Shari

Congratulations!!  

They’ve been out of business for some time now for the 3rd time.  There are a couple suppliers that carry their fragrances. 

1 hour ago, Candybee said:

The Bubble Luscious sounds interesting. Will check it out!

 

Just went to their website to read about it. Sounds intriguing! Effervescent notes? Wow! This FO has everything I was hoping for to find for my bubble bath. Will get a sample to try!

I'd be happy to send you some if you like.  Let me check to make sure I have some in stock. I should have it.  It smells like Bubblicious bubble gum smelled when I was a kid.   

My favorite is NG's Bubble Luscious.  It smells so good.  I've made it in sugar scrubs and soap.  It sticks well in soap.  I agree that flavor oil would work in bubble bath too.  I use Element's Bubble Gum in lip balm. 

People just don't care if they are putting out a quality product.   I'm on another forum and there's a gal there that just started making soap in June.  She's already selling and vamping her batches up larger than what I even make and I've been selling for over 9 plus years now.  I did call her out but she never responded.  But there are many many others telling her what to buy and where etc.     I just can't.   They represent other soapmakers and cost them and myself business because they have no idea what their soap may do.   

I see the same type of scenarios for candles.  One just started and asking about labeling already.   

I don't mind helping out newbies, but when they think they are ready to sell after a couple months,  help ends.  

Keystone is the only one I can recall that had it.  It's been out of stock for awhile  

I used arrowroot powder in the past but prefer IPM over other additives.  As stated using drier oils/butters helps as well. 

Maybe some sea salt scrubs?   I've not made nor tried salt scrubs.  I've always been a little concerned about burning in minor scratches/cuts so I've stuck to sugar scrubs.  I'm in the process of re-branding myself and have thought about possibly adding some to my line.  Not positive though. Plus my sugar scrubs sell so well don't know that I want to add competition.  

Uline had bands and seals for regular not wide mouth but that's more than I've been able to find locally.   thank you!

I've make a lot of sugar scrubs and use vanilla containing FO's and not noticed much discoloring, though I know it can happen.   I've used Vanilla Buttercream and Vanilla Champagne from NG and Birthday Cake from somewhere else (escaping me at the moment) they've  stayed pretty light.  I don't make more than what will sell in a 3 month period.  I like them fresh but I have a Vanilla Champagne in my shower that still light and it's old.  Sometimes I'll color them and I've not had the color morph at all. 

I have the Wagner posted above.  Been using it for several years now and still going strong.  I do have a new one just in case.  Got too good of a deal on it not to have an extra. 

there is a huge shortage for canning supplies everywhere.   the only ones I've been able to find are the 4 oz.  Can't find replacement seals or bands.  Fortunately, I've been canning for years so had some back-up supplies.  

Hello and welcome!!!  I'm a soapmaker as well.  Have been making soap for almost 10 years.   

That looks very similar to one I have that I purchased quite a long time ago.  It's still a great cutter though I don't use it often.  Mostly for specialty soaps for special orders.   My ex-husband made my first multi bar cutter out of wood and I got about 3 years out of it before it started warping pretty badly.  I ended up getting a metal one after that.  

You did a great job!!! 

I've been using Optiphen Plus in my scrubs for with no issue.   I've also used Phenonip in the past.  I love sugar scrubs.  They make my skin feel so good.  

I agree with the above.  I have FO's that are 7-8 years old and still smell and work great.   As long as they smell good you should be fine.  Might want to try a small batch just to test.

I make sugar scrubs but never thought to add silk amino acids.  Curious now.  I would think the emulsifier  would keep it together, might need a bit more than usual.  

16 hours ago, Candybee said:

Same here. I do mostly farmer's markets year round and many of the same craft shows each year. Even with great products you still need to build a customer base and that can take several years just to get a good solid base of customers. Repeat customers that look for you each market or each year's craft show. That is why I can get individual sales of $50-$100 for soap alone or candles alone all day long. My products range from $5 to $15 with one or two a little higher priced.

 

My typical sale with repeats starts at $35-$50 and goes up from there depending on how long they are buying for. New customers typically buy one $5 bar of soap. I can see the skepticism in their eyes. But I know once I can get them to buy one thing, even if it is small, they will probably come back for more.

 

My big spenders buy in bulk. I even have customers that buy several hundred dollars in product at one show or market to last them several months or a year. One man buys $200-$300 dollars of SOAP at a time several times a year and that is before his daughter and wife hit my booth (they like to shop around like girlfriends) and hit my booth usually after.

 

I didn't get sales like this when I started out or even after the first year or two. It took me 3-4 years to get that kind of customer base. My knowledge of my products is what sells them for me. Also, when I have repeat customers in my booth, they sell the tar out of my soaps and products when a new customer comes into the booth asking for an opinion on something they want to try. Sometimes all I have to do is stand there and smile and my customer(s) with make the sale for me!!

 

This has been my experience exactly.  I don't do markets any longer but I have 4 yearly shows that I do in tourist towns that I have had a following for the last 9 years.  Hopefully they come back next year since all was cancelled this year.   I'm the only constant at these shows.  Other soapmakers, B&B have come and gone.   

Hello and welcome!!  I remember seeing you over on the Dish though I didn't frequent it there. 

I don't know what a water discount is but if you use a 31-33% lye concentration, I have found that helps with the rivers.   Are you using any TD?  TD seems to enhance the rivers.    I gel all my soaps though but find the rivers are very much eliminated. 

I'm hoping the shipping becomes more reasonable.   I love their Lemon Verbena and Barbershop 1920's as well.   I also get lip balm flavors and tubes/caps from them.  They have great quality products, shipping is just too high in comparison to other suppliers. 

I agree with you 100%.   All my shows have cancelled for the year which I'm grateful for as they will give a refund or roll over to next year.  I was going to withdraw and just eat the loss of the money.   I think it's irresponsible to have hoards of people wandering in and out of booths.  Not worth the risk to me or my family.

Cotton Candy, Bubblegum, Monkey Farts, Blue Raspberry Slushie, watermelon.   My grandkids love fun scents like that.   I make soap and bath bombs for them.  

I really like Huckleberry Harvest.  Mind you I don't make candles but it smells really good in soap and scrubs. 

Are you talking about Scentsational Soap Supply?   I've purchased some from there.  My favorite is OMH.   I've gone there as they aren't too far from my home.    I have Black Cherry Merlot  and Thousand Wishes but haven't put them in anything as yet.   Their Fruit Loops is good in soap.   They have some I would like to try.   Sadly, I can't smell anything these days.  Lost my sniffer.  I'm going to where they are on Friday so may stop in with my friend and see what she thinks of some of them. 

I've heard of and checked out BeScented but never purchased anything from them.