Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Stocking UP!

I spent a good amount of time last weekend making soap...about 400 bars worth! Got them all cut into bars yesterday and put on the curing racks. My house smells amazing.

One that's really surprised me is a new one...Lilac & Honeysuckle. Anyone who knows me knows that I really can't stand floral scents. I love the smell of real flowers, mostly, but I just can't tolerate a floral fragrance. But...I really, really love this one! It's hard to describe, but to me it smells more citrusy maybe...definitely a clean, refreshing scent. I can't wait to share it! Don't ask me why I colored it orange though, I was wanting it to be a paler pinkish/orange color, but must have put too much color in it, and it's pretty orange. Oh well...that's how I learn I guess. If it's a good seller and I make it again, I'll change that.

Another one I'm excited about is going to be called Euphoric! It's a duplicate of Calvin Klein's Euphoria perfume, one of my favorites that I wear often. Both of these will be ready May 21.

Thanks to everyone who has donated towards Bri's mission trip, we've been amazed and humbled by the generosity of customers and friends. I'll be sure to post photos when she gets back mid-May. You guys are the best!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Soap dishes, new fragrances...and Farmer's Market!

I'm very excited to say that the wood soap dishes are now back in stock! It's been a long time without them, but I finally got ahold of more. I was holding out for these specific dishes, they're the best I've found and didn't want to settle for cheaper quality dishes just to have something available.

There are at least three new fragrances coming soon! Jasmine will be ready on April 10. If you're a floral lover, you'll want to get ahold of some of this.

I just made some Cranberry Fizz yesterday, that'll be ready May 10. And Ginger Fuji Apple too! They're both wonderful, I'm hoping the fizzyness of the scent stays like it does in the Vanilla Champagne (you can really smell the bubbles/effervescense in that one). Speaking of, Vanilla Champagne will be back in stock May 10 also.


And, I've changed my mind again on the Farmer's Market! I'm sending in my application this week for the Monticello market which is on Thursdays (this'll be my 4th year there). I think it'll be ok to just be doing one market per week, and that's a good one for me, so I'll see you there starting in May!

I'm also going to be putting together an email special, hopefully yet today. My daughter is taking a mission trip with her church, they're going to Haiti in May, and she's doing some fundraising to help finance her trip. Her church http://www.crossing-church.com/ fully supports an orphanage down there, and they're going to help do some work on the buildings. Here's her message from Facebook:

"I'm the kid's director for the The Crossing Zimmerman campus. I hang out with kids each and every week and they've had a huge impact on my life! The Crossing has supported an orphanage in Haiti for over a year now and we have the opportunity to lend a hand during May. There are about 30 children who depend on us, ages 12 and under. While there we will be repairing buildings, building shelters and hanging out with the kids.

Time is not on my side. I ask for you to donate as graciously as possible to help make this trip a huge success. My deadline is fast approaching! Anything helps, and nothing is too small!"


She's very excited to be able to help these kids, and I'm happy to help her get there. Like she says, any amount helps. If you haven't signed up to receive our email specials, go to the website http://www.realsimplesoap.com/, and sign up! I don't fill your inbox with junk, I really only do specials a few times per year, and this'll be a good deal.

As always, I appreciate your business!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

I've made a decision...

Well, part of a decision anyway.

I haven't totally figured out what to do, other than I am not going to continue with the Farmers' Markets this year. It's just too much.

I've had a few other wholesale interests lately, and will continue with the wholesale accounts and online sales, and most likely still do at least my 4 most favorite craft shows this year (Lemonade Fest, Anoka Riverfest, Buffalo Art & Crafts, and Bayfield Apple Fest), but I think that's going to be it. We'll see how that goes.

I've been working on rebuilding stock, and by the middle of February I should be pretty well restocked (some will be available in January).

I really appreciate all the kind words of encouragement and even offers to help from my customers! You guys really are the best!