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.

Annual Chilli Cook-Off on the Lake

Saturday was the annual chilli cook-off on our lake. The air was crisp and cold and the sky was a beautiful blue. The wind was a little biting at times, but tasting the 30 plus hot (and sometimes very spicy) chilli took the edge off the cold. Picture above is myself (center) and two of my long time employees.

I think the best part of the day was having my grandson on the ice with us. He had a blast sliding on the ice with all the other kids.

Here I am with my honey-man. I don't often get a whole day with him. It was fun to chat with neighbors, friends, and family. I will admit that walking back to our car was a little scary. There were some thin spots on the ice where the current was running rapid. Falling through the ice in single digit temps is my worst nightmare. It was a great day! The downside, I am sick today. Sore throat and achey, flu like symptoms. I'm going to kick back next to a blazing fire and watch the SuperBowl game.

LAST CHANCE: Yearly Fragrance Event ~ $1.25 per ounce.

Every year we close out fragances to add new ones. This means moving these discontinued fragrances off the shelf to make room for new. Hence, great savings for you!

We are offering incredible savings on these discontinued scents.

Your cost: $1.25 per ounce (which is below wholesale cost).

These scents are being offered in four (4-ounce) bottle assortments. Sorry, you don't get to pick the scent, but we promise a good selection of first quality fragrances suitable for soap (both CP and MP), candles, and toiletry base products (such as shower gels and lotions).

Here is a sampling of some of the fragrances ....

Cucumber
Country Garden
Citrus Spice
Apricot
Heavenly Musk
Peaches & Cream
Sun Ripened Raspberry
Rainforest
Paris Hilton Type
Melon
Clean Type
Hazelnut
Clove.....

and many, many more. Once sold, they are gone! So don't waste a minute more. Order these top quality fragrances at bargain bin prices by using the following link.

FRAGRANCE CLOSEOUT

Melt & Pour Soap Making: Last Minute Valentine Cupcake Soaps

Looking for some last minute Valentine soap ideas? These cupcake soaps were made in no time flat using the base of the Mold Market Cupcake Mold. We added our own twist for the topper.

The above cupcake base was poured in clear soap base and Flower Child Rock Me Raspberry colorant was added. Our scent choice was Hugs & Kisses (very yummy!) It was topped off with a tuff of whipped soap frosting and a pink colored deep heart. A pinch of white sparkle glitter added a bit of cupcake glitz.

Above: An eggshell colored base (1 drop DWP eggshell color added to white soap base). Next we added a white-colored round cut-out, a chocolate heart, a tuff of whipped soap frosting, and a deep heart colored red. A pinch of red glitter was sprinkled over the finished soap.

Who doesn't like chocolate and cream? We made this cupcake soap using our Milk & Cookies scent.

Layered hearts, and more layered hearts. Use the Mold Market cupcake base to stack different sized hearts. We added glitter to the some of the hearts (we added to the melted soap). A few candied hearts on top add a "sweet" touch.

All of these soaps fit our cupcake boxes. I'll be posting a tutorial soon.

My Mom: The Horrible Effects of Cancer

Those who follow my blog know that I lost my Dad to Cancer in September of 2008. I watched the devastating effects of prostate and bone cancer cripple a man full of strength and vigor. I now watch as my precious Mom endures the effects of this disease. This week, she had cancer removed from her nose (this is the 4th recurrence). The cancer was very invasive and reconstructive surgery was necessary.

I spent all day Thursday at U of M Ann Arbor hospital while she underwent reconstructive nose surgery. The plastic surgeon was amazing. Even though this picture looks pretty frightening, the end results will be incredible. They have rebuilt the cartilage and bone in the nose and grafted skin from the forhead to sculpt a new nose.

In another 3 weeks they will trim away the skin at the bridge of her nose and, believe it or not, she will begin to heal and look normal. I have posted this picture as an example of the heartache that so many individuals are going through with this terrible disease. My Mom is 79 years old and it breaks my heart to see her in this state.

There are some who may find this post offensive. I don't apologize. This is real life and cancer is ugly. I hope it prompts you to join the fight against this killer disease. I will be posting the final results of my Mom's reconstructive surgery once she heals (in about 4 weeks).

