return to archives home

A Publication of The Handmade Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Vol. 2, Issue 45

Joan's Gardens | Tel.: (219) 656-3663 | Fax: (219) 656-3998
Toll Free Orders Only : (877) 848-3748

1. HBN Update: Welcome New Members & HBN Members On The Move!!
2. New At MakeYourCosmetics.com -great and fun new recipes!
3. Handmade Beauty Trivia Question: win a generous sample of highest quality avocado butter that you can use to make your dry skin wintertime skincare products, courtesy of HBN member BioChemica!
4. Create The Life You Love Tip: Three Great Ways To Promote Your Business On A Shoestring
5. Create The Life You Love Audio Tapes Available!!
6. Handmade Beauty Product Review by Donna Maria

2. New At MakeYourCosmetics.com

Honey Pineapple Mask - soothing, natural alpha hydroxy mask treatment
Bottom Balm - a great barrier balm for baby's bottom to help prevent diaper rash

Try these and other great recipes at Make Your Cosmetics.com!!

Share your own creations with the world using our unique "Submit A Recipe" feature!! 

When you visit MakeYourCosmetics.com, it's easy to buy the ingredients you need by clicking on our Partner links:

Essential Wholesale: pure essential oils, base carrier oils such as avocado, sweet almond, jojoba and shea butter and specialty packaging supplies packaging supplies!

Bramble Berry, Inc.: over 75 different fragrance oils (including their exclusive "Relaxing" and "Rosehip Jasmine"), all soap tested, soap molds and unscented soap bases!

3. Handmade Beauty Trivia Question: The winner of last week's contest was Darlene Nielsen of Middletown, New York. Darlene won a generous sample of Baked Earth Attar, courtesy of HBN member White Lotus Aromatics!!

Last Week's Question: Following is a list of ingredients from a well known toiletries product:

Last Week's Answer: Crest tooth paste

This Week's Question: I am an oft-used culinary ingredient, best in condiments and any kind of food you want to spice up. I am also frequently used in poultices to help ease symptoms associated with bronchitis and cold-related illnesses. Use me in a bath (especially a foot bath) to warm and comfort you during the winter months.

To win this week, be the first to state the common and botanical name of the above-described ingredient and win a generous sample of highest quality avocado butter that you can use to make your dry skin wintertime skincare products, courtesy of HBN member BioChemica!

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 will be notified by email and their name posted at HBN's home page.

No matter what type of small business you have, if it is to grow, you must come up with creative ways to promote it
and keep it in the public eye. While this can be expensive  (and is most definitely time consuming), if you are disciplined and determined, there are ways to do it on a budget. 

1. Set Aside Time To Send Out Product Samples.

I have listed this one first because, while it is time consuming (and sometimes a pain in the tush), it's also one of the most important things you can do to promote your business. Try to select one day a month to mail out a pre-determined number of product samples to newsletter publishers, magazine editors, local newspapers and trade publications that feature products similar to yours. Mainstream magazines like Glamour, InStyle, The Herb Companion, People and Oprah, and also trade publications like DaySpa, Global Cosmetics Industry and The Aromatherapy Journal, are always in the market for products to feature in their pages. Review these types of magazines regularly and send your samples to the writers that review products similar to yours. It's best to review any guidelines the publications may have before sending in products and it's also a good idea to include your best selling products; those with a proven track record. Also, choose the ones that you know you will have available for purchase if it is featured in the publication. (There's nothing worse than being featured somewhere and not having the product available for purchase if orders start coming in...!)

2. Get Listed In Every Free (Or Close To Free) Pamphlet, Leaflet, Brochure, etc., You Can Find.

Even if your business is mainly an online one, it can't hurt to advertise in written publications as funds permit. This is not always inexpensive because of the cost involved in producing a written publication. But if you look around, there are tons of publications that will list your business for free or nearly free.

* Many churches and other places of worship have a member business directories which will list your business for free or nearly free, making it easy for fellow worshipers to do business with you.

* Some local community newspapers will list your business in a business section, especially around holiday times such as Mother's Day, Christmas, etc.

