KristinesShower

Give yourself TWO WEEKS OF CHECKING THEM OUT before you make a decision to booth up in a craft mall. You will be very happy you did when you don't sell one thing between the months of Jan - April *lol* Supposedly, the one that by me (Peru, IL) is the "largest craft mall in America" - that is what the sign says. Someone come and prove me wrong - I've never really looked into it before to see if it was the largest. (really didn't care)

It's only September - don't they usually come out in October? I personally don't like to see any Christmas until November lol

http://www.rpicardphotography.com/ I know she works with alot of small business owners and her pictures are amazing.

No, they've never said anything and I've had my label TM for about 2 years now. Maybe because the company doesn't have one? Who knows, but when I got my labels done I had to do that (that was when I had the stupid partner and she thought we had to do all this crap we didn't have to do) Don't get me wrong, I am thankful that we did it - but we could've done without it.

I've been to shows (indoor, mind you) that ladies from other booths were actually SPRAYING perfumes on their tables and curtains surrounding their booths. Maybe that is what they mean - or possibly they don't want perfume people going around spritizing people or something.

Maybe treat them like M&P - cut em and wrap em right away? My salt bars have sweat since the day I made them in May, so I decided against putting them in my line. I just use them now instead lol

Honestly? I would stay with one color - no prints - they can tend to take all the focus away from your products. My MIL hem taped us a 8 foot one in blue. *3 cheers for hemtape!*

Not really - I emailed them when they first started and explained that I was basing my whole line (as well as a bajillion labels) on that design. They were very nice and told me that even if they got rid of them, they would special order them for me But the colored bags are pretty expensive too - Yeah, I hear ya about the thank you bag...I really don't want to go with it either lol What do you guys think about this bag: It isn't like the cheapy bags, it is actually a heavier duty bag and only 3¢ each!

Cutting costs here and there. After the bag thread, I thought maybe we need a thread like this too. I've thought about the bag issue and I am still undecided, but was wondering what else we as business owners can do to cut costs. I will start - bags for the store, craft shows, etc (buying cheaper ones) I already buy in bulk, so that is already done :undecided Not willing to buy cheaper ingredients - so that is out... Looking for closer suppliers to save on shipping or using suppliers that can use my account for shipping... Um...what else is there? Let's get a good discussion going - I've cleaned out all of my storage, sold it all off and my house is clean already. My feet are the size of Bozo's and I wanna talk about saving money

Yeah I know! I am really trying to cut here and there and it just seemed so obvious to start on shopping bags since I am paying so much for them right now... I really want a raise though lol Is that so bad of me?

Oh I hear ya!!! I'm sure your stuff will be 210% better than Lush's anyway. I can't see for the life of me why anyone wants to buy from there anyway ?? Maybe I am a snob, but the last R&D I did was like $100.00 and I gave it all away because it stunk and looked so bad lol

I'm sorry I am not sure what you should do. I just wanted you to know what I used - it is really up to you and your fragrance. I am pretty strict myself because I have recipes I must adhere to as per my insurance.

I am terrible with %'s - but I always try to stay within the 1-3% fragrance guideline for all of my products. I'm not sure what your % would be for 9 bathbombs at 3.5oz each (bad at math here lol)

I would never use a microwave to warm up anything - you should always gradually bring things like that to temp. You may kill off the preservative (just like rebecca & suds said)

I use 1½ TBL per 20 bathbombs - How many did you get in this batch?

Have you checked the shelf life on yours yet? I had gotten some when it first came out and it molded on me in less than a month - it was sooo gross lol

For labels, we use the vistaprint mailing labels and cut them down to size. When they are running a free special, I end up paying 2¢ per label and they never smear or come off the container. (just make sure you know the measurements and you don't overshoot the graphics and wording - ask me how I know this lol)

Well the ones we are using now are: (31¢ each) AND (7¢ per bag) It all depends on how much they spend really or if it is a gift, etc. I am thinking of just doing a plain old white bag with "thank you" on it: (2¢ per bag!) Anyone have any good sources for 5¢ and under bags that are nice? lol

Woohoo!! Ok, so it's been 2 hours, but I got it - I got it! (*beware - genius at work here lol*) Thanks everyone!!

I have been really battling this lately. Although I love the way my bags look - especially when I get compliments on the bag itself, but the price (the price!), it's always the price isn't it? Long story short, I am really trying to cut costs here and there because of the new baby. I would like to give myself a raise I am trying to think of new ways to cut costs, but not anything having to do with product itself. That is one place I never compromise - NEVER. So...on we go with the bag debate. I would like to see what we all think about bags :undecided

Ok, so as an example: <a href="http://www.lindsaysdesigns.html">Lindsay's Designs</a> Is this right? Do I just then substitute each website for each link? Sorry to be so daft - this is really like Chinese to me.

Ok, now the links aren't going anywhere lol They say they are going to the website, but give me the "page cannot be displayed" message. See, this is why I am not a web person - gimme cut and paste any day lol

Oh, ok - I will try that. Sorry I am very html challenged and take everything at face value lol

Ok, I just did it,but it won't go to the www. whatever .com link - it just keeps dead ending to my site for some reason.

Thank you very much Tweek.