Pretty Pictures!

So I realize that I'm the only person that will get excited over this, but we are *almost* ready to launch the website! The hubby ordered the photog equipment we'll need to do proper product photos, and as soon as I have those done and figure out PayPal, we should be ready for business!

It's happening faster then I thought it would, and I don't know if I'm entirely prepared for it! BUT, I just have to trust that this is going to be something good for me, and good for us, and that if I just stay the course it will happen. I have a pretty solid idea, and it should be doable along with a regular job, for now. My hopes is that this will be wildly successful, of course, and then I wouldn't have to return to life at a regular job. But that is still aways away, and for now I just need to trust myself and what feels right.

Few Steps Closer

So the main obstacles that were left to me were finding out the rules of unemployment when it comes to self employment, mainly because I didn't want to run the risk of screwing up my benefits (again) while I work on this little project of mine :)

With a clearer understanding of that, I now need to secure my merchant services and payment gateways so I can accept credit cards, and then I can update my website and I think we will be ready to roll! What a weird feeling this is....I'm on the verge of doing something huge, but I have no idea where this road will lead, I just know it feels like I'm doing the right thing and I'm a step closer to leading the life I want.

I have a goal in mind for this place, well, this virtual place to start with, and that is that I will eventually be a full-fledged store with a store front. In an ideal world, there would be a 3-bedroom living space on top where I live so that there's no commute, and I could walk down the stairs to work. That would be fabulous. I know there are places like that around town, I just have to find them. And find them at a time when I can afford the rents. But for now I will start out online, working out of our little apartment tucked away in the Rainer Valley. OH! And I have a logo in the works, should have that up and ready to show to people soon. I'm very excited. So far the product testing guinea pigs have come back and said they like everything, so I'm pretty confident that I've hit the right mix of things.

I will keep you readers updated on what's happening, the small handful of you that there are. I'm not sure how many people read me, but I'm glad you're here for the ride :)

~m

Developing Stages......

Product development is an interesting process. Not knowing where to start, I looked up things on the great wide web, and then from there, things have developed, reactions varied, and now, I think I have a pretty solid idea of what I need to do for certain products. The creative side of this business is very appealing, and the business side of things is very daunting. I need to get some ducks in line about exactly how does unemployment work for someone who is on it and trying to start a business, and then from there, I need to figure out a merchant account and then we *might* be ready for launch! Launching the website and starting to take orders might be the next logical step, because I'm to a point where I've made most of the products I would like to sell, successfully, I might add, and I'll just be wasting money if I sit and wait until the "opportune" moment. I may be upon my moment and just don't realize it yet. But I can't be afraid of what lies ahead. I know what I want and I have to just reach out and grab it. Even if it means taking a few steps in the dark before I find what I'm reaching out too. Just need to believe it's there.

On the product development note, I did have one failure this week. The sugar lip scrub. I think I will have to find a different way to do the flavors, because the ones that I found seem to be a bit on the way too strong side, the passionfruit and cherry both have a faint reminiscent flavor of cough syrup. bleh. I did however, have a successful try for a salt scrub, which means that I have one complete line of product done and ready to be photographed for the website! My plan is to go live with photos of examples of the different products I have, and then add photos of new products as they are ordered. It will save me a little bit of start-up money I think. All of the different kinds will be available and listed on the site, but just not all the pictures.

The last part of this whole product development thing is that I need to finish coming up with names for everything. So far I have nothing for my Jasmine line, and I'm going back and forth on a few of the names for other things. I also am back to searching for a solid bubble bath bar recipe. I would love to find something I can mold and shape like my soaps so I can make fun combinations :)

~m

More Bombs......

So just made a new batch of bath bombs, eucalyptus this time, with real eucalyptus leaves inside!

Also made a larger batch of the eucalyptus soap (also with leaves) and a new blue soap that I haven't quite named yet, but it has a lovely ocean-y type scent to it. I created a face mask that has tea tree in it...very good for the skin.....left my face VERY soft indeed! I think I'm going to call it "Sea Monster Mud". Because you look like a sea monster with it on! But it's a quick one, 15 minutes on, rinse off, probably just once a week.

That's all for now. Just been creating and playing all morning, can't wait for the stuff to dry so I can clear out the molds and make more! Oh, and another trip to the supply store is in order....I'm out of base already.......and if I want to make more then one batch of bombs at a time, I'm going to need more molds.

Feels like I've opened a very large can of worms, but now that I know I can do this, I just need to sit down and work out things on the financial side, with the packaging, and the shipping, and all that stuff. Plus what it actually costs to make the product. I love this new adventure I'm on, and I know that my creative side can handle this, I just hope my business side can.

~m

Bath Bombs....bombed?

So having a really productive day today! We got the overload of crap out of our corridor (which makes me happy) and it really opens up the space when you don't have piles and piles of stuff on either side! Started our new filing system, donated a car load of stuff to Goodwill, reorganized the storage closet, went and renewed gym membership, so now it's time for dinner....and soap :)

Thought I would try my hand at the bath bombs. Followed a recipe I found online, and everything was going ok....or so I thought....until I went to put it into the molds. I put the mixture in the same molds that I use for the 4oz soap blocks and now I'm looking over into the kitchen at my worktable at what looks like 4 light purple (it's the lavendar, honey and chamomile bombs, still need a name....something relaxing, to do with sleep....any suggestions?) expanding cupcakes! They are coming out of their molds! I think I may have used too much water or something! HOLY CRAP!

I'm going to let them dry, if they dry (here's prayin') and see how they turn out. If they are ok, I think I can use half as much in the molds and still get pretty decent sized bath bombs....if not, back to good ol' square 1.

Wish me luck! I'm going in!

~m

Great Success!

So now I have a confession to make. I really didn't know much of anything about how to make soap when I got this idea and started developing this business. My first batch of soap however, proves that once you set your mind to something, you can accomplish anything.

I used the soap the other night when I took a shower and it seems to be everything that my sensitive skin needs....gentle, doesn't dry my skin out (good for winter!!), and it doesn't leave that weird film on the skin like a lot of store brands tend too. I think this is an excellent test, because my skin seems to be more sensitive then most people's, so if my skin can take it without falling off, it will work wonderfully for the general population.

The scent and color was heavenly, I think I've figured out the right amount of coloring, and at least the right amount of scent for at least one type of soap. The scent was strong enough so that while you are in the shower or bath, you get the benefits of the aromatherapy without the scent being overpowering when you get out. I have always hated having to use unscented, white soap because it's the only thing that doesn't make my skin break out. Does anyone else have that same problem? WELL, I think I am on the path to finding a permanent solution for anyone who feels, like me, that just because you have an intolerance to something, be it chemicals in soap, or different types of foods, that you still deserve to have choices, and good choices at that, of the products that you buy.

That's all for now, I will be attempting to make Lemon soap, and *hopefully* lavender soap that should be ready for use tomorrow or later this week :)

1st Batch!

I am very excited to announce that I have just made my first batch of soap! It is vitamin E, Eucalyptus and Tea Tree infused! It should be perfect for those chilly winter nights when you just want to take a hot bath and warm up! Eucalyptus is also great for opening up the sinuses when you have a cold, and the vitamin E and tea tree will keep your skin looking radiant!

The soap is in the process of curing, and will be ready to be tested in the next day or so....Stay tuned!

My kitchen has a lovely aroma just now...........