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Conference Diamond Sponsor-Essential Wholesale

Dennis and Kayla Fioravanti of Essential Wholesale have been members of the HSMG since 2001. 
Essential Wholesale’s sponsorship of the 2010 Conference Keynote Speaker is making Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun’s appearance possible and once again they are our Diamond Sponsor Level.  Already the excitement is building with those who have registered for the 2010 Conference.  HSMG’s Membership Drive coincides with our member-only Early Bird rate  which expires on February 28 and our attendance is already up over last year’s!

It will be hard to beat last year’s Renaissance Carnival also hosted by  Essential Wholesale but again on Saturday, May 1, they will present a Gala Event at the Inverness Resort.   This will be an extremely fun evening after a day of learning and networking.

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February Membership Drive

Board Members Cathleen Timberlake and Maria Gelnett

Thinking about joining the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild? Now’s the time!

February is the month of our Annual Membership Drive, during which you can earn DOUBLE golden soap bubbles AND special prizes. Any member who refers 5 or more NEW members will receive a free membership for their next year (a value of $100, insurance not included). Additionally, any person who joins or renews in February will be entered into a drawing for a free membership their next year (a value of $100, insurance not included).

The Annual Membership Drive starts at midnight on February 1st and runs through midnight on February 28th which is also the last date to get the Early-Bird Rate for the 2010 Conference. Don’t miss it!

Tons of benefits! Check them out!

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Vendors! Expiration of the special Early Bird Rate for Vendors is Jan. 31

Don’t Miss this opportunity at the Annual Conference in Denver!  Every year the HSMG has an Annual Conference open to all soapmakers and vendors (members or not). The 2010 Conference will be in Denver, Colorado at the Inverness Hotel and Conference Center on April 30 – May 2, 2010.

Vendor Room Palm Springs

Talking to other soapmakers, vendors and suppliers face-to-face is one of the many benefits of coming to the Conference. No where else do you get such an intense interaction with others who share the same passion and are willing to impart what they know.

break-food-vendors

The in-between time on the agenda held break times that included an opportunity to relax, regroup, talk to friends and meet with vendors. There were breaks and snacks between each of the session slots.

Don’t delay, contact confvendors@soapguild.org to get signed up!

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HSMG Partners with Clean the World!

HSMG Partners with CTW!

Over 9,000 children will die today! With your help, we can reduce these needless deaths dramatically by donating something as simple as our soap. Clinical studies have shown that the simple hygiene practice of washing one’s hands with bar soap can reduce these deaths by up to 60%.

The HSMG invites our membership, as well as non-members, to join in our support of the Clean the World, Inc . Clean the World (CTW) is a non-profit, charitable organization that recycles soap, shampoo, and lotion discarded by hotels and distributes the recycled products worldwide to people who cannot afford these essential items. It is our pleasure to work with CTW and help to prevent disease throughout the world. HSMG and CTW are extremely grateful to you for any amount of a soap donation or monetary donation.

Here is how it all began.   Clean the World Presentation

Together we can make a difference in the lives of people who really need our help. Why not send your soap that didn’t come out so perfectly? You know, the so called “ugly” soaps that are still usable can be donated. Even the old or soap ends are accepted. The soap is rebatched and purified at CTW before being sent overseas. Another way to donate is to couple with others or organize a soap drive.

Just ship your much needed donation to:

Clean The World

Attn. Steve Cooper

4625 Old Winter Garden Rd. #B7

Orlando, Florida 32811

Please enclose a note in your shipment that you are participating in the HSMG Soap Donations Program and let us know when you ship, mgelnett@soapguild.org , so we can recognize you for your generosity.

If you choose to do a monetary donation, just click the donate button on their website, www.cleantheworld.org  , every $1 donation will recycle two hotel rooms for an entire month. That equates to 40 bars of soap and 40 bottles of shampoo that will not hit our landfills and water systems, but instead supply 5 needy families with a life saving necessity for ONE MONTH.

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Member Spotlight – Melissa Flick, Where Organic Meets Sassy!

