Handmade Beauty Connection A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
March
21,
2005
ISSN 1530-9630 | Vol. 6, Issue 12
To subscribe, click here.
1.
IBN
Update: Welcome New
& Renewing IBN Members!!
2.
Feature Article: Candles Make Scents (& Accents)!!
3.
Handmade Beauty Recipe Of The Week:
Amber Dusting Powder
4.
Beauty & The Business
Trivia
Question: win some
handmade amber soap!
5.
Handmade Beauty Product Review:
Amber Products by Carrot Tree Soaps
and Essentials
1.
IBN
Update: Welcome New
& Renewing IBN Members!!
5-Year Renewing Members!
All this year, HBC will highlight members who are renewing for their 5th straight year of membership! Our 5-Year Renewing Members joined IBN in 2000 and have this week renewed their memberships for a 5th year without interruption. I am eternally grateful to all IBN members, but especially these who put their faith in IBN in the early days when there was no track record and no one was sure it would last. I'm excited to say that IBN has lasted and so have these members! Please visit their websites. Be inspired and buy something new and delicious just for you!
Essencia |
Julianna Lipe | Louisiana
* Essencia's founders, a mother-daughter team, produce handcrafted
products, including soaps, lotions, body creams and balms, designed to
accentuate the rich gifts of nature and provide uncompromising benefits for
the skin. Delicate blends of natural vegetable oils, butters, milks, waxes
and botanicals, subtly fragranced with pure essential oils, create products
completely free of synthetic chemicals and preservatives. Attention to every
detail, from hand blending to packaging, assures a final result you will
appreciate and enjoy! Their products have been featured in the Academy Award
gift bags! Meet the company here,
and while there, get some Rosewater Body Milk -- it's wonderful!
Renewing Members!
Susan's Soaps and More |
Susan Svec | Texas
* soaps, shampoo bars, body butter, sugar
scrubs, lotion bars, hydrosols, sachets, insect repellant, solid perfumes,
lip balm and baby products
Bee Naturals | Barbara
Chappuis | Missouri
* beeswax-based all natural skin care cremes and lotions
Alabu
Soap | Maryclaire Mayes | New York
* handmade soap for sensitive skin, made from pure goats milk and rich
natural moisturizers
Harrington
House | Margaret A. Hardy | Virginia
* age defying and health
enhancing products for your skin, hair, nails, body, and soul
Women's
Wellness | Johnetta Miner | New York
* home spa products are packaged under
the name of Lady Ja
Tomboy Soap Co., LLC |
Jessica Newens | Colorado
* 14 original handcrafted, cold
processed soaps, including castile bars, swirled soaps, scrubby soaps and
pure, smooth bars
7 Arrows Farm | Judy
Marcellot | Massachusetts
* 14 original handcrafted, cold
processed soaps, including castile bars, swirled soaps, scrubby soaps and
pure, smooth bars
New Members
Me Bath & Body
IBN Members On The Move!!
Traci Vanover of The Creative Concept is excited to invite you all to the Soap and Candle Bee in Fort Wayne, Indiana on June 11, 2005. The Theme is "Fresh Ideas -- Fresh Outlook" and I'll be the keynote speaker -- hope to see you there! (IBN members, put "IBN OFFER" in the shopping cart comments to get your FREE spa CD when you register!)
The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild conference will be in Pittsburgh, PA, on April 27 - 30! Enjoy their theme, "Transitions For Growth -- Reaching Your Goals." Speaker topics Master Soapmaking classes, Merchandising & Customer Service, Teaching Soapmaking in West Africa, Trademarks, Copyrights & Patents and more! Click here for details!
Learn more about our members and
their exciting activities by visiting their Web sites through
IBN's Online
Member Directory, now with 4 ways to search: (1) by
state/country; (2) by member business name; (3) by keyword search;
or (4) using our new alphabetical listings.
2. Feature
Article: Candles
Make Scents (& Accents!!)
Whether
you're moving into a new home or working to make an existing one a new look,
candles are a great way to accessorize. Giving a room both scent and accent, a
candle can complement the look of any room in many ways: color, style, aroma and
more. If you are looking to start your own candle line or are struggling to
choose the right candle for your home or office, consider these tips to help you
get the candles that make both scents and accents for you.
1. Fragrance & Decor.
According to IBN member Ann Wooledge of Wingsets Aromatherapy Bath, Body &
Candle Shop, while everyone is different, "The most universally popular
desire with regard to candles is the desire for "a strong fragrance that
they can smell as soon as they enter a room, even without lighting the
candle." Says Wooledge, "Many people choose a candle scent because of
its ability to reflect to tone they want to set in a room. For example, apple
for the kitchen, lavender for the bath and so forth." While fragrance is
usually important, more "fashion conscious" people are mainly
concerned with how a candle looks with their decor, according to Doneen St.
