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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Matthew T. Mangino: A call for independent investigation of officer-related shootings 10 things to know for Wednesday Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Ashland department heads get pay raises Has Dr. King’s dream been realized? Education Chickenpox in rear-view mirror? Ashland schools expand chicken pox exclusion rules Students go behind the scenes at hospital Ashland robotics team aims to build a winner AHS ranked No. 7 by Niche Environment The top five conservation success of 2014 Protestors want Keystone pipeline plans stopped New wandering wolf arrives in Southern Oregon Turning fire fuel threat into wood stove heat Ashland watershed trails would change under proposal Business Silvio Calabi: Ford Escape Still a Solid Player Ride & Drive: 2015 Cadillac Escalade Brammo bought by Polaris They have a plan Ashland coffee roasters win nationwide honors Politics and elections Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Chief Holderness retiring, wants to help find successor State News State records show number of big marijuana farms has increased New wandering wolf arrives in Southern Oregon Police officer shoots armed driver near Reedsport Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices James Henry Hopkins Robert Lawrence Death Notices Susan Lynne Schaffer Shareable Looking back: Do you remember 2014’s biggest stories? In memoriam: 2014’s notable deaths Sports Latest Stories Four Raiders up for SOSC honors Blazers win game, lose Aldridge to hand injury Seahawks see need for improvement Springfield takes advantage of Ashland letdown Leonard's strong return powers Spurs past Blazers High school Springfield takes advantage of Ashland letdown A Grizz sweep Comets press past Grizzlies Raiders put on a show Graham sparks Grizzly rout Southern Oregon University Four Raiders up for SOSC honors Springfield takes advantage of Ashland letdown Mariota wins Manning award Heisman winner Mariota says he's going to the NFL Buckeyes won title behind line play, Elliott and Jones Opinion Latest Stories Granlund cartoon: Deflated footballs Matthew T. Mangino: A call for independent investigation of officer-related shootings Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Letters to the Editor, Jan. 21 Granlund cartoon: Pope and family advice Editorial Our View: King's other message Our View: A matter of survival Other Views: Get GMO rules right Our View: No benefit from LNG pipeline Our View: Putting slash to work Letters Letters to the Editor, Jan. 21 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 19 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 16 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 14 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 5 Guest opinions Chris Honoré: The Lewis Glacier on Mount Kenya — an elegy Herb Rothschild Jr.: King's provocation Guest Opinion: Bikes, hikers/equestrians need separate watershed trails Guest Opinion: SOU biomass burner would be big mistake Guest Opinion: City hiring policy is fair, unbiased Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Community gathers for William Stafford celebration Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Cardenio' Best Bets: Jan. 15-22 A look at the life and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. 'Spotlight' highlights Orbison's life, music Theater Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Insights into the gifts theater offers off the stage Theater is an act of co-creation Music A laid-back chat with Marilyn Manson Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Jeff Kloetzel at Belle Fiore The Farr Side: Top 10 album count-up for 2014 Visual Art Schneider winter exhibits on tap: 'Baker's Dozen' and 'New Works' First Friday kicks off a new year Movies Kevin Costner shares thoughts on race and storytelling Interview: Jennifer Aniston works through her character’s pain in ‘Cake’ Movie review: ‘Blackhat’ is a frustrating 404 error Movie review: ‘A Most Violent Year’ is a gritty look at oily dealings in ’80s New York Movie review: Clint Eastwood shines as director in ‘American Sniper’ Food and Drink Food for Thought: Wintertime wining and dining Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Healthy Aging: Whether supper or dinner, it's best eaten together 5 Things to Do This Weekend (Jan. 23-25) Paint a room or two in a weekend Lost in Suburbia: Off the (rotator) cuff Dear Monty: Sell home now? Or wait until summer? Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business NEWS NOW Calendar: Wednesday, Jan. 21 ... Ashland commits to be a bee city ... Chickenpox in rear-view mirror? ... Calendar: Wednesday, Jan. 21 ... Ashland commits to be a bee city ... Chickenpox in rear-view mirror? ... EMZ BLENDZ The sweet smell of soap-selling success Family-run business cleans up at Ashland store, online and in B&Bs Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 4, 2014 @ 8:56 pm By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 4, 2014 @ 8:56 pm » RELATED CONTENT • E-biz navigates tangled Web » Social News Nearly-native Ashlander Emily Whitlock got her start in the soap business while stressing out for years as a teaching assistant. She was studying business and art at Southern Oregon University and found she handled her stress by doing something she loved — making soaps and lotions from natural, organic ingredients.  “I started selling them at the Lithia Artisans Market when I was 21 and it just took off from there,” says Whitlock.  “We love it. Andy (husband) and I make the soaps every day at our studio in Talent. It’s a very bonding family time. Everyone tells me I smell good, like all the fragrances we use and when I make a deposit they tell me my money smells good.”  For the last 10 years, the couple has been selling their soaps, lotions, lip balms and other comforting items as Emz Blendz at 93 Oak St., by Standing Stone. They sell about a third of their wares at www.emzblendz.com.  It’s billed as a natural soap company, using all natural oils. It’s all organic and biodegradable, she notes, and “all super good for your skin and good for the environment.”  The various goodies come in 30-plus “flavors,” she adds, with a smile.  The tiny, charming shop is lush with a cascade of smells and, as you walk around it, you discover many applications you may never have thought of, such as “tub truffles.” They’re like bath bombs that foam and fizz, bringing fragrance and effervescence and moisturizing, says Em.  A tiny, alluring forest of lip balms come in 11 flavors and are made from shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe vera, vitamin E and bees wax. There’s castile soap with olive oil. Sugar scrub with olive oil, she explains, exfoliates and polishes skin as it buffs off dead cells. A sizeable part of the business is supplying bed and breakfasts with soap and other guest amenities. Tourists are fond of their products and spread the word, so they get many B&B orders from around the nation.  One regular customer, Galina LeBlanc, bought some "Baby Bum Cream" for her infant, noting it was full of healthful-sounding stuff  — olive oil, bees' wax and other all natural oils. She also likes the pet shampoo, she said.  “I love what I do and I think that helps you have a happy life,” she says. Her husband nods agreement, noting he handles all the photography, website and heavy lifting for the business, while daughter Jaden, 17, a senior at Ashland High School, does the art on their packaging.  “Making the soap is a very family bonding experience,” says Andy, describing how they mix soaps and other potions in vats, and let soaps set, cure and mellow for a month. Their wares make great gifts, says Em, and business triples during the Yule season.  “They are awesome presents because they’re personal. Each one is a piece of art. They smell good and,” she jokes, “they disappear, so you have to come back and buy more.”  Whitlock, 37, was born in Cottage Grove and brought here as a child by her parents. She started making soap in her kitchen in 1998 and gifting it to friends and family.  “I discovered the art and magic of soap-making as an artist who lives through my senses and am inspired by my love of nature’s scents, my native Oregonian upbringing, my creative spirit and my intuitive sense of comfort.” By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 4, 2014 @ 8:56 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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