Handmade Natural Goat Milk Soap

About Handcrafted Soap

The concepts of "handcrafted", "soap" and "soap maker" frequently mean different things to different people.

"Soap"

"Soap" has several definitions, depending on how exact you want to get.
The technical definition of soap is "the result of a chemical reaction between a fatty acid and an alkali solution." Fatty acids are the actual fat content of animal or vegetable oils; there are many different fatty acids which combine to make up different oils. The alkali solution is commonly known as lye and is usually sodium or potassium hydroxide. By this definition, soap must be made from animal or vegetable fats/oils and lye. However, note that in the finished product there is no free lye - it is all combined into the resulting soap.
In the 1940's chemists discovered how to change the molecular structure of some naturally occurring substances and also how to synthesize necessary components. What they discovered was called "detergent" (to differentiate it from soap). The big advantage to detergents then and now is that they work well in cold or hard water and can be formulated to clean specific types of dirt and stains.
Modern detergents (known as synthetic detergents) have become quite sophisticated and are seen in many, many forms. In fact, the majority of the cleaning products on the market are actually detergents of some type or another. Even commercial bar soaps commonly contain all or part detergents.
As a result of these developments, a common definition of soap has emerged. The common definition of soap refers to any product that bubbles and cleans, particularly if it is in a bar form.

Cold and Hot Process Soaps

Cold and hot process soaps are made by mixing oils, lye and water. "Melt and Pour" soap is made by the use of a commercially produced soap base which may or may not contain detergents.
For additional clarification, products that are technically soap (a blend of fatty acids and alkali) may also be referred to as "natural soap" or "soap from scratch".
A "soap maker" within the HSMG is one who takes bulk ingredients and produces a unique and individualized soap. The ingredients can be oils and lye or commercial soap base; both are considered "bulk ingredients".
"Handcrafted"
The process of making and selling soap is complex and involves many steps. These include creating the recipe; measuring and mixing the soap; adding scent and color; creating the shape by molding, cutting and/or trimming; designing and creating packaging; and finally marketing, displaying and selling the final product. Depending on the methodology of the individual, some of these steps are done "by hand" and with creative and artistic involvement and some are done automatically or mechanically.

About L. & T. A. Frank Goat Milk Soap

Our soap is completely handmade using the fresh whole goat’s milk from our lovely family goats. We use the cold process method and use only natural ingredients. We care about the environment and the health of our customers. It is only right for a Shaman and the Shamans family to produce high quality natural body care products.

Our Goat Milk Soap Ingredients

Our soaps are made from the following saponified ingredients.

Goat Milk- The benefits of goat milk are legendary. It has been used for centuries as a luxurious beauty aid. The low pH level of goat milk is close to our skin's pH, making it a very gentle cleanser. Goat milk also contains alphahydroxyl acids, which are known for their restorative and rejuvenating qualities.

Olive Oil- Every bar is rich in olive oil, which has so many benefits for your skin. It is an emollient, which softens and soothes. Olive oil produces nourishing hard, mild, high quality bars.

Soybean Oil - Soybean oil is a good moisturizer that adds firmness to our soaps.

Safflower and Canola Oils - Safflower and Canola oil is moisturizing and gives our soaps a beautiful creamy lather.

Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is a good moisturizing oil that makes lots of large bubbles in our soaps lather.

We don't use any sulfates, pork products, or any preservatives in our soaps. We do not do any animal testing what so ever. We use natural honey, herbs and natural cosmetic grade minerals (to color soaps).Our pure and simple line has no scents and no colors. It is pure soap and depending on which one you choose may have honey, ground natural herbs, natural aloe vera gel, and sometimes extra cream added.

If you have any other questions about our products, please email us at info@navajosoap.com

You can see all the kinds of soaps we have by clicking the soap link. Soap Link

Navajo Protection Bracelets

The Navajos have many types of protection. They have various types of wild tobacco that grow on the reservation that are smoked for protection. One can also use arrowheads for protection. They are said to split off the negativity but these must be blessed by a medicine man before they can be used. There are certain herbs like Ch il Diche but this herb can be difficult to find. And there are cedar berries bracelets. The Cedar Berries in this bracelet are from the Navajo. Legend has it that they have been worn for hundreds of years as protection from evil spirits and bad dreams. They never have to be taken off.

Our Navajo protection bracelets used to be made for us but the business that made them went out of business. The good news is that our Navajo Jewelry maker who is pure blood Navajo is going to be making them. They will now come in three sizes small medium and large. They will be made with turquoise chips and wild crafted cedar berries that he drills holes in his self to allow them to be beaded. He will use three colors of glass seed beads, crystal, turquoise, and red and red pony beads too. It will use the metal jewelry wire. This will also include a shamanic blessing for protectiona as well. We hope you will enjoy this new product.

Please click on the protection jewelry link to see our protection bracelets: Protection Jewelry Link

Our Navajo Jewelry Maker

Our Navajo Jewelry Maker
I'm a full blooded Navajo from the Shiprock area of the Navajo Nation. My grandfather was an accomplished traditional Navajo silversmith. I learned from him how to choose the best turquoise and silver materials. I didn't care much for silversmithing but loved jewelry. I got a chance to take a beading class from a local teacher where I learned loom beading, peyote stitch, and how to bead around stones. I learned how to make loom beaded bracelets with Native American designs from a Lakota lady. I've also studied with other contemparary beaders where I learned modern techniques and designs. My goal is to merge the Navajo and Native American traditions, with the modern to create my own unique style of Navajo jewelry. Please take a look at my gallery here at L. & T.A. Frank Natural Body Care Products and Shaman Metaphysical Store and please return often as new items will present themselves as I continue my journey in jewelry making.L. G. FrankNavajo Jewelry Link

