Certified as a Soapmaker!

Among all of the fun at the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Annual Conference was also a little bit of work. While at the conference, I was able to take the certification exam given by the Guild, and have thus been dubbed a "Certified Soapmaker" of cold process and hot process soap! All of those who became certified received their certificates at the last night's Award Dinner from the Guild President Marie Gale. This was a nice, tangible symbol of all that I have learned lately about soapmaking and running a business. And it makes me feel so "official"!

Check out all of the happy Certified Soapmakers.

All Work and No Play...

It wasn't all work at the Handcrafted Soapmakers Conference in Palm Springs. I considered it more of a working "vacation". First, I was able to stay at my friend Lydia's house and have a short visit with her and her partner. Since I don't get to see them very often, that was a treat. But back at the Miramonte Resort and Spa, the Conference volunteers and sponsers were doing their best to keep us all in a happy, festive mood. Without an exception, everyone involved with the conference was always cheerful and willing to help (and these are all volunteers!). Refreshments and snacks were always available and the various meals that we had outdoors were so pleasant.


But the highlight of the week had to be the Carnival Extravaganza sponsored by Essential Wholesale. Jugglers, stilt walkers, carnival masks, open bar, a fantastic dinner and two comedians!
Did I mention the open bar? This was an ice sculpture that squirted out fruity martinis! I overheard quite a few attendees complain of headaches the next morning, so I guess everyone had a great time! :) I know I did!

The HSMG Conference Inspires Me!

Whew! What a busy week I had! I was in Palm Springs last week attending the Annual Conference of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild: 3 days of soap talk, business talk and hot weather! It was quite a switch from my usual days of being a one-woman soap business in temperate Northern California. But what an invigorating switch it was! I have returned home with renewed enthusiasm and a long list of ideas, suggestions and to-do's. Look for some changes coming to the Sirona Springs website that will hopefully make it a little easier to shop there.

I'll be describing more about the meeting all this week (I didn't even have time to blog during the meeting!).

One of many great presentations was given by Donna Maria Coles Johnson, leader of the Indie Beauty Network, a business organization helping small, independent businesses succeed. She explained that new internet technologies like Facebook, Twitter, blogs and YouTube have leveled the media playing field. Small business owners now have just as much access to their customers as do newspapers and magazines, and mostly for FREE!

She gave me some great ideas (Twitter: here I come!) and her organization is a powerful force, supporting and shaping our industry. It was a thrill to hear her take on this brave, new world of technology media!