A Soap A Day Project: Day 3

Loving the neon green with the dark peach color combo!

I tried a new technique with this one and it isn't what I visualized in my head but that is ok! I am not sure what I was thinking with the strips in the background. Sometimes I just don't know when to stop and have to learn to let things be! The technique I used on the first two would have been better so I will switch back to that and keep this in the back of my mind for when it is needed.

This just reminds me that I have to focus on what I am good at! I strayed last night and tried making some bath bombs and I was having a hard time with the press I was using. (The recipe was fabulous though!) Mind you, I am going to get it right eventually and add them to my line eventually but I can keep the project close and bring it out when I get a marketing strategy in full swing! I have a little adventure to find some local retailers I am embarking on tomorrow and I will tell you all about it!

Do any of you have a technique for approaching Local Retailers that you would like to share?

In the mean time I am trying to do one thing a day to promote my business and am trying to get better at my customer service! Those of you who get an email back a week or two later know what I am talking about!

A side note - there is a reason I have suddenly started stressing about my business but I will tell that story later. :)

So far these posts have gotten a great response! I hope to keep em' coming!

A Soap A Day Project: Day 2

 

These circles are so small that the were about the size of my finger tip!

I already almost failed! This soap, supposed to be finished yesterday, got finished this morning because I really had to get to bed last night. I was just too tired! I did stay awake for another hour reading one of my Dresden novels. When I closed my eyes I wondered if I could have kept going with the soap and was just lazy, or if stopping was the right thing to do to give myself time to wind down. We can't always work at 100%, 100% of the time. You will probably be more productive working at 100% in short bursts and then giving yourself sufficient time to recover.

A Soap A Day Project

{pictures below} 
"Never thinking anything is good enough is a mindset breeding ground for self doubt and failure!"

As a small business owner, some days are good and some are bad. I am at a transition point with my business and I am finding it hard to stay focused. I have spent long hours for the past month of nights trying to develop new products that will "blow up", when I should be happy with what I am doing and focusing on marketing the products that my customers and myself already love. I have no idea what I am doing with the marketing so I have been taking on-line classes and reading books, trying to implement what I learn as I go, but it is a long road and I am moving slowly!

I am trained in art drawing, painting, photography, and graphic design, and have been thinking about why I didn't have the confidence to start a business as a graphic designer then, and how it pertains to my business now. I have set out on A Soap A Day art quest to try and answer some questions and to fill a creative void that I sometimes feel with regular daily production. I had some real talent as an artist studying photography, painting, and graphic design, and I wanted desperately to be some sort of visual artist after school but kind of failed at it. Wanting something isn't enough if you don't take action! Looking at my past failures may help me actively recognize pieces of my personality that are holding me back from taking my business to the next level, thus empowering me to change those pieces of my personality.

My husband recently told me the Japanese concept of Kaizen or continuous improvement, which is just taking baby steps on a daily basis to reach a goal, rather than being overwhelmed with big tasks that are daunting and may not actually help you achieve success. I am going to try and use my art and soap as a medium to visualize those baby steps I want to take in my business, and hopefully it will help open my mind to what is holding me back!

Here is the bar for June 5th 2012. The concept is "beginning" as depicted in cell type shapes. If you think about it the process of creating life is a series of baby steps! My business started with a single bar of soap like my life started with a single cell. I am going to keep going on this theme for a while slowly moving my way to an end.

 This one bar of soap took over 60 minutes to make! 3 inch x 3 inch bar.

The small "cell" shapes were made with a thin sliver of pink soap that I shaved round and centered in an empty pen tube and plugged off with clay. They are very tiny and were difficult to work with! The first couple of tries did not work as soap was hardening before I could pour it, or the soap was hot enough to pour but then melted the thin pink soap!

What I have learned from this bar is that I am fickle. I loved it for a second when I made it and the this morning was already looking for ways to make it better and criticizing the design, rather than just being happy with it as is. This is often my thoughts on products, not that there is anything wrong with wanting to improve, but sometimes you just have to be happy with what you have! Never thinking anything is good enough is a mindset breeding ground for self doubt and failure!

Come say hi!

