February 22, 2003

Two projects accomplished. #1: Go to Menards and buy Red Devil lye. Did that last night after work. It's sort of a pain because the nearest Menards is about half an hour away, but I got four containers of it while I was there, as well as materials for project #2: build a white-colored contraption that will enable me to take better pictures of things for the site. So what I did was buy two short laminated-pressboard utility shelves (one 10x24" and one 12x24") in white laminate, then two short metal brackets to bolt them together (unfortunately they didn't have short brackets in white, so I had to get gray). I neglected to think that I would also need screws for this little project, so I had to run to my neighborhood Ace Hardware today to buy wood screws. I also got some white caulk (on sale for $1!) to caulk the joint between the two boards, so as to eliminate that little line/shadow. So now my contraption looks like this:

Now as soon as the caulk sets up, I think I'll be able to take some really nice pictures. I have two bright (500W) halogen lights so that I can light it from two angles.

Now you might be wondering how that's really relevant to soaping or to the site. I had this idea the other day -- and I think it's a cool one -- about putting together project pages. Like, I'd take a project (say, making CP soap, or making a facial cleanser, or making bath salts or something) and write up all the instructions, then take pictures of all the different stages in the process. And then I could put together some really snazzy pages that hopefully would really help people do the project (I always think it's much easier when you have pictures!). So, here's hoping. :)