Thinking About Opening a Store?

An interview with ... me (!) about opening a craft store. This interview was done for a small business advice book that (to the best of my knowledge) was never published. I didn't want it to languish in the archives forever so am dusting it off to share with you!

What is the most important piece of advice you can give to someone who
is considering opening a craft store?

Budgeting is a mundane yet important part of opening a craft store. It is so much fun to think of all the items you’d like to buy, the signage, the displays, the branding and the overall look and feel of the store that it is easy to overlook the importance of budgeting and the prosaic aspects of spreadsheets. In my experience with opening a craft store specializing in soapmaking supplies (Otion), every little extra expense ended up adding up to a large amount of overages. If I had been more serious about my budget, I wouldn’t have overspent in my opening months.


Can you offer any insight into emerging trends in crafts?

With the economy being a little difficult right now, I’m noticing a trend towards staying home and making entertainment options at home rather than going out to dinners and movies. After all, it's cheaper to stay home and make bath fizzies with your family of 4 than it is to take them all to dinner and a movie. We’ve seen our business grow this year with more new customers than ever because of this trend.


What is the biggest mistake you see new store owners make, and how can
someone avoid making that mistake?

New store owners often neglect marketing and networking, thinking that advertising is enough to get the word out. Sadly, advertising alone will not drive customers to your store. You need to be ultra creative to ensure that your message gets out to the general public. For example, when we opened up our crafty soapmaking store in Bellingham, WA, we went to local restaurants and offered them customized soap products for their bathroom at a discount if we were able to put up a small sign stating were the soap came from. We did free classes every Wednesday at noon and heavily advertised the classes. We did coupons and frequent buyer punch cards. We joined the local Chamber of Commerce. More of our customers come from word-of-mouth than traditional advertising methods.


If you are a craft store owner yourself, what is the one thing you wish
you had known before you started?

I wish I had known how long the day could be when not many customers come in. Some days, people just don’t come into the store and finding things to do to keep busy for 8 hours can be tedious, demoralizing and downright boring.


What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career as a craft store
owner?

I love talking and interacting with customers. Listening to their crafty and creative creations inspires and energizes me. The customers are the best part of the job!

What has been your most effective marketing tool for generating new
business?

Blogging has been very helpful for our business. Otion blogs at www.TheSoapKing.com We reach a wider audience through the blog than just our walk-in traffic allows and are able to have a conversation with our customers in a new and different way. Social media is an amazing tool that is really coming into its own, five years after I started Otion. Advertising is getting cheaper and cheaper because you can utilize social media to harness enthusiasm and eyeballs.


Do you have any words of encouragement to offer new store owners? 

Being self employed is the best thing I have ever done. I love being in control of my own financial destiny. Just remember that “how you do anything is how you do everything.” The little things DO matter. Dusting, keeping a clean shop and greeting customers within 15 seconds don’t seem like much on their own but taken all together, they help to ensure a friendly, welcoming environment. There are many little things that individually don’t seem like a big deal but add up to a successful shop. Keep your business reading up. I love reading Fast Company and Inc. magazine and discussing business books with other small business owners. Having a network to turn to during difficult times is definitely one key to sticking it out through the long haul. You'll be glad you did.

New Kudos Molds

New Kudos Molds,

Row 1: Two Daffodils, Blooming Butterfly, Dare Dragonfly

Row 2: Flourish Heart, Kudos Mouse, Moon Face

Row 3: Ripple, Sweet Dreams, Textured Heart

We are positively leaping for joy that the new line of Kudos Single Cavity Silicone Molds is here. These are all originally hand sculpted designs. And, for our production soapers, we're offering discounts when you purchase 5 of any one kind. You can see the entire line HERE (starting on page 2). And pssst, if you're a fan of ours on Facebook (hint hint), look for an introductory coupon code today...

Soap Queen Projects on Facebook

I am always so thrilled when I see soaps that were inspired by a Soap Queen tutorial (melts my heart). Here are some projects that were posted on the Bramble Berry Facebook page! Become a fan and show off your soaps. Until then, enjoy some soapy inspiration:

Tammy Wall-Brodbeck  posted her pinwheels via Facebook.

