New Ollie Octopus Mold from Mold Market

I'm absolutely luvin' this little sea creature! Mold Market releases their "Ollie Octopus" mold on February 14 and GoPlanetEarth will have it in stock and ready to ship.

Mold Market is a premium brand of plastic molds specifically designed for soap making. They offer over 200 mold designs and GoPlanet stocks them all. You can view the full collection of Mold Market molds here.

MP Valentine Soaps Good Enough to Eat

I was finally able to work on Valentine's Day soaps for gift-giving. Here's a sneek-peek of our "good enough to eat" melt and pour soaps. Look for a full tutorial within the next day. My very special helper, Carson, was Johnny-on-the-spot in lending a helping hand. He helped with drizzling soap onto the hearts. He had a few "big globs" here and there, but for the most part did a great job. Gotta love those grandkids; I'm thinking FREE labor!

This Week's Soap Making Poll

Cast your vote. Which of these fragrance group types do you like best. We've listed a couple of examples to indicate the types of fragrances you would find in each group. Goplanet offers a large selection of soap making and candle fragrances. Have a favorite you don't see on our web site? Let us know, we keep a customer wish list!

Last Week's Poll Results are in... Favorite MP Soap Base is...

This results of this week's poll question have been tallied.

POLL QUESTION:

"Which Melt & Pour base do you craft with the most?"

As you can see, clear soap base was the winner by a landslide.

MP Soap Tutorial Using Mold Market Cupcake Mold

Mold Market's cup cake mold is one of GoPlanet's top selling molds. Each sheet has 2 cupcake bases and 2 toppers. Our most recent soap making tutorial shows the basics on how to make these adorable melt and pour cupcake soaps. You can get way more creative than we did by adding glitter, layering soap colors, adding soap frosting, or even colorful sprinkles. NOTE: If you want to add sprinkles, but a layer of food grade sprinkles in the cupcake topper, then pour your soap over the sprinkles. You'll want to pour at a relatively cool temp to keep the sprinkles from melting.

A quick and easy project to do with kids and a great Valentine's Day classroom project. Have kids wrap finished soap in a sheet of cellophane and tie with ribbon. Make tags that read, "You're a cupcake of a Valentine." Just be sure to label it as soap so no one takes a bite out of it!

In the below tutorial, you'll learn how to attach the base and topper.

 

New Mold to Support Asperger/Autism Syndrome

In late February 2009, Mold Market will release a puzzle piece soap mold named Mattie Mo. Not only is this a fun mold for adults & kids alike, it also supports those with Autistic and Asperger Syndrome.

In 2003 my nephew was diagnosed was Asperger Syndrome. He's an incredibly gifted child, but exhibits deficiencies in the social skills expected for his normal age group. Asperger children display autistic-like behaviors that can range from mild to severe. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest, but can show exceptional skill or talent in a specific area. This is the case with my little nephew... he shows exceptional talent beyond his years. Thanks to the wonderful support of family, he was able to start Kindergarten classes within the mainstream school system. The program he attends makes modifications and adaptations to his special needs which enables our little Mattie to find balance in daily living activities. I am blown away by his abilities and skills. He truly wins your heart.

When you purchase a Mattie Mo Puzzle Piece Mold, Mold Market will donate 10% of the retail mold price shown (on your receipt) to Autism Speaks.


I hope you will join GoPlanetEarth and Mold Market in supporting this important organization throughout 2009.

Update to Mold Market Sheep Mold Post

After posting info about Mold Market's new sheep mold (due for release in late February), I received an email from a hotel in Ecuador. Andres, the owner of Black Sheep Inn, was interested in this mold to promote their hotel in the high Andes. What an incredible place!! I am committed to visiting this hotel within the next year. Awesome views, great prices, and on top of all that... they are an eco-certifed hotel with recognition for Best Green Ecological & Community Practices.