I will be introducing my new Purifying Facial Cleanser and Mask! To all of my San Diego Friends out there I will be The Rockefeller Center for Anti-Aging in Kensington from 4-7 om selling my goods! They are located at 3938 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116.  Come enjoy boutique shopping, food and wine tasting, candy bar, raffle prizes, a silent auction, and live music!

You can visit The Rockefeller Center for Anti-Aging on Facebook

Mythology Local Eco Boutique - San Diego

I have been touring the local shops that sell my products and a few weeks ago I had a chance to visit Mythology in the South Park Area of San Digeo, home to an eclectic mix of shops, galleries and eateries. Mythology is owned by artist and designer Rickard Frederick who is known for his designer VEGAN belts, organic clothing and T-shirt designs.

 "All of our clothing is made of only organic and/or recycled materials like organic cotton, bamboo, soy composite or hemp.  You’re guaranteed to find these fabrics super soft, yet extremely durable.  We also try to buy from local artists and designers as much as possible.  This not only cuts down on the amount of gasoline spent shipping merchandise around the world, but keeps our selection of merchandise extremely unique."

 Richard's Vegan Cuffs

Mythology carries Naiad Soap Arts Natural Lip Balms, Soaps and Liquid Soaps as well as eco-friendly clothing for children and adults, jewelry, accessories, graphic tees, candles and Richard's signature Vegan belts and cuffs. The store has a friendly vibe and unique selections!

 

Eco friendly clothing for men and women

While I was taking pictures one of Richard's T-shirts stood out for me and he told me the story behind the design (below). A regular customer of his came into the store while looking through the tees and mentioned that one one of the images reminded him of images on the walls of Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia. The customer told Richard that he had rare rubbings from the site that his Grandmother took in the 70's before the temple was closed to the public and offered to give Richard the images. The T-Shirt below is one of those images! A truly unique tee that you won't find any where else.

Angkor Wat Temple Rubbing

After talking more with the customer Richard found out that their family contributes to a college fund so that the next generation has money to go to school assuring that the new generation has a chance to reach their goals and dreams! As part of his thanks for the Angkor Wat images, Richard now contributes $1.00 to the family's college fund for every T-shirt he sells. How cool is that!

You can Find Mythology at 2365 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104 

 Stunning and Studded Vegan Belts

 Naiad Soap Arts Lip Balms

 Kids clothing and accessories

 Ocean Minded Sandals

Print out this promotion and bring it to Mythology for 25% off your purchase!

How Beautiful is this?

I stumbled upon this treasure on the Etsy front page this evening! The shop is TaylorsEclectic and the pieces are stunning, delicate and feminine with lots of color! Sadly I am broke right now or would have ordered something for certain, but I can keep my fingers crossed that someone will find my favorites list and send a gift my way!

Some of my favorites:

 

 

yes, your jaw just dropped!

Customer Review: Very berry Sugar Whipped Soap

A few weeks ago I sent out a request for customer reviews and the response was great! If you are interested in doing a review just send your name and address to erin@naiadsoaparts.com with a list of three products you would like to review. I will choose one on the list that needs feedback and ship it to you for your feedback!

Today we have a guest post from one of my customers Gail Kahles reviewing Very Berry Sugar Whipped soap. She was nice enough to include some photos too! Thanks so much Gail!

Gail writes: Naiad’s packaging is always pretty, and this product is no exception. The label is classy, featuring a sweet graphic and an eye-catching font. As is true for all Naiad products, this would make an exquisite gift.

I was surprised how hefty the 10 oz. jar felt when I picked it up. There’s a large amount of luscious soap in here! Once opened, I discovered an exact replica of berry frosting, right down to the glistening sugar. Mmmm, mmmm, I almost went searching for a spoon! Sniffing deeply, I detected a light mixed berry scent along with a vibrant clean smell. Delicious!

I first used this soap straight out of the jar and directly onto my skin. It had a gentle scrubbing effect and made me feel very indulged. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed any soap or scrub as much as this one. It’s smoooooth and moisturizing perfection! I later tried it on a bath poof, where it made volumes of rich, luxurious lather. Oh my, this product is truly heavenly!

If I were forced to criticize, I’d have to say I prefer a stronger fragrance. I love the uplifting mix of fresh berries so much that I want to enjoy more of it!