Handmade Soaps posted Swirled M&P via Facebook

Cassandra J. J, Resudek Posted her Plaid Soaps

Holly Port shared her Sugar Cubes

Christne Gaudinier shared her Citrus Slices

Check out these tutorials by clicking on the links below and give these projects a try:

 Pinwheels, Melt and Pour Swirls, Plaid Soap, Sugar Scrub Cubes and Citrus Slices. 

S.O.A.P Panel Chosen

Soap Opinion Awesome Panel Members for Spring 2011


Congratulations to the following soapers who blogged, tweeted and posted about their favorite Bramble Berry products. It was difficult coming up with the final list and if your name isn't here, know that I read and appreciated everyone's comments and commentary on their favorite Bramble Berry products:

Jeanee Duval from Dirty Laundry

Erin Pikor from Naiad Soap Arts

Amy Warden from Great Cakes Soap Works

Melissa Jensen from SOAPendipity

Liberty from Liberty's Yarn

Joanna Schmidt from Product Body

Courtney Beard from Courtney Robyn's "Nest"

Kelly Taylor from Cassia's Garden

Jennifer Cole from Owl Tree Soaps

Thank you (from the bottom of my heart) for all of your Twitters, Blogs and Facebook posts. It was so much fun to read about your favorite BB fragrances and products (you all have fabulous taste). This is our first time launching the S.O.A.P. testing group so if all goes well we'll be doing it again soon!

New Members: Please email me with your shipping address to info(at)brambleberry(dot)com

Congratulations finalists! I can't tell you how excited I am to hear your Awesome Opinions!

 

Wash Your Mouth Out With Strawberry Pie

For those of you who missed Soap Weekend Intensive 2010, here's an exclusive peek at one of the creative projects that was taught by Erin Pikor, of Naiad Soap Arts - Summer Strawberry Pie!

Ingredients

White Melt & Pour Soap Base

Clear Melt & Pour Soap Base

Non-Bleeding Red Color

Merlot Mica

Liquid Yellow Oxide

Liquid Brown Oxide

Strawberry Seeds

Strawberry Fragrance oil

Almond Biscotti Fragrance oil

Tools 

Silicone Brownie Pan

Crinkle Cutter

Daisy Cookie Cutter

OR get everything you need in the click of a button below!

ONE: To create the "strawberries" for our pie, make a deep pink color with 8 oz white m&p soap base and the non-bleeding red color. Mix well and pour the soap into the silicone tray mold. Once the soap is set-up, remove from the mold and cut the soap into small, irregular chunks with the crinkle cutter. Set the pink soap chunks aside for use later.

TWO: Now it's time to make our "pie crust". For a warm toasty crust color, melt 8 oz. white m&p soap base and mix in 6 to 8 drops liquid yellow oxide, and 2 to 3 drops liquid brown oxide. Mix well and pour the soap into the silicone tray mold. Let cool and remove the soap from the tray mold. Use your crinkle cutter to cut the soap into diagonal strips and set aside.

THREE: Before we start embedding, lay out your strips (on a clean cutting surface) in a criss cross lattice pattern. This is is how we're going to embed them in the soap.

FOUR: Melt 16 ounces clear m&p soap and cool to 120 degrees. Pour a shallow layer into the brownie pan and work quickly to layer in your first layer of toasty strips, being sure to spray frequently with rubbing alcohol. Pour another thin layer of clear soap and add the rest of your strips in the opposite direction, making a criss-cross pattern. You only end up using about 4 ounces of the soap.

FIVE: With your remaining 12 ounces of clear soap add Merlot Mica and Strawberry Seeds. Mix well then scent with a blend of Strawberry and Almond Biscotti fragrance (we used 4 parts Strawberry and 1 part Almond Biscotti but get creative and use any ratio that you want). 

SIX: Spray the lattice with rubbing alcohol and pour half of your Strawberry soap. Then generously sprinkle your pink soap chunks in (spraying everything furiously with rubbing alcohol). Then pour the remaining strawberry soap over the top. It's o.k. if a few pieces are sticking out.

SEVEN: Once your soap is completely set-up, pop out of the mold and cut into little pieces with the daisy cutter. Or use your crinkle cutter to cut into rectangles like the picture at the top. Hurrah! Cute soap!