Perched on a hillside just outside of the rural village of Chugchilán, their guesthouse, hotel offers all the comforts of home while exploring the real Andes of Ecuador. Day hikes, open air markets, local artisans, and awesome views. A gourmet vegetarian DINNER, farm fresh BREAKFAST, and packed LUNCH; also free tea & coffee all day long, purified drinking water, hiking maps & hot showers. I am sooooo ready!!

Kristy ~ Thanks for the Cupcakes!

Yesterday Kristy, one of our morning college students, surprised us all with some delish cupcakes. Each was decorated a little differently and it was evident she had spent time making them look yummy. Kristy has been with the company for 2 years. She works in the mornings and attends university classes in the afternoon. She's a sweetheart and diligent about her duties at GoPlanetEarth. Regretfully, she may be moving out of state this summer to attend another university in the Fall. In the meantime Kristy, can we expect St. Paddy Day cupcakes? I sure hope so!

Mold Market to Release Baa Baa Sheep Soap Mold

Mold Market, one of the top mold companies worldwide, plans to release the Baa Baa Sheep design in late February. This lil' guy is cuter than the dickens and sure to win the hearts of kids and adults alike. Eight new mold designs are slated for release by Mold Market within the next month. We'll keep you posted.

Take our Weekly Poll, Give Us Your Opinions

Each week we will be posting a customer poll to get customer opinions and feedback. I hope you will take part in these polls as your input helps us make choices about product, instructionals, and service. Each weekly poll will be posted on the main page of the GoPlanetEarth.com web site (top left). I will also be posting the poll on my blog. This week's poll is below.

New Spa Fragrance Oil Added

Love it, love it, love it is all I can say about this newst addition to our fragrance line up. It's sure to be one of our all-time favorites (at least in my opinion). Cilantro-Wasabi-Guava is a perfect uni-sex blend with hints of citrus, fern and cucumber. It is currently featured as one of our web specials. The consensus of our staff is a Big Bravo!! We'd like your opinion.

The Best Ever Sausage Dip

Last night was Bunco night and there were appetizers galore. Occasionally, there's an appetizer everyone rants and raves over and it's usually one of the easiest to make. This was the case with Mo's Sausuage Dip. It was a hit!

I'm certain that we've all sampled a version of this same dip at some time or another. Perhaps, we Bunco girls were just particularly hungry last night. But, for whatever reason, we pounced on this dip like a racoon on garbage. I believe we would have licked the dish if we thought no one was looking.

Anyway, my good friend, Mo (short for Maureen) emailed this recipe. Hope you enjoy it as much as we Bunco Girls did.

Recipe:

5 green onions chopped
1 lb. roll of Bob Evans Zesty Hot Sausage
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 up parmesan cheese
2 oz jar chopped pimento (drained)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Brown meat, drain. Add everything but 1 onion. Put in 1 quart baking dish. Bake 20-25 minutes, uncovered. Garnish with other green onion.

Hey...this is also great as a baked potato topping. DELISH!!

Too Cool! Frogs That Go Fizz in the Tub

Now this takes bath bomb fizzies to the next level. How cute is this? Found these on Etsy at Howard's Home Shop. It's a melt and pour glycerin frog soap with a bath fizzy inside. When warm water reaches the middle, pink guts ooze out from the froggie. My grandkids would go nuts over these soaps. Hmmmm.... maybe this is a project for the Spring "Girls Night Out" (GNO) soap night.

I'm guessing some kind of silicone mold was used for the frog and that a miniature bath bomb ball was tucked inside (between soap pours). I can envision how it might have been done, but I'm not so sure how you keep the bath bomb from fizzing when soap is poured over it. If you've ever made a bath bomb, you know, it doesn't take much to set off the fizzing process. Once it starts, the bath bomb takes on a mind of its own! I'll have to try pouring soap over our bath bomb mixture to see what happens.

What do you think? How does Howard's Home make these little guys?

Plop-Plop, Fizz-Fizz Bath Bomb Fizzie How-To

Soooo.... what's a bath bomb? That's what my husband wanted to know when I told him I was doing an instructional video on how to make a bath bomb. He was clueless as many of you may be as well.

