3 Months

In honor of it being 3 months since my last post...yes, I'm making fun of myself.  I should be ashamed that it has been 3 months since my last post!  It has been a busy 3 months though, so let me explain.

This was every weekend in October:

Yes, it has been that time of year again.  And this year, we did really well at the Pumpkin Festival.  REALLY well.  The second photo of the chocolate scrub, that sold out, and if you took a whiff you would know why.  It is like taking a shower in brownie batter.  It just smells yummy!

This has boosted my confidence to try more shows, which the first one is this weekend.  Followed in 2 weeks by another.  It has also led to invitations to do different shows in February and March, as well as Christmas gift orders rolling in. 

On top of all this, I finally got back into the work force full time.  I know, wrong time of year to do that, but I'm enjoying what I'm doing, so all is well.

Hello From Miami

I'm currently in Miami for the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Annual Conference.  Last year was in Colorado and I can say, it was much cooler!  However, this year I was able to drive to the conference, which means all of the goodies I get this year I can easily transport back home.

I will continue to blog through out the next few days! 

Craft Shows and My Dad

Today was the first day of my second craft show during the holiday season at Mixons.  I did this show last year while my husband was in Las Vegas.  And no, I wasn't invited seeing as it was a guys weekend.  My Dad was visiting that week and got roped in to helping me.  With the show last year, helping me only required him to sit outside in beautiful weather and talk to me most of the day.  And even at one point, as I was out front of the tent talking to some people and glanced in, my Dad was sound asleep in his chair.  No, it wasn't all that busy.

Well Dad, cuz I know you are reading this,  you didn't miss anything new this year!  The weather was beautiful as always.  The people just didn't show.  And then to top it all off?  I think I'm getting sick.  Nothing makes for a longer day than feeling horrible and having to sit in an uncomfortable chair and wanting nothing more than a nap.  I totally get my Dad now and how he could sleep at a craft show.  All though, he wasn't sick, just enjoying the weather which he certainly was not getting in November in upstate New York!

So, at 6:30 p.m. I hopped into bed.  I woke up at 9:00 p.m.  It is now 11:40 p.m. and here I am.  And I still feel like crap!  Which is why I can't sleep.   And all I can think is I have to do this again tomorrow?  UGH.

Anyway, miss you Dad.  Wish you were here.  And I totally understand why you skipped this week this year!

Another Big Weekend

I'm currently prepping for another big weekend for my soaps.  We will be at Mixons Fruit Farms Fall Festival.  Wow, say that three times fast!

Prepping this week by getting supplies in and making soap!  Yesterday was a new batch of Oatmeal and Honey.  I didn't have this at my last show, but personally it is one of my favorites! 

Also did some gift baskets for a friend of mine.  Have to admit, they turned out quite well.  I did take pictures and I will post them tomorrow. 

Happy Hump Day!

It's Been Personal

I know I have been gone a few days.  Okay, almost a week. 

I have had a few personal things going on, and just couldn't bring myself to be cheery enough to blog. 

BUT, I'm back! 

Hunsaders finally ended last weekend.  It was a long 3 weeks.  I did however sell a lot of soap! 

Most popular?

Camo Soap

Second in line was my new Spa Bar.  It smells just like what a spa smells like when you walk in.  That relaxing, lavender, eucalyptus, chamomile smell.  It is dreamy.  I don't have a photo of it, because I kept selling it all.

The last day of Hunsaders they allow trick or treating for all of the kids.  All of the craft vendors bring candy and kids come around in their costumes.  Well, some of them anyway.  We will give candy to anyone!

I especially love this part of the event.  We live where there are no trick or treaters.  In the 8 years we have lived in this house, I only had trick or treaters once about 6 years ago.  I had forgotten to shut the gate and two teenage girls appeared at my door.  Since I don't ever have any trick or treaters I don't buy candy.  So, these two girls received giant Hershey Bars that I keep for when we make smore's.  As their eyes lit up, I looked at them and said " Don't tell anyone where you got these and don't come back again next year!"

I'm still amazed I woke up the next morning and my house hadn't been toilet papered!

Anyway, back to all of the little kiddies walking around in costume. 

This one boy came by.

Okay, he's a jet plane.

Nope.

Ummm...

Alright, now he sort of resembles a military tank, but I'm still a tad baffled.

And then, he stops.  Makes some sounds and folds himself onto the ground.

He is a Transformer! 

I really wish I could have taken a better photo from the front, but this little guy had quite the crowd around him.  The one I should have taken a photo of, now that I think of it, was his Mom!  She made this costume!

It is now time to realize that October is over and we are now officially in Holiday mode.  Seriously, where the heck did 2010 go? 



