Awards 2009

(winners wanting access to award graphics for placement within their marketing materials or website, are listed at the end of the article. We do request that you first determine the placement in which you have won and to coordinate that placement with the appropriate award (ie., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.,).

Raves for Faves

by Beth Byrne


The year has flown by, and once again it’s time to report the results of our annual survey.  We asked questions about favorite suppliers for various soaping, toiletry, and candle-making goods, along with polling most-requested scents, and new things that you have tried or want to try, and you answered.  Despite early complications, we had a huge leap in responses to count, and some surprising results, including a few previously top suppliers who were overtaken by new suppliers, new sources of communication that are gaining in popularity, and the ever evolving list of new products we’re developing.  I’m sure you’ll find the results as interesting as I did.

What is the purpose of this survey?  Actually, there are several.  We get to see the companies our colleagues hold in high regard and what kinds of products they are buying from them.  We like to see what kinds of products and scents are popular, and we like to keep up on new products, methods, and materials, as well as modes of communication and marketing.  Our hope is that we can inspire you, whether to try new things, to be more confident, to be more proactive, or in any way it suits your needs. The survey is not to make you feel you have to patronize the companies that got the highest number of votes.  In fact, if you have a favorite supplier, whether or not the company is mentioned in the voting, this article is not meant to steer you away from that company.  At the same time, if you’re looking for companies to do business with, you can be sure that the winners have many very satisfied customers and will more than likely serve you well, also.  Likewise, the survey is not to make you feel that you have to sell the same scents and products listed; but, if you want some guidance as to what might be popular, you’ve got it.

Before beginning to report the actual voting results, I do want to address some issues that you may have heard about.  It’s important to explain what’s happened, so that our faithful readers understand the situation.  To do so, however, I need to delve into the history of the survey for a moment.  The first year the survey was presented (2007) all of the questions were open-ended.  Counting the responses was very tedious and time-consuming, and it took a fair amount of time for respondents to complete the survey itself.  Therefore, when it came time for the survey the second year, we decided to take the names of the companies who had won the first year, and list them as possible choices, leaving an empty slot so participants could vote for companies that were not already listed.  This worked well, and helped make both the voting and the tabulating less overwhelming.  With that in mind, we decided to repeat the method when this year’s voting came around.  Unfortunately, it was met with opposition.

Some suggested that we were guiding our voters to vote for listed companies rather than the companies they would have naturally chosen, or that choices were skewed toward our advertisers.  On the flip side, some advertisers may have wondered why they weren’t listed.  Once these concerns were brought to our attention, we chose to revert back to open-ended voting and threw out the original votes.  Regrettably, individuals who had voted the first time had to retake the poll if they wanted their say in the results.  Many, many of you did so, for which we are truly grateful.  Taking the poll once is giving up valuable time, but to do it twice is extremely gracious, and we thank you sincerely for understanding that we hoped to avoid even an appearance of bias.

Another problem that was brought to our attention, was the fact that some individuals were voting more than once.  Although we are happy that some are so loyal to their favorite suppliers that they would take time to vote repeatedly, it is, of course, dishonest, and thus against the rules and spirit of the poll.  Fortunately, the software used to tabulate the votes enabled us to weed out the extra votes, which we did.  Rest assured, the voting is accurate and no one was able to “stuff the ballot boxes.”

Now that that’s taken care of, let’s get on to the results!

Who is your favorite overall supplier?  If you could order everything from just one company, which one would it be?

Service, price, quality, and variety are the keys to customer loyalty according to what our respondents told us.  Some also commented on the advantage of being close enough to a company to either pick up product or at least close enough to save on shipping costs, so that is something always in our minds, especially with escalating shipping rates.  The company who best demonstrated that this year?  Once again, Bramble Berry is the clear winner in this category.  Mary Robida of Fruit of the Vine Soap Company said it well when she stated, “I love the quality of their products. I also love that they test their products and can tell you how they will behave in various situations. They have wonderful customer service and go the extra mile to help.”

Following behind them is Wholesale Supplies Plus.  And, for the first time as a place winner, New Directions Aromatics took third place.  These companies have followed all of the business practices that make them winners in their customers’ eyes.

Which company is your number one choice for fragrance oils?

Once again, by a hefty margin, Bramble Berry leads the pack in votes.  It is clear that many still prefer them for their variety, cost, quality and service.  “Unique FOs, exceptional quality with good descriptions without sliding into silly verbiage. Excellent customer service with appropriate breaks in price for those of us who order full pails. She’s always on trend too,”  opines Ella Gaynor of Toronto, Canada.

