Handcrafted Soap Makers GuildUncategorized » Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild http://www.soapguild.org/blog Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:05:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 Get to Know Our Vendors – Willow Way/SoapEquipment.com http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/04/get-to-know-our-vendors-willow-waysoapequipment-com/ http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/04/get-to-know-our-vendors-willow-waysoapequipment-com/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:12:14 +0000 HSMG Pgms and Svcs http://www.soapguild.org/blog/?p=3112 You may be surprised to learn that Ron and Debi began the same way as many of us—in their kitchen. They happened upon Sandy Maine’s, The Soap Book, and, interested in a natural, healthy lifestyle, they decided that making their own soap was another way of practicing not only better living for themselves, but something better for the environment.

They began selling their soap and soon found themselves outgrowing their kitchen and moving to the barn. Ron and Debi knew that they needed to find easier, more efficient ways to manufacture their soap, so they developed quicker and more productive methods. Of course, this led to their inventing a soap cutter and a mold that allowed them to offer the best quality soap using the most effective ways.

Ron and Debi developed their Air Cutter in 1996, and once they cut their first batch with it, they knew they had something that other soapmakers would love to use, and thus began their expansion into equipment for soapmakers.

If you peruse their website(www.soapequipment.com), you will find everything you need to make soap, from beginner kits to professional equipment that make it possible to manufacture many thousands of bars each month. Moreover, they have, over time, expanded into equipment for many other body products.

Their love and pride in both their business and the industry shows by their constant dedication to quality and to the individual soapmaker. In fact, they played a part in starting the HSMG and are vendor members of the Guild. What’s more, they also support every soap gathering they find.

Ron says, “. . . we would not be who we are today, without the help of people who work in the company. We have an amazing team, scattered in several towns, states and of varied talents and interests. We are truly a modern company, using all the latest technologies, but with time-honored values.”

Keep up the good work, Soap Equipment!

]]> http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/04/get-to-know-our-vendors-willow-waysoapequipment-com/feed/ 0 Spring Shows And Markets Are Around The Corner! http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/02/spring-shows-and-markets-are-around-the-corner/ http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/02/spring-shows-and-markets-are-around-the-corner/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:08:14 +0000 HSMG Pgms and Svcs http://www.soapguild.org/blog/?p=3099 I do not know how it has been weather wise in your location but here in Clyde we have not experienced our usual amount of snow and winter weather.   But then again March might yet go out “like a lion”.   Speaking of March and all things Spring you might be beginning to plot your strategies for your upcoming Spring market season.   Where to go this year?

One of our recently unveiled  member benefits  might be just what you are looking for.  You can find information on our webpage about  Craftmaster News and Art & Craft show yellow pages at:  http://www.soapguild.org/member/benefits/craftmaster.php

Sr. Cathleen Timberlake

HSMG Vice President

Programs &  Services Chair

]]> http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/02/spring-shows-and-markets-are-around-the-corner/feed/ 0 Indiana HSMG Members in the News! http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/01/indiana-hsmg-members-in-the-news/ http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/01/indiana-hsmg-members-in-the-news/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:28:34 +0000 HSMG Pgms and Svcs http://www.soapguild.org/blog/?p=3093 Indiana Award-Winning Member in the News!
All Good Things Soaps and Such of Madison, Indiana was recently awarded, “Main Street’s Business of the Year!”  It’s part of a downtown revitalization project sponsored by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs of the state of Indiana.

Sonia and Larry Folkner have owned their handcrafted soap and body products business for ten years, two years in their present location, and feature natural and botanical goods, even bio-degradable packaging.  Their business attracts locals and tourists, alike.
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If you’ve been featured by your local press, we want to brag about you!  Please contact BethB@soapguild.org.
]]> http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/01/indiana-hsmg-members-in-the-news/feed/ 0 HSMG Members At Orlando ACRE Wholesale Show! http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/01/hsmg-members-at-orlando-acre-wholesale-show/ http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/01/hsmg-members-at-orlando-acre-wholesale-show/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:08:30 +0000 HSMG Pgms and Svcs http://www.soapguild.org/blog/?p=3060 HSMG Members Susan Moore, Lynn Elko and Teresa Gregory have been busy preparing to represent the HSMG and their respective businesses at the Orlando ACRE Wholesalecrafts show.   Judging from their photo their efforts paid off in displays that look both beautiful and inviting.  It is a challenge to setup three businesses in one booth!

l to r: Susan Moore, Teresa Gregory and Lynn Elko

We hope that they write lots of orders and that the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild will be more widely known.    A big thank you goes out to Wholesalecrafts.com for their gifting our members with this booth.

Julie Koenig of Kraftwerks participated last year in ACRE Orlando and decided to take advantage of the “Emerging Artist” package discount  and is again a vendor at ACRE Orlando with her own booth!   The show runs through Monday.

