Donna Maria's Handmade Beauty Connection
March 28, 2005

1. HBN Update: Welcome New & Renewing HBN Members!!
2. Feature Article: On Loss & Love: One HBN Member's Journey From Grief To Celebration!
3. Handmade Beauty Recipe Of The Week: Lavender, Lemon and Thyme Bath Salts
4. Beauty & The Business Trivia Question: win some lavender products!
5. Handmade Beauty Product Review: Lavender Products by Victoria's Lavender Gardens

Renewing Members!

Dragonfly Soap | Jacquelyn A. Barth | Pennsylvania
* renewing member; handmade soap, body care products, and non-toxic household cleaners

Angelique Skin Care, LLC | Connie Patti | Michigan
* renewing member; makeup is made with micronized minerals, handpoured lipsticks and the Just You and Nature line

Mad Woman's Lab | Pamela Zidik | Pennsylvania
* renewing member; handmade skin cream and lip balm made from the finest 100% natural oils, butters and beeswax

New Members

Bon Sante Corporation | Cindy Summer | Oregon
* wholesale and private label cosmetics including cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, scrubs, facial peels, mineral makeup, and bath products

New York Premium | Hugo Comuzzi | New York
* fragrance oils, essential oils, exotic vegetable oils and bath accessories for personal care

Rose Petals | Deena Brock | Canada
* cosmetic and therapeutic blends based on aesthetic aromatherapy, effective for even the most problematic skin condition

HBN 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! (HBN members, put "HBN 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 HBN'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.

Everyone has a story to tell, and HBN members are no exception. Many member businesses started as a result of a great deal of adversity -- job losses and layoffs, sudden physical challenges, skin conditions that traditional companies could not address, etc. But once in a while, a story comes along that just begs to be told; a story that inspires and encourages all of us. Here is one such story.

HBN member Marilyn Thompson (pictured at left) was a successful real estate company executive, rising through the ranks from office secretary to successful broker to managing a team of 25 agents for a real estate company in Portland, Oregon. As a rising star in an industry where the sale of one piece of property could bring a commission big enough to feed a family for months, Marilyn and her 2 daughters had it made. There was nowhere to go but up, and up she went when in 1992, she married the love of her life who had a daughter of his own. Troy was a landscaper with a love for the great outdoors. Marilyn's new husband was a perfect fit for her lifestyle. The two soon found themselves purchasing land to build a home where they could grow a family and a farm. It would be the perfect place to enjoy their new blended family.

But while they were yet newlyweds, and very shortly after the birth of their daughter Victoria, Troy began experiencing odd physical symptoms including fleeting but intense physical pains and an unusual inability to control his muscle movement. After batteries of tests and specialists, 32-year old Troy was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, an incurable neuromuscular disorder which robs the body of its natural ability to control muscle movement. Devastated but determined to continue to live life to the fullest, Marilyn began a long and exhausting journey as primary caregiver to both Troy and her 4 daughters. Troy enjoyed life to the fullest for the next 4 years, then he finally succumbed to the disease.

As we all come to grips with some of the most intense emotions we and our loved ones may have in light of the Terri Shiavo case, in her own words, Marilyn shares a bit about living with Troy as he endured excruciating physical and emotional pain, and she traces her journey from heartbreak to triumph and the success she continues to enjoy as a home manager and entrepreneur.

dM: During Troy's illness, how did you manage everything?
Marilyn: It was difficult. I was working full time at the real estate company and when I came home, I was full-time caregiver to everyone. For the last year or so of Troy's life, we were fortunate enough to have a nighttime caregiver so I could get some rest after 10:00pm -- unless of course there was a crisis (which happened fairly often). I laugh when I recall how many people told me that I needed to remember to take care of myself too. I always tried to be gracious and appreciate their input but I couldn't help but silently wonder exactly how on earth I was supposed to do that.

