Business and Blog is Moving Over to Vitae Essentia

I am working on a new VE logo. This was my first attempt and now I am hiring someone to do a better job!

I have been hard at work getting everything done for the opening of Vitae Essentia. You may have noticed that I am winding down activity on all things Ladybug Soapworks. I have closed my main website and only have my Etsy store still active. I still have a lot to do before I open vitae essentia, but if you are interested in following my journey and keeping up to day with what is going on, please check out my vitae essentia blog. I will start updating it regularly. You can also subscribe to my email newsletter to be kept in the loop and receive discount coupons when I open the new store.

You can also follow me at Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Ladybug Soapworks blog now available on Kindle!

I am so excited to announce that the Ladybug Soapworks blog is now available on the Kindle store for a monthly subscription cost of $0.99. This allows you to read my blog even when you are not connected to the internet. This is also a great way for you to take my recipes and tutorials with you into your kitchen or soap "lab" and have them easily accessible without printing them out and wasting paper. Want to sign up?  Click here.

New Curing Rack...Yippie!

I have been dreaming of getting a bakers rack for a long time to use as a curing rack for my soap.  I was finally able to get one and it just works perfectly! I love how it has wheels and I can roll around the room if I need. It also has plenty of shelves, so I can fit a lot of soap in the rack.

I found this rack at www.webstaurantstore.com you can find the rack I got here. I would highly recommend that store as they have very good prices and quick shipping. I also bought a stainless steel cart with 2 shelve and they have stainless steel work benches for a very good price as well.  Those are the next items on my wish list!

Adding Social Media Icons to your Blog

As you have probably noticed, I am making a lot of upgrades to both my blog and online store. My newest additions are the pretty social media icons you can see to the right. Adding these icons to my blog took a lot of trial and error, looking at the source code for other sites and trying to figure out how to modify it for my site. Well in the end Dylan helped me and I FINALLY got it to work.  Since I found this process so difficult, I thought others might be going through the same struggles as me and perhaps I could save them some time and hassle. These directions are only for Blogger (Blogspot) blogs. So here we go:

Step 1:
Find some social media icons that you like. A simple Google image search for "social media icon png" will bring up a ton of options. Download the ones you decide to use. For my site, I am using a set called "Minimalist" that was designed by Zee Que at designbolts.com. You can get them here for free.

Step 2:
If you have your own website upload your images to your Public_HTML folder. This will allow you to access the icon at www.YOUR_WEBSITE.com/IMAGE_NAME.png. Obviously, you need to change YOUR_WEBSITE to the name of your site and IMAGE_NAME to the name of the image (likely something like Twitter.png or Pinterest.png).

If you do not have your own site to upload the images you can upload them to a place like Flickr where you can get a link the the specific icon image.

Step 3:
Go to your blog and select the layout tab. Then click on the 'Add a Gadget' in the area of the blog that you would like to place your icons. In the popup, select the "HTML/JavaScript add third-party functionality or other code to your blog" gadget.

Step 4:
Give this gadget a title if desired. Then you will have to type in a modification of the code given  below. You will need to add the text highlighted in gray between <a and </a> into the content box. The first example is for Facebook. In the text below, where it says YOUR_USERNAME you will need to change to text to reflect your Facebook name. You will also have to change/modify the link to access your icon image; replacing YOUR_WEBSITE with the name of the site where the image is stored and ICON_NAME to the exact name of the icon.

<a href="http://www.facebook.com/YOUR_USERNAME">
<img width="60/" title="Follow YOUR_USERNAME on Facebook" alt="Follow  YOUR_USERNAME on Facebook" src="http://www.YOUR_WEBSITE.com/ICON_NAME.png"/>
</a>

Here are the examples for Twitter and Pinterest for my site. Now following the directions above, just change where I have Ladybug Soapworks and my website and image name to the appropriate names for your site.

