From the Soap Pot 5/15

Oh, I've been having so much fun in my soap room! It smells so good in there right now. I have several soaps that are just about ready to go and will be added to my shops soon. I have also made some soaps that I know you just can't wait to get.

Karma Kollage: smells like patchouli! (ready June 1st)

Eucalyptus Mint: smells like eucalyptus and peppermint-contains oatmeal (ready June 1st)

Lemongrass Sage: smells like freshly mown lemons with a hint of garden fresh sage (ready June 1st)

Ambrosia: smells like oatmeal, milk, and honey-contains oatmeal, goat's milk, and honey :) (ready June 8th)

Carrot and Buttermilk: great face soap, smells lightly of ylang ylang, contains carrots, buttermilk, and willowbark extract (ready June 8th)

Soap Packaging Decision

If you recall, not too long ago I started rethinking my soap packaging...again. Really, I think this is a question that is discussed on EVERY soapmaking forum. In detail. You can read about my past packaging here.

After thinking about it and weighing the pros and cons, I finally made a decision. The feedback I received said I should keep the paper because it was simple, yet very pretty. I really did consider that. However, on my list of cons was the time it took to cut the paper and wrap each bar of soap. The pros was that it was fairly inexpensive; that is, until you add in the cost of the time it was taking to package the soap. Then, it was about even with the soap boxes.

Considering that I am now a single mom of soon-to-be 2 children, I really do have to consider time a lot more. I don't want to give up my soap business, but my time in more limited than before. (To be honest, I've been considering a lot of things that I could do to save time, but more on that later)

So, the soap boxes won out. All I have to do is pop the box open, tuck in one end, pop the soap in, tuck in the other end, and add a label. We are talking maybe 30 seconds per bar of soap. That is a HUGE difference! Plus, I can't deny that I do like the look of the soap boxes.

I am still planning on having other types of packaging. For example, I'm starting to make round soaps, but they wouldn't fit in a box. But, I will be using boxes as the main way to package soap.

What do you think? Do you like the boxes?

Soap Packaging Revisited

Is there a soap maker out there that hasn't gone back and forth about soap packaging? If so, please explain how you made this decision and was it easy?

For me, this has been the hardest part of soapmaking!

Here is my original packaging:

The cigar bands were easy, cheap, and created minimal packaging. Plus, the consumer could smell AND see the soaps before buying. However, they didn't protect the soaps well and I had problems with them slipping off or getting torn with moving them so much.

Next I tried shrink wrap bags:

The label was printed on cardstock, cut, then placed on the soap before it was shrink wrapped. The wrap is still cheap. The soaps were very protected and you could see what they looked like. But, you couldn't smell the soap and the shrink wrap was hard to get off. Plus, the bags were too large. So, you could get the end and have one end open (I'll tell you this didn't always work out so well if you weren't careful cutting) or tape the end down before shrinking (this didn't look great).

I've recently found soap bands for shrink wrap. They are open on both ends and already sized for most soaps, so you just center your soap and shrink wrap. They also have a perforated tab for easy opening. It also sounds like it is easy to make them smaller for smaller bars. So, that would solve the size problem, smelling problem, and the hard-to-get-open problem.

I decided to try using paper wrapping and really pretty paper bands:

I printed a label and stuck it to the paper. I won't lie, I LOVE the way these look. I used different handmade papers for different scents and simple colored paper underneath. The soaps are protected and you can smell them through the paper. It is also nice because I can make it fit any bar. But, I have to leave on unwrapped for people to see. Plus, the cutting and wrapping is a little labor intensive. With the number of bands I can get out of a sheet of handmade paper, it isn't too much more than shrink wrap, but then you add your time to that! Plus, buying different sheets of handmade paper for the soaps and making sure I don't run out is harder to keep up with.