Almost Done

It has been a very tumultuous week.   I am not going into details here until I have reviewed my options and had time to let the news I was given this week settle. 

This is also my final week at Hunsaders.  It has been a good show, but 3 weekends in a row has been hard.  Also, I'm a bit agitated that they allowed another soaper to have a booth this weekend.  There have been two of us for the past few years, which is fine.  Our products have been just different enough that the competition has been healthy.  Add in one more though and it just forces the scales out of balance.  There is a lot of work involved in preparing for a show and when your share is cut down to 33%, it is irritating.

As I'm reviewing this blog entry, you can tell I'm irritated.  I will tell you I'm Sorry now and promise you will understand once I post about this week.

Happier Post next time, promise!

Two Down, One More To Go!

Yesterday was the last day of weekend number 2 of the Pumpkin Festival.  It was hot, dusty, dirty, and very crowded!  How did I do?

This week will be spent making soap.  And lots of it!  I am out of Pumpkin Spice, Lavender, Spa Bar, Yuzu and Dog Soap.  The others are running thin.  Nothing like bringing home empty boxes!

Everything sold this weekend.  Washclothes, soap dishes, soap saver bags, gift sets and just plain soap.  I even had someone ask if the flowers on my table as decoration were for sale!  CRAZY!

I took my camera out so that I could get some photos of the event.  However, it doesn't work too well with the memory card still in my computer at home!  And I wouldn't have had time for it anyhow!

The end of this event is nearing.  I have to admit, I'm looking forward to a Saturday that I can sleep past 4 a.m.! 

Mmmm....Smells Good!

One weekend down, two more to go.

This weekend finally marked the beginning of the Pumpkin Festival at Hunsader Farms. You poor people who follow my blog have read about this Festival approaching for months.

Every year it is a learning experience. Last year we changed our booth every single day. We added something, took something away, added shelving, etc. We even moved the location of the booth once. Which is where our location is today.

This year, we set the tent up in the back yard and worked out the kinks from there. Do I still want to make some changes, yes. I took some pictures of our booth, I obviously wasn't thinking, because I didn't take a picture of the booth in its entirety. 



Lather Lovely Booth





Lather Lovely Booth

 



Booth Photo



 

Yuzu Soap and Fragrance Free





Camo Soap Gift Set (Soap, washcloth and soap dish)




Pumpkin Spice Gift Set



New Bags For packaging this year



View down one row from our booth

  

View looking down main walkway, that is our booth on the right of the photo





This is Jan and Tonia, they make beautiful decorations from Gourds

 


Gourds

As always, the other vendors were wonderful to work with. It is a joy to see Tonia and Jan every year. They are a hoot! Last year they helped us move our booth from next door to them, to across the way. This year, Jeff helped them kill a spider that was in their tent. Spiders in Florida aren't small either, if you are wondering!

We had a good weekend. Saturday started off slow, but Sunday ended with a bang. I will be making soap all week to replenish my supply. The biggest seller? Camo. The fragrance of this soap is amazing. It was actually based off of a mens fragrance oil, but everyone loves this scent!

The title for this post is due to the fact that I wish I could have a dollar for every time someone picks up a soap, smells it and says Mmmm...Smells Good! I wouldn't have to worry about selling anything.

There will probably be more changes to the booth for next week. I have a few more items that I would like to add. I will also focus a little more on my clients next week as well. I will take a few pictures of their smiling faces as they walk away with some of the best soap in their hands!






Today Is The Day



Photo from Hunsaders website



It is finally here.  Day 1 of Hunsaders Pumpkin Festival. 

Ready or Not, here I go!  After a long evening of wrapping, tying, labeling, printing, cutting and more labeling, I was up at 4 a.m. this morning to do some more.

I would like to believe I'm ready.  So that is my story and I'm sticking to it! 

I will post photos tonight of the booth and other things going on around us.  The weather is supposed to be perfect, 82 with a low of 60.  Couldn't ask for better Fall weather!

Over Before You Know It

The weekend is over before I even realized it began. 

It was a busy weekend.  I made Pumpkin Pie, Lavender, Plain & Simple, Baby Bar, and Lemongrass soap.  I then worked in to Cucumber & Melon bath bombs, fizzing bath salts, and Kumquat (which smell fantastic) bath salts.

Also got my labels together, the tent is mapped out and cleaned up.  I still have to label, which I can do each night up until Saturday. 

Jeff and I went to dinner Saturday night at Cafe Gabbiano.  Oh my lordy, it was so yummy.  I felt like I was eating inside of wine cellar.  I had the Scaloppine Piccata and Jeff had Pollo Mamma Lucia.  Along with a couple loaves of bread, Buffalo Caprese and a great bottle of wine.  Add in the drive home with the top down, and it was a great evening.

