Donna Maria's Handmade Beauty Connection
April 4, 2005

A Publication of The Handmade Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Vol. 6, Issue 14
To subscribe, click here.

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1. HBN Update: Welcome New & Renewing HBN Members!!
2. HBN's Beauty Call On Getting Your Products In Natural Products Stores Was A Huge Success!
3. Feature Article: A Busy Bee: A Member Buzzes About Her Newest Project
4. Handmade Beauty Recipe Of The Week: Orange Glass Shiner
5. Beauty & The Business Trivia Question: win a Handmade Beauty Network Mouse Pad!

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 HBN in 2000 and have this week renewed their memberships for a 5th year without interruption. I am eternally grateful to all HBN members, but especially these who put their faith in HBN in the early days when there was no track record and no one was sure it would last. I'm excited to say that HBN has lasted and so have these members! Please visit their websites. Be inspired and buy something new and delicious just for you!

SandPea Herbal Soaps and Botanicals | Sandra Posey | Maryland
* Sandpea Herbal Soap's philosophy is that you should spoil yourself, pamper yourself and take the very best care of yourself on a daily basis - not just on special occasions. With your well-being in mind, we have put together a beautifully fragrant assortment of gourmet body soaps, rich, fluffy body mousses, thick and creamy body butters, and much, much more! With the help of our skin-loving bath and body treats you can create your own pampering paradise right in the privacy of your own home!

Renewing Members!

Berkshire Butter Company | Erica Shrader | Virginia
* Rooibos Infusions Skin Care Collection and other natural products for general well-being

Naikid, Inc., Melissa Naval | New Jersey
* a fusion of natural and essential elements, our naked soaps are handmade from scratch in small batches

Brookline Cosmetics | Gail Brook | Colorado 
* an anti-oxidant, anti-aging additive that can be added to any personal skin care product to make it perform like a $150/oz. product

New Members!

Lisé Botanicals | Elise and Leonard Pearlstine | Florida
* customized handmade, all-natural soaps and lotions with essential oil blends

HBN Members On The Move!!

Traci Vanover of The Creative Concept is excited to invite you all to the Midwest 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.

"VERY informative and enlightening."
Luci Weston, Holly Woods 'N Vines. New Jersey

"It was great!! I am looking forward to the next one."
Susan Svec, Susan's Soaps and More, Texas

We learned so much from Melanie Melia of Wildfire Sales about how products get onto the shelves of natural products stores -- how much commission is standard, tips on negotiating a contract with a sales rep, what stores are looking for in natural products, how to deal with shelf life issues and so much more! Our guest was gracious enough to extend a one-time FREE product review to every member on the call!

This was our most popular and well attended Beauty Call ever with over 30 members on the call!

If you missed it, you can purchase a download here. Discount For HBN Members!

If you have enjoyed the Handmade Beauty Connection even for a short period of time, you know that it is my mission to provide a forum where HBN members and other participants in our growing industry can find a network of people who can inspire and encourage them to greater heights, both in life and in business. Our publication, now in its sixth year (and preparing to launch a print edition!) has as one of its main priorities to provide a voice for people who are pursuing their professional goals while also remaining committed to enjoying the most fulfilling and well-rounded personal and family lives possible. Witnessing people do this and providing some tools to help them along their way is one of the joys of my life. That's why it is always such a pleasure to devote newsletter space to telling fun "Lifestyle CEO™*" stories.

Last week's story focused on a member's triumph over significant family health adversities to launch a line of of lavender-based products now sold in hundreds of stores around the country. If you missed Marilyn's story, you can enjoy it here). This week, I'm pleased to present an interview with Traci Hayner Vanover, another new HBN member whose visions are becoming reality through the coordination of an industry-based gathering, the Midwest Soap & Candle Bee, scheduled for June 11, 2005.

dM: Well, Traci. It's seems entirely fitting that your gathering is called a "Bee," since you are such a busy one! Tell me, where did you get the idea for the Bee?
Traci: Yes, I am quite busy, and you know, conferences aren't really a new idea. I have attended several gatherings over the past few years both as a speaker and as an attendee. I was inspired to host an event that would serve our client base and focus on resources that will help both hobbyists and small business owners in our industry.

