Whitnall teacher honors famous writers with handmade shaving soaps
Andrew Baumann isn't a professional soap maker. Actually, he's a history teacher at Whitnall High School who's just really into the art of old-fashioned wet shaving.
And, just like all hobbyists think to themselves eventually, Baumann wondered last January if he could get into the business, too.
So Baumann, who is an avid fan of classic books, launched The Shave Library, a line of men's shaving soaps on the popular DIY eCommerce storefront, Etsy . He named his soaps after his favorite authors, like Shakespeare, Bronte, Twain, Kipling, Fitzgerald and Hemingway – though considering trademark issues, he's in the process of changing the lines to character names and themes that won't get him in trouble.
Take "Mandalay Bay," formerly known as "Kipling." Including oils of bay rum and lime, the scent captures the spirit of a refined jungle. Baumann says this soap is his personal favorite for summertime use.
"When I read some of these books, I get a feeling, and I can pick up on the scents that the author alludes to," says Baumann, who lives in Wauwatosa. "I actually started with the Fitzgerald soap, since 'The Great Gatsby' is my favorite book and I read it once a year. What scents would Jay Gatsby wear? I came up with a good scent; when I smell it, I smell 'The Great Gatsby.'"
Surely, there are other ways to pay homage to one's favorite authors, so why did Baumann teach himself how to make soap?
"I have all the big English and Italian brands of soap, and they're great," says Baumann. "But a lot of them are really, really expensive. Some of them are $50 to $75."
Baumann says he tried some other Etsy soaps, which smelled good but didn't lather properly, and realized there might be an opportunity for him to innovate.
"A lot of soaps you use in the shower or the kitchen are bubbly and airy. You need shaving soap to make a really dense lather," he says.
He says his goal was to bridge the gap between price and quality, and knowing nothing about making soap, he began buying pre-made soap bases and studied what his favorite soap makers added ... then tinkered with acids and Shea butters in his basement until he got it right.
It took Baumann about six months of trial and error to figure out how to make shaving soap – the kind meant to be applied with a badger or boar hair brush – but eventually he nailed it. For $13 for 4-ounce jar, this is a high-quality, smooth lathering, handcrafted soap at an affordable price.
Whitnall High School - News
Seniors in the Whitnall High School Band & Orchestra perform during the ceremony. The Whitnall High School's band and orchestra performed Pomp and Circumstance as it usually does this time of year.
By Brendan O'Brien | Email the author | 1:30pm The football field is just one of the athletic facilities in need of replacement or repair at Whitnall High School. Members of the Whitnall School Board pressed architecture and construction officials
Events this weekend including the a Youth Dodge Ball Tournament and a Mom 2 Mom Sale at Groves High School. Patch Welcome to "5 Things You Need to Know Today," a Patch feature that provides five quick
Actually, he's a history teacher at Whitnall High School who's just really into the art of old-fashioned wet shaving. And, just like all hobbyists think to themselves eventually, Baumann wondered last January if he could get into the business, too.
17, on South 116th Street in front of Whitnall High School and Whitnall Middle School. Organizers are looking for adult and student volunteers for activity booths, snack and beverage stations and other duties, as well as musical entertainment.
Recreation notes - 9th Arkansas
May 21, 2011 |(0) Comments
BASEBALL
Southeastern Wisconsin High School Top Prospect Exposure Camp: Sunday; 10 am-2 pm at Wisconsin Lutheran; visit www.wisconsinbaseballreport.com.
Whitnall Youth Camps: June 13 and 20; boys and girls ages 6-14; Whitnall High School; visit www.wybcamps.com.
Oconomowoc USSSA Tournament: June 17-19; openings for U9-U10 teams; visit www.usssawibaseball.com.
13th Annual Milwaukee Open Youth Baseball Tournament: June 24-26; Wirth Park, Brookfield; age groups U9-U13; email Jon at blueman51@sbcglobal.net.
BASKETBALL
Youth Tournament: Saturday-next Sunday; Center Court Sports Complex; boys and girls teams in grades 4-8; call Ike at (414) 708-6789 or e-mail imoore21@att.net.
Sussex Hamilton Boys Youth Summer League: June 7-July 19; grades 7 and 8; call (414) 217-9715 or email acchargers@hotmail.com.
Brandon Morris Charity Weekend: June 11-12; boys high school showcase, Kenosha St. Joseph; eight teams; call Dennis at (602) 670-1454 or e-mail ucanbmore2@gmail.com.
6th Annual Hardwood Challenge: June 10-12; Greenfield High School; boys U9-U17; girls U12-U17; email mrowe2@wi.rr.com or visit www.wibasketballgames.com.
Midwest Challenge #6: June 11-12; MSOE; boys and girls teams U9-U17; call Jeff at (414) 750-9890 or email jsmith37@onebox.com.
Wisconsin Shooters Camp: June 11; Mount Mary College; defensive boot camp featuring Jack Bennett; boys grades 7-11; visit www.wishooters.com.
Wisconsin Shooters Camp: June 11; Mount Mary College; offensive skills camp featuring David Adelman; boys grades 7-11; visit www.wishooters.com.
Center Court Sports Complex Summer League: June 12-Aug. 1; 14 games; boys and girls grades 3-9; call Tom at (262) 548-3838 or email tjurczyk@wi.rr.com.
Forrest Larsons Take It To The Rim Camp: Boys, June 13-14; girls July 11-12; visit www.takeittotherim.com.
Oak Creek Knights Boys Summer Camp: June 13-17; Oak Creek High School; grades 3-9; call coach Jossie at (414) 405-5018 or email m.jossie@oakcreek.k12.wi.us.
City/Suburban Summer League: Accepting boys teams grades 4-9 for league play beginning June 13-July 28; seven weeks, 12 games; call Antionette at (414) 640-6852, email vaughn31@sbcglobal.net or visit www.wiwizards.com.
Waukesha North Summer League: June 14-July 26; girls grades 5-8; call Abe at (262) 548-0181 or email greenmana53188@yahoo.com.
7th and 8th Grade Boys Summer League: Brookfield East High School; Wednesday evenings for six weeks starting June 15; call Bill at (262) 751-6738; e-mail programdirector@beastbasketball.net or visit www.beastbasketball.com.
I'm at Whitnall High School (5000 S 116th, Greenfield) 
thanks(; graduated from Whitnall high school in Wisconsin.
I'm at Whitnall High School (5000 S 116th, Greenfield) 
I'm at The ridge community church (whitnall high school (116th st), Greenfield) Whitnall High School - Bookshelf
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Whitnall High School is a comprehensive secondary school located in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. It is a part of the Whitnall School District. ...
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