I ended Sunday babysitting for my friend.  We had a good time, even though he was getting sick.  Never seen anyone so excited about going outside before!  You can tell I have too many animals though, instead of asking him if he wanted a snack, I kept asking if he wanted a treat.  I didn't put a leash on him to go for a walk though, so I do know the difference!

Ending this long weekend with a massage.  I am counting down the minutes until she gets here.  I hope everyone had a fun and fulfilling weekend!

Plans For The Weekend

Soap, Soap, Oh, and MORE Soap!

That is the plan for this weekend. 

So far, I have a gorgeous Pumpkin soap, Lavender, Yuzu, Energy, Lemongrass and another I have yet to name.  It doesn't sound like a lot, except there are two or three batches of each.  This weekend will be spent making more of those listed above, along with Oatmeal Stout, Pumpkin Lager, Peppermint, Charcoal and a Gardeners Soap. 

As well as bath bombs, sugar scrubs and then wrapping and labeling everything.

This Monday is a Holiday for us at work, so I have a long weekend.  And I couldn't be any more thankful!

I am also babysitting the son of a friend of mine on Sunday.  He is two.  It has been 13 years since I've had to deal with a two year old.  Well, besides two nights ago when Kyle retreated to his former self.  Keep me in your thoughts and I will post an update later on in the weekend.

One more thing...the weather here has been FABULOUS!  Mid 80's with hardly any humidity.  Yes, I did say that.  Florida with the humidity under 30%.  Seeing as it is typically around 175%, we are in heaven down here. 

Busy, Busy

Our weekend started off with dinner at our friends house.  And yes, I did wear my yoga pants.  It was wonderful and believe it or not, the weather was just dandy.  We were able to sit outside on the patio and enjoy good food, good wine and great conversation with friends.

The rest of the weekend was a complete blur.  A blur of how fast I could swipe my credit card for one more thing that needed to be replaced. 

First, came our printer.  We have been printing a lot lately.  Jeff just purchased a pool business to add on to the lawn business so that we can grow what we offer clients.  This means letters of explanation need to go to our current customers, and letters of introduction needed to go to our new customers.  Add in labels for soap, and you have a whole lot of printin' going on! 

Unless your printer decides to go on strike.  Which is exactly what ours did.  You want to print a couple of pages, no problem.  You want to print 175 pages?  Forget about it.  So, off to the office supply store we went.  I caved and bought a color laser printer.  And I have to admit, I was a giddy school girl again printing envelopes, and letters in a flash.  I will be a giddy school girl until I have to pay to replace the drums.  Then I will be a crying school girl.

We had to visit Verizon to get our phones updated.  Jeff is currently carrying 3 cell phones.  It is kind of crazy.  We needed to update one phone, which they informed us couldn't be done.  I'm not even going to get in to it here.  Lets just say that we spent 3 hours at the store and really got nothing accomplished.  But, they would call me on Monday.  Today is Tuesday, I have not received any call. 

Sunday we got up, and Jeff and Kyle went out to work on the yard and equipment to get ready for the week.  I was still updating customer information and rewriting letters.  Jeff came in around 1 and asked why I shut the air conditioning off in the soap shop. 

You guessed it, I didn't.  The air conditioner obviously decided it wasn't going to work anymore either.  So, off to Lowe's to replace our air conditioner.  They no longer make an air conditioner that fits the opening of the old one, so Jeff has to cut the space to be a tad bit larger.  As he and Kyle lifted it to position, Jeff went to plug it in, and the plug is different than the one we had.  Still no air in the shop.

On a final note, Happy Birthday today to my Mom!  And to my sister in law Stacey.  May you both enjoy your day and future days to come!

Soapy Weekend

Back to making soap this weekend.  Have to say, I'm really excited about the few I did today.  I also have an update to show on a soap I did a few weeks back.

Remember this soap?  I did this one a few weeks back.  This is what it

looks like now:

I'm going to call this one Camo Soap.  It is a mans fragrance and smells fantastic!

The fragrance oil causes it to darken up a bit.

This I poured yesterday.  Not sure what to call it yet, but I used Energy fragrance oil.

Took a peek at it today, and I think I am in love:

The color changes have me super excited!  (Sorry for the picture quality, I was in a hurry!)

This is one I did today. Yuzu fragrance, I'm hoping the color stays!

More soap planned for the week.  Then on to Bath Bombs and Bath Salts.  Trying to finish it up so I can spend the first few weeks of October on packaging.  Pumpkin Festival starts October 16th.  It will be here before we know it!