Custom Order Project

I just recieved a custom order for 80 mini shave soaps for wedding favors. I'm so excited. This is, of course, my biggest order to date and will keep me busy for the month of June even if the Farmers' Market falls through, which I fear it might.
It has also given me the idea of creating listings for, instead of the occasional gift set assortment of soaps, listings for favors or wedding party sets. Some herbal soap would make a lovely bridesmaid/groomsmen gift. The summer is a peak wedding season, after all.

Farmers' Market Evening

Tonight I went to one of the local markets I'm attempting to sell at. It's on the grounds of this beautiful garden center. It was lovely to wander around and talk to vendors. In a small hutch is a counter where fresh fish and meat are sold and a few tables from a local bakery. I had my heart set on some scallops, but $28 a pound was too steep for me. Instead I bought a foccacia and a few little meat pies from the baker.
I spoke to the woman who coordinates the market. She told me that there is a soap-seller coming this summer, but not every week. She promised to send me a list of dates when the other seller won't be there so we don't overlap. I brought a few items to show her what I make and she especially liked my "Nymph" solid perfume.
It's a wonderful atmosphere and I'll be glad to get involved.
My father came along with me since he had never been to the market before. He enjoyed himself and even saw an old friend he went to school with but hasn't seen in years. Afterwards we went to dinner at a nearby bar and grill and ate on the porch to enjoy the beautiful evening.
It's the kind of evening that makes me feel very connected to my heathen Celtic ancestors that worshipped the return of the sun and the spring. I can understand their raptures.

Summer Soaping

Sales have been slowly increasing in my shop for the past few months, but over the past two weeks they have exploded. Of course, exploded is a relative term, I'm sure it's all in a day's work for other Etsy sellers.
This reinforces my decision to not take an hourly waged job this summer but focus on my crafting and freelance writing. Of course, this also means alot more upkeep to my shop than I had been previously spending. More time each day making new items, photographing, organizing, storing, ordering supplies, working on my Etsy, etc.
All the promoting and creating new sorts of products and scents seems to be paying off. My choice to go with more masculine/unisex items is paying off. It's a good feeling.
I'm still working on getting into some farmers' markets this summer as well to sell live and connect with other artisans.
I also just had a request for a custom order last night. It will be the biggest order I've ever filled and will keep me quite busy. Even if I don't get any other sales next month, I'll have reached my sales goal with this order.
Off to make more aftershave!

Sulfate Free Shampoo Recipe

We put out a special earth-day issue of our college paper and I contributed this shampoo recipe. I thought you might enjoy it as well-- it gets my hair very clean without drying it out. I personally use Calendula as my herbal steep base.

3 oz. Herbal steep
1 tsp. Baking Soda
½ tsp. Vegetable Glycerin
¼ tsp. Jojoba Oil (optional)
6 drops Essential Oil (optional)


Pour boiling water over three teaspoons of herbs of your choosing. Chamomile is best for blondes, Calendula flowers help bring out red tones, Rosemary for dry scalps. Green tea is also an excellent choice for a general clarifying wash, and Lavender can benefit damaged hair. After the water has mostly cooled, strain out three ounces into a glass measuring cup. Dissolve your baking soda before adding glycerin (available at craft and health food stores).
Put your creation into a bottle or container with a secure lid. For dry hair or scalps, you can add jojoba oil or a few (very few) drops of olive oil. Various essential oils can also be added for various benefits and also their potent fragrance. However, essential oils may be too strongly concentrated for women who are nursing or pregnant.
Afterwards you can rinse with remaining herbal steep combined with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.

New Additions to my Soap

Two new herbal milks soaps have arrived in my shop. First, a Lavender Lemon soap:And second, a Rosemary Mint soap:

I wanted something soothing an herbal for spring. They both smell wonderful in spite of, or perhaps because of, their simplicity and purity.

I've also listed a customizable perfume in my shop . Choose one of 14 essential oils to create your own Single Note All Natural Solid Perfume. Sales are finally starting to pick up, so I've been working on fresh batches of my best sellers as well as new fragrances and botanical blends. I've accumulated a notebook full of my recipes and research. This weekend I'll be listing a new Beer Shave Soap with vanilla and sandalwood fragrance. I've also been experimenting with all natural deodorant recipes. What would you like to see in my shop?

Happy Birthday Colt .45

On Tuesday it will be the 100th birthday of the Colt .45-- my father, an antique weapons enthusiast has informed me of this. His influence has already lead to the creation of my most popular fragrance, "Rifle Range"-- available in Soap and also Solid Cologne.
In honor of this anniversary I will be putting those items on sale in my shop on Monday and Tuesday. Although the Colt .45 was for military use and didn't use the black powder charge, Colt did produce some single shot cowboy pistols that did. I think it will be a fun thing to do in the spirit of the occasion anyway.
So look for the discount early this coming week!

Trends Emerging

I've noticed that certain kinds of scents are emerging as best-sellers in my shop. My number one best selling fragrance is Rifle Range, I've sold several soaps and colognes in that scent.
My more masculine scents seem to get more views, hearts, and sales than more traditionally feminine ones. Perhaps this is my niche? I've been working on more unisex scents that have those deep, complex qualities that my customers seem to enjoy. I just posted a soap called "Holmes" after my favorite literary sleuth- last week I posted a "Watson" which is a classic Bay Rum scent (but I've started wearing it, it's delicious).
I have made a few new feminine scents, however. Emma is a bright combination of Strawberry, Honeysuckle, and Orange. I made a Jane Eyre as well which has Ivy, Heather, Lavender, and Vetiver as the main notes.
I think that unique blends are what catch peoples' interest overall. Hopefully I can find a bigger market for my more lady-centric fragrances as well.