Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch Changes

The only constant in this world is change. You can count on it. If things suck, they will change. If things are good, they will change. If things are indifferent, they will change. Weather changes, the landscape changes, habits change, styles change, and my moods change. This whole year has been full of changes for me. I sold all of my goats and focused on making beer and wine soaps, while continuing to make milk soaps; goat milk, cow milk, coconut milk. I started making hand bound journals, which has been tons of fun. I will confess that they haven't been a huge seller but they sure are fun to make. I still have hopes that they will catch on and give me a reason to keep making them. The big change in my business as well as hard times economically put a change in my sales. That change was not good but I am an optimist so I have high hopes that change will happen in that area as well.

Another big change is that our oldest daughter finally got her Canadian husband living here just short of their two year anniversary. They lived with us for a few months and now have their own place. Which leads into another big change, we have only one child left at home! We have five all together and have also had various others family and friends live with us over the years so having only one is a HUGE change. I am not sure that I really like it but I am sure that I will get used to it.

We officially gained a new son this summer when our middle daughter finally tied the knot. I was actually the one to tie that knot and let me tell you, it was not easy. It was a regular cry fest. Watching your sweet baby girl walk down the isle as the beautiful bride is hard enough, but when all eyes are on you and you have to say the words that unite them, OMG! One of my sisters actually asked if I needed to have someone step in for me because I just couldn't quit crying, which made the groom cry and then the bride was tearing up. There was danger of make-up being ruined. All in all we made it through and it was a beautiful wedding.

Shortly after the wedding our third daughter's boyfriend asked permission for her hand and of course, they want me to officiate. Ugh, I see another cry fest in my future. She is gaining two beautiful little girls in the deal and I am thoroughly enjoying watching her learn how to be a step mom, especially since I am her step mom. Even though I raised her, blending a family is tough work. As much as I am laughing at her I am glad that I will be able to help her through it gracefully.

One thing that didn't change was that we took our annual trip to Reno for the Hot August Nights car show. It's always fun to get away even though my husbands 57 Olds was not ready in time. I got this great picture with our friends in the car ahead of us.

And then I had a good laugh when we came upon this scene in the street.

I call it "Elvis needs a new leisure suit"

Another big change is that I got a new tattoo. I love the art of tattoo and couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a new piece from visiting artist, Tony Mitchell. Tony has a shop in Port Orchard, WA and was just in town for a few days. He was sweet enough to fit me in to his busy schedule and draw up this original piece for me and I love it.

It's hard to imagine what changes are coming in the future. I am always looking for them, I know I can count on them, good, bad or indifferent, I embrace them. I might as well because I sure can't stop them.

Slightly Askew Studios: Jesus Visits the Farmers Market

Slightly Askew Studios: Jesus Visits the Farmers Market

Jesus Visits the Farmers Market

Awhile back I saw this figurine of Jesus and I fell in love with it. People have all kinds of cute cartoon figures at their desks. I've seen everything from trolls to bobble heads to Fiona the ogre. When I saw Jesus I thought how perfect it would be to have him sitting with me while I am working at my computer. Here he is:

So last Friday night I was thinking about my faith and how I am supposed to take Jesus everywhere I go and I had this idea that I would take Jesus to the market with me, literally.

We all know that Jesus can roll away the stone. This one is from Cindy's Spare Loot. Cindy and her husband Mark have been doing markets for 20 years and they are two of my favorite people to visit at the market.

Yes, that is chocolate on his face. This is a nougatt bar from Chocolate Serenade, who is my market neighbor and feeds me the best chocolate in Sequim. Jim also puts up with listening to my sales pitches all day long every Saturday. Some of you may remember from a previous post that he has a mild dislike for my Ducky Soaps. 

 Strawberries are my absolute favorite fruit so of course Jesus has to raise his hands at his wonderful creation

These are Fava beans that I tried for the very first time after the market. They are delicious! The berries and the beans came from Nash's Organic Produce, Nash's is a fixture at several markets around Washington state, if you have one near, you are very lucky. I love that the person working the booth can almost always tell me how to cook some of the veggies that I have never used before (Fava!).

