CURAT HANDCRAFTED SOAPS Est. 2010

Revisting the Lush "Truth" email...I am still astonished, but I did break down and purchased a couple bath bombs...yes, I know..but I'm a softy for them at times. Just honestly speaking. Be sure to comment if you feel the need, I would love to read what you Curaties have to say!

What does "Handmade" mean to you?

by CURAT HANDCRAFTED SOAPS Est. 2010 on Monday, August 30, 2010 at 5:51pm

I am a soapcrafter. I make my soaps from start to finish. Oils that I saponify myself,the ingredients I add by hand(essential oils, fresh and dried plants & fruits, and dried spices)Some I grind by hand with the aid of the mortar & pestle...some with a blender or food processor. I hand pic the ingredients I use. I buy local, I sell to all. I take pride in what I do. As I meet and talk with many soapers, both cold and hot process soapcrafters...I get a since of pride and the desire to educate the public about the craft of making soap. I really felt bad when I had to establish the recent price increase. I was so happy being able to provide a product people really liked at an affordable price. Many of you still say that even with the price increase..it's still a great value. Thank you, I appreciate it!

Recently..I was online admiring the handmade soap companies who have broken the mold in the cosmetics industry. LUSH HANDMADE COSMETICS is one of them. I love their products and quite a few of you are LUSH clients. I decided to ask them a question in regards to their products..since they invite the chance to provide information to consumers. My question was simple and straight forward:

"Do you use the cold or hot process method to make your soaps?"

Easy right? Well I did get an answer. Very timely, very honest, but...way more info than I asked for.Today I found out that LUSH soaps are 'melt and pour' soaps! I was shocked to say the least.  But here, you can see for yourselves. Here is a copy of the email transmission.Now I have to say...is the retail price for their soaps fair? That's up to you as a consumer.

New Location Carries Curat!

Great news! Pogue's Run Grocer is a retailer of Curat-Romania soaps! They have Ashes 2 Ashes, Curat Spice No.2, Florala Cimbru, Spicy Peach!!! Pick up a few today..
Pogue's Run Grocer
2828 E. 10th
Indianapolis, IN 46201
(317) 426-4963

Handmade Promenade Time!!!

Hey it's that time again, to come out to the Handmade Promenade event. This will be held at Luna Music and is aptly named. The "Record Store Day" event at Luna Music will be outrageously great! This is Curat's first appearance at Luna, although we have been at many a "Promenade" event. Hope to see you all out there purchasing great handmade items by rock-star crafters, and also pick up some great music!

April 16th 11am - 6pm
LUNA music Midtown/Broad Ripple 5202 North College Avenue
Indianapolis Indiana 46220

Curat Showed It's Swagger @ The Sweet Revenge Show!

This past week marked the Midwest Fashion Week activities, many fashion shows, forums and special events.
Catherine Fritsch, owner/designer of Sweet Revenge, held a show , Transformations, at the IndyFringe in the Mass Ave Arts District of Indianapolis.  Curat- Romania soaps were featured in the swag bags, on these minature bars, were coupon codes for 15% off online purchases! We were excited to be along for the fashionable ride. For more info on the Mercurious line, please visit : SWEET REVENGE

photo: Kathy Moberly

TIME TIME TIME.....................

..it goes by so darn fast. Too darn fast actually, because....it's been a long while since I posted and this must be corrected!

So on the home front, we are rolling out in new locations, including LAS VEGAS!! Yes, and I will give the skinny on this wonderful location in a couple weeks, so please, stay tuned! I will tell you the name of the special edition soap though: Deuces Wild!

February marked our first year in the soap biz, it has beeb wonderful. Hard work, many helping hands and we are still here!! i am so proud of my family, mainly my daughters, aka "The Curat Kids". They have helped wrap, stamp, pack and unpack soaps for shows, completed mail orders, you name it and they have done it!

Looking back on the first year, I am pleased that Curat had media coverage, on the news and in publications, and I owe all of it to our supporters, YOU....the folks who purchase and use our soaps. One day I was in a market looking at hand-crafted soaps, and a lady came up to me and told me about this new soap company she really loved, Curat. I mean she was gong on about which ones I should try, and that's it's Romanian and the whole nine yards. When I told her I made the soap, she looked at me and said "you're not her, you're not Romanian!"...I laughed my butt off...it was too funny..so I guess i do have a need for business cards do I can prove I'm the soapcrafter huh?!

Thank you all so very much for supporting Curat! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!

(Piggy is handmade by Vanessa Monfreda - www.vanessamonfreda.com)

Benefits Of Handmade Soap
There are said to be many healing properties of a handmade bar of soap. Those who suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, as well as people that have sensitive skin or are hypoallergenic often find immediate relief by switching to an all natural chemical free handmade soap.

Compared to a conventional bar of soap, handmade soap is very mild. Most of them are made from vegetable-based oils, such as olive, coconut, and palm and do not contain the potentially harmful chemicals found in store bought soap. Some say one of the biggest differences between commercial soap and handmade soap is glycerine.

Glycerine is a clear liquid that absorbs water from the air and is a key factor in keeping skin soft and healthy. Glycerin soap is especially good for sensitive and delicate skin, and for children. Because it is a high quality by-product in the soap making process, many mass commercial soap manufacturers often extract the glycerine and sell it as a by-product to be used in higher priced beauty products like lotions and skin creams.

Handmade Soap Is Good For Your Body, Spirit and Soul
Skin is the largest human organ and is the bodies first line of defense against dehydration, temperature, infection and harmful substances. Handmade soaps give your skin the care it deserves and make bathing a gentle, soothing experience.

In our busy day to day life we often put aside the indulgences of a simple thing like a special bar of soap. With our limited time it becomes last on our list of priorities. But a fragrant, handmade bar of soap is a simple indulgence that fosters a feeling of relaxation and being pampered. Treat yourself or someone you love to the benefits of handmade soap!

Updates

Oh, it has been such a long long time since I have posted to this blog, and for that, I am so sorry. Because there has been so much going on with Curat!

Hopefully, I can bring you all up to speed. First, I want to make sure you are following Curat-Romania on Twitter. www.twitter.com/curatclean....and you're a fan on FaceBook. www.facebook.com/curatclean.

Vodka*Star has been in high demand, very much so! I am so glad you guys love your soap with liquor! There are currently 2 scents of Vodka*Star, and YES..they are here to stay! There will be a new addition in Spring 2011..so for now enjoy "PEARWOOD" & "JUNIPERBERRY". They sell out very quickly, so when they become available on the website or in the retail locations, it's not a bad idea to grab up a few.