A Handmade Life

12/21/2024

Today I am struggling. I see the comments about what a crap mom I am, from people who I cared about. How can I have spent so much time away from them? How can I film the documentary next year?

"For someone who says she loves her kids she sure finds reasons to be away from them."

This cut deeper than any comment about money. I love my children beyond measure. This was our path to meaningful employment for Tyler. This was our way to give him a future that we had some small semblance of control over. He's not going to grow out of autism and the world is not built for him. I was trying to build a small corner of our world that was made for him.

Women cutting other women down is horrible. Attacking them as a mother is plain gross. Don't we have enough struggles? We already struggle as moms to find a delicate balance of being a person, having dreams, making something bigger and being the mom we all want to be.

If someone cut you down, even if it was yourself I hope you hear this:

YOUR CHILDREN KNOW YOU LOVE THEM. THE KIDS ARE OK & YOU DESERVE TO DREAM.

12/20/2024

Books are always a great gift!!

12/20/2024

I'm in my burnt cinnamon roll era.

12/19/2024

I'm prepping for gnome season! When the December holidays are through - hundreds, maybe even thousands of my soap gnomes and roses will be created for Valentine's Day.

12/19/2024

On Saturday, a Maine maker is getting the chance to sell their products at Michaels. It's all part of a program called MakerPlace.The online program is tryin...

12/19/2024

12/19/2024

While James Gallagher says he’s covered by insurance, there’s been a lack of communication which led him and his team to start a Go-Fund-Me.

12/17/2024

Sugar Cookie Scrub is ready for shipping! If you order today it can arrive by Christmas, especially if you're here on the East Coast. 💕

www.handmesoap.com/shop

12/17/2024

Take a look back at the beautiful work of Just Playing With Glass folks! Amy is so talented. Not only was I lucky enough to have her work in the stores, but she joined us many times at Orchard Ridge. You may have seen her gorgeous work sparkling in the sunshine there.

12/16/2024

did you know that last year I made a gingerbread style house completely out of soap?!! This beautiful piece was auctioned off for charity. This piece was an entire day of work - approximately 12 hours from start to finish.

I used cold process soap, melt & pour and soap dough. Each and every part of this was 100% amazing soap. ❤️ While I'm not going to create another one of these this year, I am going to put one on the agenda for next year.

Do you know an organization who'd like to auction this off next year?!!

12/15/2024

Look at Upcycled in Maine Sheryl is a fantastic maker with an abundance of skills. ❤️ I love her bees in a rainbow of colors.

12/15/2024

I've been avoiding making soap. I've made candles, perfumed oils, body butter and a few other things over the last couple of weeks. I've tried working up to soap a couple times and just haven't been able to get there.

I've been a soapmaker for years. It's what led me to open MMA. I wanted to connect with other makers like myself. I wanted to be amongst people who felt that drive to create too. I am glad that I was able to meet so many talented people. Truth be told, I miss them. That's part of what makes going back to soap seem hard for the minute. I'm alone, back in my kitchen - making. I know that I will find my passion for it again. I feel excited, it's just weighed down by the grief right now.

I'm going to glove up and dive in. I know I will cry my way through it, but when I come out on the other side of the making session my grief and my hope will be transformed into something usable and beautiful.

Throwback photos from some of my favorites of 2019-2023

12/14/2024

What a bummer. This place was fantastic.

Dear customers, friends, family, employees, and everyone in between. Today did it for us. We are now officially closed. Not enough inventory to open for another day! We can’t thank you all enough for your support, presence, friendliness, care, to allow us into your lives, to provide you with our food and service, which none of it would’ve been possible without you and our dearest employees, whom we were so blessed to have. They were the best and we could’ve not been open for the last year and half without them. We will miss them and we will miss you all greatly. It’s been an honor to be part of the Gorham community, which has been so supportive of us. We truly appreciate each one of you, and will carry you in our hearts forever. We do have to give a special shout out to Harper, this sweet child, who made us a heart of clay
(pictured below) and handed it to us with tears in her eyes, because we were closing. That meant the world to us! We came to Gorham to serve and to love you. We hope to have accomplished it.
On another note, we might have some frozen pão de queijo to sell. If you are interested in purchasing them, please call 207-222-0371 and leave us a message. Thank you again!
The team at Iaiá Brazil

12/14/2024

The nonprofit will focus on producing pop-up exhibitions, books and documentaries about artists.

12/14/2024

12/14/2024

The best dog treats! 4 paws up from Ruby!

T O D A Y 🎅

Todays the day‼️ visit Epoxy ME for pictures with Santa! Bring your family, your pup & your smiles to see if you're on the good list or the good wait list🤭FREE calm down treats for the pups after meeting the big guy while supplies last!

12/14/2024

Go see Tidal Force Creations in Westbrook! If you can't get out there today, visit his website and buy some of his beautiful work.

Go to a craft fair today!!!