Second place reveals a tie between Southern Soapers and Wholesale Supplies Plus, Southern Soapers hanging on to their second place win from last year, but WSP moving up in rank.

Third place was also a tie, with Oregon Trail and New Directions Aromatics garnering equal numbers of votes.  The consistency in voting, along with a heretofore lesser known company becoming key in the competition, seems to indicate that although we love our old favorites; clearly, there is room for new companies to compete in the market.

Your favorite essential oil supplier offers the best quality oils, for the best price, and provides great service.  Who is your choice?

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, considering their wins in the previous two categories, New Directions Aromatics places first in this category, and by a fairly wide margin.  June Vollans of Moondancer’s Perfect Scents in Canada likes them because, “They have a huge selection. They are a QAI certified organics processor, so when I order organic scents, I know they are what I want. Their essential oils are wonderful and I have yet to get any that weren’t what I expected and wanted them to be. Their prices are exceptional as well, which makes ND the best place I know of to get my essential oils and other supplies. Besides, they are in Canada!”

Since they’re uniquely situated in both the US and Canada, they are apparently able to serve both countries well.

Second place belongs to Essential Oil University, and a three way tie for third place includes Bramble Berry, Camden Grey, and Wholesale Supplies Plus.  Many of these companies remain favorites from the two previous years, but have changed their place in line.

Who is your favorite herb supplier?

Again, Mountain Rose Herbs remains the overwhelmingly most popular herb supplier, so they continue to please their customers.  In a ringing endorsement, Donna Standridge of Saphoros Skincare says, “They carry a wide variety of herbs, most of which are offered in both organic and non-organic form.  The additional information provided on the website is extremely helpful and educational as well.”  Many others complimented them on their price and customer service, as well.

San Francisco Herb Co. repeated their second place showing, and a third place tie went to local sources, including growing ones own herbs, local stores, and local growers. Also in 3rd place is Bramble Berry, and New Directions Aromatics.

Which company is your top choice for general soap and cosmetic ingredients?  This includes oils, butters, waxes, emulsifiers, preservatives, and so on.

Soapers Choice is again the hands down favorite of those voting in the poll.  Along with the many comments on their variety, prices, shipping, and service,  Melanie Brown of Serenity Soapworks  exclaimed, “Who DOESN’T LOVE Mike Lawson?  He’s always so cheerful and helpful!  He goes above and beyond great customer service.”  Many would agree, and that is why Soapers Choice remains our readers’ top choice.

Wholesale Supplies Plus is also repeating its second place finish, and Bramble Berry again ranking third.

Which supplier is your top choice when it comes to purchasing candle making products?

Apparently, chandlers are happy to continue ordering from their favorites because Bittercreek remains the top company, without a doubt.  Lori Martin of Colours & Scents comments on their “Wide Selection, fair prices, fast shipping. Great wick selections and sampler packs.”  Many would agree.

Candle Science came in second, and Wholesale Supplies Plus, third.  These companies placed in the same order last year!

When you need containers to hold your products, toiletry or candle, which supplier are you most likely to purchase from?

The huge winner in this category was Wholesale Supplies Plus, with customers offering praise similar to Susan Dixon’s of The Skin You’re In, “They have a great variety of jars and bottles, good pricing, and wonderful sales on these items.”

Last year, there was a three-way tie for first place, but WSP came out far ahead in this year’s survey.  Second place belongs to SKS, and third place to Elements Bath and Body.  Since Bayousome came in with a close fourth place, I feel compelled to mention them, as well.

Whose soap molds do you like the best for quality, choice, and service?

First place again goes to Milky Way Molds.  “Their molds are awesome!” states Ruth Blackwell of Luvy Bear Soaps and SCENTsations.  Others more specifically spoke of the quality and variety of their molds.

Second place belongs to Bramble Berry, and third place goes to Upland Molds.  These same companies were most voted for and in the same order as last year.

Which company carries the best candle molds, considering variety, price, and service?

One of many upsets in this category, Bittercreek scored highest.  Furthermore, not scoring at all last year, but in second place this year, was Peak Candle.  Third place was a tie once again, but between three companies, New Directions Aromatics, Candles & Supplies, and Wholesale Supplies Plus.  Of Bittercreek, Jessica Combs echoed the sentiment of others when she complimented the company on their, “Wide variety of waxes, great prices and the best customer service.”

What are your favorite email lists or social networking sites to participate in for communicating with colleagues?

