Save The Plastic For The Big Guys

I am now officially one of the “little guys.”  As a member of this club I now can appreciate all of the irritating store owner rules that as a customer I could never understand. For one: credit card minimum purchases. While I think any store owner would take a credit card over no sale, I can relate to the constant bank charges one must endure as a small business owner. As a result of my own retailing experience, I have now adopted a policy to spend as much cash as possible when dealing with other small business people. Many of the artisan businesses I run into do not qualify for the best interest rates based on their sales volume and each of those $10 or $8 purchases cost them more than when someone pays with cash. I know it’s always more convenient to run purchases on plastic but just remember the little guy trying to start or stay in business can afford it less than a Walmart. So I’m turning over a new leaf in an effort to support other small businesses. Hope you will too…

Why Cabernet Soap?

Simply put, this is one extraordinary bar of soap. We’ve colored it brick-red and added finely crushed all natural grape seed for one of the most soothing and gentle exfoliations around. Not only is it designed for wine enthusiasts but it works perfectly in the kitchen and may become your new best friend. To describe the scent is to understand fine  Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Our soap smells like a wine you’d actually bathe with. It’s heavy on grape, followed by sweet strawberry and bright cherry, then a bit of delicate floral, lastly a woody base note.  Surely worthy of critical acclaim, conversation and perhaps award. Now we have to think about how to bottle a soap….

Say Goodbye to “Sandalwood”

This reminds me of a Billy Joel song but it’s unfortunately true. The cost of pure sandalwood essential oil is so high we can no longer carry it. Going forward, we will be producing soaps and lotions with our usual high quality fragrance oils which are incredibly accurate. There is, however, nothing more heavenly than 100% unadulterated plant essential oils. Apparently, after recent talks with a few of my fragrance and essential oil vendors, the tree is becoming endangered and it already takes up to thirty years to produce a true sandalwood essential oil for cosmetic use. There is nothing quite as magical as sandalwood essential oil. Just thinking of it transports me in time and space. If anyone out there wants to spend around $30 for a bar of soap let me know. I’ll gladly make it.

FYI sandalwood east indian essential oil is currently running about $1200/lb.

Soap Farm At Artisanal L.A. April 16-17th 2011

http://artisanalla.com/participants/spring-show-2011/

We’re  jazzed about the Artisanal L.A. show in Santa Monica for many reasons. One, it showcases great artisanal, handmade and local vendors themed around food. Two, there will be some awesome vendors of truly original and delicious edibles and Three, it supports the local community which we have come to really appreciate during our relatively short time in L.A. Its been a surprising and inspirational experience. L.A. is filled with creative energy in lots of areas including design, fashion, art and food. Our products will fit in well with the sustainable agenda for Artisanal L.A. We can’t wait.

On the bath menu we will be showcasing our post consumer media-wrapped soaps and all things food and kitchen-based. We have pushed forward our new Foodie soap line, something that I have been dreaming up for some time. As we all know, high quality soaps share the same food grade ingredients as what you cook with and the scents can come from pure  gastronomy. Ie. bacon soap. While we won’t be sampling any bacon soap (this is not one of my favorites), we will be featuring liquid soaps in Ginger-Lemongrass, Milk, Lavender-Vanilla, and more. We also will be highlighting our Amazing MILK; soap one of the most incredible, luxurious moisturizing soaps you will ever use in Coconut Cream, Cocoa-Rose, Mochaccino and more.

Hope to see you there. There will be no shortage of free samples.

Thanks to Fancifull Gift Baskets http://www.fancifullgiftbaskets.com/ for giving us a heads up on the event.

“Green” Shopping Bags

From Project Green Bag; a good article. Based on this, we are going to stay with paper for a while and then invest in cotton bags when we run out. Polypropylene is definitely not what we want (made from oil)  and they are manufactured in China. Please re-use your paper bags for at least a couple of uses.  It’s better than the “eco-friendly” bags which are not biodegradable.