The best way to describe this fizzing bath joy is to think of Plop-Plop, Fizz-Fizz anti-acid. Yes, really!! Drop this little guy into your bath and that's what you get. It's a giant, frothing, fragrant, fizzing bath pill that you plop into your bath tub. It foams and fizzes like crazy. Fun, fun, fun!

Check out our how-to instructional and see for yourself how this bath aid packs a punch and takes your bath to a new level. Kids love it! GoPlanetEarth has printable instructions here.

View the pictorial How-To video below. Many of the supplies for this project can be purchased at your local grocery store or pharmacy. The rest can be ordered online from GoPlanetEarth.com.

Office Floor Completed

It took our carpenter, Matt, a full day to lay the office wood floor. I was amazed at how he was able to work around a workstation that we insisted must be up and running. He managed wonderfully and we were able to do some basic work from our main terminal.

The floor is down but there's still plenty to do. Trim must be cut and painted, not to mention the custom built storage units. I'm hoping everything can be completed :). It will be a long day for Matt.

Office Renovation

The main office is undergoing some major renovations on Thursday and Friday of this week. As you can see, this is all that is left of the office furniture in the main office. It's definitely chaotic and we have limited access to main office equipment and supplies. We will be working from our remote work stations for the next couple of days which limits what we can do. Please be patient as we go through these growing pains.

We are installing wood flooring in the main office. There's just too much mud and snow from the warehouse area to the office and wood floors will be easier to care for than carpet. We are also having built in storage units constructed.

As you can see, we have office items everywhere which makes it a bit difficult to find things. We should have everything back to normal by Monday morning and be WAY MORE organized to better serve you.

Interview with GoPlanetEarth's Pin-up Soap Girl

Meet GoPlanetEarth's Soap Making Pin-Up girl for 2009. Miss O has natural curly blonde hair, striking blue eyes and a sassy personality!

Miss O shared the following up-close & personal interview:

Q: What's your favorite saying?

A: "Oh, man!" I say that when I can't have my way. I can really milk it and win hearts. I may be a toddler, but I know how to get my way.

Q: Who do you love the most?

A: I'd be in serious trouble if I didn't say my "NeeNee" and "Poppy". My NeeNee is the boss at GoPlanetEarth (and at home, but don't tell her I said that!). She always finds time to play with me. We had a tickle fight the other night. It was a contest to see who could tickle the fastest. Of course, I won. My NeeNee is much OLDER and slower than me.

Q: That's a pretty snazzy two-piece swimsuit. Where did you find it?

A: My NeeNee bought it at Target. That's her favorite store. She also loves WalMart. My mommy laughs at NeeNee because she sometimes calls it "Wal-Marts". Mommy reminds NeeNee that there is no "s" at the end of Wal-Mart. NeeNee pretends she doesn't hear.

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: Let me see....last week I went to my first gymnastics class. Everyone had more experience than me. The kids did somersaults on the mat, then raised their hands and said, "Tah, Tah!!". I didn't know how to do a somersault, so I ran down the mat, fell to the ground on my belly, stood up, and said, "Tah, Tah!!". Must have worked because everyone clapped as I exited the mat.

Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?

A: Yep! Two brothers, Carson and Fischer. I'm the big sister to Fischer. I like bossing him around, smothering him in kisses, and keeping my mom in a state of panic while I'm anywhere near him. He's 6 months old.

Q: What's your favorite movie?

A: Monster, Inc and UnderDog. Santa brought me Boo and Scully for Christmas this year. I've watched Monster, Inc at least 500 times at my NeeNee's house. I know she's sick and tired of the movie, but she still watches it with me. I've even memorized the lines from the movie. My NeeNee says that is not good. What do you think?

Q: Have you used any of the soap making products from GoPlanetEarth?

