How'd You Get That Color?

That's the question being emailed to me over the last few weeks. When we first posted this Mold Market ice cream cone, many wanted to know how to duplicate the cone color pictured. Well.... we're gonna share! This is how is was done and it's easy, easy, easy.

To make two 3-D cones (pictured top):

• Melt 12.7 ounces clear soap base
• 1.9 ounces white soap base
• Gently stir the two soap bases together once they have melted.
• Add 1 drop of yellow oxide liquid gel color and 1 drop orange oxide liquid gel color
• Add fragrance; we added 2 teapoons
• Pour into the cone halves and allow to set up
• Once firm, release soap from the mold
• Melt a small amount of clear glycerine OR if you have any of the cone color soap left, us that.
• Carefully spoon the melted soap onto one half of the cone. Line up the other cone half and press the two halves together firmly. Hold in place until the two pieces adhere to . Be sure to use enough soap between the two halfs so they stay intact.

In the near future, I'll be showing you how to put an ice cream scoop on top of the 3-D cone.

Announcing Facebook Sunday Special

Announcing our new Facebook "Sunday Special". Just visit our Facebook page and "Like" our site. Then check out the Sunday Special listed. Add the posted item or items to your shopping cart and we'll apply the discount once the order is received. It's that simple.

Our Facebook page will keep you up-to-date about any changes to our site, new products, product information, special offers, and promotional offers you won't find on our web site. You'll want to visit our Facebook page regularly so you don't miss out on valuable savings.

Sunday: A Time of Worship & Reflection

I always look forward to my Sunday mornings. It's my personal time to regroup from a hectic work week and enjoy time with family. It's also a day of worship and self-reflection. Each of us refeul differently and attending my local church is the best refueling station for me. It feeds my spiritual side, encourages, inspires, and allows me to focus on life's greater picture. It's a day to look back on the successes and shortcomings of the past week. For me, self reflection empowers me and allows me to gain a sense of responsibility about my own life. It shapes my behavior. So clearly making time to evaluate who we are and where we are going is the path to take to move us forward.



This morning I refelected on how an event can forever change our life. This hit home yesterday as I was packing a very large order requiring special attention. As I pulled a sheet of packing paper from the roll dispenser, one end of the dispensing stand dislodged and the entire stand, including 20# of paper, went gliding off the counter. As my hands reached to catch it, the paper cutting blade sliced one of my fingers and a bloodbath ensued. The initial pain was excruciating and I wasn't able to determine the degree of the injury due to the bleeding.

The Paper Dispenser

Once I got the bleeding under control and had a look-see, I breathed a sigh of relief. The cut was deep, but if I could keep the wound closed, stitches may not be necessary. I was reminded how life can change in a split second. A serious injury, a terminal health diagnosis, the death of a loved one, a lost job, a failed business, or even something as joyful as winning the lottery can change our life forever. What if I had lost my finger by the paper cutting blade? Certainly that would have change my life and how I work.

The Cutting Blade

I can prepare, plan, forecast and make wise choices but still be caught off guard when that "one little event" changes everything. When it comes right down to it, I have very little control over much of what happens in my life. I can't control the outcome of certain events or those unforeseen events that will happen (like the dispensing roll slicing my finger). Bottom line: I can't control everything. As the Scripture says, "Be anxious for nothing". This Sunday's self-reflection brought this to the forefront. This week, I will try to be anxious for nothing. I hope you can, too.

PostScript: If you see a bandaged finger in one of my tutorial videos, you will know why.

And Why Did I Take a Vacation??

My honey-man and I took an extended weekend vacation to the Florida last week. We left on Wednesay afternoon and returned Sunday. The weather was sunny, warm and the blue skies and ocean made me forget about work. It was a much earned and deserved retreat.

AND THEN comes Monday. As I walked into the office my first words were, "Why did I take a vacation?". I spent the entire 2 1/2 hour return flight responding to emails, yet I was still buried alive in work on Monday morning. It was easily a 16 hour day. Today wasn't any better. I started the day on 5 hours of sleep, and it was evident from the get-go that this was going to be a day that Murphy's law reigned. Our server went down, UPS software went on it's own vacation and crashed, a warehouse shelf lost a wheel and sent hundreds of molds flying from here to kingdom come (oh, and the list could go on!) and here it is after 11 PM and I'm still at it. There's definitely something wrong with this scenario.

