Blog Feed: a year in the wild

It was a pretty cruel day. Our 8 lb. rat terrier managed to catch a baby rabbit and proceeded to gobble it up while the poor mama rabbit watched sadly from a distance. As a mother, it broke my heart, but as a dog owner, I felt kinda proud of her accomplishment. So I pondered the necessity of the "circle of life" for a while and moved on. (LOVE that movie....one of my all time favorites!) Then later I came across this crucified preying mantis firmly impaled on a nearby cactus pad. How bizarre! I [..] > read more

The View

Published on 2012-05-13 08:42:00

I love the view from my office right now where the horsemint and coreopsis are in full bloom. It's always alive with bees and butterflies and birds. When I need a break, rest and relaxation are just a glance away. How's the view where you work? Horsemint (Monarda punctata) > read more

Got Itchy Skin?

Published on 2012-05-09 07:31:00

Feel like clawing your hide off sometimes? You can probably chalk it up to using cheap "evil corporate soap". The stuff that's full of synthetic fragrances and other undesirables (like sodium laurel sulfate, EDTA, triclosan...the list goes on and on) that can cause allergic reactions, dryness and itching. Most of it isn't even real soap! > read more

Meet the Makers Video

Published on 2012-04-23 18:54:00

So how do you like our new video? It's a family affair! > read more

Cleaning for Curb Appeal

Published on 2012-04-16 14:38:00

I hate to clean. > read more

woosh!

Published on 2012-04-07 13:25:00

How can you walk by a sow thistle without huffin' and puffin' and sending it all airborne? > read more

Air Out Your Life!

Published on 2012-03-28 12:46:00

> read more

Freshness Guaranteed?

Published on 2012-03-21 18:45:00

Are you one of those people that hoards skin care creams, lotions, and cosmetics? Did you know that the longer you keep that stuff, the less active it becomes and some products can even contain mold and other nasties? Most expired products will smell off or have other visible signs of degradation such as separation or color changes, but some may look perfectly fine on the surface. Don't be fooled. Experts say to toss most cosmetics and body care products after 6 months. And because many of toda [..] > read more

A Spring Break Lesson

Published on 2012-03-14 10:25:00

Some kids spend their spring break at the beach. > read more

It's Irrelevant

Published on 2012-03-06 08:08:00

When you focus on the positive, everything else becomes irrelevant. Bad hair day? Irrelevant. Missed deadline? Irrelevant. Nasty head cold? Irrelevant! Focus on what brings joy to your life... and declare everything else irrelevant. Be. In. Control. > read more

The Ubiquitous Mesquite

Published on 2012-02-24 14:45:00

And you actually thought mesquite trees were only good for Mesquite Bean Soap? ;o) How about mesquite bean beer, mesquite bean eye wash, mesquite thorn straight pins, or mesquite gum glue? Find out more about The Ubiquitous Mesquite. Ranchers and gardeners despise it. Chefs and artisans adore it. I guess one man's trash tree is another man's treasure. > read more

Blinded By The Light

Published on 2012-02-19 17:38:00

Every year about this time....the soap shop turns greenhouse! I arrive before the crack of dawn most days, but lately I'm blinded by the light in here. Jory's high powered grow light that is. Now we've got warm and happy little seedlings poking their heads up each and every day. There's tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, cantaloupes, and bell peppers so far. How does your garden grow? > read more

This Old House

Published on 2012-02-11 17:51:00

You may remember that we moved into a travel trailer last year in anticipation of tearing down our little owner built log cabin. Yeah, it's cute (sometimes.....on a good day), but it has some serious issues and after 30 years of faithful service it's time for a change. So I'm happy to say that we're finally doin it! Or should I say my husband is. He began dismantling the boys bedroom last weekend. He hopes to have the whole house demolished in a couple of months. Can you imagine, tearing som [..] > read more