A big thank you to Erin for teaching this fabulous class and allowing us to blog her fabulously delicious project!    

What's S.O.A.P?

Win a chance to be on Bramble Berry's exclusive S.O.A.P. panel and help select the Spring 2011 Fragrance Line!

Help discover the next popular fragrance!

What's the S.O.A.P. panel you ask? Soap Opinion (Awesome) Panel members will receive 8-10 one ounce fragrance samples of my top choices for Spring 2011. Give the cutting-edge fragrances a sniff AND test them in any product you like (really, anything you want). Then fill out a survey to help distinguish the top choices. I want your honest opinion and notes on testing!

How to apply: Tweet, Facebook or Blog about your favorite Bramble Berry product (including links) and why you should be selected for the S.O.A.P. Panel. We'll announce the finalists this Saturday the 28th.

Fine Print: I will be sending out the fragrances September 1st and I would like the surveys complete by September 27th which gives you about 3 weeks to test the fragrances. Please keep this in mind before you enter. I'm looking for an accountable and enthusiastic panel!

Good Luck and Happy Soaping!

We Love Kudos!

Betty works for Creative Soap Week and was kind enough to give us a little shout out on her site! Thanks Betty! We're honored to be recognized with other fantastic soaper's like Soapylove and Sunbasilgarden Soaps and A Breath of French Air!

Check out the feature HERE!

Want to learn how to make the featured soap? Check out the Watermelon tutorial HERE and the Soapy Rocks HERE!

 You can follow Creative Soap Week on Facebook and Twitter. 

Don't Miss Out!

Learn to make this adorable soap project (designed by Erin Pikor of Naiad Soap Arts) in our email Newsletter that is going out in waves tomorrow morning and will send throughout the day. Do you want to get a sneak peak of how to make this soapy fruit tart concoction? Make sure you're signed up for the newsletter,  your spam filter is set to love all things soap, and get ready to be excited by how easy the project is to make (once you know the secret!).

If you're not signed up, you can (dare I say 'should'?) sign up now it ships out first thing tomorrow. Sign up on the middle right of the Bramble Berry Home Page.

We had lots of great new molds and erasers show in the warehouse today. I can hardly wait to get them photographed and set up to sell. You are going to flip with how cute they are.

What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas

You've heard that term right? "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"? I think it was even their official promotional line at one point. Sure, it's a funny line. And it gives soon-to-be-marrieds the excuse to get liquored up, wild, happy and craaaaazeeee in Vegas where apparently, all bets are off (or on, depending on your preference).

The thing about life is that:

how you do anything is how you do everything.

How you do the little things is how you do the big things. If you're dishonest in one area of your life, you're dishonest in other areas. If you're lazy about one thing, you'll be lazy about another thing. If you can't share your authentic feelings at work, you don't share your authentic feelings at home either.

Little things matter. How you live every moment of your life matters. If there's one area of your life where you're embarrassed about, think about the characteristcs and traits that make that little embarrassing part possible. Where else in your life do those characteristics hold you back? What little changes did you vow to make in January of this year that haven't happened? How can you get yourself back on track and make a simple course correction?

How did you do on the 'Tell Me More' challenge? I've almost got it incorporated fully into my life without even thinking about it now. So, how about another challenge? For the next 30 days, pick one trait that doesn't serve you and start making the steps to change it. Baby steps in the right direction lead to momentous change over time.

He's a Grad! Yay Mr. Wonderful!

Frequent readers of this blog know that I am blessed with an amazing family - a smart Dad, a super kind Mother, a protective and loyal brother and a 4-legged nephew and niece (Toby on left, Samantha on right). We just finished an epic weekend for our family.

My 'little' brother had a birthday this weekend. If you're an Otion customer, be sure and wish him 'Happy Birthday' next time you're in. He is an avid fisherman so my husband and I bought him a fish finder for his lovely bass fishing boat. He spends many many weekend afternoons in solitude, fishing (but never keeping; he's a catch'n'release pro). Hopefully the fish finder will make it easier for him to be successful every time.

Another exciting event for our family was my husband's graduation from his MBA program. He's been working hard on his studies in night school while running his own company. He's a stellar engineer-turned-CEO and everyone in the family is bursting with pride over his achievements. 

