New Soap Packaging

Now I have my shiny new logo, I thought that it was about time to look at new soap packaging. The lovely Hel at Uppercutz made some boxes for me for my four key fragrances. I love the end result. They look professional and neat and would look good at fair or on the shelves in shops.

Playing

Whisper this, but it would appear that we may be getting a summer. For the last couple of days, we have had warm temperatures and brilliant sunshine, although today, the sun did disappear leaving a sultry afternoon. The humidity is a little high, and last night one of the cats decided it would be fun to sleep draped over me. Warm temperatures, and a furry scarf just do not mix but try telling him that.

I have a week off and some new essential oils to play with. I have a specific "project" in mind and it is going to be fun trying to get a blend that is suitable for it.

So far, except for my Geranium blend which was a happy accident, I have stuck to very simple blends of no more than three essential oils, but this one may have to be a little more complex and I have no idea where to start. I will have to do a bit of reading of all the perfume blending information I have. What I want to end up with is a blend of essential oils which gives me something redolent of dusty rooms filled with maps and books, it also needs to have a lightness to it, which may come from Pettigrain or May Chang but we shall see.

Fairs, fairs and fairs

I have three fairs in fairly rapid succession, starting on 21 July. So, I have been busy making salt scrubs. These are fragranced with Lavender essential oil, and I am going to be making some with May Chang, which is an absolute favourite.

I have had to change the packaging for the scrubs and I am happy with the label re-design. It is amazing the difference a proper logo makes.

Luxurious Bathing

I have been making fizzing bath melts for my own use for a little while, and have recently got my Safety Assessment for them, so they will be on the website shortly.

These are fragranced with a rosey blend of essential oils, made with lots of shea butter and avocado oil, hand rolled and finished with fragrant rose petals. Pop one or two in the bath and soak away the stresses of the day. Pure luxury.

New logo

A comment to a previous blog entry has reminded me that I never did show you all my new logo. So here it is, drum roll please!

Handmade Dog Shampoo

Finally, albeit with temporary labels, the Scent Trail Handmade Dog Shampoo has been launched. Made with fur loving olive oil, castor oil and a little coconut for cleansing and with added panthenol, fragranced with a touch of Lavender essential oil (said to repel ticks and fleas) this should make your furry friend feel like they are ready for the catwalk.

A percentage of the profits goes to Nowzad Dogs.

Made without parabens or SLS and with no nasty additives.

Change of Seasons

Well, the sun is finally shining and perhaps Spring is on its way. Winter has seemed longer than normal this year and I will certainly be glad when temperatures rise. There is a cold wind keeping temperatures down, and I have to wear something wooly but bright sun and blue skies do raise the spirits.

I have just decided to do a Countryside Fair towards the end of July. It is the first time I have done a fair like this, and I don't really know what to expect. It is a two day event, but I am only going to attend on the Saturday. If it is successful, then I may do the whole weekend next year. They apparently have a large number of people attending over the weekend, so I had better get soaping!

Labels are taking up a great deal of my time at the moment, or rather lack of them. The company I have been getting them from has raised their prices considerably and because I may change the artwork shortly, I only want a small run. Finding a company which does short runs of labels which will stand up to oil and water is well nigh impossible. I want something which looks professional not something that looks like I have knocked it up in the garden shed.

I finally had my oven fixed last week, and it has not been out of action since! I have made bread - twice, used it to insulate my CP soap, and pigged out on a lovely veggie lasagne. I don't know how I managed without it for so long.