Working with Nature

Annual Holidays.

2009-07-17T11:08:00.001Z

Annual holidays...we will be closed from 14th August until the 1st September 2009. We will then be away from 5th September until 10th September at the NEC for the autumn fair.

Press release

2009-07-15T08:19:00.000Z

You can view our latest press release here http://www.journalism.co.uk/66/articles/535133.php

Autumn Fair NEC Birmingham

2009-07-15T07:52:00.004Z

We are exhibiting at the autumn fair this year for the first time, we have done lots of smaller trade fairs before but nothing as big as this...we are officially excited!
We are in Hall 3 Stand X17...come and see us if you are there too x

Improved Shopping Cart

2009-07-13T06:59:00.004Z

We have made some changes to our site that we hope you will like...our checkout system is now much easier and we are now charging a flat fee of only £2.95 for postage no matter how much you order.
We now ship internationally.
http://www.bellinghamsoapcompany.co.uk

Slideshow

2009-06-18T09:30:00.001Z

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Skin Secret - Organic Luxury Serum

2009-06-17T18:13:00.006Z

Introducing our new virtually oil free all natural rejuvenating plant nutrient fluid with organic sea buckthorn, calendula, collagen and a very secret blend of essential oils.
Our new plant fluid has taken three years to develop, it is oil light (only 5%) yet nutrient rich! Sea Buckthorn promotes cell rejuvenation and is a known anti-inflammatory, Calendula oil is a prized for its healing properties and is good for sensitive skin, Collagen imparts greater elasticity, more resilience and a youthful look to skin through its moisture-binding action. Our blend of essential oils compliments the properties of the active ingredients and help to instil a sense of well being. The carefully chosen ingredients protect and moisturise whilst giving a slight temporary lifting effect...this makes it the perfect under make-up base.
It comes in a 50ml glass bottle with sweet little cork and a tied jute closure.
http://www.bellinghamsoapcompany.co.uk/page19.htm

Winners!

2009-05-27T07:54:00.003Z

Our competition is now closed, thanks to everyone who sent in an entry.
The Answers are...
1. From a sustainable plantation in India
2. £11
3. Plenmeller

I pulled out at random the following 5 lucky winners who will be receiving a Foot Scrubbie and a Mini Moisturiser in the post sometime in the next few days.

Vivia Bamford
Suzi (surname not supplied)
Johanna Summers
Jo Bryan
Emma Waddingham.

Well done.

Competition!

2009-05-22T09:14:00.008Z

Just for fun and frollicks I'm running a little competition (UK only) I'm giving away one "Foot Scrubbie" and a 15ml sample of our creamy "Natural Luxury Moisturiser" to 5 people who answer the following questions correctly.

1. Where does our Palm oil come from?

2. How much does a "Natural selection Box - Medium" cost?

3. Where are we based?

The answers can be found at http://www.bellinghamsoapcompany.co.uk/index.htm

Please send your answers, email and your postal address to me via the "Contact Us" form on our website.

Winners will be picked out of a hat from the correct answers and announced on 29th May 2009.

A Weekend in Bath and Holidays!

2009-04-21T06:40:00.019Z

Trade Fair.
Its quite exciting...I'm looking forward to the next few weeks! We will be away from Friday 24th till Wednesday 29th April for the SELECT at BATH trade fair in the towns beautiful Assembly Rooms, the show is open to trade buyers Sunday and Monday from 10.00 until 16.30 and is well worth a visit.

There are lots of wonderful exhibitors to see please take a look at the website to find out more.

Holidays!
We will be back from Bath for just one day then my partner and I are taking a short break, we are moving our narrowboat from Skipton to Bollington Wharf, not great timing just after a trade fair but we had to jump at the offer of a mooring on the Macclesfield canal as soon as came up as they are a bit like hens teeth!
Skipton at Easter

Our boat Taurus

My partner steering in a tight spot

Bollington our destination

We have been in Skipton for a couple of years now and have loved it, the place is fab, the people are fab (I'm already missing them) and the canal is fab! but we needed to move it closer to my partners daughter so he can see her more often and we wanted to explore another part of the canal system.
We are cramming a 8 day trip into 5 days so it's off at 6am, probably finish around 9pm with meals on the go...hoping and praying we don't run into any problems along the way that might hold us up. The journey is 150 miles long, we encounter 106 locks, 8 moveable bridges, 36 small aqueducts, 5 tunnels and 1 major aqueduct...and all at 4mph!
Wish us luck and we will see you when we get back on the 6th May!