A: You're kidding, right? We have a stockpile of the coolest soaps & shower gels ever. I love the cupcake soaps and monster-be-gone sprays, PLUS those soaps with the duckies are way cool! My NeeNee makes special shower gels for my brother and I to use. My favorite is the bubble gum scent. Yum, Yum!!
Q: In conclusion, how do you feel the GoPlanetEarth Poster Girl will benefit you?

A: If it helps my NeeNee sell more soap supplies and I get more suckers, then it's a success. In fact, if sales are REALLY, REALLY good, I might get those suckers with gum inside. I can't have them right now because NeeNee and Poppy say I swallow the gum. But, if NeeNee sells more soap... I bet she won't care if I swallow the gum. Don't tell her I said that!

FREE Fragrance Samples...FREE Mold

We will continue to include FREE fragrance samples in orders as they are available. We try to keep a good stash on hand, but there are occasions when our stash is depleted.

Sorry, you don't get to pick the scents. BUT, this is a great deal considering you receive 1/2 ounce of useable fragrance at NO COST. Just another way GoPlanetEarth is helping you profit in 2009.

We also include a FREE Mold Market mold (our selection) when product totals $125 or more. That's a $7.75 value....FOR FREE (while quanties last). The Mold Market brand are awesome, quality molds and good for all types of soap making.

I'm Now a Tweeple

I'm an official Tweeple sending out Tweets in Twitter land. You can follow my twitter at www.twitter.com/TheSoapLady

So why Twitter. For me, it puts a human face on our company. It's like blogging but has a 140 character limit for each entry you make. The posts may not always have something important to say or of any real value. My tweet can be as simple as, "currently on flight to Washington," or "enjoying a cup of Starbuck's Java right now," or any random insight from my personal life. Tweets often seem trivial, but they also show me as a real person behind a corporate entity.

I want to directly connect with my customers and Twitter is a great way to do this. I invite you to follow The Soap Lady Twitter as I announce new products, sales, promotionals and share tweets that let you know I'm human, just like you. I hope you'll tweet back.

Happy New Years!

Here it is, 2009! Wow, this year sure blew by. Maybe it's age, but it seems like the years pass more quickly. GoPlanet would like to send out wishes to each of you for a prosperous and healthy 2009.

So, what does this New Year hold? The biggest concern seems to be the economy. You cannot turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper without encountering gloom and doom. When people perceive the economy to be bad, we look for what we can cut out of our budget. We tend to get in panic mode, over a major decline in business as we watch CNN or Fox News. There seems to be nothing but calamity and ruin in the future forecast. Maybe this is the year we stop tuning into every news show and realize that life is still good; life is still abundant.

Walk your dogs, make soap, enjoy your family instead of letting FOX news scarce the pants off you. Yes, you may have to cut back on spending, but don't stop the "flow" of spending. Stopping the flow could be America's demise. And, yes, I do have a clue about what I'm talking about. I live in one of the most economically depressed States in the US. Michigan is suffering all-time high layoffs. We are an automotive state and guess what? Cars "ain't selling, the Big-Three is looking for "bailouts", and friends and family are facing lay-offs or losing jobs. But there is hope.

In hard times, great men and women are shaped. Businesses become more inventive as they restructure, trim fat, and rethink ways to help customers save. All in all, I look forward to 2009.

Our staff wants to thank each and everyone one of our customers for your continued support. We will continue to look for ways to help you save and to offer exceptional product at the best prices possible. I encourage you to sign up for our newsletters for unadvertised savings.

You can sign up by visiting http://www.goplanetearth.com/

Shout Out and Thanks to Serah's Soaps

As a business owner, I am plagued with both the good and bad of owning a business. For the most part, it is good. Today was good. In fact, it was exceptional and reminded me why I love this business.

I received several gift packages this week from some treasured customers. One of those packages included a cupcake soap from Serahsonline.com. Lisa, the owner, included a note of thanks along with her gift. She wrote, "You are one of my biggest suppliers and your products help make my business a success."