 Last option, soap boxes (never tried):

Pic from Elements Bath & Body

I've thought about boxes, but they are the more expensive option. On the plus side, your soap is well protected. It is easy to remove the soap to see and smell, but easy to put back as well. They are really easy to pop open, stuff your soap in and slap a label on. They are most commonly sold as white or kraft color and come with a variety of cut-outs. I even found a site that does colored boxes (expensive unless ordering A LOT!). My biggest concern with this option has been the cost and the fact that it would only be one size, so I'd have to figure out something else for smaller bars. However, the time I'd save compared to wrapping in paper may be worth it! I could also offer the option for no box online to save people money or maybe do a box recycling program (I haven't thought that one through much).

So, what do you think? I'm looking for an attractive, easy, cost-effective, consumer-friendly method for packaging my soaps. My options are shrink wrap bands (cheap, quick, see-through, multi-sizes), paper (BEAUTIFUL, labor-intensive, not too expensive, not see through, mulit-sizes), or boxes (more costly, quick, easy open, one-size).

Which option would you like to see or think would be the best for me?

DIY Sunscreen or DDIY?

During my summer markets, I am constantly being asked if I make sunscreen. I have to explain over and over again why I don't make sunscreen for sale. I don't even make it for personal use.

I have explained that while I could do the research and figure out the exact amounts of certain minerals that you are supposed to use for a specific SPF and make it just like it says. I could even throw a bit more in the mix, just to be sure. However, sunscreens are regulated by the FDA as a drug and actually require testing to show how effective they are and to give the true SPF value.

I know plenty of people have their own feelings about the FDA, but there is good reason for this. Sunscreens are used to help prevent serious skin damage and cancers caused by the sun. Do you really want to use a sunscreen that SHOULD be effective? Or does using one that has been proven to be effective seem like a better idea?

When I explain this, I have some people that nod like I've helped them understand why it isn't a good idea to make sunscreen without testing; however, plenty walk away shaking their heads like I'm crazy. I'm sure there are micro-business owners like myself that do make and sell untested sunscreen, but for me and my family, DIY sunscreen is a big DDIY (DON'T DO IT YOURSELF)!

Interestingly, I was reading the Soap Queen blog and Anne-Marie did an interview with Amanda of Realize Beauty in which she discusses sunscreen testing and her interest in it. I would have eventually looked up her company, but this section led me to look up Realize Beauty right away and start browsing. I found a post about making your own sunscreen and found exactly what I'd been trying to explain!

DIY sunscreen sounds great! You could save money, control the ingredients that go in, use only the freshest ingredients, and no longer have to depend on some large company to do what you are perfectly capable of. However, there are way too many downsides to this DIY project to make it worth it. This is one of those things that should be left to the companies with the know-how and resources to make sure it is done right.

My First Video-Ombre Soap Making

I made my first video a couple of months back. I did it on a whim, so it is a little rough. I had some friends over to visit and one watched Hayden while the other helped me make soap. We decided to record the session and see how it turned out. 

After watching it, I decided not to post it. But, after thinking about it more, I figure "why not?" I had fun doing it. The soap turned out nice. Plus, my helper kept asking about it :)

Here is the link to my video.

ANNNNDDDD....

Here is a picture of the finished soap:

Lavender vanilla scented ombre soap.

These looked so pretty and smelled awesome! I sold out really fast this past season.

Sale Is On!

I mentioned yesterday that I was running really low on certain items and I would be having a sale to clear everything out before the end of the year.

well...THE SALE IS ON! I have updated all of the items on sale and marked them 20% off. You don't need a coupon code to enjoy this one! I do have limited inventory for these items and the sale is only for items marked.

Hurry, I have a feeling these won't last long.

All orders placed by Tuesday, December 18th will ship by December 19th. So, barring any natural disasters, your order will get there before Christmas.

Inventory is LOW!

WOW! I had an awesome Saturday at the CFAM holiday market!

I am almost out of many of my products. I am down to just a few items left! Most of my soaps are sold out, as are many of my lotions and tub treats! It was a crazy day, but I had a blast.

