Jump To: Conference Overview :: Registration Info :: Hotel :: Ground Transportation :: Schedule :: Speakers :: Topics :: Denver Tour :: Special Events :: Goodies and Prizes

2010 Conference Topics

The Safe and Effective Use of Essential Oils in Soap (Robert Tisserand)

This should be a simple matter, but in fact requires some knowledge of chemistry, skin safety, and perfumery principles. With time, essential oils chemically degrade, mainly through oxidation. Those high in phenols (clove, thyme, oregano..) keep better than most, because phenols are effective antioxidants. Unfortunately they are chemically changed during soapmaking, which reduces their antioxidant effect. Safety issues include the possibility of adverse skin reactions, and adverse respiratory effects from habitually inhaling essential oils or fragrance oils during soapmaking. Having discussed how to avoid such hazards, Robert will elaborate on aromatherapeutic oils and blends for soaps - antibacterial, skin soothing, skin protecting and feel good, with examples of historical and current blends, and how to make blends that last and have fragrance impact.

Master Batch Soap Techniques (Kelly Bloom)

Kelly will speak to HSMG Convention attendees on how to use Master Batch Soap Techniques in their home or small soap shop environments. Using these easy techniques you will be able to efficiently produce several thousand bars of soap per week with far less effort than you might think. : Big Batch Soapmaking utilizes economies of scale when purchasing base oils, thus saving you money on the initial purchase of your oils as well and savings on shipping/freight. Additional savings are realized with reduced leftovers, waste, spills, and vat residue.

How Emulsifiers Vary (Kelly Bloom)

Kelly will discuss the composition and product differences of various commonly used emulsifiers, and how to best choose the best emulsifier for the project at hand. Come and see what you can make simply by using different emulsifiers in your product formulas.

Creativity vs Compliance (Debbie May)

In this talk, Debbie May will discuss the conflict many producers face when trying to abide by current regulations and yet create a market advantage. This talk will touch upon color additives, label requirements, natural ingredient statements and organic claims. Included are the differences between the CPSC and the FDA and what products fall under the jurisdiction of which agency. Debbie will delve into the balance between "can do" and "should do" and between "but it looks awesome" and "not a good idea". This talk will include a significant amount of handouts for you to use for future reference.

You are the Secret Ingredient :: Formulating Your Dream Business (Kayla Fioravanti)

Financial resources are not the secret ingredient necessary to make your business a success. You are. Growing your business from a home business, to micro business, to small business and beyond takes a daunting leap of faith. As you drive your business through each level of growth you must make a conscious decision to either move forward or stay where you are. The size of your company is defined by the decisions you make at each plateau. Kayla will discuss when to create unstoppable momentum and how you know you have reached your sweet spot. As well as why the decisions that you make for your business must be based on your individual dreams that encompass your business and family, not only today but into the future.

Selling Your Creations in Art & Craft Festivals: Essentials for Success, Surviving and Thriving (Maria Arango)

Art festivals are a unique business and a great way for artists and crafters to earn a living and have fun too. Get to know the nature of the business of art festivals, learn the essentials of getting started, know what sells and at what price range, find out what equipment to take, learn strategies for how to sell and market yourself, where and how to find and choose the right (profitable!) shows, make a workable short and long term plan and stay healthy through the whole exciting adventure.

Ditch Your Thermometer and Save Time (Amy Kalinchuk)

Amy Kalinchuk will demonstrate her room-temperature soap technique, in which no temperatures are measured. Soap will be made from start to finish without the use of a microwave or thermometer, and the presentation will be timed! She predicts she will have enough time left at the end of each demo for Q & A.

New Opportunities For Your Melt & Pour Soap Business (Demo) (Marla Bosworth)

Marla promises to light a creative spark with attendees, taking a look beyond traditional handmade bar soap. Do you know the difference between profit margins on bar soaps versus specialty soaps? Come learn how you can increase your soap sales based on hot trends in similar markets. Get found easily by consumers looking for products that align with these trends! Check out fun, creative packaging that will further increase your sales and price points. Join Marla and learn to work smarter, not harder!

How to Use Social Media Marketing To Solidify Your Niche, Attract New Customers and Increase Sales (Donna Maria Coles Johnson)

Your customers are using social media. They are there talking about you right now – even looking for you! If you’re not there, you’re invisible! In this eye-opening condensed version of her popular day-long social media intensive training for small business owners, Donna Maria will show you how to use social media to promote your soapmaking business effectively and efficiently. It’s not about "using" social media – anyone can do that. It’s about "leveraging" social media so it becomes highly effective for you as you avoid the common mistakes that can ruin your efforts right out of the box.

Soap and Cosmetic Labeling Requirements (Marie Gale)

Labeling soap and cosmetics isn't difficult, but it is detailed. Find out the ins-and-outs of how to label your products to comply with all the various government regulations - in a simple and easy-to-understand language.

