Bensmom saddle soap - the review thread (if that's okay with Bensmom)

[Bensmom]

And so glad you are waiting patiently!!! You are my first big order, and I’m so excited!!

I’m thinking “Magic Dippity Do” is actually not a bad moniker for this stuff . . .

Major soapmaking at my house today - I’m really glad that folks seem to be ok with the shop having a 3-5 day processing time, and I guess this is me learning about starting a small, handcrafted business. Even when the world implodes at your day job, you have to find time to keep on keepin’ on at night!

I had to do a temporary label re-design last night and we are working on what the real labels will look like. As much as I love the photos, I don’t think I can stick with those.

Any thoughts welcomed!

Libby

[Noctis]

Can’t wait til I get mine, and I’ll definitely be doing a bigger order once our move is finally done! Maybe this will cure my SO’s refusal to be in the room with me while I clean tack, which is my normal movie watching pastime!

[TBPONY]

[QUOTE=RiverBendPol;6942132]
Not the LEAST BIT offensive!! Barely there. Really![/QUOTE]

Thank you for the first hand (or should I say nose) account of the scent! I am definitely going to add it to my list of horsey products to try since I HATE cleaning tack and the leftover hand residue is awful. In fact, for years I have cleaned tack while wearing surgical gloves just so I wouldn’t have that smell/feel on my hands and fingers for days to come. Ha!

Bensmom, keep up the good work! I look forward to trying your product in the future. Don’t worry about the labels, nobody is going to get upset because the printing is not exactly perfect or the right font size. Do the best you can and figure out a way in the future, when you aren’t flooded with orders, to redesign and print appropriate labels

[spacytracy]

Well, you all enabled me! I bought rosemary mint!

[Kerrysmom818]

About to place my order! Can’t wait to try it.

[Sedona]

Just got a shipping notification! I’m so excited! I have several pieces of tack waiting patiently to try this magic dippity doo.

[Bensmom]

Y’all have been so completely patient and encouraging as I learn just what the heck I’m doing! :lol: I’m so excited about a new logo and new labels that are in the works – hopefully by the time some of y’all are ready to re-order, the packaging will be finalized!

It is a big learning curve for someone that has not run a business before – thank you to all of you for going along with me for the ride, and giving me such terrific guidance and advice!!

Libby

[whicker]

Libby,
“Dippity Doo” is a trademark name for a human hair product, styling gel from back in the dark ages when I braided manes. It is still in existence.

By the way, it had wretched reviews on Make-up Alley website, so it is a poor fit for your awesome soap.
I much prefer your current names and artisan style for packaging and labelling. We are interested in it BECAUSE it is honest and made with great care. “Higher Standards” is a terrific term to keep. We expect it to take time to create the premium, small batch, UNIQUE product. It is a commissioned work of art, not a mass produced, cheaper quality ingredients for the big chem firms, one.

[Bensmom]

Thank you! I actually have used Dippity Doo myself, and I agree with you totally – it did not stay on my list of mane braiding products for long! And even worse were the imitations of it – those were super yicky! It did make me laugh, though!

We are interested in it BECAUSE it is honest and made with great care. “Higher Standards” is a terrific term to keep. We expect it to take time to create the premium, small batch, UNIQUE product. It is a commissioned work of art, not a mass produced, cheaper quality ingredients for the big chem firms, one.

I love this! It is indeed a small batch product, all made by me in my kitchen! I thought about letting my DH help me with it, but I am such a control freak about it being the same every time, that I just couldn’t do it. And he is even more of a perfectionist than I am!

Thank you for the kind words!

Libby

[pattnic]

I finally got around to ordering mine yesterday! So excited! I ordered the citrus ginger… but if it’s not too late, could I try a little bit of the Confidence scent, too (if you still have some)?

[Simkie]

Got mine a few days ago! LOVE that a sponge is included, because I am ALWAYS losing mine.

We’ve had too much snow for me to get out to the barn to get my tack, but I did clean my boots:

http://s155.photobucket.com/user/simkie/media/COTH/2013-04-16161155_zpsabe33bdd.jpg.html

Which had, ah, never been cleaned before. Never. They look great now!

I have the citrus ginger and the scent is VERY mild for those with sensitive noses. Just a hint of fragrance!

[LuvMyTB]

I received my soap earlier this week. I ordered the citrus ginger and the scent is almost unnoticeable. It almost doesn’t smell like anything, which is great.

I have been very impressed with the soap so far! I have cleaned a few bridles with it as well as my saddle. It removes gunk easily without leaving any residue or film on the leather. It also doesn’t leave any residue on my hands, which I LOVE. It leaves the leather with a really nice glow/shine that seems to last a few days even after using the tack. It has even managed to supple my ancient, on-its-last-legs flash noseband–something I have not been able to do with various soaps, conditioners, and oils.

Very impressed with this product and I plan to continue using it. Thanks for making such nice soap.

[LuvMyTB]

I received my soap earlier this week. I ordered the citrus ginger and the scent is almost unnoticeable. It almost doesn’t smell like anything, which is great.

I have been very impressed with the soap so far! I have cleaned a few bridles with it as well as my saddle. It removes gunk easily without leaving any residue or film on the leather. It also doesn’t leave any residue on my hands, which I LOVE. It leaves the leather with a really nice glow/shine that seems to last a few days even after using the tack. It has even managed to supple my ancient, on-its-last-legs flash noseband–something I have not been able to do with various soaps, conditioners, and oils.

Very impressed with this product and I plan to continue using it. Thanks for making such nice soap.

[cottonXCblondie]

Libby- have you thought about getting a little sample size in The Horse Box? I just found out about it yesterday while browsing facebook at the doctor’s office and subscribed for one today and thought your soap would be a perfect addition to the Box. http://www.ahorsebox.com/advertise.html

[ChocoMare]

Order placed for my favorite herb scent, Rosemary!

My new County Perfection (aka Saddle Nirvana) will get it’s first cleaning with it.

[spacytracy]

So excited! Planning on letting my stuff get really dirty this weekend.

Not that this matters, considering its a handmade item, but I always have enjoyed little “extra” surprises in packages. Whether its a sample, or a horse treat, or a little keychain, or SOMETHING, it always leaves a warm little touch.

Just a thought, of what I get super duper excited about!

[Tiffani_B]

I finally cleaned my saddle and girth and it’s wonderful stuff! There was a small area of dried sweat/grime on the saddle flap and the soap took it right off with minimal scrubbing. And the leather looks great - I didn’t oil it yet and it doesn’t look like it needs it. Normally when I clean my tack, I oil it because it dries out.

I love the packaging and the home made aspect of it. Personally, the sponge is too small for me, but I like that it’s included. Very high quality product all around.

[HorseKrazy]

I want my soap and I want it now!! …taps toe impatiently****!
can’t wait

[Bensmom]

Thank you, thank you!!

HorseKrazy – unless you ordered today, which I don’t think you did, it is ready to ship! Finally!!

This week has been crazy at my day job (nothing quite makes your week like seeing your good friend and boss as the feature on the 6 o’clock news – and In A Not Very Good Way – now he’s a former boss. ) and I can’t thank you guys enough for having patience and giving me such good feedback!

Proof of a big 'ol pile of packages ready to ship!!

[Bentley]

Any progress on your suggestion that you will be getting shipping sorted out to Canada?? Dying to try it up here.