Picture of the Circus in Bath from www.freefoto.com

The question is.......

2009-03-29T22:11:00.007Z

Where would I be without my Be-Ro book? It has been a fave for many years...poor thing it is now held together with lots of sellotape. Homemade cakes are cheaper, healthier and way more yummy! Tonight I made some Be-Ro plain sultana scones for my partner, he is diabetic...no sugar in the recipe but still just as nice!

PS...I ate the ones with the jam on!

A Recycling Problem Solved!

2009-03-29T13:45:00.013Z

I've had a problem that's been building up...the base oils for my soapmaking come in these 25kg plastic containers, I also occasionally get a 200kg barrel or so...my shed is now so full of them I can't get anymore in....so I've been forced into thinking of how to dispose of them.

On Friday my partner heard Alan Titchmarsh on Radio 5 live talking about his new book on container growing and reminded me that I keep promising to grow veggies. We've the space for a veg patch but are overrun by pesky rabbits which has put pay to planting anything in the ground, our local uber-bunnies are not intimidated by a foot or so of chicken wire they just go underneath! I hope that the little furry fekkers just might be put off by having to scale up the smooth plastic sides of a two foot tub...when I plant them up I'm going to stand them on the old breeze blocks that have been hanging round here for ages to increase the height...so yah boo bunnies!

I might buy Alans book but most likely I'm going to consult my bible ...a 1981 edition of "The Complete Book of Self Sufficiency" by John Seymour. A wonderful informative read, I bought it years ago when I had a smallholding...should civilisation ever go belly up you want to be clutching this tightly to your person at the time!
Spuds, courgettes, onions, carrotts....here we come...I'm lusting after a polytunnel!
Right! I'm off to look at seed catalogues now!

Baaaaaaa!

2009-03-28T17:01:00.003Z

I just had to share this sheep with you...it's face made me smile even on a grey and miserable day in the Yorkshire dales!

Indie Quarter

2009-03-26T10:01:00.003Z

I love reading the Indie Quarter Blog http://www.indiequarter.com/blog/index.php

Regularly updated and nicely written it's just full of creative, satisfying lovely things to drool over...and possibly buy!!!

Pop over and have a look...you won't regret it!

WWF Earth Hour

2009-03-25T08:30:00.004Z

We at http://www.bellinghamsoapcompany.co.uk/ have decided to support Earth Hour, if you want to find out more go to http://www.commit21.co.uk/commit21

About Commit21
Commit21 is a platform developed by JustMeans to inspire people to create positive change. Our first campaign is supporting WWF's Earth Hour.

On March 28th 2009 at 8.30pm people, businesses and iconic buildings around the world will switch off their lights for an hour - WWF's Earth Hour.

We want to help WWF inspire a billion people around the world to not only turn off their lights, but also 2 commit 1 action in support of Earth Hour.
Click on the logo below to see what I committed to!

We are an Ethical Brand

2009-03-08T12:52:00.005Z

We are an ethical brand because we think it's important for organisations to strike the right balance between their financial, social and environmental responsibilities. The world is changing and so on the one hand being an ethical brand is about developing a more pro-active approach to the risks and opportunities on the horizon so we can develop effective responses to them, or at the very least act in concert with others who are similarly minded. On the other it's simply about our people and our organisation becoming more accountable and taking more responsibility for the consequences, or outcomes associated with our activities as well as our trading partners. Because we care.
We only use ethically and fair trade sourced ingredients from reputable sources. We take care of the enviroment and only use biodegradable packaging. We do not hide our ingredients, which are allways listed for all to see and we don't use artificial colours or fragrances. To read more go to http://www.ethicalbrand.com/home/directory/workingnature/

Select @ Bath Trade Fair

2009-03-08T11:07:00.004Z

SELECT @ Bath is a niche trade event in the heart of the city of Bath where designer makers of the highest quality, individual and stylish gifts and accessories can meet discerning trade buyers in the opulent and prestigious Assembly Rooms.

