After the Show

This past Saturday I had a booth, along with my best bud Anna, at the Irving Main Street Festival in Irving, Texas. It was hot, hot, hot – and not in the “wow what sales” way. As someone who spent a number of years following my husband (C.J. Bradford – www.thought-full-art.com ) to art shows throughout the mid-west, I can safely confirm, once again, that I am NOT an outdoor girl. Yes, I love to do the shows and really enjoy interacting with the people. But not so crazy about the bugs in the grass, the suffocating heat, the wind, the dust, the insanity surrounding setup and take-down. And if sales are only moderate, or low, the not-so-fun stuff is a real beating.

But, here’s the thing. AFTER the show, when I  get home exhausted, and I finish bringing inside the products that will not fare well in a heated van overnight, I get to shower, or sometimes take a bath. I get to use some of my own product. The whole room fills up with the wonderful aromas of whatever bar of soap I’ve decided is going to make me the most relaxed. This Saturday it was Clover and Aloe. A wonderful summer scent, with a beautiful swirl. The rich lather was like bubbly velvet and within minutes I was feeling relaxed and happy and ready to go again as soon as possible.

That’s why I make soap. Because at the end of a hard day, everyone should have the opportunity to do more than slather on a nondescript detergent bar that has no “life” to it. There is something special about homemade soaps that cannot be mimicked in a production line. Maybe it is the slightly off edges of the bars, the odd bits of color where an ingredient wasn’t completely micronized. Sometimes even a bit of soda ash on the surface that, as it dissolves, unveils even more clearly the intricate and earthy colors – or the bright and generous tones of mica or pigments.

Little mercies can wash away a multitude of troubles. Enjoy!