Another surprising category in its fluctuation of votes, is this one.  Apparently, old things are new again, with the Soapdish Forum, perhaps one of the most enduring places for soap and toiletry talk,  garnering the largest number of votes.  In what may seem like a dichotomy, for the first time winning, is Facebook!  Again, in third place is Twitter, along with Southern Soapers Yahoo list.  If you have a yen to talk soap, toiletry, and candles, these are some of the top places to find company.

Which company is the best supplier of labels for your products?

Last year was the first time this category was offered, and Online Labels won the voting.  They also won by a landslide this year.  Elements Bath & Body came in second for their vinyl labels, and Labels by the Sheet took a rather distant third place.

What is your primary method for sales?

As this question was asked for the first time this year, we have no data to use to compare and contrast results from previous years.  Nevertheless, most of you selling your products report your website as your most valuable sales tool.  Not too far behind is selling at shows.  Bringing up the rear is wholesale accounts.  Also mentioned were avenues such as, word of mouth, consignment, Etsy, farmers markets, Facebook, and home parties.

What are your top ten best-selling or requested scents this year?

Ever a popular question, and the answers are interesting.  One might think that fragrance trends change slowly over time, with sellers reluctant to change scents that their customers love.  Yet, already we’ve seen some scents that were popular last year not place in the top ten this year. As this is merely the third year for voting, we cannot cite trends with accuracy, but we have already seen new ones come and others go.

It is worth considering the countless nuances and blends in fragrances that make counting each one exactly as next to impossible; therefore, we grouped them into the dominant broad scent category or type that they belonged in.  For instance, Vanilla Bean, Tahitian Vanilla, and other forms of vanilla scents were counted together under the category of vanilla.  All mints and mint blends were placed in the mint category, and so on.  The citruses presented a bit of a quandary, as each one might be listed separately at times (Orange, tangerine, lime. . .)  and other times non-specifically, IE:  Citrus Medley.  So, where a particular citrus was noted, it was placed in that category, and where simply citrus was noted, it was placed in its own category.  Indeed, if all citruses had been placed under the simple citrus category, it would have placed near the top!  Another important item to note is that no distinction is made between fragrance oils and essential oils.

It comes as no surprise to learn that lavender is once again the far and away favorite fragrance.  Perhaps it’s a condition of our society to embrace a scent that helps us to relax; who knows?  One way or another, though, lavender remains on top.  Here are the top ten in descending order.  Note the similarities and differences between 2008 and 2009:

Best Selling Scents
2009 2008
Lavender Lavender
Vanilla Oatmeal, Milk & Honey
Lemon/Lemongrass Patchouli
Patchouli Mint
Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Vanilla
Mint Lemongrass & Rose (tie)
Sandalwood Lilac
Coconut Black Raspberry Vanilla
Rose Sandalwood
Orange Lovespell

Is Oatmeal, Milk & Honey becoming less popular?  Are dupes of bigger companies’ scents losing popularity, or is it just certain ones?  Are we blending our own unique scents rather than relying on dupes?  It’s hard to say, but it is interesting to note that Black Raspberry Vanilla and Lovespell have been replaced by the simple coconut and orange scents.  It is also interesting to note how many fragrances remain on the list from previous years.

What are your five best selling products?

We asked, and you responded.  As always, bar soap, whether cold process, hot process, salt bars, or melt and pour, are your leading sellers.  Second again, are lotions, creams, including all of the name variations for those products.  Last year, lip balm was the third most popular product, but this year, it’s candles, including container candles, pillars, melts, and other such products.  Lip balm placed fourth this year, so it’s certainly not out of the picture.  The fifth and last most popular product is shower scrub, also called, “body polish,” and other similar terms.  Last year, it was in 4th place.  These are made with sugar and/or salt.  Body butter was in fifth place last year.  Some other products often mentioned were sprays, whether body or room, or a combination product, and body butter, with all of the various names used.  Less repeated, but not to be forgotten, are bath bombs/fizzies, liquid soap, bath salts, perfumes balms, facial products, and air fresheners.

  • First Place – Bar Soap
  • Second Place – Lotions/Creams
  • Third Place – Candles

What is the best idea you’ve tried this year?

Would it surprise you to find out that there are hundreds of ideas out there that are being put into motion this year?  Probably not, and instead of actually counting votes, you’d be better served by reading what types of things your fellow crafters are up to.

Some are as simple as trying new fragrance oils or essential oils, or using one or the other for the first time.  Many of you are blending fragrances to create your own unique scents.

Others are finding new ingredients that boost or even revolutionize their product line.  With the sophistication home crafters are attaining, even the newest, most interesting or promising products are available to us.

New products are often at the top of our lists, as we delight in watching and keeping up with the latest and greatest.  Some of the ones mentioned are:  age-defying products, facial cream, our own unique product lines, and an organic product line.