<a href="http://www.twitter.com/#!/LadybugSoapwork">
<img width="60/" title="Follow Ladybug Soapworks on Twitter" alt="Follow Ladybug Soapworks on Twitter" src="http://www.ladybugsoapworks.net/Twitter2.png" />
</a>

<a href="http://pinterest.com/LadybugSoapwork/">
<img width="60/" title="Follow Ladybug Soapworks Pinterest" alt="Follow Ladybug Soapworks Pinterest" src="http://www.ladybugsoapworks.net/Pinterest.png"/>
</a>

 

I hope this tutorial will help you to get your blog looking a little more professional, too!

Newly improved website.

I have been working on my website trying to make it look more professional. My other site www.essentiastore.com came out quite nice when I made it recently (I am just not ready to switch over my brand, yet) and so I want to get www.LadybugSoapworks.com to look just as nice. Ladybug Soapworks was made a few years ago, before I knew anything about making webpages. So to modernize the website, I recently added a picture slider to my home page and Facebook like buttons to all my product pages. Links to my blog are still kind of hidden in the link button on the side bar. I will soon be adding links directly on the home page for my blog, Twitter, and Facebook pages. Go check out the newly improved site!

Laundry Soap!

I hope everyone had a great holiday and New year. I sure did! It was so great to see all my family and friends.

On the soaping front, I just put a ton of laundry soap in the oven. I am basically all out and it is one of my best selling items! I make my soap with a 50:50 blend of coconut and palm oil. I have also tried olive oil and palm and it worked well, too, but is more expensive to make.

Here I have 3 molds filled with my laundry soap. Next step...shredding all of that. Thank god for the Cuisinart!

I wanted to show a close up of some of my molds as well. I really like Upland molds. I have 2 slab molds now from them and the silicone mold makes removal so easy.
I also have this great mold from Silvermoon Molds. I don't use this one much since I have mostly switched over to slab molds, but this one also has a great silicone liner making soap removal so easy.
One of my other regular molds is a Kelsei slab mold that I use for salt bars since it has separators to make individual soaps that do not need to be cut. So what kind of mold is your favorite?

The Silver Circle Studio

Ladybug Soapworks can now be purchased at the Silver Circle Studio at 75 Main St in Putnam, CT. I just dropped off my display yesterday. It is a really lovely shop filled with all things handmade and it looked like they specialize in paintings and jewelry. They were preparing to teach a class when I got there. Check out there website here and be sure to stop by and pick up some soap. They are currently carrying 10 varieties of Ladybug Soapworks soap.

More Ladybug Soapworks Spotting

From Nature with Love is a great local supplier for me. They carry many hard to find items. They also have a great blog where they regularly describe uses for their ingredients. You should take some time to check it out. They also post lots of great recipes that I love to try out from time to time. Recently, they posted a bunch of soap pictures and included my Chai Tea soap. Check out the blog here.

Finally time to relax!

Well it has been a hectic last couple months. We bought a house which was so stressful...I am so glad that the whole process is done. Then we needed to dig a koi pond for our Koi, Biggie, who outgrew his 20 gallon tank a LONG time ago. He is probably between 10-12 inches, way too big for a 20 gallon aquarium. So now he is happy in his pond and he has 4 new koi companions who are much smaller than him so they follow him around like he is the boss. I am sure he must love it! Here is a picture of the pond. I will put up a better one soon.
We have been doing a lot of yard work and I painted the kitchen and hallway. We just got some cool antique furniture for our formal living room so now we just need to furnish the sun porch.

This weekend was really fun we had a 2 day open house for family and friends to come over see the house and hang out. It was really nice to see so many people that I don't get to see that often. A lot of my family travel almost 2 hours or more to get here so I really appreciated them taking the time to come over.

On the soaping front, I have a basic set up for my soaping room, but I still want to paint the floor and walls (some areas still need walls though). I have only made a couple batches of soap since I have been in the new house, but I will have to ramp that up this weekend. My inventory is getting low. I have made a bunch of laundry soap and started selling it the CT Farm Fresh Express. They are a wonderful local food delivery service in Connecticut. I will be listing it soon on my website and etsy. I am selling 16oz and 32oz bags which is enough for 25-50 and 50-100 batches, respectively, depending on the type of washing machine you have.