Navajo Jewelry

Navajo Jewelry
Feared for their fighting prowess, a decision was made by the U. S. Government in 1861 to round up the Navajo Nation from their four corners homeland of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, to dispatch them to a wasteland in east/ central New Mexico. In 1864 U. S. militia led by Kit Carson prevailed. The Navajo surrendered and began the grueling 300 mile "Long Walk" to Bosque Redondo Reservation. When their farms failed, white men began issuing families stamped copper food ration tickets. Taught by Mexican silversmiths called Plateros, the Navajo soon began forging exact copies of their ration tickets. In 1870, following four terrible years in which a quarter of their population died, the Navajo people were permitted to return to "Dinetah," which was reduced to approximately 1/5 their original homeland. Although many skills were lost, the Navajo had brought with them a new trade: jewelry making. Indian silversmiths acquired high status.Prior to 1920, the Navajo jeweler procured his silver by melting down coins received in trade. Turquoise and other stones were used as a means of complimenting the silver. Engraving and stamping was accomplished by chisel, shaped steel piping, awl, and punch. The design was strongly influenced by geometric patterns found on Mexican leatherwork. Traditional Navajo jewelry is symmetrical, repetitive and balanced in design. And nowdays Navajo can be found to create contemporay jewelry in other media. Our Navajo jewelry makers specializes in dreamcatcher earrings, pipe bone jewelry, peyote stitch jewelry, and we also have Navajo protection bracelets. Just click on the Navajo Jewelry link to see what we have. Navajo Jewelry Link

Why a Shaman Metaphysical Store

My wife Amy started her shamanic journey a long time ago while a young adult when the spirit of her great grand mother came to her and told her to walk the good red road. Since then Amy has been on journey learning from many medicine people and shaman. She learned from the Lakota, Pima, Navajo, Hochunk, and Mongolian and from this multi- cultural and multi-perspective learning has come to call herself an Earth Shaman. She believes that these important ways and teachings are for all the people of Earth no matter what race or culture the person comes from. As she says in her own words,


“I'm a first level Shaman. I consider myself an Earth Shaman. Looking for being inclusive of all peoples and not just one culture or peoples.”


So we have added the Shaman Metaphysical Store to provide a place to get information and products of relevance to daily shamanic lifestyle and worship.


We have added many spiritual products to our website as a result, such as, pendulums, crystals, rose water, smudges (sweet grass, sage) , ceremonial essential and fragrance oils, singing bowls, mirrors, journals, Mongolian Tarot card reading, voodoo dolls and poppets, wooden boxes, totem jewelry, patterns to make cloth menstruation pads and natural body care products.


Amy now does a Shamanic ritual to remove negative energies on everything that enters our home and business. Then for all items we make ourselves, she does a continuous Shamanic blessing ceremony so that all of our soaps, body care products, hand made bags, amulet bags, totem stones, jewelry, etc. have the energy in them to bless you with positive, affirming energy from the Cosmos.





Amy also blesses all of the items we sale on our website so whether you choose a handmade item or one of our other items not hand made by us you can be sure to gain positive, affirming energy from the Cosmos.


To have a look at all of our products click on the Shaman Metaphysical Store Link. Shaman Metaphysical Store Link


L. G. Frank

Lone Star Quilt Master Quilter

Our Master Hand Quilter And Patchwork Quilter
Wanda Cunningham - Master hand quilter and patchework quilter of New Mexico is 55 years old and has been quilting since the age of 16. She quilted with your grandma and mom and all of her quilting experience was learnt from them. She tells her own story in the next few paragraphs. I'm a native of New Mexico born and grew up in New Mexico. My Mom and Grandma are natives of Arkansas. Now about my quilts. The batting is poly-fil. I like this batting because it adds longer life to the quilt and never separates or bunches like the cotton battings. The tops are all made with 100% cotton or polyester cotton. I prefer the 100% cotton because this is more traditional for American quilts, however; sometimes I have to use a polyester cotton to match the colors appropriately, All the edgings on my quilts have prairie points, they are entirely hand quilted and hand hemmed. We have 10 stitches per inch in our hand quilting. My baby and crib quilts are backed with flannel. They are also polyfilled and are either, fabric printed with sashing, hand embroidered, or patchwork. All have prairie points and are hand quilted. Click on the link to look at the quilts I'm presently selling. http://www.navajosoap.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=134

The Spiritual Significance of the Lone Star Quilt

Native American Lone Star Quilt, Morning Star Quilt, or Star QuiltA large single 8-pointed star in the center of a quilt top is sometimes called a "lone star quilt", but many Native Americans refer to them simply as "star quilts" or “Morning Star Quilts”. The Star Quilt took on the role of replacing the buffalo robe in ceremonial and religious life. Death, birth and other important events are a time for giving and sharing of these Star Quilts at ceremonies. As explained "The most important use of star quilts in contemporary Lakota society is as gifts at a memorial for the dead called a "Giveaway". The Giveaway is a time to share food, quilts and goods at a memorial for the dead.





The mythology as well as the traditions of North American Indian tribes shows a religious observance of the stars and a reverence for all the heavenly bodies. The Milky Way is called the "Pathway of Departed Souls." After death it is believed, by many Indian Americans, that the spirit of the deceased passes on this pathway to the Southern Star, the abiding place of the dead. It is thought that to the Stars, the Great Spirit gave the power to watch over mortals on earth and impart to them spiritual blessings. The Star Quilt is given today as a token of this belief. Southwest Peoples call this Gods Eye.To see our wonderful collection of lone star quilts please click on the lone star quilt link LONE STAR QUILT LINK