Some of our products are going to the dogs.  Many have developed dog soap, dog spray, and even “Dog Soap for Dog Tags.”

Packaging is a never-ending concern, as we work on making our packaging better in some way, whether in labeling, including tweaking labeling to fit FDA guidelines, using biodegradable packaging, or even simply changing the colors.  Each aspect is important to us and we labor to accomplish our goals.  Some are even looking into using less packaging as part of a “green” push in our businesses.

Some of our readers have mentioned attending soap gatherings/conventions for the first time and the fun and information they’ve shared.  Indeed, many have found kindred spirits to discuss projects and problems with.

In marketing, some are going for a upscale market, others are using tactics such as customer rewards programs to inspire repeat business.  Pricing strategies are often implemented to find the best price point for the product.  Some are giving out samples with orders, in an attempt to sell more and perhaps to try out new products or scents.  One soaper is even using a bubble machine to draw potential customers to her tent at craft shows!

A few of you have mentioned various ways of making life easier, such as Gamma Lids, an easy screw-on lid, purchasing gallons of lotion that simply need to be scented and bottled as they are ordered.  A label machine was mentioned, as well as a lip balm filling tray.  Some have even hired help.  Indeed, anything that’s cost-effective that we can do to do make life and business less difficult and stressful, is a winner.

Some of you are implementing new marketing methods such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Etsy, or a website, and finding them lucrative.  Others use these tools for information and recreation, another important motivation.

Some have reported growing herbs for use in products, and infusing those herbs to use, even coloring products with them, as well as other herbal preparation methods.

New techniques are always on our minds.  One soaper even mentioned a new soaping technique she learned recently in the Saponifier that has greatly improved her soap making sessions!  We love to hear how the magazine is an important tool for you in learning and improving your skills, and how it’s making a positive difference in what you do.

If the FDA Globalization Act passes, will it affect your business?

The FDA Globalization Act, if you’re unfamiliar, is a piece of legislation that many in the industry expect to be acted upon sometime in the not too distant future.  The effects of its passing will reach to each company that produces cosmetic products for sale.  One site that explains the act is:  http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2009/01/fda-globalization-act-2009/.  Use your search engine to find even more sources describing what the bill will do if passed as it is written.

A few survey respondents were unaware of the bill or lived outside the USA.  I urge anyone with incomplete knowledge of the bill, who does sell or is planning to sell in the US, to read up on it and make decisions regarding your business accordingly.  It is, perhaps, the most important legislation in decades for our industry, and impacts many of us.

Most of you are alarmed at the changes wrought by the passing of this bill, and feel that it will at least curtail your activities in soap and toiletry-making and selling.  Some have already taken steps to change their product line to one that is less affected.  Others who were planning to start a cosmetics business are no longer planning to do so.

Many others were sure the consequences of the bill would put them out of business.  Citing mainly the costs involved in securing an approved facility and the possible increased cost in supplies, along with the costs of record keeping and sample batch storage, they see the business as too expensive and complicated to run as a cottage business.

Still others, however, have studied the bill already, and are in compliance, including registering with the government and following policies and procedures that are in place for safe cosmetic manufacturing.  They have made the changes necessary to insure that their businesses will be ready once the bill passes.  Certainly, there is little doubt that the FDA Globalization Act will have long-reaching effect on our industry, for good or for bad, depending upon how one feels about it.

It’s been fascinating to see the results of this year’s voting.  Not only did more individuals vote, giving us an even better sampling of our industry, but some results remained the same, where others changed more drastically.  There were upsets and steady winners, leaving one to conclude that on the one hand, many are very loyal to the businesses they patronize; yet, on the other hand, they are not afraid to try new companies.  In addition, we like to find others to share our soapy or waxy adventures and woes with, and as a group, are not afraid to try out new avenues of doing so, nor are we afraid to try new avenues for selling our products.  We like to try new products, and are constantly innovating, yet we keep the old standbys that are the core of our businesses and hobbies, be it products or scents or methods.  We are, as a group, very aware and concerned about the Globalization Act, and many have taken steps to comply.  Think of it:  little did we know last year at voting time what would take place in the global economy that would affect us and our businesses just a short time after.  Who knows where we’ll be next year at this time.  It’s an exciting world we live, work, and play in, and we can look forward to observing and adjusting to whatever happens.

Awards Graphics

awarded to Bramble Berry

Awarded to Bramble Berry

1st Place Award

1st Place Award

2nd Place Award

2nd Place Award

3rd Place Award

3rd Place Award