Countdown to No More Soap on Etsy BUT Tarts Going Strong

I have decided that the I am not going to sell soap anymore on Etsy. I don't know how other soapers do it, but I did some soul searching and realized that 1) the profit margin is too slim 2) the market seems to be flooded and most importantly 3) I don't want to spend the few precious hours that I have on the weekends working! I want to relax!

I will sell to repeat customers and I will always continue making soap for myself and my family and friends; after all, I am lucky to be able to make something so wonderful for gifts for birthdays and Christmas.

So what now? Mom and I started The Ragtree Company together and she has created fabulously wonderful candle tarts which she is in the process in getting into stores around the country once packaging issues are worked out. I think this is the direction that we should go in for now.

As a matter of fact, for my birthday she sent me a bunch of her new flavors of candle tarts and I melted an apple today and it is FABULOUS! I love how great my house always smells... thanks Mom :) I love you!

If you would like to purchase any of the soap that is left in my Etsy shop, mention this blog for a dollar off per bar :)

Renee

Finishing that Cucumber Melon Soap

Good Sunday Morning! I have just finished cutting the batch of Cucumber-Melon soap and my house smells LOVELY!

Yesterday, I sat down white knuckled with my laptop in hand... I KNEW I was going to have to get serious about the business portion of my business. "Really?!" you may be thinking, a little baffled by my absurdness... after all, wouldn't you evaluate the bottom line and have a business plan BEFORE going into business?

Well, most people yes... but I'm a dreamer and my Mom (and partner) is an even bigger dreamer so we just jumped into The Ragtree Company without evaluating what we would have to make in order to make this business even break even. Think about insurance, labelling, packaging, raw ingredients, molds, racks to dry soap, containers to store soap, and then throw your hard work and time on top and the profit margin is incredibly small, if not non-existent.

So yesterday, I realized that 1) I am going to have to either raise my prices or start producing an inferior soap (which I REFUSE to do) and 2) I may stop selling the soap I produce in 2010 if I cannot justify my time and energy. I plan to spend part of my day raising my Etsy prices to reflect the quantity and quality that each bar possesses.

I realize many other soapers have came to this same conclusion as I was browsing Etsy yesterday and the average cost per bar seems to have jumped from $4 to $5. Some of my specialty bars (like Tea Tree and Peppermint) will soon be at least $5.50 due to the high cost of the ingredients.

So, if you want a bargain, rush to my Etsy shop and maybe you can catch my prices before they increase! I also plan on running a sale or two to rid of excess inventory.

Have a wonderful day!

Renee :)

Getting Things Done!

In my last post, I was griping about being a slave to procrastination. Well, as part of my New Year's Resolutions, I have decided to quit putting off what I need to be doing and I've found I now have MORE free time and less stress!

So today, I had soap tasks to do. I had to wrap a LOT of oatmeal and beer soap but I just got up, printed my labels, shrink wrapped my soap, and sat in front of the TV and knocked out that chore! Sure, it is 2:21 and I'm still in my jammies, but I have gotten a LOT done today and I'm so happy!

Next on my list: I have to make a large batch of cucumber-melon. It seems I have a few loyal customers for each kind and Sue has been asking about my cucumber-melon and I just realized, to my dismay, that I only have one bar left. So I think I will weigh up my oils and let everything cool while I'm in the shower (trying out one of my new beer bars... yummy!)

Have a great one!

Renee :)

My Nemesis.... Procrastination!

If anyone out there in blogland needs some advice on how to get behind, frustrated, and sometimes just downright mad at yourself, I will tell you how: just put off everything you need to do until the last minute and then try to do everything in one day! ARG!

So I have made a resolution for the new year to get myself in high gear (or at least in third gear) and get everything done on time or early so I don't lay in bed at night worrying about what I should have done.

Today, SATURDAY, I set my alarm... woke up early... and made a fresh new batch of my Fountain of Youth face soap. I was nervous because I wasn't sure if it was going to set up ( it is predominately olive oil) but then MAGIC... it looks fabulous. I scaled my recipe up and made large 5 + ounce bars because of requests to have this soap made for a body soap.

I made this soap because my beautiful Mom use to buy Kiss My Face soap and I absolutely hated it. It smells awful, it is ugly, and I don't like how it leaves my skin feeling. My soap is made from mostly olive oil with a little canola and coconut oil for lathering. I also add a dash of lemon essential oil but the smell is completely neutral (but nice) and natural

I let my soap cure for a month and because of my old arch enemy procrastination I will be sold out until then. One final note... this soap is very good for people who have undergone cancer treatments or other radical medical treatments that have left their skin dry and extremely sensitive. I didn't design the soap for that purpose but the feedback and response I've gotten from that demographic has been extremely positive.

Until later :)

Renee the Procrastination Slayer

Happy New Year!!!! Beer Soap in Progress....

Happy New Year everyone! Luckily, I had to work yesterday and was too tired to stay up and party with too much champagne. As a matter of fact, most of it went down the sink this morning. The bright side? I actually had the energy to get up and bake fresh bread AND make a batch of beer soap. Gosh, am I turning into a fossil or WHAT?!?

I made this batch of soap as a special request.... I added a little finely ground oatmeal for exfoliation to my unique beer soap recipe. I also sacrificed one of my Sam Adams White Ales for this batch. It smells WONDERFUL on your body after you've showered, but it does sway WAY to the manly side. And for anyone who is wondering if beer soap smells like beer, it doesn't. Any fragrance from the beer is destroyed in the process.

Stop on over at our Ragtree shop to see what we currently have available:

www.ragtree.etsy.com

Renee :)

Contest Winner for Soap and Candle Tart gift set...

Congratulations to Designs by Danna for winning the Ragtree Gift Set Contest! Yeah Danna!

Actually, I hope you don't read this blog, Danna, because I think Christmas presents are much more fun when they are an unexpected surprise! I think I'm two parts crafter, one part mischievous elf...

Have a wonderful Tuesday, everyone, and if you'd like your own little gift set, please just hop on over to the Ragtree Station or drop me a line! www.ragtree.etsy.com

Renee :)

Handmade Soap and Tart Christmas Ideas

Good morning! Even though I am usually the LAST person scampering around the mall with blood-shot eyes, disheveled clothing, and a general air of panic, this year I am going to get ahead on my Christmas lists!

I've been affected by the economy and my own foolish choices like many others so I've vowed to REALLY trim my holiday costs this year. I don't think there is anything better than giving gifts that are created by hand with quality and passion for the craft. As a matter of fact, I have just finished making two large batches of soap for presents.

For stocking stuffers, a bar of handmade soap is PERFECT. I also will create a little gift set for you. For men, I would recommend Hydrating Oatmeal Soap or Manly Man Soap (made with premium beer). And don't think men don't love this. My male customers are far more particular about their soap than my women customers!

For women who love candles, candle tarts are a wonderful, safe alternative. Not only do you avoid soot but also greatly reduce the chance of fire. We will happily create a gift set including a high quality candle tart burner.

For any questions, please just contact me or visit our Ragtree Shop (www.ragtree.etsy.com)!

Have a great day!

Renee :)