Teach Soap

So, I'm perusing the local flea market, trying to figure out what the best spot would be, and I come across a "soap vendor". Two chicks, one maybe mid twenties, the other who looks like she thinks she's in her mid-twenties but is probably late 30's, early 40's. She smokes...that will come into play later...

They have naked, stamped soaps. They smell like cheap bathroom freshener, or hotel soap. Funny, because the one lady says their friend makes soap for "a local hotel" and he "gives them the extras he doesn't want,so we come here and sell them for cheap". I'd say the bars are 5 oz, for $2/ea. They have stacks and stacks on what looks like industrial dish palettes...you know, like restaurants use?

It's obvious these girls know nothing about soap. They don't have an ingredient list. The one assures me that she's "Seen him make it...and it's all natural stuff that goes in it..." and even the pineapple one (pineapple? this is supposed to be PINEAPPLE???) she's seen him "shuck an actual pineapple to put in there..." It's a very smooth yellow soap...no pulp, no freckles, nothing. I know better. Wouldn't pineapple rot? But they're convincing to the average joe I guess.

So, I go through and smell one bad soap after another...and each time, what do I get a whiff of? CIGARETTE SMOKE! I get to the end...and there's one that smells pretty good. Burt's Bees minty shampoo bar. Somehow "their friend" got a hold of some, or something, so they snapped up on it...

When I asked about the ingredient list, I mention I don't like lard in soap. Then she says (wait for it...)

"LYE? No....we don't have any lye in our soap....nooooooo way! We'd never bring soap that has lye in it. Some people ask for it, but we say no...do you know what's in that stuff? Lye soap is made with oils..." and I say, "But lard?" Cigarette girl: "No, no lard...i've seen...blah blah blah...."

So, I'm thinking "their friend" does M&P. I don't know why anyone would "Give away" easily 100# of soap. It wasn't dinged up, or ugly in any way besides the poor fragrance. I did ask how often they were there though, and it looks like every other weekend. So, guess who will be there NEXT weekend?

Were people buying this stuff?

I dunno....I didn't hang around to watch....but it was like....I dunno...weird....

The pineapple thing....I wanna say they were 100% full of doo doo, but is it *possible* to use fresh pineapple in M&P? All that I know says H*ll no, it's not possible....but even with my knowledge, she spoke with such, um....conviction? I can believe that shoppers would hear her say "FRESH pineapple" and buy into it, kwim?

Pineapple would go moldy in MP. I'd say it's all a bunch of BS. The problem is, people that don't make soap have no idea how it's made. They will believe what you tell them.
As far as the bars smelling like cigarrette (sp) smoke, that's disgusting!
It's people like them that give the REAL soapmakers a bad name. That's for either MP or CP.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Too funny, but also, sad, too, because like Soap Buddy commented, people like this give legit soap-makers a bad name. Hmmm, won't they be in for a surprise when you show up with your own soaps!

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HEAVENLY SCENT SOAPS

Sounds to me like a couple of con artists. I wonder if this soap was given to them or ...... who knows?

I would go. Show people your beautiful soaps and make a sign with your ingredients.
If you want to walk a fine line, you could tell people that it has no lye in it and technically you would be correct.
I bet those girls have no idea what is in their soap.

Stuff like this really chaps my a$$.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I just think these girls are talking out their A**. I think smoking around soap is a really bad Idea cause the soap soaks up the smell. Who wants soap that smells like a dirty ashtray? The same rule goes for Cake icing incase any of you folks are new to cake decorating. Also since they smoke they probley can't smell it themselves and whould be shocked if you told them their soap stinks.

That is comedy They would not get away with it around here, even kids scrutinize and your stuff better be smelling really good. Also everyone seems to have an idea about soap from thier grandma.

TheGinger8

Ugh!
I think I would have to hang around them and make them explain how their friend makes soap without lye.

I wonder what hotel uses 5 oz. bars of soap?! That part also sounds like BS.

When you set up YOUR stand your sign needs to indicate that these are REAL Hand-made soaps made in a smoke-free location. "Please ask me about my ingredients!"

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- Mickey!

Thanks for commiserating, guys!

Yeah, I'm going to be on opposite weekends per what the older one said. But won't that be funny when folks smell mine on "my" weekend then theirs? Or, if somehow we end up there on the same day?

Awesome.