WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! PATRICIA ARMSTRONG The Stylish Collection Handcrafted by Patricia PAT BOHNSACK Treasures from the Heartland VERONICA BORLEK Scentful Pleasures MICHELLE BOUCHARD Sioux River Soaps FRANCES BRADBURY DEBORAH BRINK Pure Enchantment SHARRON BROWN Fogwash Soap Co. MAURA BUCKLEY Les Savons des Chatons CAMILLE CAIN Cammie’s Handmade Soaps KENYA CALLOWAY Jai’s Custom Made Soaps TWIG CAUDIEUX Twig Soap JUDI CHESLEY LEE CHEW Aqua Luna Spa Essentials LIZA COUCHMAN Black Creek Botanicals Artisanal Soaps CAROL CROW Out Of Eden Soaps SHARON CZEKALA Great Lakes Natural Soap Co. CAROL DEKKERS Valley Soaps KAY DELOACH Desert Heart Gift and Herb JACQUELINE FREDERICKS Cantik Soapworks SHARON GARDA e.Scents.ials Putting Your Best Foot Forward: The Art of Packaging We all know the phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” but there is no doubt that it holds a special meaning for anyone who deals with marketing and packaging, particularly for something as widely used as soap. Marketing The subject of “marketing” is vast and includes all aspects of presenting your product up to and including the sale. Identifying your niche, determining your target market, surveying your public, positioning your product, advertising and, of course, the actual physical packaging, are all part of an overall marketing strategy. Whether you approach it from a sophisticated process of market research and consumer surveys or from a self-realized understanding of your chosen place in the market, the thing to know is that you have a place in the market and your packaging should reflect it. “When you wrap or label you soap you want to augment, not detract from it’s intrinsic beauty,” says Dottie Simmons of Simmons Natural Bodycare. “Consider your customers: are they looking for a very natural, eco-groovy product? Are your soaps primarily intended as luxurious, upper end gifts? Are they whimsical delights to lure children into the tub? Are they delectable spa oriented treats? Each venue can inspire a style of packaging to entice the consumer.” Once you have a general ideal of your personal style, and the image you want to convey to your chosen market, the next step is creating a physical package that works for you. Soap For soaps, the options are practically endless! We can use foil embossed boxes, custom hand-tied wraps, simple or elegant cigar bands, naked soap and every possibility in between. However, by virtue of being handcrafted soap makers, we are faced with unique problems in packaging. Since we generally deal in small quantities, the mass-produced packaging of the “big guys” is not usually workable, costeffective or even available to us. So what’s a handcrafted soap maker to do? Get creative, that’s what! IN THIS ISSUE The Art of Packaging . . . . . . . . . . . Contact Us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . From The President . . . . . . . . . . . . HSMG Supports Our Troups . . . . Packaging Preliminaries . . . . . . . . . UPS Bar Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 2 3 4 5 About Printing & Paper . . . . . . . . . 6 2005 Conference! . . . . . . . . . . . . . Member Services Update . . . . . . . Benefactor Members - Thanks . . . Crossword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 12 14 15 CONTACT US Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild, Inc.. 3416 Primm Lane. Birmingham, AL 35216 Toll Free: Phone: Fax: E-mail: (866) 900-SOAP (866) 900-7627 (205) 823-5517 (205) 823-2760 [email protected] Board of Directors: Marie Gale, President [email protected] Nancy Underwood, Vice President [email protected] Linda Stevens, Treasurer [email protected] La Shonda Tyree [email protected] Jackie Thompson [email protected] Public Website & Soapmaker Roster: www.soapguild.org Member Forum: www.soapguild.org/forum Member’s Website: http://members.soapguild.org PUBLICATION INFO The Handcrafted SoapMaker is a quarterly publication for members of the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild, Inc. Grateful acknowledgement is made to the members and associates who contributed articles, information and pictures for this issue. Reproduction of any article, without prior permission is prohibited. Copyright © 2004 Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2 From the President During my time as a soap maker, I can say with absolute certainty that packaging has been both the bain of my existence and the herald of my successes. It’s a love/hate relationship for sure. Every month I get copies of Cosmetic Packaging, HAPPI Magazine and Food and Drug Packaging. I look through them, reading interesting articles and wishing that I could duplicate some of the packaging concepts in my shop! Oh, I think to myself, if I could only get some really fancy labels