I have incredible staff who took charge while I was away, but there are many things requiring my attention; they can't be delegated. Sadly, there were no little fairies or elves that worked through the night taking care of business. So, the infamous words we all seem to speak after taking time off from work

"And, why did I take a vacation?"

Wine Cork Bath Mat~ I've Got Corks Up the Wazoo

My husband, Chris, is in the wine biz and has a disposition that compels him to collect all things wine related. It drives me insane. In our second garage attic are two gigantic boxes filled to the brim with wine corks. In one of the closets in our house is a box filled with cork pulls from various suppliers around the world. Why? That's a question only my man can answer. In my mind none of these objects serve any useful purpose. He insists that the wine corks will be extinct in the next decade as wineries move to screw top caps. As for the corkpulls... if wine corks become extinct, why do you need a corkpull?

In an effort to rid my attic of his cork collection, I emailed my honey the above picture on how to make this wine cork bath mat. I believe he needs a distraction from the "RED TABLE" ordeal and this just might appeal to his geeky wine persona and set his mind on a new path. Sadly, his return email stated that he had enough wine corks to make a house mat. Now, that is scarin' me! Does this mean we might have a gigantic wine cork floor rug in front of our new sofa sectional? Will he be making these "corky" things for future Christmas gifts? This could prove to be my worst nightmare. When he comes home with 400 bags of glue sticks and an automatic glue gun I will know I'm in serious trouble.

NEW Mold Market Soap Molds Have Arrived

Mold Market just released 8 new soap mold designs and GoPlanetEarth is stocking them all. Way cool stuff! Once I return from a short Southern trip (yes, even I need to take extended weekends now and then!!), I will be working with these new molds to see what fun things can be done with them.


This two-piece doughnut mold has great potential. The options for decorating the finished soap are endless.

Can't wait to see what we can do with this soft serve ice cream cone.... hmmmm... I'm thinking about a scoop of soap frosting. It comes 4 cones to a sheet so you can easily make a full size 3-D cone.

This tiled square mold will easily accept dual color pours. Think Rubik's cube! To veiw all the new molds click here.

Personal Life: The "RED" Table Ordeal

My honey-man and I recently purchased a new sectional sofa and Bistro Pub table/bar stools for our great room. I have been trying to add accent pieces as I find them. The main color palette in the room is chocolate brown, deep red, beige/cream colors. Here is the ordeal....

I purchased this red sofa console table which I love! My honey man thinks it's the ugliest thing he has ever seen. He has spared no words in expressing how hideous it looks. The table has a few distressed areas on the tabletop which, again, I like. What to do? That's my dilemma. Do I return the table or not?

I so wanted to have a red table to provide a nice accent color to the room. As you will see from the photos, the color compliments the wall decor and pillows.



Because my honey dislikes the red table so much, I will be returning it. I have to live with my husband way longer than the red table. In our personal life, just like our business life, we often have to pick and choose our battles. There are those times we need to take a backseat to what WE like, what WE believe is best, what WE want... and listen to the other person's opinion and view. In many ways, I am married to my customers. Sounds strange, but it's so true. Customer's opinions count and listening and being attentive to them is what forges an ongoing relationship and secures repeat business.



So, in the end, the "RED TABLE" is history in our household. It will be returned and my honey and I will jointly shop for a new sofa table.

Before & After Cancer Surgery Pics

For those of you who follow my blog on a regular basis, you will remember the post about my Mom's cancer surgery. Below is a photo of my Mom the day after the surgery.

Here is a follow up photo 2 months later. AMAZING!!! My Mom is still somewhat dismayed that her nose is now a different shape. Other than that, she's happy to HAVE a nose. It will be several more months before the nose is totally healed. Eectrolysis will be necessary to remove stray hairs that keep popping up on the nose. This is because the flap of skin used for reconstruction was close to the hairline and some hair follicles have transplanted themselves onto the tip of the nose.

