Now! With 100% Certified Organic Sustainable Palm Oil

I am pleased to announce that Seattle Rainwater Soap Co. soaps are now made with 100% Certified Organic Sustainable Palm Oil. I've had several customers, concerned about deforestation in the palm oil industry, request that I make the switch. As you know, I am committed to using the highest quality natural ingredients possible; none of my products contain detergents, lathering agents, parabens, or paraffin waxes. I am happy to say that I have found a reliable source of sustainably produced organic palm oil that I can use without raising my prices!

The change will roll out slowly as new batches of soap become available. Beginning this weekend I will have my first batch of Almond Latte soap made with organic palm oil for sale at Pike Place Market and online. Jasmine Green Tea will follow soon, followed by Lavender Fields, Orchard Fruit, and Elliott Bay Rum. Check the website or labels to see which varieties currently being sold were made with organic palm oil. Eventually all soaps will be made with it.

Thanks so much for your loyalty and feedback!

For more information about sustainable palm oil, please visit the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.

Meet the Producer - Online!

If you've visited Pike Place Market, you may have noticed the large sign saying "Meet the Producer" at the main entrance. The Market boasts a long-standing tradition of offering goods for sale direct to the public from the source. I'm proud to be part of that tradition, selling my handcrafted products in the daystalls in the North Arcade weekly.

However, many of my customers don't live in the Puget Sound region and can't make regular trips to the Market, making it difficult for us to get to know one another beyond our initial meeting. Early on in my business, I received many inquiries via email about shipping my products out of state. My next step was to create a website for online ordering to streamline that process. Now that's established, and I'm interested in finding new ways to communicate and develop relationships with my customers, both in person and from afar.

If you are reading this, I know you are linked in to at least one line of communication with me - you "Like" me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or subscribe to this blog. If you're new to reading my blog, I'd encourage you to go back and read through the archives for the answers to such burning questions as "Why couldn't I find you last Wednesday?" "Is making soap really like they show it in Fight Club?" and "What do I do with the last sliver of soap?"  Let me know what you think in the comments. Likewise, I love to see your comments and questions on my Facebook page. Or tweet at me: @rainwatersoap.

In the coming weeks and months, I will be rolling out some special contests and promotions for my social media followers (that's you!). My first order of business concerns Foursquare: I've added my Pike Place Market location as a venue. Next time you stop by and see me, check in and introduce yourself! Hope to hear from you soon!

The Tradition of Giving Back

One of our favorite traditions this time of year is visiting the Holiday Giving Tree at Pike Place Market. Each year The Giving Tree is decorated with wishes from low-income Market residents and members, clients, and students of the Market's human service agencies. In the past, we have purchased clothing, household goods, toys, books, and many other items for these needy members of our community. It is heartwarming to be able to share our good fortune with our Market neighbors and to make their holiday a little brighter.

We are proud to "go public" with this tradition, setting aside a portion of our proceeds toward gifts. We have decided that this year, we will put 10% of the profit from all orders placed online now through December 17 toward a wish from the Holiday Giving Tree. 

If you will be coming to the Market, we encourage you to visit one of the trees and choose a wish to fulfill. If you have already made your holiday purchase, we urge you to enter the spirit of giving in your own community. Or you can go online to the Virtual Giving Tree and select a wish from home! You might also consider a year-end gift to the Pike Place Market Foundation.

Thank you for your patronage throughout the year ~ may you have a wonderful holiday season and a healthful and happy new year!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving - and a SALE!

Once in a while someone browsing my table of goods at Pike Place Market will ask if soap is an appropriate gift. It's funny, because we don't typically give deodorant or toothpaste as gifts, yet soaps (especially fancy ones) are well-received.  I think soap and other body products (like lip balm and lotion bars, ahem) are good gifts for a few reasons: everyone has a use for them, they are very affordable, and a high-quality body care product is a nice luxury.