printed ... with gold foil and embossing with beautiful graphics in 4-color (or even 8-color) print, waterproof, UV coated, exactly the size I want (maybe even specially diecut). Wouldn’t that be wonderful! But then I realize that it would mean that I’d have to commit to making, oh, say 5,000 or even 10,000 bars of the SAME soap. Umm, maybe that’s not so good! Actually, I’ve already made 5,000 bars of several of my better sellers. But if you talked to me 5,000-bars-of-lavender-soap ago, I probably would never have admitted that I could forsee THAT many bars of of the same soap in my future. Even now, knowing that I’ve already made that much soap, I still don’t really want to commit to the idea of another 5,000 bars of exactly the same soap. Maybe 1,000 ... but 5,000? 10,000? In all honesty, I like to experiment and find new and different soaps to make. I like having different recipes and scents and being able to make small batches of Blackberry Soap for the Balckberry Festival and developing a Mechanic’s Soap because a friend of a friend needs some. It’s one of the beauties of being a Handcrafted soap maker - we can create and changed and develop personally and professionally. Unlike Proctor and Gamble, we aren’t stuck in a particular system and we don’t need corporate approval to change. Personally, that’s one of the reasons that I love this business and the people in it! Marie Gale President, HSMG HSMG Supports Our Troups The HSMG is proud to announce our program to support for our troups through contribution to Morale Kits which are distributed to deploying military through the USO. Join us in this national effort to send them something from home. Just think, a soldier could receive a 1/2 bar ( 2 ounces or so) of your soap to enjoy while he (or she) is in a distant land so far from home. We are asking each member to donate (24) ½ bars. If this is to much send what you can but if you can send more; by all means please do. Our goal is 10,000 bars to the troups which is 24 bars from 416 members. Due to the limitation of bathing on a daily basis and also being limited in the grooming products they can carry, our troops can utilize our hand made soaps because of their multipurpose qualities. So why only a half bar? According to the USO, our troops are only allowed to take small kits or personal items with them; but don’t fret... these soaps are still a great size for shaving, showering, and moisturizing! In fact, our 1/2 bars are the perfect size to send along in the Morale Kits. HSMG member Lynnel Camlin, who has been involved with the USO Moral Kit program and sent her soaps to the troups. According to Lynnel,, “Morale Kits are put together from the USO offices and sent with every soldier upon deployment. The USO office tells us that the Morale Kits are a gift that the soldiers look forward to opening once they are in route to their destination and are not allowed to open them till they are well along the way. “The last time we sent soaps, it was reported back to me that the soldiers were quite delighted and were sniffing and smelling and trading the soap having a grand time of it. They truly appreciate the handmade soap as it is very personal and not just another tube of toothpaste!” Each bar should last until our soldiers return home, as they can’t shower on a daily basis. By taking along a bar of handmade soap, the need for shaving cream, shampoo, or lotion will be eliminated, thus saving room in their kits for something more personal to remind them of their loved ones back home, what they are fighting for, and the widespread support that cheers them on. Whether we are in a time of war, or time of peace, our military personnel sacrifice many things to keep our country safe and we can show our support every day of the year. It is a privilege and honor to offer this small gesture to show support and gratitude for all the soldiers do and sacrifice to protect not only our nation but to defend FREEDOM for all. You may also send a personal note of encouragement/ support to the soldiers but there are certain restrictions in what you can say (no religion or politics!). We have provid GOAL: 10,000 BARS ed a sample letter to guide you 1/2 SIZE BARS through this process. (APPROX 2 OZ) Dear Soldier, SOAPS MUST BE Here is a 1/2 bar of handWRAPPED made soap made in the great SEND 24 BARS USA. It should be nourishing (IF POSSIBLE) to your skin and I hope this wonderful scent will give you CUTOFF DATE: DEC 15, 2004 a small comfort while you are away from home. NOTE MAY GO WITH Whether in time of war THE SOAPS or peace, it is an honor and (SEE LEFT). a privlige to offer this small SHIP TO: gesture to show my support LYNNEL CAMLING and gratitude for all you do 6282 ILLINOIS 2 N. and sacrifice to protect our OREGOAN, IL nation and defend Freedom. 