Here we are, joking with his MBA program director and promising to have him over to dinner soon (an easy promise to keep because he's a smart, witty guy!).

And, the entire celebratory family! The little cutie in front is named 'Ana Marie' (my husband's sister) and I showed up on the scene after she was named! What are the odds of two Anne-Marie's/Ana Marie's in one family? No matter what the odds are, it sure made for one happy, proud family this weekend. I hope you had equally laughter-filled, loving weekends.

Tattoo Your Soap on Soap Queen TV

Check out this, quite possibly my coolest, edition of Soap Queen TV ever! I show how to make Tattoo soap.

Wait, is cool still cool? Maybe this is my sickest Soap Queen video? Whatever the case maybe I had a great time making these soaps and I think you will, too! Wouldn't this be a great project to make with your teenager or soon-to-be teenager?

In this episode of Soap Queen TV, I show how applying temporary tattoos to your soap is a fun and easy way to liven up your plain bars of soap. I also show how to embed a tattoo design to make it last even longer.

How to Make Tattoo Soap on Soap Queen TV from Soap Queen on Vimeo.

To make the Rock Star Soap you will need:
White Melt & Pour Soap base
Liquid Black Pigment
Wasabi fragrance oil
Organic Flexible mold
Rock Star Tattoos

To Make the Groovy Flower Power soap you will need:
Clear Melt & Pour Soap base
White Melt & Pour Soap base (or you can just add some liquid white color to the clear)
Yuzu Fragrance

Flexible Dome mold
Flower Power Tattoos

Or make it easy and get one of our kits. Here for the Rock Star and here for the Flower Power.

Oh The Things You Can Do! Soap Frosting 3 More Ways.

When I decided to try my hand at a simple soap frosting recipe, I had no idea what it would become!  Frosting was just the tip of the iceberg.  Here are several things you can do with the same basic formula which is 4 oz of melted soap base + 2 Tablespoons of liquid soap, whipped with a hand mixer (click here for original tutorial post or click here for a great Soap Queen video).  Add colorant and fragrance as desired.  The Soapylove kits are perfect for lots of options!

Soap Meringues (shown above): Whip frosting recipe until shiny peaks form. I used Ruby Red colorant from the Jewelry Box kit and Strawberry Jam from the Delectable Desserts kit. Quickly put mixture into a piping bag (I used my bag and star tip from the Bath Bomb Cupcake Kit).  Squeeze out 1" meringues onto tin foil, waxed paper, or parchment.  Allow to dry.  Peel paper away from backs of meringues and toss lightly in cornstarch. 

Soap Marshmallows: Follow instructions for Soap Meringues, but this time pour into a brownie pan lined with plastic wrap.  Allow to dry and harden, then remove plastic wrap and cut into blocks with a sharp knife.  Toss lightly in cornstarch.  This style is great with the jumbo Rainbow Sprinkles from the Sweet Treats Colorant Kit!

Fluffy Fillings: The original way to use this recipe was to spoon it on. Depending on how long you whip it you can get a creamy icing or a firmer marshmallow fluff, like for these S'Mores featured in the Summer '10 issue of Let's Get Soapy, or the Hot Chocolate Loaf Soaps in the Winter '09 issue.

Over at the Soapylove Fan Page, Tammy of Milk and Cookeez generously shared photos of her projects plus we had a great discussion about how to use this sometimes-tricky recipe.  Here are a few more pictures from her album!

So I encourage you to try this recipe and play around.  It can take some practice to control it well, but I guarantee you'll have fun!

-Debbie Chialtas, Soapylove

What Did You Do This Weekend?

Here are some of the final pictures from Soap Weekend Intensive. I think I'm still recovering from the long and exhausting (but fun) hours. I was flabbergasted when I figured out that each student left the class with 7 pounds of soap plus liquid soap and lotion! I told you we had a busy weekend!

Thanks to all of the helpers and fabulous students. Hope to see YOU next year. The fantastic plans are already in the works!

A Voice in Washington, DC ... Just for Us!

