Debbie from Soapylove created these Radiating Squares

We have been so over-the-top inspired by all of the great #Layers sharing happening on our Facebook page. The one above was created by Debbie Chialtas of Soapylove (pssst: want more Debbie designs and inspiration? She’s written a book and several e-zines on melt and pour design and technique. They all contain drool-worthy soap projects. You can’t miss!) If you want to enter the #Layers design challenge and contest, just post a photo of your melt and pour layers soap to our Facebook page and make sure to include #Layers in the subject line or title. The # hashtag make it easy for us to search for it when it’s time to choose which soaps to highlight on the blog as our (subjective) favorites. Read all the details about the challenge here. If you haven’t posted yet, you have another five days! Get layering. We can’t wait to see what you create.

We’ve picked a winner (127 comments later) from last week’s contest to win a copy of  The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin. Thank you to all our wonderful readers who shared their amazing business goals with us. We are so impressed by your responses and all the hard work that you have done and continue to do!

Drum roll please…our winner is…Rhonda Tevik of Theodora Soaps!

Here is what Rhonda said: “I have just entered my third year of selling soap. In 2011, thanks in large part to the tremendous support, information and products of Bramble Berry, I have slowly added Lip Balms, Lotions, Body Butters/Lotion Bars etc to my products. I currently sell at small local Farmer’s Markets, with an event or two thrown in – but not many. I carry soaps at two local shops ‘in town.’ I recently started selling on-line again thru FaceBook & Artfire. I have several repeat and word-of-mouth customers. I’ve become a regular donator to a local annual Foster Parent Organization and Breast Cancer Awareness events. My business goal for 2012 is three fold: 1) Become a member of the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild 2) Get a better handle on my weakness in packaging; which can sometimes affect that all-important “branding” and 3) Branch out into making Candles. I am a small venture and have no real plans of expanding to a brick & mortor store front in the too-near future. I work in a profession I also love as much as making soap! I would however, like to solidify what my business is today and become a viable and consistent part of my small community. I would like to grow my business in the on-line market place in the form of more consistent sales. I’d like to branch out into larger surrounding Farmer’s Markets and Events. I trust Bramble Berry as you are my ‘First Love’ in the Supplier chain =) Therefore, I trust that this book will help me achieve my small business goals for this year and the coming years.”

Congrats, Rhonda, and good luck with your business! Please email contest(at)brambleberry(dot)com with your shipping address and we’ll get your book in the mail=)

There were so many wonderful comments about your business goals. Here are two more comments for inspiration!

Jennifer Caballero: “My business is that of keeping my kids healthy, and helping other mothers to do the same. We have taken all the additives and preservatives out of my child’s allergy life and he has improved in leaps and bounds. My specific goal is to help other mothers out there with their kids needs with my products by growing my online business by 25% and establishing one local store connection.”

Donna Roberts of Zoe Life Soapworks: “I am opening a new storefront of my own in 38 days! My goal for the first year is to really establish myself in the community. I am going into a town that does not completely understand hand made soap and lotions so I also hope to give them a better understanding of how much better for you a handmade bar of soap is. I plan to join the chamber of commerce and start meeting some of the other business owners in town not only to learn how they deal with the challenges they face but to also just to network. They have a local farmers market so I also plan on selling in that market as well. I have never sold this far “down valley” but have had great success “up valley”. My first year I hope to grow as a soapmaker, a business owner, and as an individual. But in regards to business growth I would like to increase my farmers market client base, my special orders, gift baskets, and get some people in the shop doing some fun soapmaking classes!”

Selling your handmade goods is always a challenge.  Are you just starting your business?  Have you been selling your products at farmer’s markets and craft shows, but want to start an online store? Or, perhaps you’re looking to  get offline and start a storefront?

From everything to marketing and social media to business basics and pricing, The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin is an all-around how-to for building, branding and boosting your new or existing crafty business.  It even includes tips on photographing your products, pricing your products and keeping good records. It’s definitely written for the crafter NOW with an up-to-date social media and marketing section. Also, don’t forget the free resource section on this blog here with my advice from the trenches of our small business.

This book proves that you don’t need a business degree to start a successful crafts business (I didn’t have my business degree until I was 10 years into it!).  The Handmade Marketplace is full of insight, tips and ideas from crafters who’ve taken their business to the next level by improving an area of their business.  Whether it’s your logo, blog, or photos, everyone has room for improvement and this book is overflowing with ideas, inspiration and handy advice for keeping your business moving forward.

CONTEST: What are your business goals? Where does your business have room for growth?  Leave a comment below and tell us about a specific business goal you have this year to enter a chance to win a free copy of The Handmade Marketplace and get you on your way. We’ll pick a winner at random on Monday, April 23rd.