Packaging Archives - Page 4 of 9

Soapy Cupcakes by Riverlea Soap

April 14, 2010 Filed Under: Business Musings

Odette Handly is the owner of Riverlea Soap and makes these realistic and adorable cupcake soaps. I love ’em to pieces!

Three quick fire questions for Odette:

Anne-Marie: How long have you been making soap?
Odette: I am self taught but have only been making for about 3 years. I studied Fashion design and worked as a fashion buyer and then worked for myself making wedding dresses and ball gowns. But I broke my vertebra in my lower back and was told by the surgeon that I would be unable to sit for long periods of time. The recovery time for a back operation is LONG. This is a problem if you sew. I then needed a backup plan to make money after the operation. Something I could do standing up – I found a book that my sister had bought me on making soap and that was the beginning. I have not looked back. Every day brings something new with exciting ideas.

Anne-Marie: Your cupcake soap is incredible! What’s your top selling flavor of cupcake soap?
Odette: Pink floral outsells anything else by far with Lavender a close second.

Anne-Marie: What is your number one business goal for the remainder of 2010?
Odette: To improve sales/exposure in Johannesburg and Cape Town – the two biggest cities in South Africa. I have just recently started selling there and I need to concentrate more on those areas.

Anne-Marie: Thanks Odette and keep up the good work!

Check out Odette’s blog HERE and buy some of her Soaps HERE.

Working Overtime: Christy Rose of KBShimmer

April 6, 2010 Filed Under: Business Musings

I recently finished filming 2 advanced cold process episodes of Soap Queen TV with special guest, Christy Rose of KBShimmer (see blog post here). These video tutorials are going to be amazing! She is such a talented soap artist and was a joy to work with. We had a blast on set. I’m so thrilled that Christy was recently interviewed for the Etsy blog. It’s a must read article if you’re in the mood for a little inspiration. Christy can do it all!

Christy Rose

Working Overtime: Christy Rose of KBShimmer
“Sometimes you’d like to quit your day job, but life gets in the way. We asked Christy of KBShimmer to share her story about her struggle to carve out creative time despite the realities of everyday. Christy is a member of three Teams on Etsy (SAFE Team, Crafting In Color Team and the IN Crowd Team) and says that the support of Teammates has been one of the reasons why she enjoys selling on Etsy. Currently working in real estate, below is the story of why she has chosen to balance both a full-time job outside the home, and running her company, KBShimmer.

I think deep down, most artists would like to quit their day job. Thoughts of leaving the daily grind behind and working for no one but yourself dance among dreams of the next painting, the next photo, the next batch of soap. Nonstop sales, steady earnings, supporting yourself on nothing but income from your art is positive proof that the world appreciates your skills and values your art.

I know those thoughts have danced in my head. Sometimes though, those dreams do have to wait.

KBShimmer began even before I realized it. When returning from a trip, my mother gave me a simple bar of soap. I loved the way it felt — creamy bubbles, soft scent, and when it was gone, I wanted more. Poring over books, I found a recipe, located supplies and made my first batch. Years later, long after that soap was gone and that batch forgotten, I walked into a bath and body store, and again fell in love. “You can make that,” said my husband, and I knew he was right. I could, and this time, I knew that it was more then a passing fancy, this was a passion; a passion I knew I wanted to turn into a business…”

Read the entire interview on Etsy HERE

This is one of the soap batches Christy made on the set of Soap Queen TV.
Although this episode won’t be ready until this summer, check in this Thursday for our first installment in our in-depth Cold Process Soapmaking Series.

Beautiful KBShimmer Soap piled high!

Jazz up your Soap Boxes!

February 25, 2010 Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

Today, I’m speaking at a WBO luncheon in Seattle. The Women Business Owners organization is the group that presented me with the Nellie Cashman award last year. I’m super excited to talk about the growth of Bramble Berry and share my experiences with an enthusiastic audience.

