The ups and downs

For those of you you think being a soap maker is easy, here is one of the downs. I had a craft show at the world famous Atlantis resort. I did one last year and it was great. They had a lot of games for the kids and dance , limbo contests.

This year they set up craft booths with make you own bath salts, make your own candles and a few other make your own craft booths. They also sold tickets for their games, food and booths. There were 4 of us local crafters there with our stuff. We were only allowed to accept cash not tickets. Needles to say ,it was a bad day for me. People kept coming trying to buy things with tickets. We did about 25% then we did before.

The up of this is that I am more determined by next year not to being doing these kind of shows. I appreciate the opportunity but I am not a novelty , I am a niche.There is a difference!

Another up is that the hotel and water park is awesome and me and the boys will spend our next holiday there and not disney!

Some good books

Like me, these coconut shell soapdishes are a work in progress.

I love reading and I have had more than enough time lately. I am finding these very helpful :

"The little book of big packaging ideas"

"Little red book of selling"

"Lovemarks"

"The little book of big promotions"

You may have notice a theme here. After reading "The Secret" , I made up a vision board and I also decided to spend 2008 focus on my goals. I am not sure about the mystics surrounding that book but I do know that whatever you focus on will be your goal.

So no more mystery or romance novels for 2008!

Another ritual I have is that I watch "The Big Idea" on CNBC at 10pm. Most of the guest are inspirational. He does go board once in a while e.g. Marrying a billionaire with Donald Trump's wife.......give me a break! All in all his show is great.

New fragances

With my new label, I have been inspired to create a new line of "fragrance soaps". I like natural colors and essential oils but my clientele like "Bahama" fragrances.

Here are some that I am trying this weekend. Pineapple, Vanilla, Coconut, Allspice and Key Lime. Do these remind you of the islands?

This flu season has not been pleasant.I have had the flu from Jan 25th, which lead to bronchitis, which lead to asthma and still today I am coughing. And still I will not slow down with working. I really should take a few days off but I did not. Looking back I should have rested.

I am on a roll and the creative juices are flowing. Here is my new logo. This month I will also develop a line of "tropical" fragrance soaps. I am working on the styles now for pineapple, mango , coconut and vanilla soaps.

We also have confirmed our hotel/guest soap line with 3 fragrances: seaweed lemongrass, rose geranium and hibiscus lavender.