Teach Soap

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The Black Currant- Shipping within the US!

My shop: The Black Currant on Etsy!
My blog: http://www.theblackcurrantshop.wordpress.com
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Yeah, that's another reason I didn't take that stuff. I don't think my liability insurance covers anything taken internally. But I was thinking the essential oils would be okay- I didn't think about that angle. I'm not a big fan of YL, either. They make so many recommendations that are totally counter to what any actual trained aromatherapist would recommend. I mean, the fact that every single aromatherapist, herbalist, and accupuncturist I know ACTIVELY dislikes YL is pretty telling to me. And their products are so gosh darn pricey. I buy products of similar or better quality (most actually certified organic instead of their BS "better than organic" claim) from Mountain Rose Herbs, and they are so much cheaper it is staggering.

The fitted cloth isn't actually white, it's ivory. I don't know if that would change your mind if you saw it in person, though. That was a tougher decision than I thought it would be. I knew black would be a bad choice for my look. I really wanted a warm chocolate brown, but in the cheap polyester that these clothes are made of I figured that color could easily look bad, plus since I know most tables have black cloths I thought brown next to that would look bad. So I went with ivory.

But I was actually planning on making a banner, it's just one of the MANY things I didn't have time to accomplish last week. In the spirit of keeping things simple, I was going to cut pennants out of brown craft paper (possible recycled grocery bags, if that didn't look to sloppy, I also have a roll of mailing paper) and put my shop name on that, or something. Perhaps that will happen before the next show.

One thing that I loved that IS NOT in the picture was my little waist apron. It's really similar to one I wore when I was a server, and it was so handy having those extra pockets. I also thought it made me look more "official." It was unbleached canvas, and I got it at JoAnn's for like 3.99 (plus I had a great 20% of entire purchase coupon, so it was less than that). My plan is to eventually put an iron on or fabric paint on my shop name, but that is yet another thing that I ran out of time to do. Plus I only have a laser printer, and it's a lot harder to find printable iron on transfers that work for laser printers. I was thinking about doing the freezer paper stencil thing, we'll see.

Thanks for the feedback!

I think your set up looks great! It's very inviting.
I try to keep at least 2-3 different scents each of floral, fruit, masculine and clean. I also always have 4-5 unscented basic soaps (goatmilk, oatmeal & honey, buttermilk & honey, plain with no additives, etc) available at every market.

As far as lotions - it's hit or miss for me. Some days they will sell very well and other days not at all. I also have a tester so people can try it. It can be frustrating, but I wouldn't worry about it too much.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I think you did a great job with the display! I love the levels, your signs and the decore. I am still wondering if the inside of the crates is a little dark?
Since I make my own soap it is not often that I will purchase a bar, but I do sometimes get a lotion or butter (don't make lotions). Maybe as we head more into winter when our skin is dryer you would see more interest in these.

You mentioned the "sentsy lady" ?? who is she??? And what does she sell.
I think you should be proud of yourself for doing all that you did.

And Linda- that was very good simple advise you offered on what to have available. Your a gem!

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

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Anna Rose @-}--
blog

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I think their tart warmers are adorable, too, but I've never bought one because of a few reasons. First of all, they use petroleum in their tarts, which I try to avoid. Second of all, I don't use much scent in my home. Even using fragrance oils in my soaps feels like a compromise to me (although I only use pthalate free scents). If I feel the need to use a scent (like if the kitchen smells or something) I use essential oil diffusers. I've thought about buying one of the tart warmers to use as an essential oil diffuser, but never gotten around to it (plus I'm pretty sure you have to get tarts when you buy a warmer, and I don't want to buy tarts I have no intention of using).

And yeah, I didn't know they made lotions and now bath melt/fizzie/something like that until this past show. I was just a little annoyed. And the sales rep looked like she'd just rolled out of bed after an all night bender. And the tupperware lady spent half of the day on her phone. Very unprofessional.

I HATE going to a show only to find out that I am stuck with a bunch of MLM's Ugh! They have their places but since when do they belong at a craft show? I had one who sold Jordan Essentials come over to my tent, look at everything with her nose in the air and say "I sell these type of things too" I looked at her calmly and said" oh really? How long does it take you to design, produce, package, and display your products because I don't just SELL them, I make them, each and every one, by hand." She left my booth very quickly and every crafter there was laughing and giving the thumbs up.

I did a show in a very snooty part of town one year at a large high school. The show was packed with vendors and I think I can count on two hands the amount of vendors that actually craft their items. It was almost all MLM's or retail items. Ridiculous. Plus, they had multiple vendors of every type including soaps. I was not happy at that show. On the plus side, this show I am doing in November, I will be the only soap maker there. I got my new banner ordered and should have it by Friday! I was very pleased to hear that they only allow one of each type of vendor, especially MLM's. It's not a big show and I don't expect a lot out of it but it is at my kid's high school so I figured I should support them.

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Haven

I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets frustrated seeing "craft" shows that are like 95% MLM's. I did a show last year where I was literally the ONLY craft booth. It made me crazy. But in my home town there really are very few handcrafters left. And if there are any, they probably take their wares into the cities (I live 30 minutes from St. Paul/Minneapolis) because I'll bet the people there are more receptive. I just haven't had the schedule flexibility yet to do that- my husband works pretty much every weekend now until Christmas, and I'm having a hard time lining up child care. Plus, it's kind of a catch 22 because I can't really check out the shows unless I have a babysitter, but I don't know if I want to PAY a babysitter and end up barely breaking even at the show.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!