What's in a Brand?

So often I am thinking of packaging- shape, color, texture. Afterall, the first thing people see is the packaging. I may use the best ingredients and have the best scent and the best formulated products, but if my products are lacking an image, a soul, I'm dead in the water.

 

I've read books, taken seminars and had some valuable mentoring from Ann Evanston. I still have a long way to go, but I'm getting there. What I have learned is that branding is like a child. It grows sometimes gracefully and sometimes there are growing pains. You have to feed your brand to give it life. Through sweat and determination, an image will develop that is an extension of you.

 

Here are some photos to show where I was and where I am going: 

 

2009 Product Group Shot



2011 Product Group Shot by Stephanie Willson Photography

 

The Metamorphisis of Lip Balm Labels...

 

 

 

 

 

This is similar to my current label. I've enlarged the font to make it easier to read.

 

Soap! This is how I first labeled my soaps (it took forever!).

 



 

 

My current labeling. I still want to change this up (I'd love to drop the plastic), but I've not landed on a design yet.

My newest label! I still need to make the font easier to read, but this design feels good.

 

 

To me, the new label above is a lot friendlier than the labels below (note the 2 different designs!).

 

 

So, I guess branding and label design are akin to a good relationship. You have to feel it, you have to be devoted to it and you have to be willing to change along with it. And, neither a good relationship or good branding is easy to figure out!

 

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such

Happy Soap Making Inspiration- Bob Ross

"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." ~Aristotle

 

...but... our parts contribute to our whole.

 

After rolling out of bed and attending to our girls, one of my first tasks is getting caught up on emails. This morning Google had this great graphic of Bob Ross on their page. After my smile, this image got me thinking. 

 

When I was little and I would come home from preschool and go to my grandparent's house, one of the shows I would watch was Bill Alexander painting shows. I loved his voice and his passion. I was hooked!

 

 

Eventually, I began to watch Bob Ross, too. Bob was a student of Bill Alexander's. Both Bill & Bob would talk about painting "happy little trees" and "happy clouds." I sign most of my letters "Happy day." I wonder if my random use of "happy" comes from these two fellows?

 

 

I also LoVe, LoVe, LoVe landscapes. Below are some photos and paintings I've done.

 

I even create landscapes in soap! Ocean and Desert Soap...

Is this a happy accident or happy influence? I'm leaning to the influence factor. :)

Happy birthday Bob Ross and thank you Bill & Bob for your inspiration. Your influence spans many different medias!

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such

6 Reasons to Buy and Use Handmade Soap

Are you unsure about buying and using handmade soap? Here are 6 reasons why handmade soap makes sense...

 

1. Handmade soap is beautiful. Like most soapmakers I take a lot of pride in creating my soaps. My first priority is to make effective soap. My second priority is to make beautiful soap.

2. Handmade soap contains quality ingredients. I usually use food grade vegetable based oils and butters in my soap and I try and source non-GMO and organic. No you shouldn't eat soap (although I used to when I was little; so, yes, I've found my calling), but feel assured that you can eat the cocoa butter or the olive oil before I incorporate it into my formulas.

3. Handmade soap contains glycerin. All handmade soaps contain natural vegetable glycerin. The glycerin is created during the soapmaking process. In addition to the recipe, the glycerin is what makes you skin feel soft and smooth.

4. Handmade soap is detergent free. I do not use sulfates or sulfites to create bubbles (I don't know of a soapmaker that does). I've worked for years to create nourishing, balanced formulas that cleanse without drying. Detergent free soaps are also better for the environment.

5. Handmade soap makes great gifts. Handmade soap is great for the person that has everything because you use soap, so everyone needs it. Also, soapmakers often have designs and scents that you can't find in big stores. Handmade soap is also easy to ship and carry on planes.

6. Buying & using handmade soap supports small businesses. This helps keep dollars in your neighborhood and you can see to whom your hard earned money is going. Buy Local Lincoln County is a local organization to promote and support locally owned small businesses within my county. I'm sure your area has a similar organization.

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such

Oregon Coast Weather

Planning for weather on the Oregon Coast can be easier said than done. 