Since I’m out of the office today, I thought this would be a great day to share a project I was working on earlier this week. I was inspired by some adorable soap boxes online and thought “Hey, I can totally do that”. I dug into my junk drawer, pulled out my super sized hole punch and punched out the top of a Bramble Berry white soap box. I popped in a soap and jazzed it up with some ribbon. Easy right?

You can wrap the soap before you put it in the box, but I want people to be able to see and smell my fabulous creation! Don’t worry, you can still do this project if you don’t have a super sized hole punch. In the picture below, I used a craft knife to create my own shape on the top of the box (well, I traced a shape that I found online).

TIP: When you’re tracing, lightly cut through the design at first, then take the design off and cut all the way through. To make sure your craft knife doesn’t cut through to the back of your box, stick a thick piece of cardboard inside of the box. I’m sure you have an old Bramble Berry box laying around (Grin).

I filled the last white box with our new mini Rose Buds because they are just too darn cute. They have a delicate rose scent but if you want to make it stronger you can add a few drops of our Baby Rose fragrance for a simple potpourri.

Do you have any fun packaging ideas that you can whip up in a jiff? I would LOVE to see them!

Grab your supplies here:

Brown Soap Box

Whites Soap Box
Pink Rose Buds

Valentine Eye Candy

February 9, 2010 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

Ahhh…Love is in the air. I’m off to Seattle today for business meetings and continuing education but I couldn’t leave without sharing these adorable expressions of bubbly love. Check out these super cute Valentine’s Day Soaps (all available from Etsy).

Black Metal Love Conversation Hearts by Vanessa Elise

Strawberry Tart Vegan Soap from Ohxcrap

Valentines Day Honey Rain from Terra Secrets

Sealed with A Kiss Vegan Soap by The Sugarthooth Dragon

She Drive Me Crazy Valentine Soap by So Stinking Sweet

Felted Soap for your Valentine by Bogate Designs

Sweet Heart Soap by Naked Garden

My Heart dark Chocolate Raspberry by KB Shimmer

Screenprinting Adventure

January 19, 2010 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

It’s Amber here again, filling in while Anne-Marie is globe trotting. Checkout the new little clock widget I found to show us what time it is in Saudi Arabia (over on the right).
As I mentioned yesterday, we recently purchased a Yudu screen-printing system here at Bramble Berry. So I thought it would be fun to share my experience printing with it. If you are looking for a way to make your tags and labels for your soap and other products stand-out, I think screenprinting is a great way to do it.

The benefits of screenprinting are that it is inexpensive after you have purchased your equipment (and even that can be pretty cheap), you can print on a variety of surfaces (fabric, paper, etc) and aren’t limited by what can go through a copy machine. The downside is that it’s pretty labor intensive, but if you have the time, it’s the cool way to go!

You can find basic instructions for the Yudu here. In addition to the Yudu system, you will need a deep utility sink with a sprayer attachment (or you can use a garden hose outside or go to a car wash and use their pressure washer) and somewhere to hang or lay your pieces while they dry.

Here, I am working on the Soap Queen aprons and T-shirts. First I’m rinsing out the emulsion in the sink, next I’m printing the first color (the yellow hair) and finally I’m showing Anne-Marie how it will look when I get the next screen printed over the top. It’s a multi-step process that would be a huge blog post on it’s own. But if anyone is interested in a step-by-step Yudu tutorial, just let me know.

Here’s a great video tutorial I found that you might try if you aren’t sure if screen printing is for you. The technique uses supplies you probably have on hand.

And to close, I’ll leave you with a few inspiring screen printed cards from Etsy. Can you just imaging what cute tags or wrappers you could make for soap with this technique?

The first example is from JPress Designs, the center example is by magicjelly, and the adorably leggy package is by Reuse First.

Letterpress Obsession

January 18, 2010 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

The time has come! Anne-Marie is off in Saudi Arabia and I am now in charge of the Blog in her absence. Anne-Marie will be back next week but in the mean time, my co-workers and I have numerous ideas for what we’d like to share with you!