Get Happy With Cheery Sunflower Soap

Published on 2012-01-28 15:42:00

We get plenty of sunshine here in Texas during the winter, but I know that’s not always the case in other regions. Lack of sunlight and prolonged periods of clouds and rain can eventually get a body down. Did you know that our cheery natural Sunflower Soap can help? (Hey, it beats lying around on some overpriced couch recalling your unfortunate childhood, right?) The uplifting citrus essential oil blend can actually boost production of the happy hormone serotonin and reduce levels of the s [..] > read more

The Soapmaker's 10 Commandments

Published on 2012-01-11 07:57:00

As we venture into the New Year, please remember.... 1. You shall use no other soap but your own. 2. You shall not make a carved image out of soap. 3. You shall not take the name of any soap in vain. 4. Remember wash day, to keep it clean. 5. Honor your teachers and your mentors. 6. You shall not murder anyone over soap. Duh! 7. You shall not commit adultery involving a bar of soap. 8. You shall not steal anyone's soap. Ever. 9. You shall not bear false witness against other soapmakers [..] > read more

Cozy Up!

Published on 2012-01-03 09:12:00

When temperatures fall and bone chilling winds blow...there's nothing quite like a nice warm bath! Baths reduce stress, increase circulation and promote deep sleep. The recommended bath temperature for most is a comfortable 110 degrees. Add some therapeutic bath oils or bath salts, then soak to your hearts content (15-20 minutes should do it). To help warm your home, don't drain the bath water until it completely cools. Of course you will have vacated long before that and moved on to sipping hot [..] > read more

Are You Mistletoe-Ready?

Published on 2011-12-14 14:20:00

Keep your skin & lips soft, smooth & mistletoe-ready with our healing, organic body balms. Enriched with jojoba oil & vitamin E, they're the perfect stocking stuffers for frosty weather! > read more

The All Important Dish

Published on 2011-12-01 07:54:00

Soap dish, that is. You've gotta have a good one if you want to keep your handmade soap from turning into a gushy hump of mush. Here's a sampling of some I've collected over the years. OK, the Old Spice shaving mug, the old aluminum travel case, and the antique dish washing wand aren't really "dishes"...but then neither are the cedarwood soap decks or the fossilized limestone soap rock. They all do hold soap though, so that works for me. I found some alternative soap dishes here, some awfull [..] > read more

The Mindless Masses

Published on 2011-11-24 17:00:00

This weekend millions of Americans will be camped out in parking lots, stampeding the malls, fighting at the registers and piling up their carts. All so they can acquire more cheap, unnecessary, foreign made stuff, then try to impress their family and friends with it. When George Carlin talked about "stuff", he was so right... a typical American house is just "a place to keep all your stuff while you go out and get more STUFF!" Don't buy into it! You don't need all that junk...and neither do [..] > read more

With Gratitude

Published on 2011-11-22 10:00:00

"Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way." - Native American prayer At this time of thanksgiving and celebration our thoughts turn gratefully to you...our readers, our followers, our many faithful and loyal customers. Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous holiday season. A Wild Soap Bar LLC Maggie, Mike, Jory, Jackie, Cael, Tina, Aubrey & Caden Hanus > read more

Identity Crisis

Published on 2011-11-18 07:31:00

As if their soap was anything special! humpfff! They're jealous 'cause they can't make artisan soaps like these. I mean I'd seriously like to take a bite out of that corn! (not sure I'd want to wash with it though) Our natural soaps have never had an identity crisis either, but they're still world's ahead of Ivory in terms of skin care, scent, and visual appeal...not to mention social responsibility. I'm just sayin... So what's the weirdest/most artistic soap you've ever seen? Post a link [..] > read more

11/11/11

Published on 2011-11-11 07:49:00

Today, three 11s align for the first time in a century! What will YOU be doing during that magical point in time when the clock reads 11:11:11 on 11/11/11? Perhaps you'll be attending a service to honor our veterans. Maybe you'll be at your cubicle dreaming of lunch. Or you might be lying in a hospital bed wondering how you're going to pay for all this. No matter where you are, if everybody simply pauses to acknowledge their blessings and to hope for the future there'll be a lot of positive [..] > read more

Here Comes the Sun

Published on 2011-07-05 11:45:00

Somedays you wake up and the world is just bursting with possibilities. Like the day I took the first photo with my new iPhone 4 (below). It was the misty morning view from the inside of our log home, the one we're in the process of movin > read more

Hey, are you in.?

