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Handmade Beauty Connection
May 7, 2001

A Publication of The Handmade Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630
May 5, 2001
Vol. 2, Issue 18

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1. HBN Update - Welcome New HBN Members & Other News!!
2. Handmade Beauty Trivia Question ~ win a bottle of Milk & Honey lotion, courtesy of HBN member Essential Wholesale!!
3. Handmade Beauty Product Review by Donna Maria
4. Handmade Beauty Recipe: Honey Aloe Facial Mask
5. Take A Moment To Complete Our Reader Survey!

1. HBN Update: Welcome New HBN Members & Other News!!

~ Welcome New HBN Members!!

Acordia of Colorado | Kathy Francis | Colorado Springs, Colorado

Through Acordia, HBN has implemented a comprehensive insurance program exclusively for members of HBN. Home-based, along with
retail, storefront and warehouse operations can be covered. Join HBN today to take advantage of our great program and start ensuring the future your business today! Call Kathy Francis at (800) 332-9256 to learn more today!

Visit our new members' Web sites by going through Online Member Directory.

~ HBN member Country Herbals by Andrea is featured in an article in the March/April issue of Cosmetic/Personal Care Packaging!
In the article, Andrea Fowler, a pioneer of sorts in the handmade toiletries industry, discussed how changing the label on her packages increased sales by encouraging retailers to provide Country Herbals shelf space next to other toiletries products, thus enhancing their ability to compete successfully for consumer attention. Congratulations Andrea!!

~ HBN member Rachael Shapiro of A Woman of Uncommon Scents (a supplier of essential oils and other aromatic materials), will
address attendees at the June 2nd World Perfumery Congress 2001 in Cannes, France. As the Global Representative for Nobs
Hidrofidusion, an El Salvadorian distiller of cascarilla and vetiver essential oils, Rachael continues to establish herself
as a leader in the aromatic world. At the Congress, Rachael will present to the perfumers, purchasing agents and research
and development directors of multi-national perfume companies. Good luck Rachael!!

~ HBN member Nature's Gift is highlighted on page 46 of this month's issue of Self Magazine. In an article discussing
making your own natural perfumes, the author recommends buying your supplies from Nature's Gift!

~ HBN member Kathy Tarbox of The Saponifier Magazine is featured in the "Boomer Biz Profile" section of Idea Cafe.
Kathy provides answers to questions about how she started her magazine, and also some tips to help other small businesses
get started. Kathy and her business partner, Melanie Dunstan, will be HBN's Beauty Call guests later this year. You can read
Kathy's Idea Cafe profile at this link:
http://www.ideacafe.com/business_boomers/petal_pusher_press.html

~ ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS!
Do you Want to protect the future of your business? Call HBN's products liability insurance representative, Kathy Francis, at (800) 332-9256, extension 135 to see if HBN has a plan for you! Home-based and non-home-based businesses can be covered! Join HBN today to take advantage of our great program and start ensuring the future your business today!

2. Handmade Beauty Trivia Question: Last Week's winner was Shelle Higbee of Hungtington Beach, California. Shelle won a sample of skin loving avocado butter, courtesy of HBN member BioChemica.

Last Week's Question: In 1944, the first female to make a mark by blending perfumes in the male-dominated perfume blending world, created a fragrance with an 8% concentration of a bold aromatic oil known as galbanum. The perfume was known as the first with a distinctive green note. She later developed perfumes for Nina Ricci, Elizabeth Arden and Balmain. Who was this woman, born in Bordeaux in 1909?

Last Week's Answer: Germaine Cellier

This Week's Question: A substance produced by bees, in combination with the sticky buds and leaves they come into contact with, is used in hives to seal holes and cracks. This substance, also known as "bee glue" is said to have a variety of helpful applications in skin care as well as when taken internally. It is also added to incense for its warm, honey-like fragrance.

Be the first to correctly answer this week's question and win a bottle of Milk & Honey lotion, courtesy of HBN member Essential Wholesale!!

Please read the contest rules before submitting your entry.