John,
co-owner of IBN member Bitter Creek Candle Supply. Says St. John, "People
who have the 'country look' in their home might lean towards canning jar or
other rustic, primitive, 'grubbie' type candles, while people who like a more
modern look might want candles in sleek looking jars, tins, or funky square
pillars." Real "candle fashionistas" might like to accessorize
using things like candle gardens with river rocks or sea glass on a ceramic tray
with pillars in several different heights.
2. Wax Types.
St. John suggests that there are enough types of wax to suit any
candle lover. Paraffin wax, soy wax, beeswax and palm wax are among the most
popular. Says St. John, "We like to stock a good variety of each since
different candle makers want different things. For example, paraffin wax can
achieve certain results that cannot be achieved with soy or other waxes, such as
a mottled effect. Beeswax makes a beautiful natural candle that is
virtually soot-free and does not drop, but it is more expensive than other
waxes. Soy is very popular these days for many reasons, among them because it is
a natural, all-vegetable product. Soy burns very clean with less soot than
paraffin wax, and it cleans up easy so it's a good choice for hobbyists and
small business owners," says St. John. Rachel Lane at IBN member Barcelona
Bath and Body agrees. "Soy is a cleaner burning wax and therefore, makes a
healthier candle," says Lane. "In addition, it allows me to avoid consuming
yet another petroleum-based product."
Wooledge at Wingsets has chosen soy wax as the exclusive wax for their candles. "While beeswax is wonderful (and smells so good on its own that we hate to scent it), it's way too expensive for us to use in large quantities so we have chosen soy wax because it is easier to clean up, burns 3 to 4 times longer than paraffin wax and burns stronger too." Says Wooledge, "Soy wax is also great for the consumer because it does not give off any of the black soot that can accumulate on walls, carpets, draperies and in the lungs when paraffin wax is used."
3. If You Make Your Own.
Wooledge and St. John agree that soy votive candles are the easiest for new
candle makers to create. Says St. John, "I recommend that beginner
chandlers (the industry term for candlemakers) start with votive candles since
they are designed to release from molds easily. In addition, they are small and
the manufacturing process takes up little space and does not require a lot of
equipment." Wooledge agrees, adding that it requires only one pour (whereas other
waxes require more than one pour to get an even top) and spills and drips can be
quickly and easily cleaned up with soap and water.
4. Safety.
No matter what type of candle you desire, or what type of look, color or scent
you choose, St. John cautions that the most important consideration for home candle
use and enjoyment is safety. "Consider whether your candle is
for decoration only or whether it will most likely be lit and used. In the
latter case," says St. John, "be sure to buy the right kind of heat
resistant holder for the candle, and always read and follow the caution label or
safety instructions on the candles before burning."
To help you get your creative juices flowing, here's a list of some of the most popular candle scents for spring: Lily of the Valley, Lilac. Dogwood, Texas Bluebonnet, Citrus Splash, Country Clothesline, Kiwi Strawberry, Southern Magnolia. Some of these are most popular in the southern part of the country. Scents that might appeal more to those with a more sophisticated taste include Cool Citrus Basil, Honey Coco Mango, Wildberry Zinger Tea, Basil Sage Mint and Lime Leaf & Lily.
They all sound so delicious! You can learn more about how candles can make "scents and accents" for you at Bitter Creek Candle Supply, where you can also buy ingredients to create your own. To enjoy finished candles, visit Wingsets Aromatherapy Bath, Body & Candle Shop (where you'll find candle scents like Ginger Lime Basil and Pineapple Cilantro!) and Barcelona Bath & Body where you'll find soaps, candles and room sprays in coordinating aromas like Lemongrass Fennel and Coconut Bay Run.
3. Handmade Beauty Recipe Of The Week: Amber Dusting Powder
Amber
Dusting Powder is an especially easy powder to make and the aroma is
heavenly and warm. Enjoy it!
When you visit MakeYourCosmetics.com, it's easy to buy the ingredients you need by clicking on our Selected Supplier links:
Essential
Wholesale: pure essential oils, over 200 cosmetic bases, hundreds
of carrier/fixed oils such as meadowfoam, cranberry, jojoba and shea
butter plus a new Short Run Private Labeling Program!
Bramble
Berry, Inc.: over 105 different fragrance
and essential oils (including their exclusive "Energy" and
"Relaxing"), all soap tested, soap molds and unscented soap
bases!
SunRose Aromatics: pure essential oils (many organic), carrier oils and other aromatherapy products, each carefully selected for quality. Check out their new Perfumer's Emporium.
The Scent Shack: fragrance oils and soap supplies. Fragrance oils are pre-tested in cold process, melt & pour soap, and candles, and test results are listed at the Web site. Scents tested by soapers for soapers!