Published on 2011-06-27 13:02:00

To in.gredients I mean? The nation's first package-free zero waste grocery store is scheduled to open later this year right here in ATX! Woop!!! Can you tell we're super excited? Besides the obvious food based perks (supports organi > read more

The Mighty Mesquite

Published on 2011-06-15 12:19:00

You'll know the mesquite bean pods are ripe when they rattle and take on a reddish tinge (but as you can see, some hungry critter already figured that out...chomp). Mesquite beans have provided nutritious food for animals and humans throughout > read more

The Mighty Mesquite

Published on 2011-06-15 12:19:00

Cleaning Up on Soap Suds Row

Published on 2011-06-09 11:26:00

I can always count on Texas Co-op Power to bring me interesting articles about rural life, homesteading, and days gone by. My thoughtful husband tossed the June issue on my desk yesterday because he knew I'd be particularly interested in this l > read more

Cleaning Up on Soap Suds Row

Published on 2011-06-09 11:26:00

Remembering Aubrey Hampton

Published on 2011-05-31 17:14:00

I hadn't heard. Aubrey Hampton, founder of Aubrey Organics, died on May 9 in Tampa, FL after a short illness according to this blog. The natural ingredients guru contributed so much to our industry that I felt compelled to honor his life > read more

Remembering Aubrey Hampton

Published on 2011-05-31 17:14:00

The Green Thing

Published on 2011-05-23 18:13:00

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my da > read more

The Green Thing

Published on 2011-05-23 18:13:00

Tear Down Those Walls!

Published on 2011-05-13 15:56:00

This dandy little 24’ travel trailer is going to be our home away from home for the next year or two (hopefully not three!) while we tear down our existing owner built home and rebuild it ...say what? Most people look at me like I’ve gone s > read more

Tear Down Those Walls!

Published on 2011-05-13 15:56:00

Herbal Soap Eggs

Published on 2011-04-24 19:00:00

I've been thinking about egg soap a lot today. After all, it IS Easter. So I was traipsing around the interweb and I unearthed this little jewel (along with some extraordinary eggs facts and this gorgeous photo). The soapmaking inst > read more

Herbal Soap Eggs

Published on 2011-04-24 19:00:00

How Will You Honor Your Mother?

Published on 2011-04-22 09:06:00

Earth, that is. Here at A Wild Soap Bar we try to make every day Earth Day by reducing, re-using and recycling. But even with all the little things we do, we can still do better. Much better. We all can. Today I'm makin > read more

How Will You Honor Your Mother?

Published on 2011-04-22 09:06:00

An Antidote to "Stuffism"

Published on 2011-04-07 10:24:00

What exactly do you DO with all that memorabilia you've collected over the years? Move it? Wash it? Dust it? File it? Have you ever stopped to think about all the time required to maintain all that useless stuff? I > read more

An Antidote to "Stuffism"

Published on 2011-04-07 10:24:00

The New Wild Soap Sampler is Born

Published on 2011-04-01 06:59:00

It's finally here! Brand new packaging for our popular Wild Soap Sampler. While the corrugated cardboard tied up with raffia and a tag was awfully cute...putting together hundreds at a time was not that much fun. So we designed a ne > read more

The New Wild Soap Sampler is Born

Published on 2011-04-01 06:59:00

What's in My Crockpot Now? Wild Weeds!

Published on 2011-03-26 10:59:00

No, I'm not stalking the wild asparagus (not for food anyway). I gathered up this bunch of fresh late winter weeds to make some healing Wild Weeds Oil. It's OK. It's legal. And I make up a fresh batch every spring. > read more

What's in My Crockpot Now? Wild Weeds!