61061 In Got We Trust and my prayers are with you. SOAPS FOR THE TROOPS Sign with your name, city and state and/or website and “Member of the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild, Inc.” Send your donation to HSMG member, Lynnel Camling at 6282 Illinois 2 North, Oregoan, IL 61061. She’ll make the donation to the USO in Chicago, Illinois on our behalf. The deadline to send the soaps to Lynnel is December 15th, 2004. If you have any questions about the program, you can email the HSMG Marketing Committee at [email protected]. 3 Packaging Preliminaries Deciding on your actual physical package has to take into account your allowable cost, the quantity you need (and will use), your available resources and skills, the time you are willing to put into finishing each package of soap, and the venue in which the product will be sold. Allowable Cost Before committing to a package style, be sure you know exactly what your costs, expected revenue and desired profit are. Take into account the cost of the materials, your time and wear and tear on your equipment, as well as any fixed costs like electric, heat or gas. If you sell wholesale, use the wholesale price in your calculations. (see below for some guidelines on how to calculate your costs accurately) Quantity Generally, if you know you’ll use over 1,000 of any package component within a reasonable time, then ordering from a specialized supplier is an option. This is particularly true for labels and boxes (although boxes may have a slightly higher minimum). Remember, that doesn’t have to be 1,000 of the whole package, just of one component (say a label or a box or other piece of the complete package. CALCULATING YOUR COSTS FIGURE COST PER BAR: + COST OF INGREDIENTS PER BATCH = + COST OF TIME PER BATCH + $______ + $______ (____ HOURS PER BATCH X $____ PER HOUR) + COST OF EQUIPMENT PER BATCH = + $______ (COST OF EQUIPMENT $____DIVIDED BY ____ BATCHES BEFORE IT WEARS OUT) + OVERHEAD COSTS PER BATCH = + $______ (HEAT, ELECTRICAL, GAS, RENT, ETC.) + COST OF TIME = + $______ (# HOURS ____ X $_____ PER HOUR) = TOTAL COST PER BATCH ÷ NUMBER OF BARS PER BATCH = TOTAL COST PER BAR FIGURE LABELING & PROFIT EXPECTED INCOME PER BAR − COST PER BAR (FROM ABOVE) = AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR _ 4 LABELING AND PROFIT = $______ ÷ ______ $______ $______ − $______ = $______ Available Resources What you have available to you at the start must also be taken into consideration. Obviously, how much money you have to spend at the beginning is important. There’s no point in planning for a package design that requires an up-front investment of several thousand dollars if you don’t have the money available. Your own skills and resources are a key factor as well. Do you have a computer and are you able to create and print high-quality labels? Do you have the knowhow to make a good graphic design? If you are lucky enough to have access to a particular packaging part for free or at low cost, be sure to take that into account. Time Your time is important and how you want to spend your time is must be taken into account when you design your package. It takes a great deal more time to hand-tie every bar of soap than it does to drop it into a pre-preinted box. If you choose a time-consuming packaging method that requires a “personal touch” to every bar, consider not only whether you can afford your (or someone else’s) time spent but also whether you want to commit to that time and attention to every single bar of soap. It’s a very personal issue some may find hand-tieing every bar a pleasure, and some may find it an incredibly boring chore. continued on page 13 Bar Codes As consumers, we’re all familiar with barcodes. With every blip and bleep of the cash register, these numbers and lines identify the product to the store’s central computer system allowing the retailer to speed up the check-out process, track inventory and change prices efficiently, while the consumer receives a more detailed account of their purchases. Because of the efficiency of the barcode system, more and more businesses are requiring barcodes on product labels. As a small scale soap-maker facing the dilemma of whether to place barcodes your packaging, questions arise like over-agitated bubbles in a soap pot! In an effort to come to an informed decision, the following questions and answers may be of help. What is a UPC Barcode? What do those numbers mean? UPC stands for Universal Product Code which is a group of bars and symbols created to uniquely identify your product worldwide. The UPC Barcode is made up of a machine readable barcode with a 12 digit human readable number. The first six to nine digits identify the manufacturer, the next two to five digits identify the product and the last digit (called the check digit) assures the item was scanned correctly. How do I get a UPC Barcode for my products? The first step is to apply to the Uniform Code Council (UCC) for permission to become a member of the UPC system (www.uc-council.org). Upon payment of membership fees you will receive a manufacturer’s identification number along with a kit that will give you guidelines and assistance on how to use it. The UCC does not supply barcode labels. Fees?