Seattle Rainwater Soap Co. products are great gifts for many occasions:

• Birthday
• Get well
• Thank you
• Mothers/Fathers Day
• Boss's Day
• Secretary's Day
• Housewarming
• New baby
• Valentine's Day
• Congratulations
• Hanukkah
• Christmas
• "Just because"

Here's a short list of people who might like to receive a few bars of soap, a Skin Smoothie, Lip Smoothie, or a gift set:

• Mom
• Sister
• Daughter
• Spouse
• Girl / Boy Friend
• Niece
• Mother-in-law
• Sister-in-law
• Aunt
• Grandma
• Cousin
• Neighbor
• Co-workers
• Hostesses
• Party guests
• Roommates (it's always good to be sure they smell nice!)
• Friend who watches your house/dog/cat/plants while you are on vacation
• Teachers
• Coaches
• Men (yes, men use my products too; they especially enjoy Elliott Bay Rum, Cascade Trails, Ginger Zest, Almond Latte, and Chai)
• Yourself!

My prices are already very affordable (have you noticed that everything, including gift sets, is under $20?), but to make it even easier to cross everyone off your winter holiday giving list I am sweetening the pot a little.  Now through December 20, 2010, buy 10 or more single soap sampler sets (one each soap, Skin Smoothie, and Lip Smoothie) regularly priced at $12 and pay just $10 each. These qualify for free shipping (to a single address), as do all purchases over $100. I have added a special line to the Gift Set ordering page for these. You will also find a special line on the Soap page for a discounted price on bulk orders of 10 or more bars of soap.  Both deals are valid at Pike Place Market as well as online.

(Did I forget a recipient or an occasion? Let me know in the comments! I'd love to hear who you are giving my products to!)

My Baby is Five Years Old! Anniversary Sale!

This week marks the five year anniversary of opening Seattle Rainwater Soap Co. for business at Pike Place Market.  I won't lie; it hasn't always been easy.  We've endured our share of mishaps, cold days on the line, and other difficulties, but it has been worth it.

We've gained a great following of loyal customers both at the market and via mail order who are our bread and butter.  Without you, this endeavor would never have survived.  It's one thing to sell a bar of soap to a random passerby, and we are very fortunate that Pike Place offers that unique opportunity.  But to have you come back for more is the highest compliment!

To thank our fans and celebrate five years in business, I am offering a few special deals today through next Friday, October 22, 2010, both at the market and online:

• Any 5 Sampler Sets - each containing a soap, a Skin Smoothie, and a Lip Smoothie - for $50. Regular price $12 each.  If you order online, please note "5 for $50" in the special requests field at checkout.  I will adjust the price when processing your order.
• Autumn Vineyard Skin Smoothies - $5 each, while supplies last.  Regular price $6 apiece.

Thank you so much! I look forward to seeing what the next five years bring.

Good to the Last Sliver

Ginger Zest meets Cascade Trails

I sometimes hear from customers that they don't know what to do with the last sliver of soap.  You don't want to throw it away, but it gets hard to hold on to and use at a certain point.  I'm happy to report that my R&D department has developed a very simple technique for fusing that last tiny piece to a fresh bar.  (Okay, I admit — I am the R&D department.)

Here's how to do it:

• Wet both the remaining sliver and the new bar.
• Rub them a little to get the surface worked up.
• Press together and allow to dry completely.

Voilà — no more waste!

Smooth my what??

Besides the soap, which is my signature product, I also make a line of shea butter Skin Smoothie lotion bars and Lip Smoothie balms.  These are the perfect complement to the soaps in rounding out a basic skin-care regimen.

The Lip Smoothie is a balm made with shea butter, olive oil, beeswax, vitamin E, and coconut oil, formulated to protect the delicate lip tissue from moisture loss.  It is packaged in a convenient applicator tube that keeps your fingers away from your mouth — especially important in cold and flu season!

The Skin Smoothie may not be as familiar to some of you.  It is a solid bar of similar ingredients, designed to nourish and protect rough, dry skin without feeling greasy.  The bar comes out of the container and you simply rub a thin layer onto the skin.  I use it on my legs and arms after showering, chapped hands, rough heels, and anywhere else that needs heavy-duty moisture.  The oils soak in and the waxes leave a protective layer that feels smooth even after washing.  They are great for travel — the tin fits nicely in your purse so you don't have to worry about a tube of lotion spilling, and they are safe in your carry-on luggage.

Both Smoothie products are available in fragrances to coordinate with my most popular soaps, and I offer discounts on gift sets that combine soap with the Skin Smoothie and Lip Smoothie.  If you haven't tried all three items yet, this is a great way to do it!