But my first order of business is to enlist your help in getting me a new toy.

I was very successful in convincing Anne-Marie that we absolutely needed a YUDU screen printing machine. I made some T-shirts and an apron for the new Soap Queen TV videos – I’ll share more about that with you tomorrow. So I think I’m on a roll!

I am dying to get my hands on this new Letterpress machine from QuicKutz. Anne-Marie and I both share a love for all things letterpress (some past posts on her letterpress loves are here, here, and here). So I’m guessing it won’t be too hard to convince her of the “absolute necessity” of this new gadget – but I’d appreciate any help I can get! So, leave a comment about how excited you are to see my letterpress creations for Soap Queen and Bramble Berry.
My love of letterpress started with my study of Book Arts. I was lucky enough to take bookbinding and letterpress classes in college from Elsi Vassdal Ellis. Above is an example of her work.
After I graduated I took a workshop at Stern & Faye Printers. Each person in the class made their own ‘calling cards’ using the antique type in their collection. Above is a letterpress collage created by Chris Stern, who sadly passed away in 2006.
Sometime soon I hope to take a workshop from a local print shop, Bison Letterpress. Pretty much anytime I notice a cool poster or business card around Bellingham, it turns out it was made by them. Checkout the gorgeous soap labels and boxes they created above.

As you can see my (minimal) letterpress experience is sure to make my creations with the Quickutz Letterpress machine an absolute success and I most definitely deserve one! I’m sure you’ll agree and I’m crossing my fingers that Anne-Marie will, too.

Coordinated Christmas Packaging

December 17, 2009 Filed Under: Home Crafts

I was in a pinch this year to get my presents wrapped and out the door (but, of course, didn’t want to settle for run of the mill wrapping paper since my handmade gifts certainly weren’t run of the mill). I dug through my gift wrapping box and found some adorable paper that I could use to coordinate my entire ensemble of gifts. This project works with any sort of wrapping paper and looks incredible. Just don’t tell anyone how easy it was!

Do you like the wrapping paper I used? Check out Smock Paperon Etsy.Ingredients and Tools
(paperboard) Lunch Boxes
Cellophane Bags

Oatmeal, Milk & Honey CP Loaf Soap
Soap Boxes
Sea Salt
Blue Mix Labcolor
Cranberry Fig Fragrance Oil
Wrapping Paper
Ruler
Craft Knife/Scissors

SEA SALTS: Bath salts are an easy gift with simple ingredients. I just mixed 3 cups of Dead Sea Salt with 2 ml of diluted Blue Mix Labcolor and 10 ml of Cranberry Fig Fragrance Oil. Just mix them well and they’re ready to give away. For the packaging, scoop the salt into a cellophane bag and fold down the top. Fold a piece of wrapping paper over the top and staple on both ends.

PAPER LUNCH BOX: I found these cute little lunch boxes on sale at a local craft store and they’ve been in storage waiting to be used. To snaz them up, I cut a 4 inch wide strip of wrapping paper, wrapped it around the box and secured it with clear tape.

SOAP BOX: Our plain white soap boxes are blank canvases for creativity. Above, I cut two strips of paper and wrapped them around the soap box in opposite directions, securing the ends with clear tape. The paper I used is double sided but you could use 2 different, coordinating pieces of paper as well. Check out our Finished Cold Process Soap if you don’t have time to make your own.

CARDS: My cards turned out so cute that I had to make extras to keep on hand. With a glue stick, adhere a strip of paper over the blank card. For an extra special touch, I added a Merry Christmas Sticker to the bottom that I got at my local rubber stamping store (so much faster than rubber stamping). Trim the edges of the card and you’re done with the card. Pack your goodies in the lunch box, close up the box and your present will hold its own under any tree!