26th - 27th April 2009
The Assembly Rooms
Bath
Opening hours:
Sun 26 April 10:00 - 17:30
Mon 27 April 10:00 - 16:30

Please come and see us we are on stand 25.

Two new ethical gift boxes

2009-03-06T08:39:00.005Z

Now that I've got the hang of this box making malarky I can make bespoke boxes for any combination of product I like...what a luxury, in the past I would have had to scour the tinterweb looking for boxes to fit...and invariably they didn't or they weren't recyled...but now I can simply choose a nice combination of products and make one to fit...simples!

I have done a NEW Lavender and a Rose Box...at £19 they make a lovely gift.

http://www.bellinghamsoapcompany.co.uk/

Latest round up of press coverage

2009-03-06T08:29:00.009Z

We have been in April's Marie Caire and YQ magzines, we have a few more feature in the pipeline...I'll keep you posted!

Ethical Junction

2009-03-06T08:14:00.004Z

We have been accepted as members of Ethical Junction...it something I've been meaning to for ages and never got round to (lazy of me...I know) but now its done.
Ethical Junction brings together businesses and consumers who share a commitment to ethical values. Its directory gives easy access to products and services while 'Pulse', its news forum is the source of up to date information on events as well as opinions and comment. I'm very proud!

Britglyph - World Largest Geoglyph

2009-03-06T07:47:00.007Z

I have played my part in the "Worlds Largest Geoglyph" it was fun!

The Britglyph project is a collaborative public art project across all of Great Britain. It relies on members of the public to take part by going to a pre decided location and taking a picture of themselves holding a stone or collection or pebbles (marker) and then uploading it to the Britglyph site for all to see! Everyone leaves their marker behind at the location. Some of the pictures are great...really imaginative!

I took the Haydon Bridge marker as it is near where I live. The placement of the markers is inspired by the shape of John Harrisons chromometer super imposed on a map of the UK

A geoglyph is: a drawing on the ground, or design produced on the ground, either by arranging stones/rocks which create a positive geoglyph (stone arrangement) or by removing stones/rocks to expose unpatinated ground (negative geoglyph). To read more go to http://britglyph.com/

NHS Magazine

2009-02-17T20:42:00.006Z

We seem to be very popular with the lovely people of the press at the moment...long may it continue! Our Luxury Frankincense Spa Bag is in the Spring 2009 issue of "Your Choice" the NHS magazine.

Etsy Treasury

2009-02-17T09:49:00.004Z

I did my first ever Etsy treasury this week...what fun that was! My theme was cats...but not just any old cats...wonderful, crazy, fantastic cats. It expires on Thursday 19th @12.59 but if you want to take a peek http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=40033 and if you are not in time here is a snapshot

Shea Butter

2009-02-14T11:16:00.004Z

My fairly traded and unrefined pure shea butter now comes from Sheabutter Cottage...an enterprise run by a wonderful lady named Akua Wood. The quality of the butter is magnificent possibly the best I have ever used ...if you are looking for superb quality skincare butters, African black soaps and Ashanti girl jewellery then please take a look at her website...I promise it's worth it! http://akuawood.x-shops.com/home.php
Akua also sent me a free sample of her unrefined cocoa butter...it's gorgeous...the buttery chocolately smell is filling the workshop...I wish I could eat it!

Snow!

2009-02-12T15:42:00.010Z

I was going to go to the post office today (I try not to go every day because it's a 45 minute round trip and it really messes up my carbon footprint) and look what fell out of the sky!

...so sorry if you are waiting for an order...come hell, blizzard or high water I will go tommorrow, my daughter has a doctors appointment and I have to take her!!

Prima Magazine March 2009

2009-02-12T15:19:00.007Z

We are very pleased to be featured in the Prima this month.