Okay, these are probably the silliest. You can almost imagine that you see him rolling his eyes as I make him try on a hat and sit in a sleigh with a troll at Olga's Yurt of Fiber. Olga makes cool things from alpaca wool.

Kid Do is a new vendor at the market this year. She makes sparkly, scented play dough for kids. Some even use essential oils for scent. Click on the link to read  her story that was recently published in the Sequim Gazette. FUN! 

I know Jesus can multiply the fishes and Marlow Metal Works has plenty to choose from. They reuse old metal and wood to make great, functional art pieces. They have great story and are a vital part of the market and the community.

So, if you didn't know before that I have a somewhat odd sense of humor, you certainly do now. Someone asked me if I thought writing about Jesus might offend some people. I said that it might but I have to remember at all times, no matter what- in the words of Popeye- I am what I am. And I want to take Jesus with me everywhere I go.

Stupid Duck Soap!

Several years ago I was sitting in my booth at the farmers market studying the people and the other vendors and their sales techniques. After some experience I realized that if I could start a genuine conversation with a customer I could usually make a sale. I will tell you that there is a fine line between being friendly and being annoying. I knew I needed a hook, something to make a person stop and want to come in and browse a little. I put a lot of thought into how I could get people to stop without tackling them. Tackling is out of the question because people are too busy being angry with you and wiping the dirt off of their clothes to even listen to your sales pitch. I know that all ages and types of people love rubber ducky's, I don't know why, but I know that they are beloved by many. Maybe it is sort of permission or an excuse for grownups to have bathtub toys. I had seen rubber ducks stuck in soap so I decided to try it out and see how they sell. It's been five years now and the sales of rubber ducky soaps are going strong. Making and packaging them, however, is a giant pain in my arse, to put it delicately. Also, it never fails that whoever is stuck next to me all day long ends up pretty much hating them and being really annoyed at me. Why, you may ask? Well let me tell you. About 90% of the people who walk by my booth, stop and exclaim, "Awww, look at the rubber ducky's!" Then we hear stories about their collection, or their friend, relative or neighbors collection. Apparently almost everyone either collects them or knows someone who does. They are quite the hot topic for conversation. Just ask my market buddy, Jim from Chocolate Serenade. He was the first person to actually voice his annoyance out loud because he knows that I don't offend easily. Although he used a less delicate word than "stupid" ducks, his meaning was clear. I must point out that they do their job well and so I pay them tribute by showing you a bit of the process that I go through when making them.
                                                        Roll pictures please.................


The molds stand at the ready on the counter. Behind the scenes the ounces per cup and the proper recipe has been calculated.

    
             The ducks have been chosen, counted and are waiting in a big pile of cuteness.

 The coloring has been mixed, the fragrance weighed and the sodium lactate dissolved and ready.

    These are the oils, which have been carefully weighed and the solid oils have been melted.

  This is the frozen goat milk and the lye which will be stirred until the milk melts and the lye dissolves.

                      This is my oil bowl with the lye mixture and color just dropped in.

Right when I start using my stick blender and the color starts its swirl throughout the oil mixture is sort of my favorite part. I am entertained easily, I know.

This is where my picture taking went south. My fragrance decided to make my soap turn into soap way faster then I wanted it to. This is some of the "pain in the arse" part. My daughter, Grace was already standing at the ready to help because it takes a long time to pour 75 individual soaps. Getting the ducks set into them before it gets too hard by myself is an impossible feat. When the fragrance gives me trouble, like it did today I really need extra hands. I try to use one that I know will behave but sometimes I forget or don't have good notes on a particular scent. Grace was setting ducks while I poured and I was about at the half way point when the soap started to thicken up to a pudding like consistency. I hollered for Grace to help me finish pouring and we got it into the molds and were setting ducks with lightning speed and precision. We worked like a well-oiled machine. Okay, not really, we were spilling and dropping ducks and generally making a big mess but we got the job done.