As Troy's condition progressed, his speech became more slurred and it was abundantly clear that his life was slowly ebbing from him. Assisted suicide was available as an option, especially since we lived in Oregon, the first state to sanction doctor-assisted suicide. Troy was a Christian and he decided quickly that was not the option for him. Instead, he chose to pray not for relief but for the grace, strength and courage he would need to endure the path, no matter how hard it might be.

dM: Was that prayer answered?
Marilyn: Yes, in spades. But the decision was not without its severe challenges.

dM: What do you mean?
Marilyn: Well, for example when Victoria was barely a year old, Troy was playfully chasing her through the house when he suddenly had a seizure. To avoid falling full force on his little daughter's head, Troy was able to shift his body weight enough to fall on her back instead while his face smacked the hardwood floor causing a large cut to form and begin to swell across the bridge of his nose. His eyes began to bulge from his head as one of my older daughters removed Victoria from the room. It became clear quickly that he was in acute distress not so much due to the physical injury but because we had removed Victoria from the room so fast that he did not know that she was OK. When Victoria returned, she repeated, "Papa, Papa, Papa" as a sort of healing mantra. After some time in the emergency room, both of them were OK but that's just one of the many challenges we encountered because of Troy's decision to squeeze every precious minute out of the life God had given him. 

dM: What an honor it must have been to be married to a man with such conviction. When did the idea of using herbs, lavender and essential oils enter the picture?
Marilyn: We began using herbs and supplements for Troy early on as there was very little that traditional medicine had to offer. The lavender idea came after he was gone, when I was searching for a business that I could start that would incorporate our dream of using the property that we had built our home on.

dM: What were some of the first products that you made?
Marilyn: I started doing dried bouquets of lavender and miniature roses, both of which I had in abundance on our property. Next, I added sachets, and later soap. I made some pretty ugly bars of soap looking back, but somehow they seemed to sell at holiday gift shows, etc. Making soap came as a result of a much needed vacation to Hawaii that I took the 4 daughters and my Mother-in-law on after Troy died. We visited a soap store on Kauai and I loved watching the whole process, the colors, textures, smells, etc. A few books later, and my bath products business started to grow. I incorporated the name Victoria into the business to honor Troy's and my daughter.

dM: What a lovely tribute to both of them. How did you come to start your business, Victoria's Lavender Gardens?
Marilyn: After Troy passed away, I reached the point of severe burnout in the real estate industry. I took a few years off to write a book and later, launched a wedding consulting business with the lavender business as a side hobby. But it was the one that I really loved, and it started to take off. I used savings and liquidated real estate (our beach house) to live on while starting and growing the business. Next I used loans to obtain the financial means to expand the business.

dM: What are the most challenging things you face as a handmade beauty business owner?
Marilyn: Not enough hours in the day! It’s not that I find any of it to be particularly difficult since you can always find the resources to help with the things you don’t know.  I just can’t seem to find the physical hours and energy each day to keep up with my brain!

dM: What are some of the best things about owning your business?
Number one is working from home and being here for Troy's and my 11-year old daughter when she comes home from school. That wasn’t the case with her older sisters, and I feel like I’ve been given a second chance to do things right this time. I’ve always been in business for myself to some degree, and would have a hard time working for someone else. In other words, like most entrepreneurs I find it rewarding to have creative license and to reap what I sow. I have only myself to hold responsible for the results.

dM: I see that you joined HBN in just 3 months ago. How did you find out about HBN and how has it served you?
Marilyn: I found out about HBN through seeing the logo on the Internet. I just joined for the first time this year, and am extremely glad I did. First of all, I had no idea that some of the suppliers give discounts to HBN members! My dues are already paid for and it’s only March! Secondly, it caused me to look deeper into the benefits for members such as the Handmade Beauty University and Beauty Calls which I’ve already taken advantage of in just these few months.  And third, but most important, is dM herself as a resource. Fabulous lady!