The packaging of the cupcake soap was great! The container, right down to the label, was professional in every way. The hand-tied ribbon was an added touch that let you know this soap was packaged with care. Thank you, Lisa, for the gift. BTW... we had a special helper visiting us on Tuesday of this week (the niece of one of my workers). We presented her with this soap at the end of the day. She is a third grader and thought it was the "coolest" soap ever.


Be sure to shop GoPlanetEarth online December 26 through December 28 for great savings. The following promotions are in place on these dates:

Purchase $35 to $50 in product, receive $4 off order total
Purchase $50.01 to $100 in product, receive $7 off order total
Purchase $100.01 to $200 in product, receive $10 off order total
Purchase $200.01 or more in product, receive $13 off order total

No discount code required.
Don't delay! Promotion Ends at the stroke of Midnight (EST) December 28, 2008.

From all of us at GoPlanetEarth... Merry Christmas!

As Seen on Martha Stewart Show!

We were delighted to learn that Martha presented the Fish in a Bag project on her December 11, 2008 television show listing GoPlanetEarth.com as her choice supplier for this project. Thank you, Martha!

This project is just one of many featured projects on GoPlanetEarth's web site. This is an ideal holiday gift to do FOR and WITH kids. You will find a complete instructional here along with a list of supplies needed.

Olivia's Advent Calendar

Every year I put up an Advent Calendar for the grandkids to countdown to Christmas. This year Olivia (who is 2 1/2) is extremely excited about opening the little windows to retrieve a chocolate treat. She gets the concept that candy is hiding behind the window (go figure), but doesn't understand the whole "count-down" thing; nor, does she care. To her, the Advent Calendar is all about standing on her "special ladder" and poking little fingers into any window she can reach.

Here Miss O stretches her little arm to get that special chocolate square. I believe she's opening the December 24 window (which is way ahead of the countdown). She is clueless and could care less. She just knows that it's a part of the Christmas tradition when visiting NeeNee and Poppy's house.

Aaahhh.... I got it!

Family traditions are what the holiday season special. I hope that each of you take time to establish a holiday tradition with your family. Whether it's baking cookies, making handmade gifts with the kids, opening an Advent Calendar, or decorating your tree with ornaments collected through the years. Whatever tradition you establish, it's about spending time with family and making memories that will last.

At our house, it's nutcrackers. I've been collecting them for years. We spend an afternoon unboxing them, repairing the damaged ones, and then carefully arranging them throughout the house. It's a family affair and we cherish the time together.

Preparing for Annual Holiday Soap Night

I can't believe that Christmas is only 25 days away. I've been busy preparing for Christmas PLUS organizing my Annual Holiday Girl's Night Out soaping event. As you can see (above), we've already started putting together the kits for "Soap Night".

This year we are making vanilla spice soy-based candles in recycleable tins, soapsicles in two different scents (for the grandkids), a luscious body butter, and a monster-be-gone spray (for all those monsters lurking under-the-bed at grandma's house).

Scented Soy Candles... environmentally safe, of course!

I'm excited about this year's packaging. I ordered "all natural" labels for the products and we're using the all-natural Kraft gift boxes from GoPlanetEarth (for the candle project). Natural raffia ribbon is being used to showcase the boxes (see below).

Between getting ready for "Soap Night" and decorating my house for the holidays, I'm wrapping Christmas gifts. It's hard to believe there was a time when I really enjoyed wrapping; now, I'd be willing to pay someone else to do it. Thankfully, my Mom has offered a hand. Since my Dad's death in September, she is looking for tasks to help fill her day. She's been a God-send and I appreciate her help. When you run a business or work outside the home, time is a premium commodity. Any extra help you can get is valued.

I sure hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. GoPlanetEarth will resume normal business hours on Monday, December 1st.

Tips on Making Melt & Pour Soapsicles

I have repeatedly received emails asking for tips on how-to make melt and pour soapsicles. GoPlanet sells the pop mold kit and those purchasing it are wanting help with how to make the soaps and how to release the finished soaps from the mold. Hopefully, this video will offer pointers.

