Expanding and Contracting

My sales have increased beyond my imaginings on my Etsy shop. Next month will be my shop's one year anniversary, so I'm trying to think of a way to celebrate.
My stock has changed considerably since I started out. I've been taking cues from my wonderful customers, what they seem to be buying, what items they buy together. Some have even sent me suggestions for what varieties they would like to see me introduce. I take inspiration from the brands of soap I see in the health food stores, new perfumes my friends are wearing, and from the scents that fill the world around me.
The moment I decided to combine two of my loves: literature and soap was a very good moment for me. Some of my most popular scents have been inspired by my favorite literary characters. That is an area I would like to expand in. Taking a cue from my lovely customers, I'm expanding my Sherlock Holmes inspired products. I've just added an Irene Adler soap and am working on a Moriarty at the moment. This winter I intend to offer a Holmes and Watson set of both colognes and soaps, as well as The Complete Sherlock Holmes which will include the fragrances and soaps for Holmes, Watson, Adler, and Moriarty.
I also need to invest in some new equipment. Earlier in the week I split of my glass bowls I use for perfumery. I submerged it in cool water too quickly and two clean halves emerged after I heard a pop. While getting rid of it, I slashed open my finger on the edge.
Eventually, I'd love to have my own distillation equipment, I could make my own essential oils and extracts. I'll have a coupon next month in honor of my anniversary and as a thank you for my loyal friends and customers!

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.

19th Century Literature Based Scents

I'm toying with new fragrances based on some of my favorite characters. So far I'm looking at doing two counterpoint fragrances: Elinor and Marianne as well as a Sherlock Holmes scent.
Elinor will be more earthy, Rosewood, Eucalyptus, Ivy, maybe a touch of Orange. Marianne will be sweeter, Vanilla, Lavender, Rose, Cinnamon. I'm still playing with blends currently.
For Holmes I'm looking at a masculine blend of Tobacco Flower and Cedarwood.
I'm also working on an Absinthe soap called "The Green Muse." That will be in honor of the romantic poets.

I have to make up anther batch of my Captain Wentworth soap, I've just sold the last bar.
I've also just listed a new soap, "Summer Stroll" to match my solid perfume by the same name.

Woodsy new fragrance blends

I've been experimenting with my oils and have two new fragrances I'm playing with. They'll probably become perfumes and possibly then matching soaps.

Nymph- This is a fresh, sweet, citrusy blend. It has base notes of Rosewood with a bit of Bergamot (my new favorite oil to blend, I'm obsessed), Oakmoss, and Amber. There will be a balance of earthiness with a light whimsical quality.

Autumn Woods- It has similar qualities to Nymph, but has a base of Cedarwood, with Vanilla and Rosemary. Bright, herbaceous, I think it could also work for a man.

Both are made from fragrance blends that are mostly comprised of essential oils blended by me. I've been toying with the idea of making roll-on oil perfumes as well, but I'm not sure. I like the solid perfume medium, it's convenient, moisturizing, and a very economical way to buy perfume. However, not many people I talk to are that familiar with solid perfume. The oil would be more expensive to make and I'm not sure how it would do. It's something to consider as I (hopefully) grow my business.

Name That Scent

I've been playing with new fragrances lately- unfortunately I've yet to list them on Etsy due to some unforeseen camera trouble. The first is called "Summer Stroll"- it's a solid perfume with Lemongrass, Lavender, Sweet Orange, and Peppermint essential oils. It's all natural so it won't bother people with chemical sensitivities. I'll be creating a matching soap as well.
The second new scent is giving me a bit of trouble. It's comprised of Bergamot (which has a lovely rich citrus scent, but is a little darker than an orange or lemon), Anise, Cinnamon, and a hint of Vanilla. It's also an all natural essential oil scent. I'm having a terrible time coming up with a name for it.
The scent is spicy, exotic and very appealing. I think it's very sophisticated as well. I was thinking of something that referenced beverages- Earl Gray Tea is flavored with Bergamot, Absinthe has a licorice or Anise taste. I still haven't reached the right note in that respect. Suggestions welcome!
I've been making lip balms as well and forcing friends and family to test them (they don't mind getting free lip balm, actually). My latest creations are: Bergamot, Rosewood, and Honey Lavender. Currently my Winter NourishMint (Peppermint) balm is listed in my shop.

