rachelb5499

Awwww, Eccolights, don't run away!

I don't blame you! We actually sell roll-on perfume in 1/3 oz. roller bottles, but we don't use a "wrap" around label so I couldn't help you there. My NEXT "test" if I were you would be to "create a label" on your computer to the size you think it would be....like let's say 2.1" x 2.1" OR 2.1"L x 1.9" high....print it out, cut it to size, wrap it around and see what you've got. Are you printing your own labels or are you ordering them printed? (You may have to "cut your own label" if you're printing them yourself which means you'd kind of have to go through some of this "trial and error" regardless......make sense?

LOL I really don't know. I'm TERRIBLE at names! But how about "Shiver Me Timbers!" and have it be some kind of woodsy scent? LOL

I'd have to agree with, Pam W! LOL Almost Every time I use a lotion with a different FO I love it because it's different. That aside, if we're also talking about sales.....Love's Spell still does really well for me. Currently, I'M using Cucumber Melon. And I've also gotten a lot of requests for Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey.....and Pink Sugar. (Yellow Rose and Vanilla also always do pretty well for me.)

Thanks, adamsboro. I'll definitely keep you in mind as I keep kicking this around! Checking out your Etsy site now too.

DITTO! We must be paddling in the same boat and not noticing each other! LOL (though I'm bath and body and looks like you're candles.) I'm a retail manager and have asked reps that sell TO me for the other business, but they already have bath and body lines or are "employees" of a company so can't sell on the side, etc. Such a bummer! That's why I revived this thread. LOL

THANKS! That IS a good idea! Thanks, Deb. That's very helpful. I'm certainly not money hungry. LOL I wouldn't be in the bath and body business if I was...let alone working full-time on top of it. heh heh I second the other person's question though.....do you have a site for your FO's? My biggest issues would seem to be (to me) generating leads/business (as you said) and then getting them to switch over. Sounds funny, (maybe) but I'd love to have bought someone's FO business...really see the inner workings. I like making money. There's no doubt, but I also like SAVING money and love helping OTHERS save money so that would be part of my interest in doing something like this. I did hear back from a few manufacturer's this morning since last night......some "removed" themselves from the mix when I gave them my parameters. Others are "still in it," but definitely want me to do a lot more work, tell them what scents I'm interested in, etc. so I'll probably pursue that more and keep reading this thread for other people's thoughts, advice, etc. Any more things you think of would be greatly received, Deb! [AND EVERYONE ELSE!] 8)

That makes total sense, Carole. That's kind of what part of my concern is as well. I just re-wrote most of the FO manufacturer's I'd written a couple of months ago again and outlined more of what I was thinking....I'm sure they'll "weed themselves out" for me before I get too much further along. It may be biting off more than I can chew, and I know it. LOL So debating, debating. Your experience and input is MUCH appreciated!

Thanks, Bliss! Yeah, asking "competition" might be tough. hee hee But I get what you're saying. Part of why I'd like to do it is to offer good pricing like SOME of the FO suppliers I've seen AND to be a CA supplier. . .because honestly, when I've done searches for ALL kinds of ingredients for bath and body in CA, they are outrageously expensive, non-existent or the websites are difficult to navigate....or all of the above! I'd LOVE to offer flat rate USPS shipping whenever possible and UPS when not (flash points, size of order, etc.). I wouldn't want to go toooo big, but could contact SFIC and see what their rules are (as far as how far apart each reseller needs to be geographically, etc.) for resellers. I'd certainly like to get as much advice, and comments as possible especially from those who have done it, do it, etc. Thanks for your advice about talking to Lorrie. I hope more will comment!

Thanks, Carol. I actually contacted some manufacturer's months ago then got distracted. LOL I'm not a chandler so I'd definitely want some customer testers. NG has a "reviews" section (like Bert's) in addition to suggested uses, etc., I'd like to do something like that. I have the money but definitely "scary" to just "jump in" so wanting as much feedback, ideas, etc. as possible.

Hey there, Please move this if it's in the wrong area. I really wasn't sure where to post. Lately, I've been considering going into the fragrance selling side of business, but I really don't know much so it would just be "dumb" for me to just start buying scents and re-selling them. LOL So this post is just a starting point to help my crazy mind. Have you ever been a reseller of Fragrances? Do you have any contacts/information you'd like to share about contacting manufacturer's? I've noticed some resellers just seem to say all of their fragrances are body safe but don't really seem to know which is scary. . .Is this just ignorance or do you think manufacturer's just tell resellers that? Meaning, do you think you could easily find out what is skin safe, etc. from manufacturer's before listing fragrances for sale and be sure they were safe or? One thing I know for sure, I wouldn't want to be "huge" like some of the companies, but I like the "size" Bert's seems to be (though I know she's having a lot of difficulties here lately) and a few others her size. All of you as "customers" what would get you to start buying from a new vendor? Any advice/questions/thoughts, etc. are welcome. Like I said, I may just be totally dreaming, (LOL) but I LIKE discussions!