Here are some great Ety sites to shop adorable paper…

White Mouse Design
Crafting Bug
Paminboots
Feterie’s
The Paper Addict

2009 Stocking Stuffer: Lotion

November 30, 2009 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Lotion

Did you get your 2009 Stocking Stuffer Kit yet? Yes, it comes with the label template to print out the labels below on your own printer. Make professional-looking candles, lotions and salt scrubs for your friends, family and co-workers and it couldn’t be easier! The hardest part will be choosing between our Sweet Kit and our Spice Kit. Check out the Tuesday’s post with the salt scrub recipe and Wednesday’s post with the candle recipe.

This lotion is easy to make as-is but our tips will make it even easier. To start, pour 16 oz. of Beeswax Lotion Base into a large plastic baggie and drop in 2 ml of Fragrance Oil. You have to really shake the bottle to get all the lotion out but even then, some is left in the bottle no matter how hard you shake. Seal the plastic baggie and mush it around with your hands to combine the ingredients. Once fully incorporated, snip off a small (small!) corner of the plastic bag and squeeze the lotion into the containers. Cap ‘em, label ‘em and give ‘em away!

Tip: If you want to split up the 2 fragrances between your lotion, just add 1 ml of fragrance oil to 8 ounces of lotion like we did. Works like a charm!

2009 Christmas Kits: Candles

November 25, 2009 Filed Under: Home Crafts

Have you heard about our 2009 Christmas Kits? They’re this years simple solution for making coordinated gift ensembles! Choose from two different fragrance combinations (sweet or spice) to make candles, lotions and salt scrubs for your friends, family and co-workers. If you missed the blog yesterday, I posted a salt scrub recipe that you can make with this kit! Check it out.

Here’s how to make your easy candles…

In a double boiler, melt 16 oz of White Beeswax. Once fully melted, turn off the burner, add 1 ounce of Fragrance Oil and mix well. Then, carefully fill each candle tin with wax (we suggest slowly pouring from your pot or using a ladle). Once you’ve filled your candle tins, place a candle wick in the center of each tin. Let the candles cool for 4-6 hours. Then trim the wicks to ½ inch, apply the neatly labeled lid, and present your creation to a worthy recipient!

Variation: If you want your candles to be a color other than ivory white, check out all of the candle colorants here. Get one of those colors plus the kit and you’ve got yourself a variation. Or, pick up an ounce of a great blender to give yourself even more options for the perfect stocking stuffer. What blends with Clementine Cupcake or Chipotle Caramel? Dark Rich Chocolate, T urkish Mocha, Arabian Spice, Blackberry Spice, Christmas Spice, Orange Spice, Orange Mocha or Pumpkin Spice are all great blenders! And Mandarin Myrrh & Wassail can both easily blend with Berry Wine, Chocolate Espresso, Dark Rich Chocolate, Rise ‘n’ Shine, Amber, Black Tea or Black Amber & Lavender.

Tip: If you’re having problems with leaning wicks, dip the base of the wick in the melted wax and center on the bottom of the tin. Then place 2 pencils horizontally on the tin, on each side of the wick. This will give the wick a little support as you pour the wax and the candle cools. For more helpful candle making tips, check out Soap Queen TV’s episode on Holiday Travel Candles.

Quick Stocking Stuffers: Salt Scrub Recipes

November 24, 2009 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Soaks & Scrubs

Our Stocking Stuffer Kits are this year’s simple solution for making coordinated gift ensembles! Choose from two different fragrance combinations – sweet or spicy – to make candles, lotions and salt scrubs for your friends, family and co-workers. It’s a great gift giving solution in a last minute pinch.

You can purchase the kit of just get the individual ingredients. Below are 2 of my favorite basic recipes.

More liquid recipe blend:
4 tbs. Sweet Almond Oil

4 oz. Dead Sea Salt
2 ml Fragrance Oil

Dryer recipe blend:
2 tbs. Sweet Almond Oil
4 oz. Dead Sea Salt
2 ml Fragrance Oil

In a small mixing bowl, combine your Dead Sea Salt, Sweet Almond Oil and Fragrance Oil. Once fully mixed together, use a spoon to fill up a 4 ounce plastic container. Screw on the lid and add your label (templates for the design above are included with the kit). Really, that’s all there is to it! Feel free to use your imagination and create your own recipe!