Though Congress is in recess right now, there is still a lot of work going on behind the scenes around the Safe Cosmetics Act - both with its advocates and its detractors. It is Bramble Berry's official position that the act is too overreaching, too broad and is not enforceable as currently written. Click here to read our initial take on it and here to read about our trip to Washington DC to meet with staffers working on the proposed legislation.

Grassroots letter writing, phone calls, emails, tweets and posts have a place in shaping this legislation. I hope that you will continue be vigilant about educating our lawmakers, your customers and friends about the unintended negative consequences should the Safe Cosmetics Act pass, as currently written.

In addition to our grassroots work, Bramble Berry is also supporting the not-for-profit Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild's newly formed Legislative Advocacy Fund. This fund will be used to hire an advocate, based in Washington, DC, to speak on our behalf regarding this issue, help with strategy and follow things closely in Washington, DC.

Bramble Berry is financially supporting the efforts of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild. You can make a donation to the Legislative Advocacy Fund here. You don't have to be a memberof the HMSG to support this action. 

Thank you for writing those letters, calling your congress people while they're in recess and continuing to do what you do every day: make safe soaps, lotions and toiletries. Together, we can educate and advocate for reasonable FDA legislation and reform. 

Liquid Soap in a Soaper'ific Jiffy!

As promised, here are some pictures from my liquid soap class yesterday. We started a batch from scratch and the class got to dilute, color and fragrance their own mini batches of liquid soap to take home. Wondering about how to make Liquid Soap yourself? Here is a downloadable handy e-book. 

Here, I'm demonstrating that the liquid soap still needs to cook some more using phenophthalein to test the pH. The chemical turns the soap hot pink (maybe that's why I like this demonstration so much). 

Here's the happy class scenting customizing their liquid soaps.

After a long (but soaper'ific!) day, Erin (from Naiad Soaps - our Melt and Pour Instructor Extraordinare)  and I needed to wind down so we fished peacefully on Lake Samish. It was the perfect end to a whirlwind day of soaping. I'll post more pictures and details of the weekend next week.

Right now it's time for graduation; certificates and cupcakes are calling my name.

Soap Weekend Insanity!

Hi From Soap Weekend Intensive! We have students from all over the world here - which is fitting since we have a teacher from Australia here too! The farthest anyone traveled is the Phillipines. Others are from Canada, Arizona, California and more. We are happy that so many soapers are here to soak in the deliberately-small-sized-practically-private class.

Jude Birch, from Aussie Soap Supplies, started off a beautiful Saturday morning with the introduction to cold process soapmaking. The intro class is definitely more entertaining with an Australian accent. I love listening to Jude speak. After the CP intro, the class took a little break and I was super tempted to walk across the street to Rocket Doughnuts for a pick-me-up. But I came to my senses and decided to save my calories for cupcakes. It will be worth it!

After Jude's cold process layering lesson, we walked down to the Bellingham Farmer's Market for sandwiches, ice cream and fresh veggies. I can't get over the weather right now, it is absolutely a perfect day today!

We're just about to wrap up the day with Liquid Soapmaking so I better get going to prep for my class. I'll get some pictures up in the morning.Tomorrow is melt and pour with Erin Pikor, from Naiad Soap Arts. It's so great to finally meet her, she's a hoot!

This is Anne-Marie signing out from Soap Weekend Intensive 2010. Wish you were here! 

Sandwich Social and SWI

I just had to share the cutest cupcakes that Amber (of the bacon caramel brownie fame) made for our Bramble Berry team lunch. We had a build-your-own-sandwich, beach themed social. Amber used crushed graham crackers for the sand and found darling little beach gummies for the toppers. Delish!

Also, this weekend is Bramble Berry's 3rd annual Soap Weekend Intensive. Erin Pikor, from Naiad Soap Arts, and Jude Birch, from Aussie Soap Supplies, are here in Bellingham prepping for their classes tomorrow and Sunday. I'm about to head over to Otion to prep for my melt and pour intro class this afternoon. Did I mention that this is the BEST weather that we've had all summer? It's going to be a  beautiful and jam-packed weekend full of soapmaking, creativity, laughs and cupcakes (of course)! I can't believe this weekend is finally here! I'll be sure to keep you updated with all of the fun projects. If you follow my TwitPic stream or follow me on Twitter, you'll be kept even more updated. I'll tweet and post the fun projects.  Happy Soaping!