I am going to go through and inventory everything tonight and what I have left is going to be on sale for the next week! It might not happen, but I would love to sell out of everything before Christmas. That would make the year end inventory so much easier!

I will also have to ask for you to be a little patient with me. I am almost completely out of soaps. I will start making more of everything after the holidays, but soaps take a while to get ready. Everything else can be ready quickly, but soaps will take a little bit.

Keep your eyes open and check the website for an upcoming sale on all remaining items! (Yes, that was supposed to sound like a car commercial)

New Website Is Up!

I have been tired of my old website for awhile now. A lot of work went into the original website and it was fun to see, but I didn't have the ability to easily edit it. I had to give all the changes to the person that maintained my website (which is a close friend, so it wasn't a problem contacting her), but that put a lot of work on her. Plus, I didn't like the fact that I couldn't change anything, we didn't have access to coupon codes, or a host of other features.

We started searching for templates that would fit what I wanted, be customizable (I don't need to look like everyone else), user friendly for me and relatively inexpensive. There are plenty of templates out there, but that "relatively inexpensive" requirement was hard to fill. We did finally find a company that could give us what we wanted!

Switching to this new company required me to switch web hosting companies, so I decided to wait until my old one was up for renewal. That gave us plenty of time to work on what it should look like, get pictures taken, descriptions written and prices updates. Plus, I still have my full-time job and my little monster to care for. It really did take a long time to get it to look right and not all of the glitches have been worked out, but the new site is up and functional! There are a few more descriptions to be added. A few pictures to be taken (or retaken to show new packaging and designs). A few things that will slowly be fixed as we work on it in between all of the other things that must be done. After my last show in December, I will really be sitting down to look over everything and make sure everything is exactly what I want and if I don't want it, it isn't there. However, for anyone in need of a few Honu products for gifts or to keep, the website has everything that is currently available!

I have to say, it really looks pretty darn awesome too!

Scent of Serenity

I recently hit upon a lavender vanilla blend that I just adore. It was hard to get them to blend just right.

At first, my lavender was overpowering or my vanilla was too sweet. I just couldn't get that delicious blend of herbal, yet sweet that I was looking for. I was using Hungarian lavender and Bramble Berry's vanilla select. I love the vanilla select because it is deeper and richer than most vanilla. But, I still couldn't get it right.

I ended up using 3 different vanillas, the barest hint of a sweeter sandalwood fo, and a fair amount of lavender. And I must say that I'm quite happy with the results!

First, I called it Lavender Vanilla Bliss. It really is a blissful scent :) However, that seemed like a very long name and I'm all about simplicity. So, I decided to change the name to Serenity. I thought it was pretty appropriate because it smells wonderful!

I currently have used Serenity to make lotion, soap (bar and liquid), and fizzing tub treats and I am truly loving the scent! There is just something about lavender and vanilla that makes everything better.

What is your favorite scent to blend with lavender?

Market Booth

I know I promised you pictures of my new booth, but if you remember, I had my market dates wrong. So, I didn't get pictures that Saturday like I planned. I did have two markets last week, so I got pictures. It is just taking me longer to get them shared.

Here is the entire booth. Notice the cute little blond kid in the front :)

 As you can see, I now have two sets of shelves. I really like the both because it gets everything up off of the table. I still have my little doggie steps that I keep covered with fabric. I still like them, so what get rid of them?

Look at how cute my signs are! Notice the little hand in the corner, he is everywhere :)

 I love the new signs. We had some lumber sitting around in the garage, so we cut it up and painted it. We used a paint marker to write on them and small dowels to make them stand upright. Changing my prices will be more work, but I think it looks nicer than the plastic stand up signs. Plus, these don't blow over as easily.

My other set of shelves that we fashioned from shutter doors.

 I'm not completely sold on how I set out my soaps. I want something that bring them up to and keeps them in a line. I just haven't figured out what I want to do yet. If you have a suggestion, let me hear it!