My 79-year young mom.

An Early Easter Weekend

Wow, what a whirlwind week this has been! The Easter Bunny arrived early because the grandkids are off to Tennessee for Easter Break. Between the dollar store, Pier 1, Kohl's,~~~I was exhausted, overwhelmed and running on empty. Throw a hectic work week into the mix, a Friday night dinner date with my man, hiding 150 eggs (in below 30 temps), putting together a new bike for the youngest grandson, AND assembling 3 Easter baskets.... need I say more!!!!!!! Yes, a confirmed nut case and I claim ownership to my insanity.

Obviously, this hasn't left much time for soaping projects or anything else soaping related (except a morning shower). This week, soaping took a backseat to my grandkids. I care about all my customers, but if I died tomorrow, it's my grandkids, not my customers, who will remember me for this past week. Sorry guys, but it's the truth!

Here are a few photos of the fun the grandkids had when hunting for eggs and opening Easter baskets. It made all the blood, sweat, and tears worth the red-eye. I hope each of you take time to enjoy Easter and spend time with family.

My little bud on his new bike. He took a nap with his helmet on and made us park the bike inside the house while he slept.

The infamous Miss O counting up her eggs and assessing the cash & candy she could claim.

My best buddy, Carson. He found a pair of "really fast" shoes hanging from a tree. How did that Easter Bunny know he needed "really fast" shoes?

A Sweet Little Cosmetic Bag from GoPlanetEarth.com

This is a GoPlanetEarth promo you don't want to miss. Receive this sweet mini PVC vinyl cosmetic bag for FREE (a $6.00 value) when ordering 15 or more Mold Market Molds. If you mention this post, we'll inlcude 2 FREE 1/2 ounce fragrance oil samples inside the bag (limited offer, so don't delay!) All this adds up to over a $9.60 value.

The bag measure 3 1/2 x 6 3/4 x 3 1/2". Perfect travel size. Look for a few of these bags as giveaways at the upcoming Soap Guild conference in Denver. They'll be packed with goodies from GoPlanet.

You can also purchase this bag on our website.

St. Patty's Day Bragging Rights

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Pictured above is my youngest grandson, Fischer. He's got the biggest blue eyes ever seen and curly locks that will one day melt the heart of some special woman. He had to try on big brother's Leprechaun outfit.

Here is Miss O and her baby brother showcasing their St. Patty T-shirts. Their Grandpa (my son-in-laws Dad) is a retired fire chief with the Detroit Fire Dept. It's no secret that the fire department guys (no matter where you live) celebrate St. Patty's day in a big way. It just wouldn't be right if the grandkids didn't have the appropriate attire.

And here is my oldest grandson, my buddy that is so dear to my heart. He's all dressed for his school party. Geezz, I never had a St. Patrick's Day party when I was in school. Of course, what are the options since most religious holiday are now banned in schools. Sad, but true.

Melt & Pour Taco Soap Tutorial. Oh what fun!

As promised, here is the taco soap tutorial. I've been testing the taco soap in the shower for the past week. It's full of lather, all the layers stayed in place, and having the added benefit of the sponge was especially convenient.

So You Want to Start a Home Based Business?

This week I received a phone call from a dear friend wanting advice on working from home. My friend lost his job last year due to cutbacks. He was forced to take a "so called" early retirement, even though he was not even close to retirement age. This seems to be the norm these days. People are being let go from positions they've held for years and are looking for ways to regain the lost income.

My friend, knew that my company had elvolved from a home base start and needed some pointers about how to get started in his new vocation. Here are a few of the questions asked and what I shared. Perhaps, you too, are facing a job or career change and considering working from home as an option. If so, I hope you find some of my responses helpful.


Question:
What is needed to start a business from home?

Answer:
First step is to check with your local township and state to see what types of license or permits may be needed. If you are going to be selling product, you may need to obtain a Resale Tax license so that you are not paying sales tax on product you purchase to resell. You will want to determine a name for your business. Most states require that you file for a "DBA" license or permit (doing business under an assumed name). There are fees associated with licenses and permits and the cost will vary from state to state. Your county clerk's office is a good starting point for gleaning valuable insight into what your particular state/county/or township may require.