Published on 2011-03-26 10:59:00

A Fresh Kinda Music

Published on 2011-03-08 18:25:00

I've ALWAYS wanted to play the eggplant...and you? > read more

Healthy Hair, Naturally

Published on 2011-03-03 12:47:00

The success of our 100% natural Yucca Root Shampoo & Body Bar Soap has been phenomenal. So we'll be unveiling a brand new Shampoo & Body Bar soon (more on that later). For now, let's focus on what to do AFTER you shampoo.&nb > read more

The Texas Plus House

Published on 2011-02-20 13:01:00

If you've been following this blog for a while, you know that our youngest son Jory's been building his own house just south of the soap shop for about a year now (in his spare time, whatever that is). It's been going a little slower than plann > read more

All You Need Is Love (all together now)

Published on 2011-02-14 06:57:00

And that about sums it up folks...Happy Valentine's Day! ♥ ♥ ♥ > read more

You MIGHT Be A Soap Geek ...

Published on 2011-02-10 15:56:00

if you know that the Obama Bar was NOT a lounge in DC. if you approach strangers in a store and begin to share your knowledge of the soap making process. if your thought bubbles are actually soap bubbles. if the most exciting thing you've done latel > read more

A Wild Soap Bar Goes Organic!

Published on 2011-02-01 14:32:00

So why are we going organic?Because organic matters! Natural was nice, but let's face it, organic is even better. All of our handmade natural soaps & healing body balms now contain 100% certified organic base oils. Our great p > read more

Thanks For A Job Well Done (...it's a GIVEAWAY!)

Published on 2011-01-18 17:18:00

Last fall our Woof Wild Natural Dog Shampoo Bar Gift Sets were featured in the barking section of BellaDog and proud dog owners everywhere sat up and took notice. More recently, The Herb Companion's Feb/March 'List of Likes' recommended our spi > read more

The "A" List

Published on 2011-01-13 11:03:00

A Wild Soap Bar is always on the "A" List! Aromatic. Artful. Authentic. Awesome. But did you know we're also: Aeonian - long lasting Aceologic - therapeutic Aesthesiogenic - sensational Afflated - inspired Alible - nourishing Allog > read more

Soap Powered Microgreens? Sure, Why Not

Published on 2011-01-06 15:34:00

Seeing how our master soapmaker aspires to be a backyard farmer someday, we've seen a lot of rigged-up farm related stuff around the soap shop over the years (a three story earthworm farm and brewing compost tea to name a few), but this simple l > read more

Seasons Greetings from A Wild Soap Bar!

Published on 2010-12-22 17:04:00

The stockings were hung on the bookshelf with care...in hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there. From our home to y'alls... With much love & gratitude, The Hanus Family Elves Maggie & MikeJory & Jackie Cael, Tina > read more

I Bid You Farewell & "Hope" We Meet Again

Published on 2010-12-15 18:20:00

I really enjoyed the past 13 months I spent at Hope Farmers Market (every other Sunday) and it's with a touch of sadness that I have to leave now. There's just not enough days in the week. I hope I can hook back up with you someday! > read more

Scenes from Wild Ideas: My Favorite Charity Gig!

Published on 2010-12-08 08:48:00

I broke away from the Wild Ideas Shopping Event this past weekend to snap a few shots of the beautiful Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Every time I visit this world renowned research facility I see something exciting and new. This i > read more

To Market To Market

Published on 2010-12-03 08:58:00

To buy a fat pig? Or maybe a fat bar of soap? The farmer's market season is mostly over for us (as far as selling goes anyway, we have only one gig left), but we still have some of our exclusive truly natural farms2market soaps left and t > read more

Have You Seen A Castor Bean?

Published on 2010-11-21 09:48:00

Actually, these are the fruits before the castor beans pop out, but I ask you...what could be finer? These hardy plants have consistently performed in our landscape and this year is no exception. Beyond the landscape though, castor oil (from th > read more

Everything's Coming Up Wildflowers

Published on 2010-11-10 09:18:00

Wildflower Soap reborn. This new technique makes better use of our soap shavings. Waste not want not. What do you think? > read more

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