Why Not Poly Shopping Bags?

You may think you are “going green” and helping the environment by buying those cheap polypropylene bags you see in the grocery store, but here are some things to consider before you make that purchase.

What is Polypropylene?

Polypropylene a synthetic resin that is a polymer of propylene – used for making ropes, fabrics, and molded objects. It is a thermoplastic. It actually is a by-product of the oil refining process.

Health, Safety and Environmental Issues:

Plastic represents a 14 to 22% in volume of solid waste. It can be melted and recycled, making it a thermoplastic elastomer but the recycling process degrades the properties. Another difficulty is the management of plastics. The manufacture of the polymer at high temperatures can release irritating vapors to the respiratory system and eyes. At this time there is no known effect from chronic exposure to this product.

Non-woven Polypropylene Bags:

• Are made from an oil-based product & will live in the landfill right next to the plastic grocery bags for 500 years.
• They are difficult to separate from other materials for recycling.
• They are manufactured in China and shipped thousands of miles across the ocean.

How Can You Help?

• Purchase bags that are made from natural, biodegradable materials.
• Even better, buy reusable bags made from organically grown cotton.
• Buy a set of bags for your friends – encourage them into “going green”.

Tips For Using Your Bags:

• Put “Bags” on the top of your grocery list.
• Buy a bag you actually want to use, one with style.
• Leave the bags by the front door or on the door handle.
• Purchase two sets of bags and leave one set in the car.
• Cloth reusable bags can hold more and are easier to carry.
• Change your habits and you’ll soon be feeling less guilty.

Source: http://ecogreenloop.com

Recycling Today Media Group – Recycling Today magazine. : Current Issue PET Heats Up

Interesting article about cotton shortage NOT resin as the driver for recycled PET bottle uptick.

Recycling Today Media Group – Recycling Today magazine. : Current Issue PET Heats Up.

A Smart Idea

Those who know me well know that I’ve had a cupcake fetish since way back; way before Crumbs went national.  On a recent excursion to downtown L.A. we found Big Man Bakes. I’ve tried cupcakes in every state I’ve ever visited and I can fairly say (and probably shouldn’t) I’ve tried more than thirty different varieties from cup cakerys. What I found so impressive about Big Man Bakes, aside from the truly tasty, fresh cupcakes is the fact that this business seems very men-friendly. I love that the look and design are masculine and minimal and reflect the owner. What’s brilliant is that this business is tapping into a unique market; men. With all the polka dot, striped, candied, sprinkled looking bakeries, this place hits a perfect note among the less frilly and those like myself that don’t always want to sit in a cafe that looks like a sugar plum fairy threw up.  No less than three men walked in and ordered cupcakes – for themselves. As a soap provider to many male customers, I applaud this original and smart approach to business. Great job Chip. It was great meeting you (and looking up to you…)

Taking a Break

On a beautiful March weekend we found lots of inspiration in Griffith park. This amazing ivy gives me an idea for a new green inspired soap.

Art Always Helps

Given the insanity of our everyday lives (as shown here in my sister’s kitchen demolition project) , art always helps, gives reprieve, perspective and levity. When life is in chaos, take a lesson from this picture. It’s brilliant: She let my niece draw all over the wall before the wrecking ball.  This tactic can surely be used elsewhere. Bravo Stacie.

Unwrapped

Unwrapped soaps offer our customers the ability to say no to extra packaging and save money. We are offering customers at the farmers market $1 off our regular price per bar that is unwrapped. You will get a freshly made soap (within the past 3-4 weeks) inside a deli paper bag with label. It also helps promote our fresh soap platform and educate the public about the virtues of all natural soap: It has a shelf life! Natural soaps are meant to be used and luxuriate in, not stored in drawers as perfume sachets (save that for the mass produced perfume soaps.) We think this is a win, win. Love to hear your thoughts.  Go to our Facebook page.