For All Things Great & Small~

Happy Earth Day...

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did.  So often we go about our own lives and we forget about the wonder and the aw of this wonderful world we live in.

Bubble Me Happy

Bubble Me Happy Gift Basket

Not too late to send it for Easter...  

I can shipped it out tomorrow~

Go see my Gift Baskets Available for Purchase now and for

Mothers DAY!

Mossy Creek Soap Gift Baskets

Organic… What does it really mean?

The term “Organic” has been used loosely in recent years, so I thought I would discuss what it really means and who can use it in the cosmetics, body and bath products..  First, the term organic cannot be used the same way as “All Natural” or “Natural”.  Organic is a term which is certified by the USDA National Organic Program. The USDA-accredited organic certifying agent must certify the company before they can use the term “organic” and use of their symbol. There 4 different types of organic classifications which are:  “100%  Organic” which include the organic label, “Organic” which means is comprised of at least 90% organic ingredients, “Made with Organic Ingredients” which is comprised of at least 70% organic ingredients (may not display the organic symbol) and “Less than 70 % organic ingredients” which mean organic ingredients are listed on the label (may not display the organic symbol).  Anything under 70% cannot bear any such claim to organic. The civil penalty is $11,000 for each claim that is not certified by the USDA National Organic Program and knowingly sells/labels their products as such.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3004443&acct=nopgeninfo 


 To learn more about what these labels really mean see. ttp://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5078591&acct=nopgeninfo.

I also want to add that just because a product is listed and certified to use the “Organic” label does not mean that it is safe to use for you.  There are NATURAL plants and ingredients that can contain TOXIC  substances and can cause allergies in individuals who use them.  Check out the poisonous plant database for more information…http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/plantox/index.cfm.




Submitted by Michelle Rhoades, Mossy Creek Soap and Mossy Creek Soap Studio.  If you would like to learn more about other items concerning Soap, Soapmaking, Candlemaking or any other business related items... Follow us on our blog @ http://mossycreeksoap.blogspot.com/

Clear, Transparent or Opaque?

At recent craft show I was asked do I carry Glycerin Soaps? And the question got me thinking about how everyone views glycerin soap.  Since I love teaching others about soap and the craft show biz~  Naturally I went into details.  My customer didn’t realize she opened Pandora’s box.  First to clarify “all handcrafted soap is Glycerin soap”, but the one she was referring to was transparent soap.  Let’s go back to the question… yes.. I carry glycerin soap and I also carry transparent soap.  You ask...what’s the difference? Let’s first define what the terms are.

Glycerin- Is a humectant which is the by product from mixing oils/fats with lye.  It loves water and when used will draw moisture to your skin. Glycerin is used in many products including food, lotions and medicines. It is hygroscopic which means water loving and draws water to itself. It is colorless, odorless and has a somewhat sweet taste.

 

Handmade Soap- This is a soap that is made by a soapmaker that combines oils and fats with alkali such as sodium hydroxide (lye) or potassium hydroxide (potash use to make liquid soap).

Commercial Soap- This is a soap made on a large scale using the hot processed method and then using a salt in the end to separate the soap from the glycerin.  Commercial soapmakers can make more money from the glycerin by product than the soap itself.  Therefore commercial soap has no glycerin in their soaps. Most commercial soaps are not really soap at all.  If your grocery store “soap” is labeled as a beauty bar or something similar….it’s not soap at all. To read more about this go the FDA here.  Soap is regulated by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.  It would need to be regulated by the FDA if it is advertised to be moisturizing or to cure certain aliments. 

Transparent Soap- Is soap made from a melt and pour base that has extra alcohols and sugars in it to make it clear.  Because natural soap is opaque it is not naturally clear.  We love things that look clear and it looks natural but it unfortunately it has more ingredients in it to make it clear  (namely alcohol which can be drying).   So the next time you consider buying a clear soap make sure you understand that just because it’s clear and you can see right through it…That in itself does not mean it is better for you. But on the same note you can designed them into some beautiful works of art!

Are you Ready for Spring Break?

Our Spring Break starts today, so all of our kids are out and today is 50 degrees?  What's up with that?  Mother nature laughing at us once again!  Anyway I was busy this weekend making some beach inspired soaps~

 I thought I would share~

And my donation to a local fundraiser~

A cupcake soap, soy candle and some relaxing bath salt minerals.

Value, Worth and Money... What does it all mean?

All the signs are there and they have been for some time.  But now we are beginning to see the increases in everything.  For most us, our businesses are small and cannot bear a substantial market increase. We usually are competing in a market that will allow us to flourish if we can make our products, designs or items a value in the customer’s eyes.  Many times we equate this to a monitory value and this type of value may not survive the next increase. How have you priced your products and will you survive the next increase? 

Lets first discuss value and what it really means…..

1)  Value: Relative Worth or importance  

2) Material Worth.  

We have to address this because if you create worth and importance in your product material worth will come.  But if you have this backwards and have created a product based on material worth and your customers do not see the importance then you will be hurting.

We just got the word from our supplier that many of our favorites will have price increases in the near future….  Many of the items we use to make soap are increasing and that means a lot of soapmakers will be forced to increase their prices or absorb the difference.  We are seeing coconut oil and palm oil prices rising at an alarming rate.  Have you notice coffee prices lately?  All these signs are making a point for you to get ready. 

   What really makes me sad is that we will begin to see in the near future many small businesses giving in and giving up because they cannot make a profit anymore.  This is just beginning~

 What have you found?  What are doing to prepare for what is to come?

Bath-Time Buddies

I thought I would share some cute soaps for kids that are too much fun to make!

Thanks for visiting~