While time does not permit me to respond personally to all entrants, the winner will be notified by email and their name posted at the link above.

3. Handmade Beauty Product Review by Donna Maria

~ Oatmeal & Honey Handmade Soap by Joan's Gardens
5 ounces | $5.50

Since meeting HBN member Joan Fricker in 1998 at a trade conference, I have enjoyed several of her bars of handmade soap. They are among the best I have ever tried ... dense, colorful and packed with natural skin loving oils. The Oatmeal & Honey bar is one of my favorites because of the warm, milky toasty aroma and the visible flecks of oats throughout. Perhaps one of the very best things about Joan's Garden's soaps is the packaging. Each bar is surrounded by a crimped label with Joan's Garden's logo and tied over with a pretty silk ribbon bow. It is very elegant and high end indeed and gives the bars an exquisite flair while still showing off the fact that they
are handmade. Joan clearly demonstrates that beauty products can be handmade and still be presented in a luxurious, high-end manner!

If you have never tried handmade soap before, Joan's Gardens is a great place to start. If you are a veteran user of handmade
soap, you are missing out indeed if you have not used a bar of Joan's creamy soaps. She has a wide variety of fragrances and lovely colors to choose from, so you are sure to find the one that's just right for you.

You can find Oatmeal & Honey soap and Joan's Gardens other fantastic handmade soaps and bath products through HBN's
Online Member Directory.

4. Handmade Beauty Recipe: Honey Aloe Facial Mask

I made this yesterday for a friend of mine who is experiencing an unexpected and unexplained breakout. Honey Aloe Facial Mask,
with its blend of fresh aloe and honey, was soothing and brought immediate relief. The Whipping cream softened her skin. She loved it! I did not use any aromatic oils so as not to further irritate her skin, but you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils if you'd like. (I added pink grapefruit to mine this morning and it was great!) This recipe makes about 10 generous applications so feel free to cut
it in half. If stored in the refrigerator between uses, it should last up to 2 weeks.

Ingredients

13 ounces aloe fresh aloe from your aloe plant
1 cup oats
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup whipping cream

Blending Instructions & Use

Step 1. Cut the aloe leaf from your plant and weigh 13 ounces. Wash the aloe under warm running water. Place entire aloe leaf
in a food processor and process until very watery.

Step 2. Add honey and cream and process further to mix.

Step 3. Add oats and process until a paste-like mixture forms. If mixture is too runny, add more oats and process until it thickens. If it's too thick, add more cream or a bit more aloe. To use, apply a smooth layer to freshly cleaned face and rest for about 15 minutes until mask hardens. Remove with a soft towel soaked in water or rose hydrosol, or remove simply by rinsing from face until mask is gone. Pat excess water from face and follow with moisturizer of your choice. Enjoy!

If you have a suggested recipe or trivia question you'd like to share, send it to Jenn@HandmadeBeauty.com. If we use
either in an upcoming issue, we'll credit you!!

5. Take A Moment To Complete Our Reader Survey!

We hope you will take 30 seconds to answer the brief questions in our reader survey here. Please take a moment to complete our survey, which will help us to continue to provide you with the articles and other informative items you deserve!

Click here to complete the reader survey. The recipe for Strawberry Cream Facial Cleanser & Mask will automatically appear on your screen after you hit the "submit" key.

Thank you!

If you have a suggested recipe or trivia question you'd like to share, send it to Jenn@HandmadeBeauty.com. If we use either in an upcoming issue, we'll credit you!!

Visit The Handmade Beauty Connection Archives.

Have your ad seen by over 1,830 subscribers! Click here to see why Essential Wholesale says that the returns from their newsletter ad "just keep on coming" and why the Aromatherapy Connection says HBC "is one of the most efficient and cost effective marketing tools we have."

Donna Maria, Editor-In-Chief, DonnaMaria@HandmadeBeauty.com
Jenn Givler, Associate Editor, Jenn@HandmadeBeauty.com
The Handmade Beauty Connection
The Handmade Beauty Network | www.HandmadeBeauty.com

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