…what’s it going to cost? Membership fees to the UCC are based on current or projected gross sales of your company and the number of products you will be identifying with a UPC symbol. As an example, an on-line application (https://catalog.webed.uc-council.org/application) continued on page 14 Upland Soap Factory Upland, CA Silicone Lined Soap Molds Stainless Steel Shaft Squirrel Mixers Private Label Herbal Soap Consultations to the Trade (866) 788-1966 www.uplandsoapfactory.com 5 LABELING REGS (US) ALL PRODUCTS SOLD REQUIRE CONTACT INFO AND WEIGHT SOAPS MADE WITH OILS AND LYE DO NOT REQUIRE INGREDIENT LABELS. MELT AND POUR SOAPS, INLESS THEY ARE ONLY MADE WITH OILS AND LYE DO REQUIRE AN INGREDIENT LISTING. INGREDIENT LISTINGS MUST INCLUDE ALL INGREDIENTS LISTED AS THEIR STANDARD INCI NAME IN DESCENDING ORDER OF USE 6 Packaging Soaps in UK/EU To package and sell soaps and cosmetics in the UK or EU, you must follow specific guidelines which are different from the US regulations. The European Cosmetic Legislation covers all manufacturers particularly for aromatherapy, soapmaking, cosmetic manufacture and those making therapeutic products. Natural products are not considered ‘better’ or safer than those made with chemicals, in fact many natural products are frowned upon! Many ‘natural’ products have unsafe issues which are currently under great legislative scrutiny. The golden rule of EU cosmetics: If it Perfumes, Protects, Keeps in good condition, Cleans, Changes the appearance, and/or Corrects body odours, AND it is applied to the Skin, Hair, Nails, Lips, Teeth, External genital organs, Mucous membranes of the oral cavity - it is a cosmetic. Nothing else, just a cosmetic. Therefore the rules apply. In order to manufacture and sell cosmetics, you must register with the DTI -CCP Directorate (Department of Trade and Industry - Consumer and Competition Policy) and have a certification that every single recipe and manufacturing process is safe (see below for more information). The labels must have the manufacturers address (the one registered) and no claims may be made for the product. You must include the word “INGREDIENT:” and a list of the ingredients in descending order (greatest first and colours last), all in lower case or first letter upper and remaining words in lower case. All ingredients must be in INCI terms and colours in CI numbers. You must also place a batch number and best before date if the product is deemed to be suitable for use in less than 30 months. Even unwrapped soaps that are cut as required infront of the customer must have the INCI ingredients on a label or sign nearby. Labels may be hand printed but in indelible ink (lazer is perfectly OK not inkjet). Smallest text point as clear (not squiggly text) is 4pt. All soaps and cosmetics must be sold in the UK/EU with the weight (checked on legally stamped scales) in grams. Note that Grams are written ‘g’ not ‘G’! In March 2005 is that all cosmetics containing certain fragrance or essential oils which may contain certain allergens must also be recorded on the label. For example as soap currently labelled: INGREDIENTS: Sodium palmate, Sodium olivate, Aqua, Cymbopogon nardus,Lavandula angustifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus sylvesris, CI 77007 becomes:- INGREDIENTS: Sodium palmate, Sodium olivate, Aqua, Cymbopogon nardus, Lavandula angustifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus sylvestris, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Euganol, CI 77007 These regulations apply to all soaps and cosmetics packaged and/or sold in the UK and EU. France may have additional requirements. This article was written by Maxine Nelson, HSMG Member and author of ‘Make Your Own Makeup’ Her personal mission is to demystify the unnecessary jargon in the EU and to encourage manufacturing of natural products by the home and small crafter. She is available to assist soapmakers is wading through the UK/EU red tape and can be reached through www.maxinenelson.co.uk and www.makeyourownmakeup.com 7 Putting It All Together Susan Svec of Susan’s Soaps and More in Scurry, Texas prints labels on card stock which are then tied on to the bars with raffia. She chose this method initially because she felt she could produce an attractive label for very little cost and SUSAN SVEC SUSAN’S SOAPS AND MORE would be able to change