* If you participate in a craft show, be sure that your business name is listed in the craft show directory. These are great to reproduce to include in your media kit and, since people frequently hold onto craft show directories for future reference, having your business name listed will ensure that you are as easy to find as possible ... especially if it's a show you plan to repeat in the future. 

3. Produce An Electronic Newsletter or A Periodic Product Announcement.

One of the best ways to promote your business on a shoestring is with an electronic newsletter or periodic product announcement. Note the distinction between an email newsletter and an email message that contains product announcements. A newsletter is a publication that contains information ... news that readers can use. It may also contain advertisements and announcements about new products, but its main function is to provide news and entertainment. A product announcement, on the other hand, has as its main function to inform readers about such things as new products and sales. (I draw this distinction because I have subscribed to several email "newsletters" which turn out to be weekly announcements about sales and new products. Those are nice to know about, but the publications are not really newsletters so much as they are electronic ads. I frequently quickly unsubscribe ...)

Whatever the case, its best to make sure your publication is opt in to avoid spamming people. There is no substitute for maintaining regular and consistent contact with your customers to promote trust, increase sales and solidify brand awareness. One word of caution ... preparing a newsletter or product announcement is a lot of work so be sure that if you decide to take this on, you plan ahead and engage guest writers if needed to make sure that you stick to your publication schedule! Also, consider starting small with just a few departments and maybe a monthly publication until you are sure you can keep up with a more frequent and expanded publication.

Would you like to be a guest writer? If so, send your contribution to Jenn@HandmadeBeauty.com.

Designed to inspire, encourage and coach you to create the life you love! Tapes Now Available:

1. Legal & Regulatory Challenges Facing The Handmade Toiletries Industry Today: Applying Yesterday's Laws To Today's Marketplace. Includes the latest on cosmetics, trademark and Internet law. Perfect for online toiletries and aromatherapy businesses! 2 90-minute tapes. To order, click here.

2. Planning NOT To Fail: How to Prepare A Business Plan That Positions You For Success!! Handmade toiletries/aromatherapy centered business planning tape with tips for making the most of your small business. Selected by the College of DuPage for use in their continuing education aromatherapy course!! 1 60-minute tape. To order, click here.

3. Audio Tapes Of Several HBN Beauty Calls™ are now available, including Aubrey Hampton (natural preservatives & the FDA inspection process), Melody Upham (transitioning from manufacturer to supplier, general business tips) and Kim Baron (how to design and maintain a winning Web site.) For details on these tapes and how to order them, click here.

6. Handmade Beauty Product Review by Donna Maria

Many of you probably already know that Joan's Gardens makes fantastic handmade and glycerin soaps. (HBC has reviewed one of them in the past, and if you missed it, you can read it here.

In addition to soap, they also make fantastic candles? That's right! If you need a gift that will make everyone on your list happy this holiday season, what could be better and easier than a candle? Everyone loves candles, I guess because of the combination of soft, tranquil light and lovely scent they provide. Another reason people love candles is because of the various wax colors, pretty containers and decorative accents that make decorating a room for the holidays easy and fun. If you are looking for a candle to brighten your holiday season, or someone else's, you won't be disappointed if you turn to Joan's Gardens for help.

I tried the Spiced Mulberry Candle most recently, and in the past, have enjoyed Sugar Cookie and Pumpkin Pie. Spiced Mulberry smells like sweet cinnamon with a fruity twist. The color is especially nice for the holidays .. a deep, crimson cranberry reminiscent of the a ruby ... a perfect accent for the winter season. Joan's Gardens candles never fail to please. They always smell great, but one of the most enjoyable things about them is the way they are presented in lovely packaging that displays the brilliant colors of the wax and makes it fun to open each jar and sniff to my heart's content. Joan Fricker, Joan's Gardens' owner, is a former interior design expert ... which explains where the unique packaging ideas come from! Displayed in elegant glass containers, each candle lid contains an assortment of botanicals (dried herbs, spices and flowers) to enhance and match the color of the wax, and add to the decor wherever the candle is displayed. Each candle is topped with a pretty sheer silk ribbon. All of these little touches combine together to make a truly lovely presentation.

Visit The Handmade Beauty Connection Archives.