I love this fabric! It looks like little waves. Yes, the hand is back and trying to run off with a package of travel soaps this time.

I really think I might buy some more of this fabric and make it into a table runner for the tops of the tables. I played with it some on Saturday and I like it, so I'm going to see if I can find the fabric again.

What do you think? Do you have any suggestions for more improvements?

Updoing My Booth

This will be my 3rd market season! I'm excited to be doing it again because I don't do enough business to have an actual store, but I love meeting customers. I have a few that make sure they find out when I'm going to the market, so they can find me! I love that I actually get to meet them and see them.

The first year, I decided to do the market at the last minute and I shared it with a friend. So, we didn't put a lot of thought into the display (check it out here). Last year, was insane with my little guy that wasn't quite 1 year! I had some ideas, but it was more of a mish mash and my display was a little sad. Not this year! I have been planning, scheming, and designed to come up with a display that all ties together. I wanted to share my progress today and then tomorrow, I will show you the finished booth.

Since this word honu is Hawaiian, I decided to design my booth with an island feel to it. My next decision was to use white and ocean blue for my set-up. My tablecloths have always been white twin size sheets. I keep thinking about getting actual tablecloths, but the sheets work so well and are easily replaced. I found a fabric dye that I fell in love with, it is Dylon's Bahama Blue. I mean the name says it all! So, my tablecloths will now be Bahama blue, not white.

It is actually much more tropical!

Next, we to decide what to do with my fabulous shelves. One set was a shutter door that we cut in half and made into shelves and the other is a foldable set I found at a thrift store. The shutters were already white, but the shelf part was a blue that ended up being too dark. I found a tropical blue paint that I loved, but I didn't want it to be overwhelming. So, we decided to paint the shelves blue and then white; then we are going to scuff them up so a little blue shows through. The scuffing may not happen by tomorrow, but they are painted and looking lovely!

Everything out for painting! Love my shelves :)

The sun is a little strong, but I love this blue!

I also decided I needed better signs than I've used in the past. The plastic holders just wasn't cutting it. My inspiration was actually a little plaque in Hayden's room. It is a simple small piece of wood with a wooden dowel to hold it upright. So, we used some scrap wood in the garage, cut it up, sanded it, and now it is painted. I will write my signage on the wood in paint pens! I also decided to make a "Specials" board. I bought a from at Michael's, along with a pre-cut piece of plywood; the plywood is now chalkboard black and the frame is tropical blue! It will look so cute. I think I'm going to use ribbon to tie the board to my tent, but I'm not positive yet.

My first time using chalkboard paint!

I still have to write out all of my signs, but the major part is all done! Stay tuned for my big reveal...

What To Do If You Want To Do Better

The other day I had a conversation with a parent of one of my students. She felt that I was being unfair in my grading and that I should take into consideration that some students struggle more than others. During the conversation she said that her student really wanted a higher grade in my class, which is always nice to hear when students care enough to want to do better. Later, she said that I could go a little easier so that the this student could feel accomplished. We ended agreeing to disagreeing. I didn't feel that I was too hard and she felt that I was.

The entire conversation lingered with me most of the night. I am usually good about leaving problems at work, but there was something that was just bothering me. As I was falling asleep it hit me! The parent said that the student wanted a better grade and I make it easier to get that grade (to be fair, she did not say it exactly like that, but those were her two main points). That was what was bothering me...if someone really wants to do better, then someone else should make it easier to do so.

I just don't believe that that is how it should work. If one of my students wants to do better, then they should work harder. If I lower the standard and make it easier to get a high grade, then the higher grade means less. How can a student be proud of earning a high grade if they didn't really earn it? I understand when kids are little we make sure everyone feels like a winner and you are just as amazing as everyone else. As they get older, we start recognizing them for the things that they do better than others, but make them realize that you can't be good at everything if you don't work really hard.

