Helping soap and cosmetic handcrafters navigate the rules and regs.
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My nieces and nephews called me “Andaree” when they couldn’t quite say “Aunt Marie”. Now grandson Coven is calling me “DammaRee.” It’s a moniker I never expected to have, but the joy when I hear it is so far beyond anything else! The experience of being a Grandmother is just great–I love it! Coven came to visit us…
That’s what the license plate holder on my truck says now. I just put the new Handcrafted Soap Guild license plate holder on my truck. Required a little cleaning up of things to get the mud off, but I think it looks pretty nice! It’ll be cool to drive around and have it be known…
Last week I had the honor of speaking about cosmetic labeling requirements to a group in Colorado. Colorado Organics set up the presentation, which had 13 people present. While I’ve done similar presentations in the past, this time was different because they were 1000 miles away and I could have done it in my jammies…
It was such a spectacular day! The trees are turning, the sun was out–stunning. This picture was taken from my porch of the house. She’s a little hard to see, but that white speck by the barn is our horse, Heavy (well, actually her name is “Heavenly Tears”, but she’s just Heavy to us).
When I make soap, I break it out into in several stages: Preparation, Melting, Mixing & Molding, Unmolding & Cutting, Trimming and Packaging. Generally there is a time gap between the different stages – sometimes hours, sometimes days and even sometimes months. This is how I do it.
Making soap is both a science and an art. For me, it’s the combination of the two that makes the whole thing so fascinating. That, and the joy of having my own custom-made, custom-scented, just-perfect-for-me soap. Add to that the fact that I can share it with other people and make some income while doing…
As I write this I am finishing up all the loose ends to get ready to leave. Very excited (now that most of the stress or the preparations is done)! The HSMG Annual Conference is a really big deal within the soapmaking community and for me as the President of the HSMG. Leigh O’Donnell, the…
Last night I watched the 7th and final episode of the HBO Miniseries “John Adams”. While I’ve been intrigued and educated through the entire series, it was the last episode that gave me the most insight into the man himself. I attribute that to the fact that it covers the last years of his life,…
Looking out my window this morning, my level of doubt rises. Snow falling and on the ground. In APRIL!!! Doesn’t seem much warmer around here this spring, that’s for sure. On the other hand, I can’t complain. I love the look and feel of snow. Since we don’t get it very often (maybe 5-6 times…
I hate tax day. Like many (maybe most) Americans, I seriously resent the time and effort I have to spend to file taxes every year. Filling in the forms has gotten easier over the years with e-File and programs like TurboTax, but even with that I spent over 6 hours putting together my taxes last…
At long last, the 2nd edition of my book, Soap and Cosmetic Labeling, has finally arrived from the printer. Hurray!! I have to say, I always have palpitations when something has gone to print. Waiting for it to come back, wondering what might go wrong (or what typos I missed) is hard – especially this…
I posted before about my sad experience with United. I wasn’t sure I was going to use the $150 coupon they gave me, but I did. And everything seemed to be fine … for a while.
