Recycling and Social Media: What About You?
All those bits and ends of candles, you’d like to find a way to use them, but how? Erica Pence comes to the rescue in Recycled Candles, explaining just how easy it is to remake those stubs into tea lights, votives and even decorative candles. She even gives simple directions for making candles in pumpkins and other seasonal produce for a lovely holiday theme! Naturally, I purged my leftovers not long ago, but will save them again so I can give Erica’s advice a go.
Have you tried this yet? Let us know how it went.
In this day and age, you’d have to be living under a rock not to have heard of Social Media. Clearly, the buzz phrase of the decade, Social Media brings to mind probably at least a couple of types. The question is, how well do you make use of it as a tool for marketing your business? Is the entire topic an unknown that you’re afraid to explore? Or is it a lake that you’ve dipped your toe in, but you’ve been afraid to jump? Perhaps you feel as if you have jumped in, but belly-flopped. Read, Five Steps to Social Media Success: An Interview with Donna Maria Coles Johnson, written by Beth Byrne. In it, dM as she likes to be called, outlines the major Social Media types, as well as a few not so major, and helps us to both understand them, their purpose, and how to use them effectively in our businesses. Ever amazed by dM’s knowledge of the latest and greatest in marketing and technology, I just know you’ll find her thoughts helpful in your own efforts.
Have you implemented any of the strategies mentioned in the article? Share with us how it’s working for you!
Until next time, happy bubbles!
What’s New in the Saponifier?
Summer is here, or nearly here!
We all know that as much as we love the sun and summer activities, it can be hard on our skin. Want to know all about keeping your skin soft and sexy for summer fun? Check out Sherri Reehil-Welser’s article where she talks about hydrosols and butters that will help keep your skin in great shape. Recipes included!
Are you a melt & pour soaper, or do want to learn? How about candles? Erica Pence has written a how-to article on beautiful fancy soaps and candles that you’ll enjoy making. You’ll amaze yourself at your talent!
Do you know what Business Valuation is? Alexander Sherman sheds some light on the subject of determining the value of your business, and other pertinent points such as adding value to your business. If you’re a business owner, you can’t afford not to read this one!
If you’re looking to add something that will give your products a special touch, consider making gift bags and pouches. Rachel Wolf shows us how to make lovely lined bags and pouches that will set your products apart.
The Saponifier will be at the HSMG Conference! Tamara Dourney and Beth Byrne are attending the conference, so be sure to find them and provide feedback on the magazine. We’re offering prizes for some lucky attendees, too.
Soap & Candles, or Candles & Soap?
With our recent candle discussion, I’ve been wondering about a few things.
How many of our readers create both soap/bath & body and candles? Which came first, the soap or the candles? What led you from one to the other? Which sells better?
Other than the historical precedence of a local candle/soap maker supplying the town with their goods, what ties the two crafts together? Is it the fragrance, or something else?
Since soapmaking and candlemaking are two very distinct processes, we certainly cannot assume that one leads to the other on a knowledge-based level. Knowing how to make soap, for example, does not uniquely qualify an individual to make make candles. Nevertheless, something certainly entices many to expand their skill sets from one to the other. Is it that mastering another craft that uses fragrances already owned makes sense? Is the motivation for learning a new skill the realization that offering more products in a certain scent to give prospective customers more to choose from?
Curious minds want to know! Please share your story.
Are you like Ben Franklin’s Father?
Back in the early days of colonial USA, living in cities and towns would be a tradesperson who made soap and candles.
As a matter of fact, Ben Franklin’s father, Josiah, was a soap and candle maker and seller, supporting his family with this business. The family was not particularly well-to-do, but if Josiah Franklin could support 17 children, it couldn’t have been too poor a vocation!
It’s easy to see why Josiah and others like him manufactured both soap and candles, because they were both made from tallow. The tallow they used was beef tallow, but many other animal fats are called tallows, also, such as deer and bison. The most notable exception to that is lard, which is pig fat. Why it’s not called pig tallow, I have no idea, but, I digress. I have never seen or heard any of my candle-making friends speak of tallow candles, so that natural association no longer exists, but it makes me wonder how many of our readers do make both soap and candles.
Do you make both? If so, why? What is the common bond between the two products that makes one a natural lead-in to the other?
We’re looking forward to reading your answers!
Botanicals 101 – coming up in the May/June issue!
Getting Started with Botanicals: – how to use them and which are must-have ingredients for soapmakers and chandlers alike…
Botanicals 101
- Coloring Soaps with Clays!
- Recipes for Using Dried Botanicals in Soaps, Bath Teas, Salts, Bombs, and More
- Instructions for Making Natural Candles Using Essential Oils and Botanicals
- Pressed Flowers and Leaf Wrapped Candle Tutorials
- The Crafters Garden – Garden Plans Designed with Soap Making in Mind!
- Monographs on Yerba Santa and Burdock
- … and MUCH More!