the copy on the labels at any time with no costs or problems. Customers seem to like the rustic look of the hand-tied raffia and the fact that they can see and smell the soap. However, Susan recognizes that there are some drawbacks to this packaging style. It is labor intensive and there are no economies of scale on hand tying soap. Also, the soaps do not stack flat on a display shelf and some people do not want the soap exposed. All in all, Susan is still essentially satisfied with her packaging system, especially producing her labels herself because she introduces too many new products and makes too many ingredient changes to be able to allow someone else production. She also like the rustic look of the hand tying and feel that it fits well with my all natural soap. So far no stores have had a problem with shelving the products. Barb Marsh and Janie Taylor of Denali Dreams in Anchorage, Alaska chose pleated tissue to package their oval soaps. Originally each bar was hand-tied with raffia and a tag, they now have labels profession- 8 BARB MARSH & JANIE TAYLOR DENALI DREAMS ally printed to secure the tissue and display the soap name on the front and product information on the back. For wholesale accounts they also offer display crates which protect the soaps during shipping and also provide an attractive and informative point-ofsale display. Barbara Rubin of Valley of the Mist Botanicals in Temecula, CA wraps her soaps in translucent “candy paper”, then addsan ivory paper sleeve with the ingredients and informaBARBARARUBIN tion about each VALLEY OF THE MIST BOTANICALS scent. Then it is tied with red cord around the bar and a matching red seal with the first initial of the brand is attached. The bar inside is “signed” by the soapmaker with a soap stamp of the same initial. Katherine Wright of Lathering Up! in Hernando, Mississippi makes round bars and in the beginning struggled with her packaging and labeling. Since a typical cigar band label KATHERINE WRIGHT wouldn’t work, LATHERING UP! she tried using wraphia ribbon and tieing on a label, but the labels would become wrinkled and or torn. Naked soap in bins resulted in customers picking them up, sniffing, and then putting them back in the wrong bin. A fellow soaper suggested using coffee filters. Combined with labels that would showed the information and held the wrapper securely, customers can smell the fragrance thru the wrapper, the soap can still “breathe.” They are easy, inexpensive and attractive. advantage of the economy of quantity printing for the boxes, yet still use them to package different types of soaps. Nancy Underwood of Ancient Oracle Soaps in Surry, Maine, has chosen to shrink wrap her soaps. She uses 60 gauge polyolefin shrinkwrap. This particular type and gauge shrinkwrap is used because it is strong enough to protect the soap and prevent it from NANCY UNDERWOOD sweating, but is ANCIENT ORACLE SOAPS still allows the consumer to be able to smell the fragrance of the soap - a big selling point. Marie Gale of Chandler’s Soaps in Broadbent, Oregon, uses a small piece of clear cellophan to wrap her soap bars in the style of gift wrap. Then she wraps the package in a printed paper cigar band label. She prints the labels MARIE GALE using a color solid-wax CHANDLER’S SOAPS printer, creating waterproof print and allowing changes in the ingredients or other label aspects when needed. Kim Brooks of Annie Goatley Hand Milled Soaps in Potterville, Michigan Jackie Thompson of Gaily Rebecca Soaps in Titusville, Pennsylvania had a multi-use box printed for her soaps. The front panel displays her logo and has a space for a label with the soap name to be applied. The back is printed with general information about their soaps. One side panel is printed with the company contact information and the other side panel is printed with decorative brackets leaving room for an ingredient label for that particular soap. She prints the ingredient labels herself, JACKIE THOMPSON allowing for the possiGAILY REBECCA SOAPS bility of changes in the ingredient list for each different kind of soap. Utilizing all the space on the box, the top has a logo image and the displays the HSMG Member Logo. By having an adaptable box design she can take KIM BROOKS ANNIE GOATLEY SOAPS 9 nce e r e f Con 5 200 Transitions For Growth Reaching Your Goals Believe it or not, it’s already time to start thinking about your plans to come to the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild 9th Annual Conference in 2005! This one is shaping up to be a dandy, so mark the dates on your calendar. This year our theme is “Transitions For Growth”. Wherever you are in your soap making career, you probably have goals you are working toward and whether they are big or small, achieving those goals will take you through