 

Cool, drizzly, windy mornings can leave me chilled to the bone if I get wet feet while setting up for the outdoor markets. I often travel with a waterproof pair of snow boots and gloves and a hat and a rain coat and... (half my wardrobe!) Snow boots because I haven't yet succumbed to rain boots and I enjoy the extra warmth.

 

Last week, we had a fun day of weather. Luckily, I was working in the shop, so other than for a photo, we stayed warm and dry inside. While eating breakfast, we had a passing hail storm.

 

 

Followed by bright sun that melted the ice.

 

 

Only to end the day with heavy, long lasting rain.

 

 

 

So, if you're visiting the Oregon Coast, come prepared because our weather is like a roller coaster!

Happy day,
Jill
Calise Soapworks & Such

Autumn Breeze Cold Process Soap Tutorial

Here's a great idea for a fall themed soap that you can make from soap scraps.



I had some red, orange & green soap that didn't turn out as planned and I was saving them for something- it turned out to be Autumn Breeze Soap! I used my cutter to cube the soap into small chunks- between 1/4 & 1/2 inch pieces. You don't have to be exact.

 I was using a new fragrance oil so I didn't know how it would react, so I decided to use a whisk to mix up my soap batter. This ended up being a good thing because once I added the fragrance, it did thicken somewhat quickly. 

Once the soap got to a heavier pudding like texture, I began to add the soap chunks. See how the soap cubes are staying on top of the new soap? This is the perfect thickness to be able to mix in the soap cubes and keep them evenly distributed throughout the soap.

Next up- plating (or molding in the case of soap!). I poured the soap into molds and added an interesting texture.

I saved a few of the soap chunks so I could sprinkle them on top of my freshly poured soap. I also added some skin safe glitter for a little extra sparkle. Even soap is allowed to show off every once in awhile! ;)



Voila! Autumn Breeze Soap!

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such



To Market, To Market To Buy Handmade Soap...

Why a Farmer's Market???

I began selling soap at a farmer's market in Show Low, AZ. Why? A farmer's market is a great place to begin a business. I love meeting people and I get to meet people from all over and businesses that are local. I also don't have the overhead of a brick and mortar store (rent, utilities, advertising, etc.). I do have a store now, but that came after the markets.  Also, the markets I belong to give back to the community via different programs. So, it's a win-win situation all around.

 

Newport Farmer's Market is my Saturday market. They are open every Saturday May-Oct. from 9-1. Facebook is a great way to stay up to date with their weekly activities. There's also a winter market.

 Lincoln City Farmer's Market is my Sunday market. They are open Sundays from 9-3. The market is outdoors in the spring/summer and then it goes indoors on a smaller scale for the rest of the year. This market also has an active Facebook page.

I have a retail location at Dallas Health & Vitality Center  in Dallas, OR. They are attending the Polk County Bounty Market on Thursdays. I've been invited to be a special guest in Dallas Health & Vitality Center's booth on July 19 & August 16.  I'll be bringing a beautiful selection of our award-winning handmade soap, soy candles, lotions & other goodies. I'll also have samples and a special offer that can be redeemed at Dallas Health's retail location.

I can't wait to see you at the market!

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such

DIY Lilac Sunday Handmade Soap

Have you ever wanted to know how us crazy soap people get such beautiful designs? Here's the way I make my Lilac Sunday Soap.

First, I plan and pre-mix my colors.

Then, I mix up the entire batch of soap. When everything is mixed well, I portion out the soap in 3 bowls since I'm going to have 3 different colors. Next, I add the green color and the fragrance to one of the bowls, mix well and pour the soap into my molds.

I mixed the green layer up pretty good, so it gets thick, because I want the soap batter to be thick enough to create these grassy peaks with my spatula.

Next, I sprinkle a thin layer of skin safe mica on top of the green. I have to work fast because I have two bowls of soap batter waiting for me.

After the room is dusted lightly in gold, I add my white color and fragrance to the next bowl and mix. Then, I pour this layer into the molds.

I repeat the same process for the purple layer...

I then add a little detail with my spatula and lastly, top off the soap with a dusting of skin safe glitter.

Voila! Here is the same batch of Lilac Sunday Soap cut.

Planning my soap is an interesting process because I cut down through the layers. What you see on the top of the soap is very different looking than the finished bar.

You can buy Lilac Sunday Soap here.

Happy day,

Jill

Calise Soapworks & Such