Looking for something spicy and sophisticated? Try the Mandarin & Myrrh with Wassail kit. If you have a sweet tooth (like me), then the Clementine Cupcake with Chipotle Caramel is the kit for you. Either kit will be a winner for the 2009 Holidays!

Psst: The Bramble Berry newsletter went out today! If you didn’t get it, let me know and I’ll forward you my copy. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on the specials or the free label template.

Free Christmas Labels!

November 22, 2009 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Are you a Bramble Berry newsletter subscriber? If not, sign up HERE. Don’t miss out on FREE holiday labels available to newsletter subscribers only. The newsletter goes out early Tuesday morning so sign up and confirm your free subscription so you don’t miss the boat!

If the spam filter eats up your newsletter on Tuesday morning, toss me an email at info (at) brambleberry (dot) com and I’ll forward you my copy. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on the super cute holiday labels we designed for you.

Shop Nostalgia {Organic Soaps & Toiletries}

October 20, 2009 Filed Under: Business Musings

Back to the Nostalgia life. If you missed the first part of this interview get caught up HERE. Now, if you don’t mind, Elea and I are going to pick up where we left off…
Anne-Marie: Your packaging is adorable! How long did it take to perfect the look you were going for?

Elea: A long time! It took me well over two years to finish all the designs on the fabrics and papers that house the soap. From concept to completion, it generally takes about 2 months for me to design the packaging for each product. I have drawers full of sample bottles, jars, boxes, papers and just about every type of packaging you can think of – that I experiment with until I finally decided on the direction to take. But, I love designing and drawing and sketching out new ideas for the fabrics and prints – so that part never really feels like work. But, I’m my own worst critic so it does take me quite a long time. I also carefully consider packaging for its recycled or recyclable content or try to offer packaging that can be repurposed after the product is gone. So, it’s a slow, nail-biting process, but seeing the joy on people’s faces when they touch the little bows and giggle at the bluebirds – makes it all worthwhile.

Anne-Marie: Where do you find your inspiration? Elea: I draw inspiration from a lot of different sources, but most of it comes from my childhood and grandmother. I love the purity and wonder of childhood. And, somehow, for me, that directly correlates to offering wholesome, natural products. However, my grandmother is definitely the biggest source of my inspiration. She was just a really special lady that took time to consider even the tiniest detail – if she thought it would put a smile one someone’s face. For example, she would hand-embroider flowers and birds and things on my pillowcases because she knew I loved it. So in her spirit, I try to add happy little details like that in my collection. I’m also inspired by the color palettes and imagery from of my grandmother’s day.

Anne-Marie: Tell us a little bit about yourself on a personal level. What do you like to do when you’re not making soap? Elea: I love spending time with my family and discovering new things with my 2-year-old son. We have our daily outings together that I really cherish. We walk to the park, journey to the zoo or play silly games like hide and seek. I also love traveling, watching a good movie or trying new restaurants with my husband. If I’m not doing any of that – I’m probably crafting something.

Anne-Marie: What’s your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?

Elea: Bramble Berry has so many wonderful products – that’s a tough choice. But, I love their awesome selection of organic essential oils and botanical extracts.

Anne-Marie: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Elea! Good luck with your business and keep us updated! We want to know the latest and greatest with Nostalgia!

If the packaging isn’t cute enough as is, the wrapper that comes around the soap is a set of instructions on how to reuse the bag. The instructions on my Sweet Orange Soap teaches me how to turn my cute bag into chicken shaped egg cozy. I haven’t attempted yet but I’ll let you know how it goes!

Nostalgia Bl og
Nostalgia Website
Wholesale Information
Nostalgialife on Twitter

Marvelous Soap Marbles

October 15, 2009 Filed Under: Melt & Pour Soap

These marbled soaps make the perfect gift or favor for any occasion. And if they’re not cute enough as is, you can fit 5 of these little guys into one of our new soap boxes. The best thing about this soap project is that you can pick any color combination for customization that fits your occasion. This project may look tricky but anyone can do it – even beginners!