various stages of growth and expansion. The information from the 2005 Conference is geared to help you on your way. New For 2005 Due to popular request, this conference has been expanded to 3 days. Thursday will be filled with two Master Classes, one on Large Batch Soap Production and one geared to Specialty Melt & Pour Techniques. Both of those APRIL 27 - 30, 2005 classes will run the whole morning, allowing plenty RAMADA PLAZA HOTEL of time to get into the PITTSBURGH, PA finer details. Also new for 2005 is a field trip! We’ll be taking Molly’s Trolley’s through downtown Pittsburgh and going to tour the soap manufacturing plant of Designs by Jay. CONFERENCE DETAILS Hotel The Conference will be held in downtown Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh Ramada Plaza Hotel. While you will, of course, be spending your time learning about soap making and networking with other soap makers, you can also take advantage of the hotel’s heated indoor pool, health club, spa, convenience store and gift shop. The Hotel has set aside a number of rooms for Conference attendees at a special rate of $79.00 per night (plus tax) for up to 4 people per room (2 queen beds). Also available are one bedroom suites that can sleep 5 with two double beds and a pull out sofa for $109.00 per night (plus tax). Nearly all rooms have small kitchenettes, too. You can get more information on the hotel and take an on-line virtual tour by going to www.plazasuites.com. 10 Conference Activities Friday and Saturday will be filled with speakers covering a range of subjects - from scent blending to trademark and copyright law. Also planned are several demonstrations and a couple of short movies about soap making. We’ll have memorabelia on the history of soap making, packaging and advertising and some Soap Guild historical items and photographs. Our beloved Soap Swap will take place, as will the “Soap Bloopers” that were such a hit last year. Books about soap making and related topics will be available along with any books authored by our speakers (who will probably autograph them for you if you ask!). HSMG merchandise (aprons, shirts and some surprise new items) will be available as well. Like years before there will be goodie bags, prizes and awards and througout the conference we’ll have raffles for items donated by our fantastic vendors and supporters. Registration This year the early-bird conference fee will be $275.00 (full price $325.00). Registration forms will be available on the website soon - in plenty of time to sign up for the early bird special. Meals Your Conference fee includes lunch on Thursday and Friday, Banquet Dinner on Saturday and two breaks a day with substantial refreshments available at each break For other meals and snacks you’ll have the kitchenette in your room and time available to explore downtown for culinary delights. Travel Pittsburgh is serviced by several major airlines, including American, Continental, Delta, United and Northwest, however US Air has a hub there and has the most flights in and out. We are working on getting a group discount rate through US Air and will inform everyone if we can get it set up. There is a shuttle service to and from the airport ($16.00 one way; $30.00 round trip). Rental cars are also available. If you are driving into Pittsburg or have a rental car, the hotel has parking available at $12.00 per night (the lowest rate in downtown Pittsburgh). Other Entertainment The hotel is centrally located and you can walk to all the downtown areas in less than 15 minutes. The subway system is right across the street and travel to any stop in the downtown area free to hotel guests. There is also a metro bus which can take you to the outlying area. We are making arrangements for discounts for some local attractions for those who would like to see some of the area sites during conference down time. And, of course, no conference or gathering of soapmakers is complete without plenty of time to get to know the other soap makers, network and share stories and recipes. So you’ll be able to spend a little time chillin’ and having a good time! More Information Information on the Conference: [email protected] To reserve a vendor table: Julia Creggar [email protected] For sponsorships, advertising or demos: LaShonda Tyree [email protected] Donations for goodie bags, raffles or prizes: Robert Kishtok [email protected] SCHEDULE* WEDNESDAY APRIL 27 4:00 - 8:00 PM 7:00 - 8:30 PM REGISTRATION WELCOME RECEPTION THURSDAY APRIL 28 7:00 - 8:30 AM REGISTRATION CONTINUES 9:00 - 10:30 AM MASTER CLASSES: 1) LARGE BATCH SOAP PRODUCTION 2) SPCIALTY MELT AND POUR TECHNIQUES. 10:30-10:45 AM BREAK 10:45 - NOON MASTER CLASSES CONTINUE. 12:00-2:30 PM LUNCH & ANNUAL MEETING. 