I have missed you all. I will attempt to update the blog more frequently now that things at home have settled down a bit.
Cheers~
Sarah

Organic Oils---not worth the cost!

After looking at oil prices, it seems that organic is not in my foreseeable future. They are SO expensive. Many are over $200 for a 35lb pail...I think I will stick with conventional oil at this point which is about $50 for 35lb. Maybe when I start making lotions and other leave on products I will use organic oils in them, but for wash off products it is probably not worth it. Thanks for all you helpful comments. :)

Artfire

How many of you have checked out Artfire? I have created a LadybugSoapworks shop there. I have not uploaded any items yet, but it looks like it may be a better place to list than Etsy. I am going to be working on my shop this weekend. Click here to sign up. Right now they have about 2500 stores left that can be opened at a rate of $7 per month. No listing fees or commision fees. Pretty good deal for those who have lots of sales. After the remaining 2500 or so people sign up, the price goes to $20/month. They also have free accounts. Go check it out and if you decide to sign up, click here to give me credit for recommending you or type in LadybugSoapworks when you sign up.

Organic Oils?

I have been thinking about changing all my oils over to organic oils as I run of of my current stock. How many of you currently use organic oils in your soap and other bath/body products? What is the general preference...do you care if your soap is made from organic oils or not? This would require me to raise my prices by probably 50 cents to $1, though I will have to price everything out to make a final decision on that. I would love to hear your opinion on the use of organic oils.

Finally, since it has been sooo long since I last posted pictures I will tease you with some new items that will be listed in my store soon. The first is some Pumpkin Pie Cream Soap. This is the real stuff...real soap not the foaming bath stuff.

This is Lavender Shea soap made with lavender essential oil. I brushed the top with mica so that is has a nice sparkle.

This red hot soap is cinnamon scented.
Lavender bath oil. Made with turkey red castor oil so that your tub does not get slippery. Turkey red castor is a water soluble oil.
Patchouli roll-on perfume.

Price Drop!

I have gone through my ETSY store and decreased prices on many of my soaps. Head over there and check out the great deals!

I will soon be releasing shealoe scrubs and whipped shealoe butter, so keep your eye out at ladybugsoapworks.etsy.com and ladybugsoapworks.net for the new products! I will post some picture very soon...I promise. I know the blog has been lacking lately on pretty picture. Must find a way to get my awesome boyfriend to take some pictures for me! I have had some cinnamon and eucalyptus mint soap waiting for pictures for over 1.5 months!

Free Shipping!

I am trying to get more people to shop at my main website as opposed to my Etsy site. So, for a limited time when you purchase $20.00 worth of product at LadybugSoapworks.net, you will get free shipping! Enter the code "FREESHIP01" in the coupon code box during checkout.

Offer only applies within the continental United States. Offer ends January 31, 2009.

Garage Sale

I have a bunch of fragrance oils that I have decided not to use in my product lines, so i am offering them up to you at a discount off the retailers price. Check them out and let me know if you would like any of them.

Every effort will be made to ship the package out within 24 hours after payment is received. All orders that come in during this time will be handled in the order they were received and product will be filled accordingly.

Shipping is from 06457 and I require Paypal payment.

For Sale
The Soap Goat Soap Shop
Amaretto on the rocks 7-8 oz amber glass $10

Wholesale Supplies Plus
Mango 2 oz amber glass $4
Caribbean Coconut 2 oz amber glass $4
Berries & Cream-16 oz amber glass $16
Sexy Little Thing 2 oz amber glass $5

Brambleberry
Island Coconut 4 oz amber glass $7
Ocean Rain 4 oz amber glass $9
Ginger Pear 8 oz amber glass $11
Smokey Patchouli 16 oz amber glass $26
Dark Rich Chocolate 4 oz amber glass $9
Sugared Walnut 4 oz amber glass $8
Plumeria 2oz amber glass $4
Pecan Praline 8oz amber glass $11

Lebermuth
Coconut 1 oz amber glass $1.50
Coconut Beach 1 oz amber glass $1.50

Candlemaker’s store
Coconut cream 1 oz plastic container $1.50

Tony’s Fragrance
Coconut 1 oz amber glass $1.50
Buttercream 16 oz amber glass $8.00

From Nature with Love
Enchanted Forest 4oz amber glass $9

Simple Soothings
Cherry Almond 8oz amber glass $7

Unknown Supplier
Sugar Cookie 4oz PETE container $4

Thanks for looking!