dM: Thank you for such kind words. What are your most popular products, and why?
Marilyn: My soaps, and lotions. Probably because of the quality of their ingredients and they truly do provide benefits to the user, as well as their visual appeal.

dM: Yes, I can testify to that from personal experience. What advice can you offer to people who are working hard to meet the challenges of entrepreneurship in our industry and others?
Marilyn: I encourage people to choose career paths based on their passions. It sounds corny, but part of my process in choosing this business was making a list of the things that I love to shop for, read about, etc. I think each of us has been gifted by God with different talents that come into use at different times in our lives. But if we pay attention to the things that draw us the most, we can often find answers there.

dM: Thank you for sharing some of the intimate details of your life. While most of us will never have the opportunity to rise to the same exact challenges that you have, perhaps your and Troy's story of living on purpose not matter what the cost can encourage someone else this week. You are an inspiration to all of us. 

Sprinkle Lavender, Lemon and Thyme Bath Salts into a warm bath for a heavenly scent which is both relaxing and invigorating!

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!

Last Week's Question: According to the leading trade association for candle companies, what are the four most important factors affecting candle sales?

Last Week's Answer: scent, color, cost and  shape

This Week's Question: ALS is often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease in honor of a man who played baseball for the New York Yankees, and whose career was cut short by the disease. He attended Columbia University on a scholarship, not for baseball, but for this sport.

Be the first to name the sport and win some lavender products made by Victoria's Lavender Gardens!

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!

Lavender Products by Victoria's Lavender Gardens

Ahhh, Lavender! That most delicious herb which has so many uses, including looking and smelling fabulous. In addition to that, it's a veritable workhorse for the skin, which is one of the many reasons why Marilyn relies heavily on it for her Victoria's Lavender Gardens line. I tried several goodies, among them those reviewed here: Sensitive Skin Massage Oil, Dead Sea Mud Face Mask and Lotion Bar.

Sensitive Skin Massage Oil
4 oz. | $8.50 or 8 oz. | $16.00
I have been using this soothing blend of oils for about a week now and really enjoying it. The 4-ounce flip top plastic bottle makes it really easy to use in the tub area with small children. Especially with my son, it's easy to take him from the tub, quickly wipe the excess water from his cute little chubby self and pour a quarter size of this oil in my palm. Massaging it in is easy and enjoyable for both of us. The aroma comes from a combination of oils like apricot kernel and grapeseed with lavender essential oil and fragrance oil added to make a pleasant, clean aroma. I run what's left after massaging my son into my dry cuticles and elbows.

Lotion Bar
1.5 oz. | $10
The pretty flower shaped molded lotion bar is made with shea butter. Need I say more? Well, for good measure, it's also got lavender and jasmine essential oils. That alone should be enough to make any aromatic junkie love this product. The balance of butter to wax and the aromatic combination is very pleasant. Cupping it in the palm of my hand makes it super easy to use and the sealed tin container in which it comes also contains a pleasant sprinkling of dried lavender buds.

Dead Sea Mud Face Mask
6 oz. | $12.00
Of the 3 products, this one is my favorite! It's not just great for the face, but for all over my body too. It's made with Dead Sea Mud, glycerin, lavender and cucumber essential oils and clay. Unlike other masks, it's more liquid than solid, making it easy to apply a little or a lot depending on your tastes. The smell is very "earthy," despite the lavender essential oil. It's great on my body after bathing and I can feel a slight tingling sensation as it draws impurities from my skin. This product also seems to tighten my pores well and give my face a smooth, healthy glow. According to Marilyn, it can also be used as a mud hair pack. I'm still waiting to have enough time to do that. Plus my hair is pretty long and I might have to use it all up at once! So I'm saving it for my face and will probably use it more as the weather warms up.

You can get these and other delicious goodies (including some beautiful, soft, handmade neck wraps filled with fragrant lavender buds) at Victoria's Lavender Gardens.

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™