Ingredients

White Soap Base (12 oz)
Fiery Fuchsia (Soapylove’s Jewelry Box)
White Tea and Ginger Fragrance Oil
Injector tool (PJ’s Tool Kit)
Soap Sphere Mold
Droppers
Swirling tool (toothpick or spoon will work)
3 rubber bands
Hot Water
Spritz bottle of rubbing alcoholThis tutorial demonstrates the swirling technique. You can see the same concept of this technique on Soap Queen TV. Check out the video here for some helpful tips and tricks on swirling if you haven’t seen it already.

Aligning your sphere mold: Super important tip –When you take your mold out of the package, make sure to mark each end (top and bottom) with a permanent marker so you will always know how to line it up. The mold is lined up correctly when it comes out of the package. If they are aligned incorrectly you will have wonky spheres.

ONE: Have all of your tools ready to use including a cup of hot water. We’ll be using the hot water to clean the injector tool when switching soap colors.

TWO: Melt 12 ounces of white soap base and separate evenly into 2 containers. I used clear, heat safe glass mugs from a thrift store. They worked perfectly for this project.

THREE: Add 1 ml of fragrance oil to each batch and mix well. I used the delicious and popular White Tea and Ginger but you can use any fragrance oil that you want. A non-yellowing fragrance oil would be preferable; we want our white soap to stay strikingly white!

FOUR: Add 6 drops of the Fiery Fuchsia to one of your containers of white soap. Mix well. The other container of soap will remain white.

FOUR: Using your injector tool, drop a pea sized drop of PINK soap into each cavity of the bottom half of the mold. Have your alcohol spray bottle handy and spritz any air bubbles that surface. Immediately clean the injector tool in hot water.

FIVE: Use the clean injector tool to drop a pea sized drop of WHITE soap on top of the pink soap. Then swirl the soap together using any object you can find (toothpick, small fork, pick, spoon, etc.).

SIX: Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 until the bottom half of your mold is filled. Then let soap cool for 10-15 minutes. Remember to clean you injector tool when you’re done with each color. It’s not much fun to clean if the soap has hardened.

SEVEN: Once the soap has cooled, spritz the soap with rubbing alcohol to ensure the layers stick, and place the other half of the mold on top (remember to line up the mold using your two dots from step one). Then secure the mold using 3 rubber bands. Trust me – the rubber bands will make life much easier when filling up the rest of your mold.

EIGHT: Reheat your pink and white soap in the microwave and refresh your hot water for round two. It’s time to fill up the rest of our spheres.

NINE: Use your clean injector tool and fill up each top cavity with white soap about half way. The nozzle of the injector tool fits perfectly into the hole of the mold. Immediately clean your injector tool. Then fill up the mold the rest of the way with the pink soap. OR alternate pink and white soaps until the sphere cavity is completely full. Let loose and have fun with it!

Hint: Because this mold was created for ice cubes, you might see a sphere filling up with soap other than the sphere you are currently filling. Just keep plugging away. The great thing about this project is that is doesn’t have to be perfect. The uneven colors are what make these marbled soaps POP!
TEN: Once your soaps have cooled (about 4-6 hours). Pop them out of the molds. Yes, there is a little clean up required. Just scrape off the edging with your fingernail and smooth the soap with your finger. I haven’t figured out how to get rid of the bubbles on the bottom of the soap so let me know if you have any suggestions. I just smoothed them out with my fingers and they looked great!

Tip: If you have trouble popping the soaps out, put them the mold in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes. They should pop right out after that!

Variations…ONE: I used liquid black with sparkle gold mica in clear soap marbled with fiery fuchsia in white soap.TWO: The brighter pink color was Fiery Fuchsia in clear soap marbled with plain white soap.If you do this project with any cool and fun colors, let me know. I want to hear about all of your soapy successes!