I don't know how to go about finding reps. Sounds like some of you have done really well in that regard. Any advice on THAT?

I know what you mean, jeniryan. I've heard people say that before about the site, but this time around, I was much more impressed by the quickness and accuracy of the email response I'd gotten in comparison to other times I've written, but I KNOW what you mean. I live in CA so can't go to their storefront, but still "chance it" and just order from their site. LOL

I don't do candles, but I know what everyone is talking about when they say people don't read the size description and how the pictures can unintentionally be misleading. I don't know where you list (other than what you guys are saying about "the knot"), but a suggestion......when you take photos, why not take more than one.....one up close so they can see detail and one further away to give more perspective? (I have a program where you can "type" words onto the photo....maybe type a word description ON the photo itself....like "up close shot to depict detail" or something like that? And another that says..."photo to depict size." Or something like that....ya know? And/or if it were me, and it was a "big order," I'd probably be sending them a sample of what they get before pouring/proceeding just so everyone is "sure" about expectations, etc. But I don't know all of what goes into pouring just "one sample." either. Anyway, just my uninformed thoughts/suggestions.

My pleasure. It's always nice to have good, recommended sources for things even if it's just "down the road" for later possible use. I'm still in the process of testing SFIC bases......got some reviews back from a tester.....totally funny. I had one tester test TWO bases side by side. She liked the exact opposite of me. Big surprise...nothing like getting conflicting reviews. LOL Still waiting on more testers' feedback though so we'll see. I'm considering "combining" those two bases for a whole new "animal" anyway. LOL

I agree. THAT's annoying. I wrote the other day, and they said they are working on a new site. I don't know what all of the changes will or won't be, but it would be AWESOME if they had scent descriptions and a few other things. But I've been happy with a ton of their oils.

I forgot to ask...how much of a scent do you need for a test? (I have some sample bottles I could part with.) PM me if you want to know more. Not your best option, I know, but might be worth it for you.

Your soaps looks really nice, Candybee. Not that I'm surprised! Ange, so we can be "new testers" together. LOL So far, I like SFIC bases...but still not at a firm decision yet. I really want to start messing with additives, but not until I know how a soap affects my skin after several days/to a week of use. I already have goat's milk, Shea butter, etc. for my CP soaps so not like I have to order them to play with them which is nice. I have cigar bands for my cp soap....just a hint for both of you (though I must confess that I don't remember the cardstock weight), I designed mine and then had them printed and cut from moxicopy.com. I've been very pleased and not having to cut them all is GREAT. They usually never take longer than a week to get to me and the pricing as far as I could tell from research is practically unbeatable!

I don't know. LOL But I would measure it. Easiest way to measure is with a fabric measuring tape (because it's flexible...to wrap around your head, body, etc. for measurements.)

Candybee, it's so nice that you do so well at the markets and shows!

I don't make candles so I can't respond in regards to wax, etc., but their scents have held up quite well in CP soap for me. They're prices are pretty good, and they DO sell 1 oz. samples. I have approximately 12-15 of their scents I think. Wish I could be more help about the soy. Sorry.

To be honest, I can't recall what a real plumeria flower smells like. I agree with you though that BCN's is NOT the "true" thing. I just know it does really well for me. LOL BUT I also liked AAA Candle Supply's different plumeria scents and since I just admitted I don't remember exactly recall what a true plumeria flower smells like this is going to sound dumb, but I thought it smelled more "natural" and true. Do with that what you will. I know I'm not being toooooo helpful. lol

Thanks! I know a ton of us would love to SKIP the wrapping step, let alone add MORE "packaging" work to the mix, but your idea sounds QUITE nice. I can see why you've sold more since you changed your packaging. That's a GREAT idea! What size soaps have you done this with?