I can apply this same lesson to anything in life, even my business. I really want to have a successful (by my definition of success) business, but it doesn't happen if I don't make it happen. I also can't be upset that my competition is doing more business than I am if I am putting less work into my business. There are a lot of things I want in life, but I have to work hard to make them happen and I have to have a plan on how to make them happen. Nobody is going to come along and say "You know, I see that you really want these things, so I'm just going to grant all your wishes." I will accomplish some of my goals and some I will not. It all comes down to working hard; I have to focus on what I'm good at and continuously improve on the things I'm not good at.

You don't have to be brilliant to be a straight-A student, you don't have to be a natural athlete to go to the Olympics, you don't have to be naturally good at anything if you are willing to work hard to get better. Although, you may have to work hard than those around you.

Reformulating

You probably already know that I am a busy little bee. Between mommying, teaching, and soapmaking; I'm pretty much done by the end of the day. However, I have decided that one of the things I really need to do is to go through all of my products and really look at what I have. There are two reasons for this; I have stretched myself too thin and I don't feel I'm being true to my original vision.

NSTA 2012

Last week was Spring Break, but I didn't take the whole week to vegetate. Instead, I packed my bags and headed to Indianapolis. Why? Because that is where the National Science Teacher Conference was held!

Ideas

I'm still reading and taking a crazy amount of notes about the book "The Most Successful Small Business In The World." I haven't shared it with you because it has been sitting by the bed for me to read and write about before bed. My computer is downstairs. Somehow, that was just a problem for me.

Well, I have on the 6th Principle, but I still haven't shared the 2nd with you!

The 2nd Principle is that a small business is no more effective than the idea upon which it is built.

S.O.A.P! Yes, Please

It is that time again! Bramble Berry is looking for their next S.O.A.P peeps and I am trying for it (again). Why do I keep trying? Because I LOVE BB! Plus, it is hard to be upset that I don't get chosen when there are so many talented people all trying. Not the point!

My favorite BB fragrance oil is...Applejack Peel!

10,000 Times

In the book that I am reading, his first principle is that any business can grow to 10,000 times its current size. 10,000 sounds crazy to me! I'm also not sure that I want to have a business that size, but I do like what he talks about.

Sometimes the possibilities are endless...

The Most Successful Small Business In The World

One of my goals last year was to read some small business books to help my business grow. I didn't do it. Why not? Because I made excuses and let the small, everyday things become my routine. In some ways, I was happy to spend time on those small things. Every small moment I have with my family is precious and we spend those moments growing as a family. In others, I didn't focus on my business and I didn't let it grow; I got caught up in my routine.

I am currently reading this (see title) book by Michael E. Gerber. The only reason I chose it was because it was at the library. I picked up several small business books. The only reason I chose to read this one first is because one smells strongly of cigarettes and the other is too big to read while in bed. I read the foreword and was intrigued. I read the introduction and got excited. I have read the first chapter and it really made me think about my business and how I run it (or it runs me).

This book introduces "The Ten Principles" for successful businesses. He also discusses why most small businesses are never anything but small businesses and most don't succeed. I was so excited by the first chapter, that I pulled out my notebook and started writing what that means for me. As I go through the book, I would like to share my thoughts and how this will change me or change the way I think about Honu Naturals.

Is anyone interested in joining me?

Customer Service

When I tried to get our furnace inspected last year, I had a heck of a time! I made three appointments with three different companies before they showed up. I understand that emergencies come up, especially in Colorado when a big storm comes in. I understand that things happen, but what really frustrated me was that the first two companies did NOT call me to let me know that the service person wouldn't make it. I called them after waiting an hour.

Well, this year, I didn't even bother with either of the first two companies!

Prices

I get a "Tip Of The Day" from Manta, a business that helps small businesses. I enjoy reading their tips because they are short and sweet :) Of course, they always include a link to more, but I like that I can get a quick idea.

Today's tip was simple, "Don't Compete on Price." I love this tip! I spend so much time trying to figure out how much I should charge for everything! It is so time consuming and complicated.