                      Here they are, all lined up like little customer grabbing soldiers.

If only this were the end but now they have to cure for 4 weeks and then get packaged in special packaging because they don't fit into my regular packaging. (More of the "pain in the arse" part)

      So, here's to you my little yellow friends, you serve your purpose gallantly and for that I am grateful.

My Journey in Journals

I started making journals a few months ago and boy is there a lot to learn. I am really enjoying it and realized that when I am in my studio putting together a book is when I feel most at peace. When personal stress overwhelms me I can lose myself in the structure of the book and find great pleasure in designing the covers. It is my way of creating art that is usable. Not quite the commitment of a wall hanging but very practical while being enjoyable at the same time. What a great justification. The benefits of journaling are plenty. Stress relief for one. Or how about brainstorming? You can really get your creative juices flowing when you start jotting down your thoughts and feelings. How about writing your story to pass on to your grand kids? You can glue in scraps of paper or photos. Movie tickets, vacation postcards, love notes, the possibilities are endless. All you need is a book that compels you to start. I am hoping to provide that for people while I get lost in all of the colors, patterns and textures that paper affords. Here are my first.

Can you think of good reasons to journal? Share them in the comments section.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!

Remember just a few days ago when I posted about how glorious the sunshine was. I raved about how beautiful Port Angeles is and how much I needed some light, and about how lovely it felt. Well, I am singing a different song today. It is still beautiful but I swear it was spring a minute ago. Here is the proof, My sweet little crocus are poking there heads out and wham! A huge (for us) late snow storm.

Proof that the kids really should put away the basketball EVERY time.

     I took a walk to the Discovery Trail not too far from my house and snapped a few pictures.

This is a covered bridge that spans the frigid waters of Bagley Creek. I didn't get a picture of this but my dog didn't let the snow stop her from taking a romp through the water while we were there, brrrr!

                                   This is the view from one side of the bridge

and this is the view from the other side.

Even though I am ready for spring, I do love the snow. I love the way it seems like a soft blanket that covers the ground, hiding any mud or trash. The trees are adorned with nature's decoration and all sound is muffled making everything in the woods seem very still. It is truly wonderful. Now book me a trip someplace warm!

Why did I move back to Port Angeles, WA?

 Some days, especially in the winter I start asking myself, "Why did I move back here?" It can be dark and dreary. The rain can go on for days and the most common color we see is grey. Several years back it rained everyday (at least a little) for thirty-two days straight. On days like today I am reminded of the sheer beauty of this place I call home. The slogan says it's "where the mountains greet the sea" and it is true. I would feel lonely anywhere that I could not see mountains and water. It was cool and crisp today but the sun was shining like it was summer. If you didn't step outside you could convince yourself that it might be 80 degrees outside. Everyone here must have been aching to feel the sun today because on our way out to Ediz Hook there were people everywhere. Coming out of their doors and blinking into the sun like moles coming out of the ground. We all have to wear sunglasses because we are not used to the light. I once read that people in Washington buy more pairs of sunglasses than anywhere else in the states because it is so long between times that we use them that we lose them and have to buy another pair. I snapped a few pictures to show you how beautiful it is.


A lady was feeding seagulls and there was a huge flock surrounding her. I made sure to park far away from her since I just washed my car today.

This is Port Angeles

The beach logs

We decided to walk on the logs without touching ground for as far as we could. We made it quite a ways but I did have to touch once when the kids didn't. I just couldn't make the jump.

That strip of land that is on the horizon in this picture is Canada.

                  

                    This is my youngest daughter, Grace. Apparently when you are 16 you have to text  

                                                     everywhere you go all of the time.    

So this is why I live in Port Angeles, Washington. It is truly beautiful here. Okay, my family might have a small something to do with why I moved back here but don't tell them, it might go to their heads.

Beer Soap!