3:00-5:30 PM FIELD TRIP: TOUR OF DESIGNS BY JAY SOAP MANUFACTURING PLANT 6:00 - 8:00 PM VENDORS OPEN FRIDAY APRIL 29 9:00 - 10:30 AM 10:30-10:45 AM 10:45 - NOON NOON - 1:00 PM 1:00 - 2:30 PM 2:30 - 3:00 PM 3:00 - 4:30 PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER BREAK SPLIT SESSION (TWO CHOICES) BUFFET LUNCH DEMONSTRATIONS BREAK SPLIT SESSION (TWO CHOICES) SATURDAY APRIL 30 9:00 - 10:30 AM 10:30-10:45 AM 10:45 - NOON NOON - 1:00 PM 1:00 - 2:30 PM 2:30 - 3:00 PM 3:00 - 4:30 PM 4:30 - 5:30 PM 7:00PM PRIMARY SPEAKER BREAK SPLIT SESSION (TWO CHOICES) LUNCH (ON YOUR OWN) DEMONSTRATIONS BREAK SPLIT SESSION (TWO CHOICES) SOAP SWAP BANQUET & AWARDS DINNER WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKER VENDORS WILL BE OPEN IN BETWEEN SESSIONS AND IN THE EVENINGS. * SUBJECT TO CHANGE 11 Member Services Administrative Services Member Benefits We now have a management company taking care of the day-to-day paperwork involved with managing the Soap Guild. Our Managment Administrator takes care of processing all the memberships, banking, bill payment (on the authorization of the Treasurer) and other functions. They also provide phone service. See “Contact Us” on page 2 . Just a quick reminder of your basic membership benefits and how to access them! Member Profile: View & update your Member Profile at http://members.soapguild.org/profile.php Journal: Make sure your mailing address is upto-date in your member profile. e-Newsletter: Sent to the email listed in your member profile - be sure it’s up-to-date! Forum: Your log-in data is listed in your member profile. (www.soapguild.org/forum) On-Line Roster: Update your display information in your member profile. (www.soapguild.org) Soap Gallery: Soapmaker and Benefactor members can have picture(s) in the soap gallery (www. soapguild.org/soap_gallery.php). See Profile for specs. Submit pictures to [email protected]. Vendor Listings: Vendor and Benefactor members can have listings including product descriptions and any special discount included in the on-line vendor list shown at (http://members.soapguild.org/vendor_list.php). Info can be updated in your member profile. 2005 Elections 2005 Our next election will be to fill the position of President and seats of 3 seats on the Board of Directors (one SEND SUGGESTIONS FOR Board Member’ term is exNOMINEES TO: piring and we are [email protected] ing the Board to 6 seats per the revisions in our Bylaws passed in 2004). Nominees for these seats will be presented by the Nominations Committee by the end of the year. All members may submit suggested nominees to the Nominations Committee for consideration. Send to [email protected]. ELECTIONS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS (CON’T FROM PAGE 1) PATRICIA GIGLIO Sweetness & Light TERESA GREGORY Daily Blessings Farm ANITA LESKO Pear & Partridge Luxurious Handcrafted Soap REBECCA MAYHEW MARITZA HESTER Vineyard Candle & Bath MARY JANE HETLAND Wood Soap Molds.com COLLEEN HILL Greenbrier Soap Factory MELISSA HOSTETTER Raices Generations Natural Beauty River Valley Soap Just Add Water C&M Valley Farm JESSICA INGRAHAM Soaps By Jessica ERESCENE JOHNSONSTOKES KARA JONES Hoof & Hide LLC 12 GAIL PALMER Village Soaps LISA SPRANG ELAINE STAVERT REGINA PARKER-MCKEE The Littlecote Soap Company ELOINA PELÁEZ-VALDEZ Hummingbird Scented Soap DARLA STIPANOVICH AARON MCGILL Rosmarinus Finca de Hierbas Soapstones Handcrafted Soap & Skincare MICHAEL MEYER STEPHANIE PREBLE Keep It Simply Soaps WENDY STUART KATHRYN QUICK TIFFANY TABBERT LORI RIGGS ABBY RITCHIE DONNA TAYLOR LARISA MOLINARI MARJORIE MOUTARI Kazam Natural Body Care MARY MURPHY-TAYLOR Curanda Designs LAURIE NEIDIG The Botanical Bee KRISTOPHER NOISEUX Meadow Stone Farm Elizabeth Rose Purity Inc. Abby’s Handmade Soaps Alice Salyer Sweet Water Natural Soap Co. GEORGANN SERINO TRAMPAS SISK The Mind Body & Soap Whitcore Farms Tres Belle The Soap Emporium MICHELLE WETZEL Cedar Wren Creations SHERRI WOODUS KATHERINE WRIGHT Lathering Up! EM ZEMBER Goats PEI PACKAGING PRELIMINATIES, con’t from page 4 The Mad Cutter, Inc. Selling Venue Where and how you will sell these beautifully packaged bars of soap also plays a role. If you sell in a venue where you determine your own displays, like craft shows or fairs, it may not be much of an issue. If you are selling wholesale, where your products will be out on display, then keeping the product clean and ease of stacking and storage should be taken into consideration. If your product will be shipped, packaging that won’t be damaged during shipping is important. You want them to come out of the box just as beautiful as they went in. Summary innovative engineering solutions for soap makers manufacturer of custom molds slicers cutters 1909 Livingston Street Evanston, IL 6020 tel: 847-328-2806 fax: 847-328-4919 Once you have reviewed all the preliminary factors, then it’s