The Right Path

Two years ago, I was busy checking every soapmaking book out of the library, wondering if I could turn my passion for natural ingredients and talent for making stuff into extra income for our family.  There weren't a lot of other options available; our son still wasn't sleeping well enough or often enough to make even a part-time retail job possible.  Not many employers are willing to hire workers who are bleary from 3 or 4 a.m. bedtimes and who have to take weeks off for illness!

So, Dominion Handmade Soap Company was born.  I found out how satisfying it is to source superb ingredients and make fragrant soap from scratch.  I made some great soap.  I threw out some awful soap.  (Okay, a lot of awful soap.)  I found a welcoming group of vendors at the Prince Albert Farmer's Market - not to mention local sources for beeswax, goat's milk, hemp oil, and organic herbs. I have also found some loyal customers who love what I do.

In short, it has been wonderful.  Even if I'm still not making a lot of money.  Even if I still have so much to learn.

So, what happens when you suddenly have to decide between two wonderful things?

Okay, maybe I should back up a little.  As much as I enjoy making soap, my first love is painting.  I spent many years learning how to be a good painter, but when our lives were upended with our son's autism diagnosis I had to say goodbye to the studio - for good, I thought.

Recently, some funny things have happened.  I was offered a great studio space for way-too-cheap-to-pass-up.  Strong encouragement to pick up my art practice came from unexpected quarters.  A show in August materialized.  So, somehow I'm back in the studio.  I'm still dazed by the switcheroo, but also really happy.

Well, ecstatic, actually.

I've been hyperventilating though, when I think of the Christmas craft fair rush, and the webstore still not up, and how I need to put more time into Dominion Handmade Soap Company in order to turn a profit so that I can help pay for my son's treatments.   And I've been thinking about all of the good stuff that makes it such a deeply satisfying project.  I'm not ready to give it up.

After a lot of thinking and prayer I've decided that for this year, Dominion Handmade Soap Company is going to opt out of the Christmas frenzy altogether.  No craft shows, no special orders.  I hope this doesn't disappoint too many people.  Instead, I'm going to focus the time I do have into finishing the webstore and getting a modest (very modest) variety of soaps and bath products ready for online sale in January.  

We'll have a webstore launch party.  A little, non-overwhelming one.  You're invited.  (Please bring cupcakes.)


Photo credit: Undecided
Originally uploaded by bertiemabootoo