Since 1998, Melissa Flick, BodyBalms, had been crafting basic melt and pour soap for a few months, selling it to co-workers and experimenting with lotions/balms from recipes found in a magazine. While learning to make cold process soap at a home class, she was nervous and a tad intimated of terms like trace, lye, and saponification, just like many of us were. The first time she saw trace, she was instantly in love. She now calls it the start to her “addiction”. The teacher gave Melissa a bar scented with sandalwood essential oil and that was it, she was hooked. She now realizes that was a defining moment that would change her life forever.

chillpillbars

Soap integrates with Melissa’s work and lifestyle, being an organic vegetarian, buys local and fair trade and lives simply and responsibly. Creating healthy, handcrafted and natural soap just seems like an extension of what she stands for. As an RN, she knows that basic hand washing and hygiene go a long way to stop the spread of illness and disease. She states, “It really seems simple to me, soap, its something we all take for granted, something that can save peoples lives, something that women everywhere can be taught to make with a few supplies, a bit of education, and hope.” Read the rest of this entry »

Happy Holidays from the HSMG!

Christmas Soap by Elaine Koronich, Exquisite Soap


Wishing everyone a peaceful and meaningful Holiday season.

HSMG Video Contest: “Handcrafted Soap, the BEST Soap!”

Here is your opportunity to tell the public about the marvelous benefits of handcrafted soap!

The HSMG is launching our first ever video contest. To participate in the contest, just submit a video that finishes the sentence *”Handcrafted soap is the best soap because ….”*. Winners will be announced at the 2010 Annual Conference in Denver April 30 – May 2 and the videos shown to all the attendees.

  • First Place Winner receives 50% of the registration fee for the
    2010 HSMG Conference in Denver OR coupon worth $200 good toward
    any item(s) in the HSMG Store, including membership.
  • Second Place Winner receives 25% of the registration fee for the
    2010 HSMG Conference in Denver OR coupon worth $100 good toward
    any item(s) in the HSMG Store, including membership.
  • Runner Up receives a coupon worth $75 good toward any item(s) in
    the HSMG Store, including membership.

The contest is open only to members of the HSMG whose membership is current as of the time of the announcement of the winners at the Annual Conference.

Note: Deadline for video submissions is March 1, 2010.

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Member Spotlight – Lisa Tarris – Seascape Soap

Lisa Tarris

Lisa Tarris

Seascape Soap Company was born after a chance visit to a local art and wine festival. It was there HSMG Member, Lisa Tarris purchased her first bar of handmade soap. Since then, she has spent untold hours researching a variety of soapmaking methods and ingredients, all with the goal of creating bath and body products everyone will enjoy.

The best part about creating her own soap, Lisa has found, is knowing what’s in it, and better yet, what’s not in it! One of her highlights in talking to customers is discussing the benefits of handmade soap versus commercially-produced soap.

Lisa Tarris - Seascape soap - Lavender

Lavender Soap

Being an extreme bath and body product junky, Lisa is dedicated to making the best bar of soap possible. It wasn’t enough for her to stop there, however. That’s why she packages all of her Seascape Soap products using recyclable and/or biodegradable materials.

Sea Scape Soap

Seascape Soap for HSMG Ads

Lisa’s husband, Trent, offers an endless supply of encouragement for her thoughts and ideas. Serving as the Company’s photographer and computer whiz, he can even wrap a mean bar of soap when orders need to be fulfilled.

While Lisa works toward her long-term goal of turning her soap- making hobby into a full-time career, she is selling her products through an Etsy shop at www.seascapesoap.etsy.com and will be launching her own online store, www.seascapesoap.com, in the near future.

Thank you Lisa and Trent for the beautiful soap and professional quality photography that will be in the HSMG’s 2010 national magazine advertising benefiting all members.

Important Legislative Update – From the President

Activities in Washington DC are back on the radar. Last week, I went to Washington DC on a fact-finding mission with Donna Maria Coles Johnson of The Indie Beauty Network and Lela Barker of Bella Lucce (IBN Member and cosmetics manufacturer based in South Carolina). We spoke with key people to try to determine current climate regarding cosmetics legislation at the federal level.

First let me say, the HSMG is opposed to cosmetics legislation both at the federal and state levels that does not provide an exemption for small business.

The HSMG supports any efforts to maintain and improve consumer product safety, but is definitely opposed to unneeded legislation that will burden our small business industry sector.

Over two days, we met and spent hours talking with The Personal Care Products Council, the FDA and staffers for four members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The discussions were lengthy and detailed and there was an excellent exchange of information.

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Happy Thanksgiving from the HSMG!

Soapy Love - Gothic Pumpking Soap

Soapy Love - Gothic Pumpking Soap

The HSMG would like to wish everyone a very Happy and enjoyable Thanksgiving!

Safe travels to all!

Soap Queen - Thanksgiving Soap

Soap Queen - Thanksgiving Soap