Finally, it's done! I have been waiting and waiting and it is finally cured. I used a bar yesterday and it was fabulous. Barhop Brewing was the first to jump right in with my new business idea of using products from other small businesses as an ingredient in my soap. That Tom Curry, he's adventurous, I must say. There was no hesitation on his part; he knew a great opportunity when he saw one. It looks rather plain but the smell is rich and exotic. It's a scent that I made myself and I am calling it Havana Nights. Check out http://www.slightlyaskewstudios.com/ and find it on the Soaps page.

Am I ambivalent? Well, yes and no.

Even though I have been feeling ambivalent lately about a lot of things there is always at least one thing that I am sure of, baby goats are sooooo cute. I told you before that I gave my two favorite goats to my niece, Shirley and her family. So yes, I did get rid of all of my goats but my two favorites are just across town; and while there were only two when they left my house, now there are nine. Yes, that's right, I said NINE! In the last three days they more than tripled their numbers. This morning I got to hop in my car and head over to pet some fuzzy, new babies so I snapped a few pictures to share with you.

The first doe surprised us with two doelings and a buckling. We were so surprised because she hardly looked pregnant. The second doe, which looked as wide as a sideways barrel, had two doelings and two bucklings. She was carrying about 30# worth of kids so I guess she was entitled to look so big.

This is Will, he is learning how to do the milking and baby feeding. I am so proud of him for taking on this project. He is a hard worker and a bright, young business man in the making.

What Up?

Well, as you know there have been quite a few changes here and I just have to share them with you. First off, the logo contest was a bust with no entries. It was a nice thought but apparently I just don't have enough followers to pull it off. So, I hired my very talented and creative friend Renne from Unique As You to save the day. This worked out well and I shouldn't be surprised since she does market herself as a superhero. Renne was in Germany for several weeks and has been suffering terribly from jet lag. She came home, listened to me whine about how quickly I needed this done, threw on her brightly colored tights, rolled up her coordinating sleeves and got right to work. The results are as pleasing as I expected. Renne does great work and she is dependable. What more could a crazy, impatient overwhelmed business person ask for? Also her smile is as bright as her clothes so when you meet with her it's pretty difficult to be in anything but a great mood.

On an even more fun note, my daughter, Andrea and I both completed our first hand bound journals. I really need lessons in photographing my products. I find it very difficult to convey them in a professional way. Here they are:
                                                   This one is mine

                                                   This one is Andrea's

                                                          I can't wait to make more.

Trouble

A good bloggy follower let me know that that my blog was doing something strange. Now, me doing something strange is not that uncommon but my blog should be behaving. I changed the name and so I think blogger is confused. If you are all of a sudden landing on a different blog I am sorry. Please find me because I am apparently lost.

Logo Design Contest

Happy NEW year! Galloping Goats Farm is changing. The goats have all gone on to new homes and I am feverishly working to tie up loose ends while also starting new ventures. Since I will no longer be a goat herd owner and I have officially changed the name on my business license and my website I NEED a new logo.  I will still be making soaps and some of them will still be goats milk soaps but some will be different (more to come on that later) I will also be making journals. They will be completely done by hand. I have been learning about book binding and gathering supplies, tools and equipment. I can't wait to get started.

If you know of someone who might be interested in joining in please spread the word.

The name? Slightly Askew Studios. The logo; you can check out my not so old logo over on the right for the color scheme I have been using. It's a little different than what I have been using in real life simply because of the difference in the way color looks on my monitor verses when it is printed out.  I am not married to the colors but it would be nice not to have to buy all new table coverings for my market tables, which are mainly aqua and blue with a little purple thrown in for good measure.  Think whimsical, artsy, a little goofy and fun. Submit your entry by email at wiggins_6@msn.com unless you all know how to post them in the comments. I can't seem to figure out if that's possible. I will give lots of feedback along the way. I will run the contest for one week. Next Thursday I will pick a winner and send that person a box of my products. I don't want to put an exact value on it but those who know me know that I am a generous person; those who don't know me will have to trust me to make it worth your while. Please don't submit someone else's clipart; this has to be a logo designed by you that I can use copy write free in my business.