dM: As you say, there have been and continue to be several soap and candle related gatherings and conferences around the country each year. Tell me, how will yours be different from those?
Traci: I think that all such gatherings share some basic commonalities, and certainly the Handcrafted SoapMaker's Guild [also an HBN member] has set the standard. Our event will not cater specifically to soapers, or to chandlers (candlemakers).  Instead, we have put together a program that offers valuable information and resources to appeal to a wide variety of handcrafted specialties.

dM: Who are the speakers and topics that you think are most interesting and valuable?
Traci: We are thrilled with all of them! For a first year event, we are fortunate to have assembled such a wonderful group of industry leaders to share their talents and expertise with us. Attendees will walk away from this event armed with tools and strategies that they can readily implement in their own businesses.

dM: Are you planning to make this an annual event?
Traci: We’d love nothing more!  The idea of an event of this scale, being offered in the Midwest has been very well received. As the new owner of the Botanical Elements Trade Association, annual events are most definitely something I am interested in pursuing. They provide a wonderful networking opportunity, and offer the chance for me to meet members!

dM: What is your background and how is it proving helpful to you as you plan the event?
Traci: My background is in marketing and advertising. Back in my college days, I was the educational and social programmer for 30 campus residence halls. In recent years, I’ve hosted a breast cancer awareness fundraiser, and worked closely with our local chamber of commerce here in Fort Wayne on several large-scale events. These skills have definitely come into play, and have been a real asset in planning this event.

dM: Are you using the assistance of any other people or service providers to help make your event a success?
Traci: We have managed to plan this event with the help of some dear friends in the industry – Susan Apito of Eastbury Design Studio [an HBN member] and Rebekah Bailey at the Soap Dish [also an HBN member]. Both of these ladies have been with me since Day One, and they have been a tremendous help!

dM: What types of people are you expecting?
Traci: I think that this event will attract both hobbyists and business owners alike. While most of these types of events are attended primarily by women, we do have several men registered. Our master of ceremonies, John, is hoping that more men will join us!

dM: Tell me more about the dinner theater event where your master of ceremonies will be "killed." That sounds fun and is definitely unique.
Traci: We wanted to have something to help keep attendees engaged throughout the day. Being seated for hours at a time can be tiresome. The Murder Mystery component of our event will involve short “clues” throughout the day, which will provide information as to who has murdered John, our master of ceremonies.  We’ll be offering a special prize to the person who solves the mystery!

dM: What other things would you like for people to know about the Midwest Soap & Candle Bee?
Traci: We are still adding speakers and demonstrations. We are hoping to offer a wine tasting mixer the evening before the event, provided that we receive sponsorship to underwrite the costs. We do not wish to require an additional ticket purchase.

dM: It sounds like a fun and exciting event is shaping up. Of course I'm so excited to be the Keynote Speaker and really looking forward to meeting and sharing with other likeminded people. You are such a bundle of energy Traci! Thank you for your time. I have no doubt that the Soap & Candle Bee will be exciting and fun for all. May your Bee always buzz!

If you are interested in learning more about the Soap & Candle Bee and perhaps even securing your own ticket, I would love to meet you there! Click here to find out more information and to register, or call Traci at (877) 300-6296.

*A Lifestyle CEO is a term I coined to identify a person who owns and manages a business, not solely for financial gain, but also to enjoy the personal rewards of entrepreneurship, independence, flexibility and fun."

Orange Glass Shiner polishes any glass or mirror to a lovely shine. Enjoy the pleasant aroma too -- which makes it seem like you're not cleaning at all. (Well almost!)

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: 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.

Last Week's Answer: football (Due to a typographical error in last week's question, all answers were disqualified but the reader who pointed out the typo and submitted an answer first won a prize anyway -- just for being so helpful and forgiving!)

This Week's Question: As you know, HBN's first book, "The Handmade Beauty Cookbook: Do-It-Yourself Beauty Secrets & Secrets From Members of the Handmade Beauty Network" was published in late November 2004. We had 1,000 copies printed and there are less than 200 left (so get yours today!) Several HBN members are featured in the book, along with their great recipes and a bit about their handmade beauty businesses. HBN's website lists several members who are selling the book through their websites and retail stores. To win this week, state which one of those members sells 20-ounce, clear PETE plastic, non-breakable bail & wire jars suitable for holding body scrubs and muds.

Be the first to correctly answer this week's question and win the Handmade Beauty Network Mouse Pad, pictured lat left!

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!

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™