Candybee, you are SO awesome for taking the time and being SO THOROUGH! Thank you! Any M&P base will sweat in the heat or humidity because it contains glycerin. The base from which it is made so its prone to sweat and that just means the glycerin is doing what its supposed to do-- retain moisture. You can buy low sweat bases to combat sweating or just make sure you keep your base in a cool, dry, place. I know what you mean. Sadly, my area/My HOUSE is humid...even if I put things in a closet with a dehumidifier....still humid, just LESS. So for me, the low sweat seems the best option. I'm currently testing SFIC bases & just did an update on another thread about my experiences so far. Oddly, the gm base didn't sweat at all & was stored in the exact same spot, under the same conditions as all of the others so I'm even more curious to see if adding additives or bases (with "additives" already in them...changes the sweating factor too. Their oatmeal base did not sweat as well. In some ways, that doesn't seem to make sense to me, but in others, it does because there would be less glycerin per oz due to there being more of something else like shea butter, goat's milk, etc. in those particular bases.) I don't think this has anything to do with the base. Overwashing your hands is going to dry out your skin. As far as which soap is more drying, CP or M&P, I have used lots of each and it depends on the finished product. I make very moisturizing M&P and my customers tell me they switched from CP soap to mine because of it. I have used CP that dried my skin and others that were super moisturizing. Same with M&P. Its the quality of the finished soap that determines how drying it may or may not be. Good point. MY CP is not drying at all, but that doesn't mean all others aren't. I tend to forget things like that and take mine for granted. My goal is to make a great MP soap so I DO believe it can be done just like CP, but wanted to hear from people like you who have more experience with MP. SOME MPers just seem to care about the novelty/creative things you can do with it and not so much how it affects your skin, etc. Which is totally fine. I just really want to make sure mine is a good quality soap that provides good later, moisture, etc. I used to make 1oz size guest soaps and packaged them in Southern Soapers guest size soap boxes. They were adorable and I sold a lot of these to local B&Bs. But I mainly make bath size bars of 4 oz now and package them in cigar labels then shrink wrap around the labels leaving the ends naked so customers can smell the soap. I use a heat gun for the shrink wrap. Occasionally I make different sized 4-5 oz soaps and package in standard soap boxes to sell but the cigar labeled soaps far outsell the boxed soaps about 10-1 anyday. Why fix what works so I continue to use cigar labels and shrink wrap. I also wholesale these as the packaging is perfect for what shops use these days to sell handmade soaps. No kidding! Thanks for the #s! I'm not surprised, but "10-1" is a pretty good answer to what works for you as far as packaging! I'd think it would be fun to sell to B&B's. I'm really more interested, personally, in wholesaling more than retail/markets, etc. See above. I stick with what is selling for me. Occasionally, for the holidays I make soap gift packs or baskets with candles and soap then docorate for the holidays. Gift packs can be fancy boxes with ribbons, raffia, or twine. I like boxes with see thru tops or crates with beds of excelsior in natural, green, etc that soaps lay on. If its topless like a crate then I shrink wrap and tie on some ribbon or raffia. For baskets I like to wrap in shrink wrap or use the loose basket wrap tied up with ribbons, or bows, or raffia, or holiday trim, etc as a finishing touch. Holiday time you can find all kinds of trinkets to attach to your gift box or basket that are fun. I just explore the local craft stores for ideas. 5.) Is there anything you learned with packaging that You just HATED Cello bags. Mostly because the bag itself can get condensation on the inside which looks bad. I have also had them look banged up after doing just one or two shows or the bag tops that I have with the twisty ties get pressed down and start looking ratty real fast from packing and unpacking as shows. So now I only do a few holiday soaps in cello bags and those are very limited. I've done bags with twist ties for CP and know what you mean. For me, the worst part of them in a retail store is people would undo them all the time to smell the soap AND the twist tie in shipping, etc. would push INTO the soap and dent it, etc. Looked terrible! Condensation with MP would REALLY be a drag! I sell at a ton of markets and craft shows every weekend starting in May and ending in late December. Because I continuously pack and repack plus have customers handle soaps I found that packing them in those plastic 5 quart containers is the way to go. I pack the containers in a large plastic tub to transport from show to show. The tops of the containers just pop off and on so set up and repacking is now a snap. I line the containers with fresh wax paper since its cheap and makes the product appear freshly made and packaged each show. During the holidays I use rewashable fabric holiday placemats to 'dress up' my containers. The wax paper/placemats sounds like a great idea! Handmade soap is pretty much an easy sell. What I have learned is people want to see and smell the soap so finding a way to do that is very important for higher sales. A soap in a soap box won't sell. You must display a 'sample' of that soap so customers know what it is, can touch it and smell it because that is what sells the soap every time. Even with that I still far outsell my half naked cigar labelled wrapped soaps to the boxed ones by a landslide. So the majority of soap I sell is not boxed. I can see that. I (& some of my friends) like soap that hasn't been handled by other people a gazillion times, BUT I've observed....most people don't even think about germs, etc. when they pick up that repeatedly touched bar to smell it, etc. Also, in my experience with CP, I went to the cigar band and my sales literally tripled almost overnight. I, however, "sealed" the soaps once they had the cigar band on them so they wouldn't get dusty, smudged, etc. and just put out one unsealed soap out of each type. What the retail store found was....they had to CONSTANTLY take the "sample" bar back over to the display for the customer and swap it out for a sealed bar so now I'm trying out leaving them all "unsealed." Too much work for the employees at the retail store. Never tried muslin or burlap or any materials like that. Mostly because I have a product that sells well and if I switched to a muslin type material it would not be cost effective for me. I would have to sell it as a premium product to make up for the extra cost of the packaging material and don't see my customers wanting to pay the extra for a bar of soap. That makes sense. Some people say the bag increases sales and helps stand up to packing and unpacking, and customers constantly picking it up, etc. (with cp at least) But I a as a customer would want to see the colors, the uniqueness of each soap, and personally, always want to pay for product, not for fancy packaging. Don't see the point of making a 1/2 oz soap. You need at least 1-2 oz for a guest size soap plus you have to consider the smaller a soap the harder its gonna be to get a good lather. Think of when your bath soap dwindles down and after a while you throw it away or buy a new one. A small soap is the same unless you are just making for yourself. I wouldn't bother to make one so small at least not for selling. Maybe as a test sample but personally not. Makes sense. I'm currently making 1/2 oz SFIC soaps as testers. I've gotten a ton of requests for that size too. I sell a lot of 1/2 oz cp soaps...but my cp soaps are bars, where my MP are fun shapes so harder to wrap, etc. Might not be hard to do with shrink wrap (which I haven't tried yet), but since I don't have experience with shrink wrap, I can only "judge" it by how many I've seen where it makes the product look "cheap," kind of "dollar tree" style...and that's just "no good!" I'll have to keep playing with that idea and figure something out. I DO have a heat gun for shrink wrapping lip balms so I'd just need some larger shrink wrap to test. I'm hoping more people will pop on and give their thoughts, experience, advice, etc. on here too. I think it would help a lot of people who are interested in or already work with MP.

