Vinolia Otto - the cold cream bath soap of the Titanic!

Vinolia Otto Toilet Soap was provided for First Class passengers on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. It smells old-fashioned and it is made with ingredients I don't approve of such as Paraffinum Liquidum and Sodium Tallowate - but anyhow - it is an interesting piece of soap history.

My Mum gave me this small guest sized bar - but the soap isn't available in the UK as far as I am aware. Unilever make it now - in Cyprus - exported to the Middle East. I read that it was the only product that was advertised ahead of the Titanic's maiden voyage - other goods were to be advertised after its successful arrival in America! 

It's a soap "sign"!

The other week, my lovely husband put up a garden building so that I could have my own dedicated workroom for soap making. This is very exciting. While digging the foundations he discovered an old blue and white enamel advertising sign - like the ones you see in old photos of railway station platforms. The weird coincidence is this is what the sign was advertising...

The complete sign would have read " WATSON'S MATCHLESS CLEANSER IS THE BEST SOAP". Watson's Soap was made in Leeds and was a huge company in the late 19th century. Read the history of the company here  Interestingly, I discovered that the key ingredient of soap making, glycerine, was sold by them to make explosives. When my handmade soap is ready for sale - it will contain all its original glycerine (essential for moisturising your skin) !

A Scottish 18th century Perfumer

I came across this interesting grave in Old Calton Kirkyard in Edinburgh - I am intrigued by this - I wonder what sort of perfumes (or indeed soaps) William Raeburn made? I googled him and found an entry for a William Raeburn living in the east end of Glasgow in 1787 - and he is perfumer to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales! He also had premises in North Bridge, Edinburgh. The Prince Regent (later William IV) was well-known as a enjoying the very best of things (to excess) and perfume would surely have been one of his essential luxuries. I will research further the types of perfumes William Raeburn might have made... soap would have been a luxury at this time - and washing was only slowly becoming acceptable!

Test batch of Scottish soap - quite pleased with this!

Here is a test batch of handmade soap - palm-oil free - friends and family are testing this ahead of it being sold to the public - exciting times....

I am now able to sell in the UK again!

Sorry to all my customers that I have been off-line for a few months - I have been changing my ecommerce system and it has taken a while. I can now recommence selling in the UK (overseas coming in a while!) - and all orders up to value of £20 cost you only £2 P&P - any orders over £20 are attract free P&P! I now take payments through PayPal - but you don't need a PayPal account! - it is a secure payment method with all the necessary SSL security you would expect.

My own skincare range coming soon.

I love selling skincare products made in Scotland - but I am often asked "do you make these yourself?" - and I don't - yet. But I have been studing - attended a skincare making course plus I have been making test soaps.. So I will be launching my own natural skincare range soon - featuring Scottish ingredients whem available!

Sorry I am not open for business just now.Sept 2010.

I am changing my ecommerce programme behind the scenes - so I am sorry that I don't have a totally functioning e-boutique just now. But soon I will have Google Checkout and PayPal - so you can shop safely and securely  - and you don't even need  a PayPal account to buy your purchases. I will keep you informed of progress. I hope to be trading again soon - ahead of the Christmas rush.