Little Bitty Soap Company Interview

October 13, 2009 Filed Under: Business Musings

Gillian DeConto is the owner of the Little Bitty Soap Company out of British Columbia. She’s also the only Certified Soapmaker in all of British Columbia and one of two in the entire nation of Canada (pretty cool). Oh, and did I mention she won ‘Best Soap’ at the Handmade Soap Guild Annual Conference this year? She is one talented soapmaker! Check out her bio here and the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild here. I purchased some soap from her a couple of weeks ago and I just LOVE them. They were large, hard bars with fabulous lather, fragrance and design. I split them up with the girls in customer service and the reviews were smashing! Gillian was so sweet and agreed to share some of her secrets on the Soap Queen Blog. Here’s what I found out about Gillian…

Anne-Marie: How did you get started making soap?

Gillian: I was visiting my sister and was having a shower. She had the most marvelous soap in the shower, it was a peppermint goats milk soap. Well, I instantly fell in love with it’s creamy, bubbly, minty goodness. It was made by her friend, so I figured if her friend could make it, then certainly I could too. So, a trip to the library and the grocery was next, then I measured, melted and mixed. Woohoo, magic in the soap pot. That was it, instant addiction, he he he. That was over 10 year ago.

Anne-Marie: I know what you mean about instant addiction, ha ha. Do you have any other outlets other than your website?

Gillian: Yes, I love the local farmer’s market and go every Friday. It is my favourite place to sell soaps. I also do several craft and Christmas shows in the fall and, of course, my website.

Anne-Marie: What inspires your soapy designs?

Gillian: Inspiration is all around us. I get ideas from all different sources from art work, to spring napkins to wall paper. When I see something visually appealing, my mind automatically starts to think in terms of soap…Can I make a design like that? Could I combine those colours? what would that look like? How could I make that effect in soap? I can’t help it. It’s where my brain goes.

Anne-Marie: I can relate to that too! Do you ever follow trends or customer requests?

Gillian: This is a standing joke around our house, because I like to buck trends, and what other soapmakers are making. For example: swirling. I like a pretty swirl, but I think there is so much more out there that can be done with swirls and so many other cool designs other than swirls. I do take special requests and also design custom soap bars, but my designs are mostly my own whims.

Anne-Marie: How long do you spend on your more intricate soaps?

Gillian: When I am playing with a new idea or concept, I may make several batches as I learn what works and how I want to change it, or new colour combination I want to try. Sometimes, it takes a couple of tries to figure out how to create a certain look. I have been known to spend several hours on a single batch, but generally, it takes only an hour or two for most of my designs.

Anne-Marie: What are your interests and hobbies when you are not soapmaking?

Gillian: I am a busy mother of 4 and also run a small ranch. I love my animals, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, cats, dogs, ducks and guinea fowl. I also have a large garden that I enjoy and keeps me busy. I have quite a few hobbies that keep me busy, knitting, baking, cooking, hunting, fishing, reading, 4-H, and I am working very hard this year as a board member of the HSMG.

Anne-Marie: Do you have any advice for those wanting to start their own business?

Gillian: 1. Pay someone to do the jobs that you are not good at and/or detest. For example, I am a horrible procrastinator when it comes to book work. I really despise it. So, I pay someone a modest amount monthly to do my books. I am so much happier and it is money well spent.
2. This industry, soap and candle making, is very artistic and creative.
Remember to think outside the box and go ahead and create those fun new products and designs.
3. Join a professional Trade organization. The support, information, education etc. is invaluable to small businesses.

Anne-Marie: Thank you so much for the insight into your “little bitty” business. Keep us updated on your latest and greatest soapy designs!

This soap won the Best CP/HP Appearance “picture”
in the 2009 HMSG Soapers Showcase. Congrats Gillian!

These are the fabulous soaps that I ordered from Gillian.
Do you want to learn how to make cold process soap? Get started with our Cold Process Kit or Cold Process DVD.