Question:
Will I need to pay quarterly taxes to the IRS from my earning, or can I just pay at the end of tax year?

Answer:
This is a question for an accountant. When setting up a home based business, I strongly urge you to contact a local accounting firm to assist with financial planning. An accountant can provide insight about whether you will want to be a sole proprietor, a Limited License corporation (LLC), or and INC. I personally opted for a LLC and hired an attorney to draft the necessary paperwork. Again, there are annual license fees involved for both LLC and INC businesses.


Question:
What expenses can I deduct with a home-based business?

Answer:
This will depend on your business type. My friend's new company will provide a service which edits copy and offers "political ghost-writing". There is no inventory involved and home office space is limited to one room of the house. When I started my business, it involved inventory and an office. I needed a place to store the stock I would be shipping as well as a packing area. The dedicated business areas within my home were tax deductibe based on the square footage used. Any square footage you claim is usually depreciated over time and may affect any capital gain you might earn if you sold your home. For this reason, it's important to work with your accountant to determine how a home business could affect your home equity.


Here are a some of the things I was able to deduct when I started my home business. You will want to consult with your accountant and/or legal firm based on your business type:

1) A portion of my waste disposal bill. There was plenty of garbage related to business operations.

2) The land land and cell phones since they were used for business. I opted to have a separate land line installed just for business use.

3) If you have a web site, you can deduct the fees associated with your internet connection. This also includes any fees assessed by your web hosting company.

4) Don't forget to deduct advertising costs. This includes business cards, search engine ads for your web site, newspaper ads, or ads placed in trade publications. Do you plan to give away printed material, product, or samples to advertise your company.You will want to deduct the related expenses.

5) I was able to deduct a portion of my annual heating and utility bill based on the square footage of the home space I claimed as work related.

6) Do you plan to accept credit cards or have a business banking account. All of the fees charged for the use of these accounts is deductible. This includes any Paypal fees that might be assessed and deducted from payments you received for services or goods.

7) If you are mailing or shipping product or printed materials, keep all your receipts. This is also a deductible business expense.

8) Office supplies, packing materials, cleaning supplies (afterall, you do need to clean your work area), mileage and gas relating to work, licenses and permit fees.... all of these are business expenses you don't want to overlook.

9) And don't forget about your business equipment! Your laptop, desktop computer, printers, copier, desk, print cartridges, and fax machine (if used for business) should be listed as business expenses when filing your tax return.

10) Finally, don't forget about business related software purchases, service maintenance for equipment, insurance for your car and any liability or additional home insurance you have to cover business equipment and stock.

I have only covered some of the expenses that may be valid business deductions. If considering working from home, link up with an expert in your local area. The best thing I ever did when starting my company was to find a good accounting firm (and I'm not talking H & R block) and a specialized business attorney. You will also find a wealth of information and assistance at your local bank. My bank assisted with setting up my credit card gateway payments and business checking/savings accounts. You will be surprised at the many free services banks offer new businesses.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Was A Bear Soap

Does anyone remember this soap from the early 1960's? I had a customer email about it and promised to do a post. She is looking for information on what makes the fur. Is there a chemist out there that might help shed some light on what makes the fur appear?

Here is the YouTube link for the original ad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaRnYNzQp5Y

We Have the Best Smelling Garbage on the Block

We've been on a pouring frenzy this week getting ready for the many upcoming soap gatherings and conferences. Each year we donate a large number of fragrance samples to fill goodie bags at these events. Even in tough economic times, GoPlanet tries to sponsor and donate to various events related to our industry. This week we poured over 600 plus fragrance samples. There was fragrance in the air and not just inside the building, but outside as well. Like in the big rolling trash bins.

The guys who pick up our trash tell us we have the best smelling garbage on the block. When pouring fragrance, sheets of paper towel are used to clean up any over-pours. The toweling is thrown into the trash along with any empty fragrance containers. It makes for very aromatic garbage. When you open the top of our trash bins you get an unexpected blast of lovely, fragrant garbage.

Arriving to Work on a Snowmobile?