All's Wool That Ends Wool

Thanks for all of the color suggestions for my wool. After switching back and forth several times I finally decided on Tropical Purple and Canary Labcolors to go with my Brilliant Blue. If you have not dyed your wool yet, see last week's post on "Sheep Thrills". Also, I strongly recommend felting cold process soap. It's a harder bar that generally lasts a little bit longer than melt and pour. Learn how to make Cold Process on Soap Queen TV or buy Finished Cold Process Soap at Bramble Berry.

ONE: Start off by taking a couple strands of your wool and wrap it around your soap. Do all one color, stripes or a creative pattern. Just make sure to cover the entire soap in wool so there are no "bald spots". The corners of my soap (pictured above) still needs some more wool.

TWO: Wet the soap with warm water and start "using the soap", scrubbing the wool with your hands, rubbing every inch of the soap. The felting process is basically matting the wool hair so it will stick together. Scrub for about 10-20 minutes until you can't pinch off any of the wool fibers. I know what you're thinking: 20 minutes is a long time. But think positive. When you're done, your hands are going to be soft and smooth as a baby's derrière.

These soaps are looking good but aren't quite done yet. 

The wool is still a little too loose on the soap. 

10 minutes Later: See how the wool looks more matted together?

I can't pinch off any of the wool.

VARIATION: Martha (as in my idol, the divine Miss Martha Stewart) puts her soap in old pantyhose before she felts. I think it's a great technique if you have different layers and colors. It keeps your design intact. There are also techniques that use felting boards or washing boards instead of using your hands. This would save you a little bit of time and elbow grease, but I've always done it the old fashioned way. 

Epic Epicurean Eats

"They were interesting." -Amber, BB Marketing

It's another Bramble'versary. Amber, our resident marketing genius, designs our rotating home page photos, our newsletter, lays out our e-books and takes the best photographs of anyone on the team. She started out as my part time assistant five years ago but didn't stay there long; it was apparent she had skills that exceeded what I needed in an assistant. I've never replaced that assistant position and Amber's never looked back. We're lucky to have her. And, for her five year Bramble'versary, I wanted to make something that was befitting of how complicated and multi-faceted her job is. Behold, the Salted Caramel Bacon Brownie.

Step One: Bacon Salted Caramel

3 pieces bacon

1 Tablespoon Corn Syrup

1 cup Heavy Cream

6 Tablespoons Butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons Sour Cream

1 cup Sugar

In a non-stick pan, fry up the bacon until it's super duper crispy, turning it frequently. I've never fried bacon before in my entire life but it was pretty easy. Also, it's stunning how much fat comes out of a few slices of bacon (ewww!). Take the fried bacon out and let it set on paper towels. Leave the bacon fat in the pan and add the heavy cream to the fat.

In a separate, larger pan, add the corn syrup, salt and sugar. Heat on low until the sugar starts to melt and turn a light honey brown. Be careful here; you don't want it to scorch and go a dark, stinky brown. Add the butter, sour cream and the bacon fat/cream mixture. Stir well. Whisk in the sour cream if necessary. Crumble in the crispy bacon. Set aside. 

Step Two: Brownie Mix

8 Tablespoons Salted Butter

3 Eggs

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Flour

6 ounces semi-sweet Chocolate

1/4 cup Dutch Baking Chocolate Powder

1 tsp Vanilla

3 Eggs

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the salted butter and chocolate together in a bowl. Microwave on short 30 second bursts (don't let the butter splatter in the microwave; it's no fun to clean up). Add the three eggs, chocolate powder and vanilla. Mix in with a beater. Fold in the sugar and flour and beat on medium until fully incorporated.

Step Three: The Mixing

Spray your baking pans with a non-stick spray or wipe down with butter. Pour in 3/4 of your chocolate batter. Pour the caramel over the batter. It should fully cover the batter, like its own little layer. Drop and drizzle the rest of the brownie batter over the caramel. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Take it out 5 minutes before you think it should come out (I burned one of the batches and it's really not all that delicious burnt).   

Recipes adapted, changed and added to from Doughmestic and Savour Fare