We tested all GoPlanet melt and pour soap bases and found all work well. As this video instructional shows, the soaps will release quite easily when using just a standard kitchen knife. You'll want to watch the video for the details.

Our small soap bags work are the perfect size for wrapping this soap. We used a crinkle soap cutter (we used one from this set) to take a bite from the fudge bar. It was so realistic that my 2 1/2 year old grandaughter actually tried to bite into the soap even though we told her it was soap.

These are such fun soaps and a great hit with kids. I'm planning on doing a batch in December with the gals in my 'Girls Night Out' soap group. Hope you enjoy!

Watch the video:

Mold Market's Holiday Wreath

Holy Shamolee! It has just hit me that the holiday season is almost here. Many of you have already booked craft shows, scheduled Saturday markets, or have retail store displays in the works. By November 1st, everyone will be in full swing for the Thanksgiving/Christmas season.

GoPlanet's latest melt and pour soap project offers step-by-step (voice narrated) instructions for making melt and pour holiday wreath soaps using Mold Market's wreath mold. Visit GoPlanetEarth for a complete listing of materials needed to complete this project.

View Denise's online video...

Happy Halloween from GoPlanet

Every year GoPlanetEarth sponsors a local kid's event. This year we are helping to sponsor a Trunk or Treat night at a church that hosts some of the coolest young teen events and children programs in our county. We are delighted to be a part of this wonderful organization called The Rock.

To get into the Halloween spirit I decorated the outside of our home for the grandkids. They were thrilled to discover all the scary looking characters and eerie sounds once the sun went down. My husband and I (NeeNee and Poppy) carved pumpkins with the grandkids and paid a visit to a local apple orchard for homemade cider and doughnuts. It was a glorious day!

So, in the spirit of Halloween and all the fun it represents to kids (and adults)... here are Happy Halloween wishes to all of you from GoPlanetEarth. Hope you enjoy!

View our Halloween Greeting...

Monster-Be-Gone Room Spray

With 3 small grandkids, bedtime MONSTERS have become an issue. Recently, my 5 year-old grand son and I made some awesome "Monster-Be-Gone" spray to keep those bed time monsters at bay. We spray the "Monster Spray" every time the grandkids stay the night.

This is a fun and easy project to do with young children and GoPlanetarth offers all the necessary supplies. Our brief pictorial instructional will show you how to make a fragrant spray that will fight all those under the bed and closet monsters.

Watch the instructional:

Click here to buy a "MONSTERS BE GONE" kit. Includes everything you need to make (4) two ounce spray bottles.

Hemp... an Eco-Friendly Soap Base

GoPlanetEarth was one of the first on-line soap suppliers to offer a high-end hemp melt and pour soap base. We introduced our hemp soap base long before it was an "in-vogue" eco-friendly option. As more and more consumers are looking for "green" options, GoPlanetEarth is there for you. We are continually seeking out products that, we believe, offer eco-earth friendly advantages. For example, did you know that Hemp can be used as a substitution for cotton, requires significantly less water than cotton to grow, produces stronger fibers than cotton, and tends to last longer than cotton. All great reasons to purchase Hemp Soap base as an eco-friendly alternative to your current product line.
Our eco-friendly, earth-friendly symbol is now being displayed on our web site. When you see this symbol, you can order with confidence and know that the product is part of GoPlanetEarth's green commitment. Not every item is offered as eco-friendly, but when that option is available, rest assured, we will always select the "greener" product.

Other "Eco-Friendly" products currently available:

• Olive Oil Soap Base
• Cellulose Bio-Degradable Bags
• Room Freshner Spray
• Organic Soap Base
• Pure & Natural Soap Base
• Phthalate-Free Fragrance Oils
• Adzuki Bean (an exfoliant)
• Stone Ground Oats (an exfoliant)
• Ground Loofah (an exfoliant)
• Natural Raffia
• Natural Kraft Gift Boxes
• Handmade Papers
• Natural Corrugated Wrap