Getting the Most Out of the HSMG Website (Marie Gale)

The HSMG website has many tools and resources for members and non-members of the HSMG and also for consumers of handcrafted soap. Take a tour of all that's available and learn to use the information to promote your handcrafted soap, get deals from vendors, improve your soapmaking skills and connect with other members.

Branding Your Products for Effective Marketing (Alison Covarrubias)

Do you have a sense that your brand (or lack of a brand) is slowing you down? Do you think that you would make more sales if only you had the "right" look and feel for your products? If you have gone through a "branding process" either with a professional or on your own, you might possess the visual elements of a brand – a logo, colors, packaging, business cards, or a website. But if they are not "doing it" for you or your customers, it might be time for a brand intervention – or in other words, a re-branding. Fortunately, whether you are starting from scratch or starting over, all over again, most of the steps are the same. In either case, there are a few landmines to watch out for. In this session, we will walk through the brand process, review mistakes to avoid, and give you the opportunity to present your new brand concept in small groups, and get feedback on a key area of your choice. This session is for first time branders and those looking to re-brand.

From Passion to Profits (Alison Covarrubias)

You love making soap and creams! You would probably do and it all day long, if only it would pay the bills ... Sound familiar? How you get your products from your kitchen to your customers is how you will turn your financial focus from expenses to income. Once you have your brand elements in place, you need a strategy to make sales. Your strategy includes selecting the best marketing channels for your level of ability and resources, crafting the right messages, and closing the deal. In this session, you will begin the selection process of your preferred marketing channels. You will also have the option to work on your marketing communications, or your sales conversation. We will divide into two groups and you will begin writing and editing your own words to collect the cash.

Liquid Soapmaking Part I – The Process & the Science (Anne-Marie Faiola)

In this first part of this two part class, Anne-Marie will go over the basics of liquid soapmaking from how to design your own recipe to determine how much potassium hydroxide you need to make liquid soap.

Liquid Soapmaking Part II – Making the Paste & Reconstituting (Anne-Marie Faiola)

In the second part of the two-part class, Anne-Marie will demonstrate making the liquid soap from the front of the classroom with an overhead cam. Participants will be given samples of liquid soap made in class and a detailed handout.

Taking Your Business to the Next Level (Debbie May)

Debbie May understands the struggles and benefits of taking a business "to the next level". In this talk, Debbie will openly discuss issues related to growing a business. This talk will touch upon self confidence, goal setting, data collection, cash flow, up selling and effective marketing. Debbie will share with you anticipated challenges in growing a business as well as possible solutions for success. Attendees of this talk will receive a free hard cover copy of Debbie May’s favorite business book The Mary Kay Way: Timeless Principles from America's Greatest Woman Entrepreneur.

Artisitic Techniques in Glycerin Soap Crafting (Debbie Chialtas)

Expand your melt and pour repertoire with these beautiful techniques that will make your soaps really stand out! Learn how to engrave, make soap paints, create surface texture, and more.

The Nature of Chemistry (Cindy Jones)

Have you ever felt like your lack of knowledge in chemistry is holding you back in your soap/cosmetics business? Chemistry is the backbone to everything, even natural products. So if you can't pronounce it, don't avoid it, just learn how. This class will present some basic chemistry terms and molecules here and learn how they apply to cosmetics and skin. This isn't intended to teach you all the chemistry you need to know, but hopefully it will make it easier for you to understand the next chemistry topic you Google. Cindy says, "I'll try to keep it simple and talk about basics, but I do get a little excited about chemistry!"

Trace Analysis (Kevin Dunn, PhD)

Soapmakers use the word "trace" to describe the point at which soap is thick enough be poured into the mold. But why does soap thicken? What parameters determine how long it takes to reach trace? Are there problems with pouring too early or too late? These are the questions that have been explored this year by Professor Dunn and his students at Hampden-Sydney College.

Soapy Sales: The Secrets to E-Commerce Success (Jamila White)

Everyone loves your soaps at the craft show, but when it comes to selling online, is your web site pulling its weight? Is anybody making money on the web these days, anyway? The answer is a resounding YES! Lots of soapers are making big bucks online – and The E-Commerce Diva™ will share the secrets of their success with you!

Join Jamila, The E-Commerce Diva™, for an entertaining, plain-English, 75-minute workshop on how to easily boost your web sales and make more money online. She’ll separate fact from hype and share the low-down on how to use the web to attract new customers who want to buy your soaps and get them to cough up the dough. Jamila will reveal little-known tips and tricks about shopping carts, online payments, simple sales-boosting strategies, free and low-cost web tools that make selling easier, e-mail newsletters vs. blogs, how to get your offline customers to buy from your web site, and more.

Be ready to take lots of notes – Jamila will share tons of ideas that you can swipe and use on your own web site!

Information on additional topics will be announced and posted as it becomes available.