About Membership in the HSMG

Special Notice
On in February, 2013, the membership voted to accept cosmetic handcrafters into the association. This change is effective immediately. As our webiste and materials are being gradually updated, please note that any reference to a "Soapmaker" member now also includes those who make cosmetics.

Membership in the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild is open to:

  • Handcrafters of soap and cosmetics
  • Private labelers who purchase handcrafted soap and sell under their own label
  • Vendors who provide products and/or services to the handcrafted soap industry

Benefits of Membership

The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild is a non-profit trade association, supported by membership dues. As a trade association, the main goal of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild is to keep an eye on the big picture and promote, improve, protect and defend the handcrafted soap industry. So the first benefit of membership for all members is knowing that the dues paid are supporting the only non-profit association that is actively involved in education, promotion and legislative advocacy for the handcrafted soap industry as a whole.

There are also more direct membership benefits. Since there are different levels of soapmakers and vendors and their needs differ, membership benefits and dues are tailored to both the type of membership and the level.

For Soapmakers

Soapmakers of all levels - from beginning to retired - are welcome as members of the HSMG. Benefits for Soapmaker Members are geared toward those things that assist in promoting handcrafted soap, increasing proficiency in the trade, improving business skills, encouraging networking opportunities and providing general exposure for the member's business and products.

Professional Soapmaker membership includes General and Product Liability Insurance for soapmakers residing in the United States, Puerto Rico or Canada.

For Vendors and Suppliers

Benefits for vendors and suppliers are geared toward assisting vendors in gaining exposure to soapmakers and providing ways for vendors/suppliers to inform and educate soapmakers about new or existing products or services.

By facilitating improved communication between vendors and soapmakers, the HSMG provides another avenue by which soapmakers can keep abreast of new technical developments in the industry and can take advantage of members' only special offers, should vendors choose to offer them.

For Private Labelers

Benefits for Private Label Members are geared toward promoting handcrafted soap and providing communication channels with handcrafted soapmakers. Optional product and general liability insurance is available to Private Label members in the Inited States at a significantly reduced rate through the HSMG's agreement with Veracity Insurance Solutions.

Comparison

See the overview of the different membership types and dues for more detail about the benefits and criteria for different types of membership.

To see which benefits are included in each membership type/level, see the Membership Benefits Chart

Important Tax Notice

Due to the HSMG's lobbying and advocacy activities, 10% of your dues are not tax deductible for the calendar year 2013. Please note that this only applies to membership dues, NOT fees paid for product and liability insurance; the dues portion of the membership for Professional Members with insurance is $100 per year.

If you have any questions, please consult your tax advisor.