Exciting new additions to my shop!

If you look to the right at my Morning Valley Soaps Etsy Mini, you'll see that I've added a new solid perfume as well as my first bath salts!

The new perfume fragrance is called "Love" (not very creative, but it's supposed to be a counterpoint to my scent "Lust"). The fragrance consists of juicy, tangy blood orange, with a sweet and creamy layer of vanilla, and a gentle hint of floral lavender. I adore it and have been wearing this scent myself.

My bath salts (pictured above) are from one of two recent batches. I recently made one Eucalyptus batch and one Tea Tree batch. The Eucalyptus are the ones I just listed. I've decided to pack them in some of the small cloth pouches I make that don't seem to be selling well on their own in my other shop. It seems like a great way to gift them to someone, even after the salts are gone, they'll have a reusable pouch.

I've also recently created a batch of lavender mint whipped sugar scrub with lemon verbena. It's so creamy and moisturizing on top of the obvious values of exfoliation it provides. The lavender and mint essential oils smell great and the lemon verbena herbal steep I used in it doesn't add much scent, but it very good for your skin. It also has shea butter and sweet almond oil in it, so it's quality all around. I just have to get some jars to put it in and it will be joining the menagerie of my shop as well.

Thoreau Would Probably Approve

My brother and his girlfriend where outside watching the lightening storm on the porch tonight, so I joined them. Gorgeous forked streaks of light were flooding the sky. There was so much electricity in the air, the neighbors' motion sensor light was tripped. While we were sitting there I said, "Thoreau would approve of this I think," we had shut off the tv and computers and were being entertained by nature. "Who's that?" my brother asked. Oh well.
We've been having so much rain lately that suddenly new tomatoes are sprouting from my plants and I fear they'll be killed by the rapidly approaching first frost. In one of my literature classes we've been reading a section of Walden and Thoreau describes watching his area in the woods flood, an eerily familiar sensation lately.
Say what you will about Thoreau (my dad already has), but he was right about one thing: we should take our cues from nature, not contrived social classes and customs. And we should simplify above all else. Everyone wants things to be more and more complicate- a phone that's also a music player/computer/planner/ereader- it's too much for me. (Maybe it will save a couple trees, but I could never use a Kindle or whatever, I like paper books.)
I made and listed new soap and some solid perfume today and then I went to practice at the archery range, not a very eventful day, but one of my few holidays from school, so I tried to enjoy it.

Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp Pledge

Even though I don't celebrate the winter holidays, almost all of my customers (and potential customers) do! I want my shop to be ready and hopefully come under the radar of new buyers. So, I'm taking the Etsy Holiday Boot Camp Pledge (things called a 'boot camp' that don't involve wearing camouflage have always peaked my interest).

"I, MorningValleySoaps/CraftingBirds, pledge to participate in the Etsy
Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every
week, do my homework, and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read
weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the
weekly blog posts, check off the checklists, and salute the mascot.* I promised
to share what I've learn with those who need it, support my fellow
indepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I
understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage
goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift
givers and give-ees everywhere!"

*Note: I don't make a habit of saluting things, so whatever silly mascot they choose, I'll acknowledge it and show proper... respect (?) to it, but that's all.
I've been working on more autumn/winter jewelry for Blackbird Crafts and creating a recipe for Pumpkin soap for MVS. Also, I just order some soap/solid perfume supplies! They should be here soon and then I can make up some new scents. I have an idea for a "Pamper Your Man" three soap set. Also, for ladies I want to sell a set of a soap with a matching solid perfume.

Soap Pictures!

Above: Eucalyptus and Exfoliation Soap Brittle

Above: Winterberry Soap Brittle

Next project is to make some really great unisex soaps and to make some solid perfumes that match some of my soap scents. That way, you can layer scents from the shower in a more long lasting way.