Kraftwerks Booth at ACRE Orlando

Lynn Elko demonstrating products

]]> http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2012/01/hsmg-members-at-orlando-acre-wholesale-show/feed/ 3 Announcing a fantastic new benefit… http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/12/member-benefit-coming-your-way/ http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/12/member-benefit-coming-your-way/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:01:52 +0000 HSMG Pgms and Svcs http://www.soapguild.org/blog/?p=3049 I know you are busier than busy as the Christmas holidays draw ever closer.   We here at the HSMG hope that it has been a good season for you and that word of the wonderful products you make continues to spread allowing your business to grow and prosper.   Success also builds of course upon solid business skills and insightful planning.   We believe that we have come upon a fabulous benefit that will help you to grow your Soapmaking business and so have partnered with Renaissance Online Business Planning Class.

The folks at Renaissance are also nonprofit and so they too share a passion in increasing the entrepreneurial capacities of you the members of the HSMG.   They even have scholarship opportunities available.   Dream big!  Consider honing your business skills  through the coming months with one on one classes and consultation with Renaissance.

]]> http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/12/member-benefit-coming-your-way/feed/ 0 HSMG Members To Again Exhibit At The Orlando Gift Show! http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/11/hsmg-members-to-gain-exhibit-at-the-orlando-gift-show/ http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/11/hsmg-members-to-gain-exhibit-at-the-orlando-gift-show/#comments Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:38:15 +0000 HSMG Pgms and Svcs http://www.soapguild.org/blog/?p=2966 As you may know, the HSMG was again offered a booth at both the Orlando and Las Vegas Gift Shows in 2012 run by Wholesale Crafts and the American Craft Retailers Expo.   We are pleased to announce the names of our HSMG  members who will be representing the Guild at the upcoming Gift Show in Orlando,  Florida January 21-23, 2012:

  • Alison Cripps (www.terradolcespa.com) of Ft. Meyers, FL
  • Susan Moore (www.beachorganicsskincare.com) of Cocoa, FL
  • Lynn Elko (www.emmasfriends.com) of Tamaqua, PA
  • and alternate:  Teresa Gregory  (www.dailyblessingsfarm.com) from Hernando, MS

    Deb, Candy and Julie at the 2011 Orlando Show

This is a wonderful opportunity for the selected members to exhibit products in a major gift show without taking on the booth fee themselves.   Thank you ACRE!

The HSMG will be ably represented in Orlando and also in Las Vegas by:

  • Barb LeLosSantos (www.barbshomemadesoaps.com) from Adrian, MI
  • Tami Thornton (www.beehivesoaps.com) from South Jordan, UT
  • Sharon Czekala (www.michigansoap.com) of Canton, MI
  • Alternate:  Julie Weghorn (www.trustjust.com) of Menomonie, WI

This years participants wrote a fair amount of orders during the course of the Show and additionally as reported by Julie:  ”We are so thankful to the Guild for this opportunity.  Three strangers are now friends and have been sharing many business ideas, experiences, etc.  We have realized we have much more than just soap in common.”

Sr. Cathleen, HSMG Vice President

]]> http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/11/hsmg-members-to-gain-exhibit-at-the-orlando-gift-show/feed/ 1 HSMG Soapmaker Membership Has It’s Benefits! http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/11/hsmg-soapmaker-membership-has-its-benefits/ http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/11/hsmg-soapmaker-membership-has-its-benefits/#comments Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:35:36 +0000 DonnaPixtonHacker http://www.soapguild.org/blog/?p=2945

Membership in the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild definitely has its benefits! Some of our newest benefits are some of the BEST we offer! How many of you use some kind of software to help you in your soapmaking business? How many use a pre-made software that was made for Cooks (like CookMaster) or an accounting software like PeachTree or QuickBooks for accounting, that also track inventory or just an Excel Spreadsheet you created on your own or perhaps borrowed from someone else to help you keep track of your recipes, raw materials, and inventory?

How many of you are using the “customized” SoapMaker software that was actually created FOR Soapmakers? I, for one, do! I have been using the SoapMaker Software for several years.

NOW HSMG Members can get this incredible software at a DISCOUNT! Login to the HSMG Member Area on our website to take advantage of this special exclusive member pricing .

http://www.soapguild.org

It is available to you through Soapequipment at: http://www.soapequipment.com. If you have a computer that you use for your business, this software is fantastic and should help you

  • keep excellent records of all your vendors
  • the purchase price of your raw materials
  • your inventory for re-ordering
  • customer information
  • and even the physical properties of your soap bars for each recipe you create within the software.
  • It also will track your cost per item and profit margins!

This software is incredible! However it will require a fair amount of your time as you key in the   various bits of information that makes your business what it is:

  • Vendor Names and Addresses
  • Customer Names and Addresses – perhaps even a note about their favorite products or scents so you make sure to notify them when you are having a special on those products.
  • Once you get all your raw materials into the system including your labels and costs, you can create your recipes and the system will tell you exactly how much it cost you to make the entire batch as well as the cost “per unit” so you can better price your soaps.

Another HUGE benefit of this system is that it not only tracks inventory and recipes for soapmaking, but several other products as well, and you can also use it to make Liquid Soap and Cream Soap recipes with their Pop-Up Lye Calculator. With the economy the way it has been the last several years, many of us have had to increase our product offering to more than just soap. You can also add ingredients, bottle/container costs for other products like Lip Balm, Lotion, Bath Fizzies, Sugar Scrubs, and more!