From Nature With Love: over 1,600 ingredients and supplies, including cosmetic ingredients, spa supplies, bath accessories and packaging supplies!
4. Beauty & The Business Trivia Question: last week's winner was Ronda Durkee of Salem, OR. Ronda won some lavender essential oil!
Last Week's Question:
Several years ago, there was a run on dietary supplements to treat insomnia and help minimize the adverse effects of stress and depression. These supplements contained a chemical which naturally occurs in things like bananas and turkey meat. The FDA banned dietary supplements containing this chemical because it was eventually linked to severe muscle plain. Nevertheless, people who eat turkey and bananas might tell you that they sleep more or better as a result of eating those foods, which contain this chemical.Last Week's Answer: tryptophan
This Week's Question: According to the leading trade association for candle companies, what are the four most important factors affecting candle sales?
Be the first to correctly answer this week's question and win some true amber handmade soap made by IBN member Carrot Tree Soaps and Essentials!
Please read the contest rules here before submitting your entry. Put "TRIVIA CONTEST ANSWER" in the subject line or your answer will not be considered.
While time does not permit me to respond personally to all entrants,
the winner's name will be announced in the next newsletter!
5.
Handmade
Beauty Product Review: Amber
Products By Carrot Tree Soaps and Essentials
Amber
Products By Carrot Tree
4 oz. | $14.50
Amber has always been a mysterious ingredient for me. No one really seems to know exactly what it is. I'm sure Chris Richter at Carrot Tree has some idea since her recently launched Amber line is chock full of it. For my part though, I really don't need to know exactly what it is since I trust Chris and have enjoyed her products for a few years now. Having said all that, whatever amber she's using is -- in a word -- delectable.
True Amber
Handmade Soap (pictured above)
3-3.5 oz. | $4.95
We blended premium dark amber resin from India with essential oils of
sandalwood, patchouli, Himalayan cedar, frankincense, and vetiver,
resulting in a calming, smooth, long-lasting soap for hair and skin.
(3-3.5 ounces)
Amber
Whipped Shea Butter Cream
4 oz. | $8.00
I saved this for last because it is my very favorite of the 3 products. In
addition to being 75% shea butter, it also contains avocado oil, jojoba
oil and oils of rosehip and carrot which give it a pretty light golden
color. This product feels wonderful gliding into my skin but as a person
with dry and brittle hair (especially in the wintertime), I have to say
that the best part of this product is how it makes my hair feel and smell.
I've even used it on my daughter's hair (when she can take her fingers out
of it long enough to let me get some out of the jar). This is one of the
nicest and most versatile products that is also unique, that I have used
in a long time. The real dark amber in it just smells heavenly. I feel
very mysterious and delicious when I run this through my hair.
Visit
Carrot Tree
to revel in your own amber heaven, and check out their Amber Massage, Bath
& Body Oil as well as salves made with virgin coconut oil,
cold-pressed shea butter, almond and carrot oils, and beeswax.
Yum!
Visit The Handmade Beauty Connection Archives.
Visit our suite of Web sites serving the handmade toiletries
industry:
HandmadeBeauty.com: the
leading industry trade organization
MangoButter.com:
450+ suppliers of raw materials and packaging, updated weekly!
MakeYourCosmetics.com:
ingredient encyclopedia & original cosmetics recipes
DonnaMaria.com:
sound advice for your small business, Create The Life You Love™
Have your ad seen by nearly 5,000 subscribers! ! Click here to see why Essential Wholesale says that the returns from their newsletter ad "just keep on coming," and why The Scent Shack says, "Our sponsorship of The Handmade Beauty Connection went over very well, we had a huge number of hits on the day the newsletter was published, plus we got quite a few new customers."
Donna Maria, Publisher & Editor-In-Chief, DonnaMaria@HandmadeBeauty.com
The Handmade Beauty Connection
The Indie Beauty Network | www.HandmadeBeauty.com
Copyright (c) 2000 - 2005 by The Indie Beauty Network (IBN) and Donna Maria. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized distribution or reproduction is prohibited. IBN does not necessarily endorse any product, event or ideology featured in The Handmade Beauty Connection (HBC) or on IBN's website. All information is provided on an "as is" basis and no express or implied warranties are given. Any use of the information contained in the HBC or on IBN's Web site, including Recipes, is solely at your own risk. IBN and Donna Maria disclaim any liability in connection with the use of all recipes, products reviewed and other information. Except for sponsorships, HBC refuses compensation from companies to feature or mention their names or products. Opinions expressed in any Product Review are personally those of the reviewer and do not represent the views of IBN, Donna Maria (unless she is the reviewer) or any other person or company.
