Help for Home & Garden!

So much fantastic information in this issue!  Whether in your garden or household chores, you need to know. . .

Are you looking for a way to use soap scraps?  Want to economize?  Maybe you just want to know what’s in the product that you use to wash your clothes.  You can accomplish all three by making your own laundry soap.  Rachel Wolf tells you how, and it’s easier than you might think.  Find out how in the current issue.

What do you know about the Herb of Love?  Not much?  I’ve happily used it as a beautiful, fragrant flower in my garden, but knew little about it’s origins, range, or history.  Find out all about its uses– and its dangers!  Read this article by Elizabeth Sockol and tell us how you’ve used this wonderful herb.

No doubt we’re all familiar with many types of citrus.  We eat them and it may end there; but, if you produce bath and body products, you likely use the essential oils.   But what do you know about them?  If you don’t know enough, or need a refresher, be sure to read Lindalu Forseth’s article reviewing orange, lemon, lime, tangerine, and mandarin essential oils.  You’re sure to learn something new to use in your creations.

Sensuality, Business, Hedgehogs, it’s all here!

This issue of the Saponifier is so jam-packed with articles for you to enjoy, new things to learn, and great advice!

Sensuous massage candles, doesn’t the very name conjure up images of candlelight, warmth, and intimacy?  Who wouldn’t want a massage with one of these?  Erica Pence has given us many ideas for making and scenting these luscious products.  It makes even candle novices eager to give them a go!  Erica’s article give us all the details on which essential oils will work and what they add to the candle and massage.  You’ll be inspired.

When you try them, I do hope you’ll report how they work for you!  Be careful, but enjoy yourself.

Perhaps it’s time for business advice, and you’re looking for help with that all-important goal of making a profit.  Alexander Sherman has written a fantastically informative article on margins in business.  Do you know your company’s gross margins, operating margins, and net margins?  If you do, you’ll be better at containing costs so that you can make profits.  Be sure to take time to read this one if you own or contemplate owning a business.

Be sure to check out the Readers’ Showcase Gallery and be in awe at what your fellow soap, candle, and b&b buddies are up to!  I never cease to be amazed at what wonderful things you all come up with, and I can’t wait to see what’s new each issue. Janie Clark of www.selkiesoaps.com is featured.  Check out what her products have to do with Hedgehogs.

Decadent Soaps and other Goodies

How’s  your reading coming?

Have you read the article by Larry Strattner yet?  It was a nice diversion into a story of soapmaking, and yet it’s informational.  Great job, Larry!  If you haven’t read it yet, take five and be entertained.

What do you think of when you hear, “Strawberries and Champagne?”  Something exclusive, luxurious, expensive?  That’s what I think of, so when I saw the article by Tamara Dourney, I knew it would be a treat.  I was not disappointed.  You won’t be disappointed, either, and will surely want to try the formula she provided!  Rich with cocoa, shea, and mango butter, among other decadent goodies, it’s a sure hit.  Be sure to tell us how yours turned out.  If you tweak it, as so many of us do, tell us about that, too.

If you enjoy reading book reviews, you’ll be interested in catching up with some of the authors we wrote reviews for, previously.  Let’s just say that Alex Crow, Marie Gale, and Sally Trew haven’t been sitting back, twiddling their thumbs!

What’s on your formulating/cosmetic agenda for the week?  Tell us, especially if you try anything from the magazine.

Go forth and make soap!  And toiletries, and candles.

Herbal Spa Weekend!

I suppose that by now, all of you who are subscribers have taken the opportunity to peruse your newest issue.

The Herbal Spa Treatments by Erica Pence were so wonderful-looking that I relaxed simply by reading the article.  If you’ve never done an herbal infusion before, her instructions were helpful and easy to understand.  If  you’ve never tried any of these treatments, make it a home spa weekend.  If you have tried them, make it an herbal spa weekend!

Sherri Reehil-Welser’s Saving Face was another informational and interesting article, with so much on natural products and oils that we can all use to pamper our skin.  In fact, do you know which foods have alpha hydroxy acids?  You will if you pay attention to Sherri.

For Elin Criswell fans, you’ll see a review of her recently published and popular book, by Beth Byrne.  The concept Elin used to get the money for publishing is definitely out of the ordinary.  Our hats off to you, Elin!  Readers and friends, what do you think of her unusual fundraising efforts?

You can also catch up with some of your other favorite soap authors in this issue, as several of them have written new books.   Check them out.

What’s on your plate for the weekend?  Take my advice and plan a little “me” time, using some of the ideas from the magazine.  Take some time to relax and read it if you haven’t, then decide what you’d like to do.  Get your supplies and equipment out, get the kids and the hubby out of the way, and pamper yourself.  It’s OK, you’ve earned it!

Say, “Ahhh” to the Spa

Have you had a chance to peruse the new issue yet?

I couldn’t wait for the download to be available because there’s just so much fantastic information.

Tamara Dourney wrote an in-depth article on packaging and promotional materials that will add value to your existing product.  In it, she discusses labeling, packaging, logos, branding, style, company name, colors, and even typography in designing your business to promote the perception of value to the consumer.  We all must consider what our products look like to our customers, and how we can design our businesses, from beginning to end, to capture our target market’s attention.

If you’re just beginning your company or are re-tooling for the high-end market, you need to read this article.  Even if you’re not, it’s a great reminder to keep looking at our products from the consumer’s point of view.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “What makes a high-end, upscale product?“  Read Amy Kalinchuk’s,  Ingredients for High-End Label Appeal, where she woos us with decadent ingredients to use in our products.  They are sure to impress customers and guide them in seeing the value in purchasing high quality.

If you don’t yet offer your clients a swanky, rich body butter, perhaps it’s time!  Read Marla Bosworth’s article on body butters to get your creative juices flowing.  Body butters are an upscale product with the potential of good profit margins, and are not as difficult to make as they may seem.  You’ll love them, and so will your customers.

There’s so much more in this issue, and I’ll be posting on all of it in the coming days.
We look forward to your comments.
Meanwhile, Enjoy!

The November Issue is out!

Raves for Faves – 4th Annual Readers Choice Awards & Recipe Extravaganza!

The Sept/Oct issue is out!

Advanced Soap

& Candle Making Techniques

The July/August Issue is Out!

FOCUS: Rules & Regulations

Grab a cup, get comfy and prepare to be inspired by all the tips & techniques this issue has to offer!

Feature Articles:

• Understanding Good Manufacturing Practices: Using Voluntary Implementation To Improve Your Business, by Marla Bosworth
• Souvenir Soaps, by Tamara Dourney
• Eight Rules for Running An Online Business, by Stacy Reckard
• OSHA Compliance: Guidelines For A Safer Workplace, by Tamara Dourney
• 2010 HSMG Annual Conference a Huge Success, by Erica Pence

« Previous Page