Well, I'm still testing different varieties and still going to test different combinations of those bases together. BUT so far..... #1 every base I've tried from SFIC so far has melted like a DREAM and pours very well as well. NONE of them have been brittle and dry when cutting them into chunks to melt down so THAT has been very nice. I tried the low sweat white first, and I liked it. Obviously, no sweating, good lather (have to work it a bit at first....like any "commercial soap" in the shower, but then it was great!) It actually was so good.....I wondered why anyone would buy anything else........other than maybe low sweat clear. LOL BUT a day or two later, my knuckles started to "burn" at little bit...kind of like when you're lips get a little dried out but aren't seriously "chapped" yet.....BUT I'd had a little bath salt accident that day so now I don't know if it was the salt or the soap! SO.....I made another small bar of low sweat white to "test" out for several days again. I get humidity and have seen the "crystal fuzz," but since there wasn't even a speck of that on the low sweat, I tried some of the goat's milk base. Again, great melt and great lather....in fact, a little creamier lather....both seemed at least a little drying in comparison to CP that I make...but not bad! THAT day, I had NO sweating with the goat's milk and still haven't. So I thought, maybe this low sweat thing is a "joke." I'm going to try out the plain white. Well, I haven't USED the plain white yet, but overnight, it developed the crystal fuzz! So....for me, that one is out! Because the goat's milk didn't sweat, lathered well, etc., I was surprised by how much the plain white sweat so I was curious if additives made it actually sweat less.....so I next tried the Oatmeal base. Lo and behold....NO sweat, but I really haven't USED it yet either to comment on lather or how it feels. I WILL say that it has a LOT of oats in it so certainly couldn't be used in "every bar of soap you make" unless you really embraced all those oats as a coloring challenge! It turned my orange colored soap into this grainy, mottled looking "mess," but scented well, poured well (I got even disbursement of oats) and will test out how it feels soon in regards to moisture and lather. I moved on to "Extra Lather" base which is typically known as "shaving base" because I figure....low sweat clear probably behaves the same as low sweat white because the only difference is probably the titanium dioxide to add the whiteness to it. Anyway, I wanted to see just HOW MUCH extra lather it provides...plus, it's a "clear" base so wanted to see if it stayed clear with added FO and whether or not it sweats or not. I have NOT had a chance to use this one either. . .BUT it stayed VERY clear so can't see why one couldn't use it OR the low sweat clear....or one for the other. I'm interested in the lather though because even though they all had good lather that I DID try, I'd like to add some shea to the low sweat and/or mix bases to get an even more moisturizing bar and I know that might kill lather and have read that others just even "add a sliver" of "shaving base" to help with lather....but I haven't gotten that far. I ALSO bought an 8oz bottle of their Natural Liquid Soap to test out. I put approximately an oz of that in a foamer bottle with 7.5 oz. to try it out...so many soaps....so little left of my hands! So I'll have to reply with more test results on that later as well. But there's at least an update for you. So far....I'm thrilled with SFIC bases though!