The SoapMaker Software can convert to Metric Units, you can print reports like Purchase History, Shopping List for replenishing supplies, Production, Taxes, Sales History, and you can even get a list of all the recipes you have that use a particular ingredient (in case you get a custom order from someone who wants every product you make that has Olive Oil).

There is also something called a “Benchmark” recipe in the system for a “perfect” bar, or a soap bar that has a perfect balance of properties; Hardness, Fluffy Lather, Stable Lather, and Moisturizing are the qualities that you can use as a benchmark for all of the recipes you add into the system. I LOVE this feature!! You can create your own recipes for soap bars and then check the final soap bar properties against the benchmark recipe to determine if you want to make any changes to the ingredients in your recipe before you even make a batch. This way you can better determine the final outcome of your batches before you even use one drop of your raw materials. Batches can easily be re-sized with little thought or effort and the calculations will be correct, the SAP Values of many base oils, and so much more!

For those of you who already use this incredible software, you know how amazing it is. If you haven’t upgraded to their newest software, I highly recommend it, there are many more additions to the functionality of this software that will help you be more efficient in your business. For those of you who have not yet used this software or really have heard much about it, here is a link to their SoapMaker 3 Guided Tour to help you see all the incredible things it can do for you  http://www.soapmaker.ca/TourFiles/Tour.htm

]]> http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/11/hsmg-soapmaker-membership-has-its-benefits/feed/ 2 HSMG Advocacy Position Statement http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/07/hsmg-advocacy-position-statement/ http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/07/hsmg-advocacy-position-statement/#comments Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:40:57 +0000 HSMG Conference http://www.soapguild.org/blog/?p=2841
The HSMG has issued the following Advocacy Position Statement, approved by the Board of Directors on July 14, 2011.

The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild (HSMG) is a non-profit trade association for soapmakers, small businesses hand making soaps and the handmade soap making industry as a whole. Depending on the formulation and/or claims, handmade soaps can be regulated by the FDA or CPSC.  The following principles outline the HSMG policy positions:
  1. Supports small businesses manufacturing safe soap and safe cosmetics.
  2. Supports current cosmetic regulations for the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as a means of providing consumers with safe cosmetics.
  3. Supports the current soap exemption as defined in the current cosmetic regulations for the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
  4. Supports all manufacturers having affordable and sufficient product & liability insurance.
  5. Supports small business manufacturers having access to up to date information and education.
  6. Supports positive advocacy strategies and communication as a means to affect change.
  7. Opposes new regulations which would be overly burdensome or costly to small business while not significantly increasing consumer safety.
]]> http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/07/hsmg-advocacy-position-statement/feed/ 2 H.R 2359 The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 is Introduced http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/06/h-r-2359-the-safe-cosmetics-act-of-2011-is-introduced/ http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/06/h-r-2359-the-safe-cosmetics-act-of-2011-is-introduced/#comments Fri, 24 Jun 2011 21:37:08 +0000 HSMG Conference http://www.soapguild.org/blog/?p=2821

Today, Reps. Schakowsky, Markey and Baldwin introduced The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011, H.R. 2359.

Here is the press release issued by Rep. Schakowsky’s office:  PRESS RELEASE

The full text of the bill should be available Monday or Tuesday online.  You can look for it here by searching the bill number, H.R. 2359.

We have a very open line of communication with the staff of Rep. Schakowsky, Markey and Baldwin’s offices and have been very encouraged by all of the positive changes made for small business between the 2010 and 2011 versions of this bill.  Please check back next week for a more comprehensive report on this legislation.

Leigh O’Donnell

HSMG President

]]> http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/06/h-r-2359-the-safe-cosmetics-act-of-2011-is-introduced/feed/ 0 An Update on The Safe Cosmetics Act in the 112th Congress http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/04/an-update-on-the-safe-cosmetics-act-in-the-112th-congress/ http://www.soapguild.org/blog/2011/04/an-update-on-the-safe-cosmetics-act-in-the-112th-congress/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:45:59 +0000 HSMG Conference http://www.soapguild.org/blog/?p=2764

(L to R) Deborah May, HSMG President Leigh O’Donnell, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA), Feleciai Favroth, Marie Gale

In our continuing efforts to work with Members of Congress to advance the interests of the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild (HSMG), we would like to update you on the recent progress on the still evolving Safe Cosmetics Act in the 112th Congress.

After hearing the concerns of the HSMG in February and the promise to continue a dialogue with us on behalf of the HSMG, staff members of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky have been quite responsive in keeping us informed.  In our most recent communication, we learned that a number of the provisions of the original bill are being redrafted.  We are not surprised by this information based on the range of issues discussed in our February meeting.
Although we have not seen any of the new draft language, through our continued engagement with offices involved in drafting the bill, we are optimistic that we will get to see and comment on any proposed language that directly impacts HSMG and the industry.   Furthermore, we remain encouraged that our ongoing conversations with Congresswoman Schakowsky, her staff and our continuing outreach with other Members of Congress will result in more positive conversations and support for HSMG concerns as the legislative proposal is developed and finalized.
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