What gives you inspiration? I take inspiration from all that surrounds me but my bean, the farm, our barnyard family, and literature inspire me the most. Believe it or not, when I make a new soap, it usually comes from some source of inspiration. My latest release, Moonlight Sonata, was inspired by The Titanic. I fell in love with the story of The Titanic as a child. I remember I was around 10 or 11 and being absolutely fascinated by the woeful tale of the unsinkable ship. I recall going to the school library and reading everything they had about the tragedy and the ship and being enamored with the opulence, the bravado, the classist attitude and mystery of its disappearance.
I work with a lovely little perfumery company and they shared a blend of essential oils that was the same blend of perfume given out to the A deck female passengers on the Titanic. When the remains of the ship were found at the bottom of the sea, one small bottle remained completely intact and the scent of the perfume clung to the bottle like a ghost from the past. I found it to be too intriguing to pass up. I usually keep my blends simple and clean but this was just too lovely to not try. The blend includes orange blossom, hyacinth, lily of the valley, gardenia, and osmanthus flower. The oils were pricey but their scents so pure and fresh, this truly is a special bar.
I took inspiration for the design of the soap from the movie as well as the classic painting by Ralph Albert Blakelock. I imagine the night to have been dark with just the glow of the full moon reflecting from the surface of the dark, cold ocean. Of course, the name came from Beethoven’s Piano Sonata #14. It is one of my favorite pieces and I think a befitting piece for the story of The Titanic. Such beauty, opulence and timelessness from all perspectives, I could not help but be inspired.
I have an innate fear of water, I always have. I jokingly tell people it is because I think I was a passenger on The Titanic and I went down with the ship in another lifetime. That makes a much more interesting tale than the fact that when my feet don’t touch the bottom, I panic and am gripped by a crippling irrational fear that I will drown. Needless to say, my bibbed wonder was in charge of swimming lessons for the bean when she was a baby. I was fearful that I would pass my irrational fear of water onto her. No worries, she swims like a little fish.
I hope you find this soap, its scent, and the history behind the scent as lovely and intriguing as I do. The scent reminds me of days when manners were impeccable, clothing an art form, and opulence and wealth were ostentatious. Moonlight Sonata is meant to be a luxurious silk filled treasure of a bar to make you feel pampered and cared for. Just a suggestion, take a warm bath use Moonlight Sonata soap and moisturizer, put on the movie Titanic, and be transported from our tumultuous times to the world of Jack and Rose. I am a firm believer in escapism.
As always dear reader, stay safe, stay smart, escape from reality for a bit, and of course wash your hands.