time to look into the nitty-gritty of what you can do. That’s where the real ativity comes in. The more constraints you have, the more creative you need to be. to get an affordable and cost-effective package that will stand out, display your product well - and ultimately get it sold and into the hands of the consumer. WoodSoapMolds.com www.WoodSoapMolds.com [email protected] Reg. $39.95 Sale Price $34.95 * Constructed of quality, hand-picked wood * HSMG - 5% Discount * Completely collapsible for easy unmolding * Unique design will not leak * Lid & Hardware included * Made with precision craftsmanship * Holds 4 pounds of soap * Each piece marked for easy re-assembly * Wholesale orders welcome * Custom sizes available 13 Thanks To Our Benefactor Members Patron Members MICHAEL LAWSON Friend of the Guild Members GREG ANIGBO Columbus Foods/ Soaper’s Choice The Edible Oils Company SunFeather Natural Soap Co Daybreak Lavender Farm SANDY MAINE JAMES, BUSH MakeYourOwnSoap.com ,JODY BYRNE SLYKER MONIKA DOWKER Aquarius Aromatherapy & Soap Voyageur Soap & Candle Company Ltd. LISSA LEE Arcadia Aromatics MARGIE LEMONS Hill Country Haiku MARJORIE MOUTARI DENNIS F IORAVANTI Kazam Natural Body Care MARIE GALE Texas Soap & Sundries JUDI CHESLEY KATHRYN GASSAWAY Upland Soap Factory DONNA MARIA COWLES-JOHNSON, ESQ. BARRY GILBOW Select Oils Inc Soapstones Handcrafted Soap & Skincare DEVJANI MITRA The Box Co-op Susan’s Soaps & More Supporter Members JESSICA BUSH SKS Bottle & Packaging, Inc. From Nature With Love JANICE A. SHEPLER My Grandmother’s Garden Essential Wholesale Chandler’s Soaps Plantopia Gifts JOHN GREE TERESA GREGORY Daily Blessings Farm DEBORAH JASIEN Fields of Ambrosia, Inc. BAR CODES, con’t from page 4 submitted with gross annual sales of $50,000.00 and rerquest for 10 products (each color, size, fragrance, etc. of a product is considered a separate product), returned an application fee of $750.00 for the first year and around $150.00 per year thereafter. That level membership allowed up to 100 products. How much space is needed for a UPC Barcode? The UCC sets standards and guidelines for UPC Barcodes. According to several printing companies who regularly print barcodes for customers, a label area 1 ½” X 1” is common. This allows enough white area around the perimeter of the barcode making it easier for less expensive scanners to successfully scan the barcode. How do I actually get a UPC Barcode Printed? You have several options. You can get UPC Barcodes designed as a part of your package and printed directly on the package, printed by a professional printer and applied to your product or you can use 14 ROBERT KNOWLES BARBARA OWENS LINDA STEVEN DARLA STIPANOVICH SUSAN SVEC PATRICIA THRASHER Cape Cod Soap Company MARY VASTOLA The Ponte Vedra Soap Shoppe software specifically designed for printing UPC Barcodes and print them yourself on your inkjet or laser printer. A helpful list printers and software packages can be found at http://usenet03.uc-council. org/sp_dir_new/listing.cfm. Do I need a UPC Barcode? If you are a manufacturer looking to sell wholesale to several of the larger retail firms, the answer is more than likely yes. Having a UPC Barcode is a marketable tool in getting your foot in the door of the larger stores! However, if you only want to sell wholesale to a few of the larger retail firms and those firms agree, you may be able to get by with a Retail Barcode for In-Store Use. These barcodes begin with the number 4 and are set up by the store. They only identify products within that store. Ask the stores sales representative if this is an option. This information was researched by Jackie Thompson, owner of Gaily Rebecca Soapsand a long-standing member of the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild. Soaper Crossword 2 1 3 4 6 5 7 8 10 9 11 13 12 14 15 16 18 17 19 20 21 ACROSS 4. The quarterly publication of the HSMG 6. Mixed with lye and water, this makes soap. 10. Small shiny colored minerals that can be added to soap. 11. The full name of “MP” 12. After you take your soap out of a log mold, it is then _____ into bars. 14. Doing the Happy Soaper _________. 15. Lather 16. Smell or scent. 17. Eye protection 20. www.soapguild.org, for example 21. Remove rough edges from a bar DOWN 1. What we’re all about 2. Byproduct of the soap making process 3. Our on-line member community area to exchange ideas with other soap makers 5. Package soap 7. Mineral made from volcanic rock that can be added to soap. 8. Location of the 2005 Conference 9. Soap make without additional heat. 13. The stage when you can pour the soap into the mold. 17. Type of milk often used in soaps 18. Initials of our group 19. Plants used for cooking (or in soap) such as rosemary and thyme. 15 16
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