With the winter storm blast we received late last night and early morning it left few options for getting to work on time (if at all!). Some employees opted to arrive by snowmobile.

Please be patient with us as we process orders and unbury ourselves from this latest Winter blast. We have limited staff due to peak snowfall and everyone is working double duty. This puts us a day behind. We're doing our best to work around Mother Nature; ultimately, she's in charge.

Yea, Though I Pass Through the Automatic Car Wash....

We've all read or heard the 23rd Psalms at one time in our life. My favorite part of the scripture reads.... "Yea, though I pass through the valley of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me." This suggests to me that there is a higher power hiding in the shadows to rescue me. A power that will lead, guide and direct me in the path I should be going if I stay on track. I will make it through the storm, the valley, or troubles I'm currently facing.

While my car eased through an automatic car wash the other day, I was reminded of this scripture passage and something clicked. Yes, I know it was an odd place to have an epiphany, but what can I say; I tend to have those weird moments. Anyway, sealed inside my car in this water coccoon with brushless "thingies" beating against my car I realized this:

A car wash is much like our valleys. We often find ourselves in the middle of a storm with waters (and thingies) beating against us and unable to see what's ahead (those would be the valleys). It can be frightening as the waters come crashing in. We tend to see ourselves as a victim as the force of the stormy waters propel us forward much like the conveyor belt of a car wash and it brings fear. Yet, suddenly, the waters cease. Just like a car wash, we find ourselves out of the thunderous beating waters. The storm stops. We are no longer on that car wash conveyor belt to no where. Instead we are thurst out into the the sunlight. We are cleaned, polished and blow dryed and ready to shine in more ways than we ever dreamed.

I am a firm believer that those "yea thou I walk through the valley (car wash) moments" can often bring the greatest times of growth. When we get past the crashing waters, the valley of "thingies" and the conveyor belt that seems to have a mind of its own... we might actually find we come out on top.

May you always come out on top in your next "car wash" life experience.

Melt & Pour Soap Making: Finished Taco Soap

Yes!! It's really soap. My daughter stopped by on her way home from work as I was adding the finishes touches to this taco soap. She was in awe at how real it looked.

OMG! I didn't even add the guacamole and sour cream as planned, and I'm still impressed with the soap. The ground hamburger, the cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions... very realistic. It's a way cool soap that weighed in at 3 ounces.

A tutorial is forthcoming, so be sure to check my blog and the GoPlanetEarth web site in the next week or so.

No Soap this Weekend, Just Water

I strung this clothesline in my family room for the grandkids. They arrive tomorrow morning for a surprise weekend at an indoor water park. The clothesline includes new shoes, swimsuits, and outfits for each grandkid. It's their Valentine gifts from NeeNee and Poppy.


My daughter and her husband left today for a weekend getaway in the UP (upper penisula) of Michigan to snowmobile and do a wilderness trip. We were assigned the duty of watching the grandkids while they have, what they call, a romantic get-away. Staying in a cabin with a potbelly stove for heat, no electicity in the middle nowhere, with only a snowmobile, doesn't spell ROMANCE! As for me, I'll be poolside at the indoor waterpark. Heated pool, room service, and lots of lovin' from the grandkids.

Before signing off for the weekend, I want to wish you a happy Valentine's Day! Life is good when you have love in your life. May you share sweet kisses and hugs with a special someone.

Melt & Pour Soap Making: Taco Soap

It's in the works! Our taco soap is almost ready for the tub. We have just a few more ideas we need to tweek before assembling the final taco.

Trying to get the ingredients to look realistic was a challenge. We think we've done a fairly good job our first go around. The cheese looks like cheddar and I was happy with the color.

After a few sleepless nights assimilating a design plan I was able to get colors that seemed fairly realistic. I'm not sure if anyone really knows the number of hours put into a new soap design. When we post a final tutorial on our web site, you have no idea how much blood, sweat and tears may have gone into the production. When we finally get it right...there's this big soap dance that we do. I'll have to video the dance steps!

I am hoping to have the taco soap finished soon. However, it won't be this weekend. Off to have some fun with the honey-man and grandkids. That's a whole other post.