again today. Using the heat from the fire makes it a lower emmissions make for us then too. 🙂