Updates on website

My website has gotten a makeover! It still needs some work, but at least it now looks like a Ladybug Soapworks store. It is up and running for those who would like to purchase some of my soap. Check it out here: LadybugSoapworks.net

Please feel free to give me any suggestions on the site.

I have also added a few new soaps to my etsy store. :)

Working on my holiday inventory

I have been developing my holiday inventory. Since this is my first year in business, I am still planning out my product lines and seasonal items. I have been considering putting together more gift baskets for sale, but I don't know if that is what people prefer when buying soap as a gift. Give me some opinions here...what do you prefer-purchasing a ready-made gift basket or buying individual items and giving them that way or making your own gift basket?

FDA Globalization act of 2008 survey

I just received this email from Debbie May of Wholesale supplies plus. I would encourage you all to follow the links and complete the survey so that she can better represent us to those in DC.

The United States Energy & Commerce Congressional Committee is discussing a draft bill they have entitled "The FDA Globalization Act of 2008".

While this discussion bill is not yet a formal bill, which can be voted into law, it addresses problems of food chain supply and consumer safety as it applies to drugs and cosmetics. It is expected to become a formal bill soon.

I am most concerned with this draft bill as it pertains to small businesses producing cosmetics such as lotions, lip balm, bath salts, shower gel, moisturizing soaps, etc.

If this bill becomes a law, as it is currently drafted, and you are producing cosmetics you will be required to:

· Annually register your company with the FDA.
· Pay a fee of $2,000 per year.
· Register all ingredients in each of your individual formulas.
· Document good manufacturing practices.
· Report all adverse reactions.

I know the hardship this potential legislation will have on small businesses in our industry. Now is the time to act. This discussion bill is not a full bill. There is still time to have the language modified so that it does not interfere with your business, product innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit of the American Dream.

On September 24th, I will be making my first trip to Washington DC. I will be meeting with several people including Senator George Voinovich, Senator Sherrod Brown and Congresswoman Betty Sutton.

I need your help for this important visit. Please take the time to answer 10 important questions. I will be binding your answers into a book for presentation with additional support materials.

Now is the time to "Be Informed & Get Involved". Please pass this link to every appropriate blog, website and social network. It is time for us to stand together so that our voice can be heard as one!

Complete your survey now and have your voice heard! I will personally deliver your message to Washington on the 24th!

Sincerely Yours,

Debbie May
President & CEO
Wholesale Supplies Plus.com, Inc.

New Website!

I am in the process of building a new webstore. It still needs a bunch of work, but I am pretty proud that I have been able to do this much alone. I still need to make the site look pretty, but I have many of my products set listed and shipping and billing all set up. Let me know if you have any suggests. Again this is still a big work in progress, but any feed back is appreciated! See the store here http://ladybugsoapworks.net

Vacation!

I am leaving for Costa rica on Wednesday!!! I am so excited. I will attempt to blog while there, but we are going to some very remote places so I may not have access to a computer or internet.

Hopefully, I can get Dylan to take pictures of the many soaps I have curing on the rack before we leave. Last weekend I made a chamomile soap, green tea and cucumber soap, pink sugar soap, sandalwood soap, and some soy mocha cafe candles. So that is at least 10 picture that are due. I really like how all these soaps have come out. The scents are all great too. I think I will be keep them as permanent scents in my line. I will probably start making my Halloween/Thanksgiving soaps when I get back. I am planning right now to make the following scented soaps pumpkin pie, cranberry, caramel apple, apple pie, and brown sugar.

Tomorrow I am going to try to make nag champa soap, neroli soap, white tea and ginger soap, and coconut lime verbena soap.