For those of you suffering from cancer, my prayers are with you. For those wanting to help fight this disease, plan to participate in the 2010 Relay for Life event.

More Designer Soap Fun with GPE Paper

More printable soap fun using our GPE paper.

Watch our FREE tutorial and learn how to make these snazzy looking melt & pour soaps. These are some of the latest designs done by our staff using the GPE printable soap paper. It's sooo easy. All you need is colorful artwork and a printer (we offer the paper in both ink jet and laser). Think of all the neat Valentine soaps you can make!

You can purchase a printed tutorial that includes templates for several of the Mold Market basic shape molds. However, you can use many other Mold Market molds that are not included in the printed tutorial (such as the plain heart) by tracing the shape of the mold cavity onto plain paper. Cut out the traced shape and use as a template when printing your artwork onto the GPE paper.

Soap of Many Colors Tutorial Now Online

As promised, the new "Soap of Many Colors" tutorial is now online. You can view this FREE tutorial below or on our website. You can also purchase this project as a printed PDF tutorial.

Update on Corrugated Eavestrough Aloe Vera CP Soap

For those following my blog, you will remember my post about the corrugated eavestrough mold. For those of you just coming aboard, check out the first post here. Dawn graciously forwarded some photos of her finished soap using this mold.

Dawn told me that the first three CP soap batches went great in the mold. However, the fourth batch wasn't without problems. It seems the soap got too hot and melted one end of the mold. Dawn's suggestion: DO NOT wrap the raw soap in a blanket or towel if using the vinyl eavestroughing.

Dawn is going to make her next batch of soap in a metal eavestrough. She promised to keep me posted, so I'll be sharing her results in a later post. I still haven't forgotten my promise to try melt and pour soap in this mold. I'm hoping to whip up a soap batch this week.

Melt & Pour Soap Making: Miss O Princess Heart Soaps

A few posts back I showed pics of the Miss O Princess Soapsicles. Here is a follow-up that shows the coordinating Miss O Heart soaps. Easy, easy, easy... AND, a great way to use up any leftover soap from the soapsicle project.



Our tutorial (shown below) will show you how to make these awesome soaps. Perfect for Valentine's Day.

Watch the FREE tutorial:

Corrugated Eavestrough as a Soap Mold? Read on...

Some time back, I made a blog post that included the photo shown below. It was a stock photo and really had to relevance to any of the molds that we stock at GoPlanetEarth. However, one of my customer's, Dawn, was intrigued by the shape of the soap shown forefront and wanted to know what mold she should purchase to obtain that same shape. Sadly, I had no clue since it was not one of our molds, though this very shape had been on the drawing board for a Mold Market mold. Unfortunately, some thermoforming issues related to release put a snag in the preliminary design.

I did some brainstorming and suggested to Dawn that using a piece of corrugated eavestroughing might achieve a similar shape. I wasn't sure it was a viable idea, but anything is worth a try, right?

Well, Dawn grabbed ahold of the idea and gave the eavestrough idea a whirl. She was kind enough to email her results to me and graciously consented to let me share those results with you. Thank you, Dawn! Below is Dawn's email to me.

__________________________________________

"I recently wrote to ask where to find the mold for soap like in a picture on your website and you wrote to say "Maybe a rain gutter?" So I tried it with a white vinyl rain gutter ($7 for a 12 foot piece at Home Depot) cut into 12 inch length, oiled the inside lightly with olive oil and then poured Aloe Vera cold process soap into the mold.

• First try, soap leaked all over the place, even though I meticulously taped one end shut with real sticky tape.
• Second try I used thick plastic with tightly wound wide rubber bands.
• Third try I used several layers of saran wrap with tightly wound wide rubber bands. The third time the soap still leaked out but did stop leaking soon without losing much soap. Then to get the soap out of the rain gutter was a problem. Today I noticed that the soap was shrinking from the sides more so I put the 12 inch piece back in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Then I laid it on it's side to thaw. A few hours later I noticed that the soap was sliding out one end! It rolled right on out! Beautiful!

So this mold is quite cheap and works great if you are patient, something I'm not!"


SIDEBAR: The soap leaked immediately when using tape... so tape DOES NOT work. So far, only saran wrap withwide ruber bands has worked. But the soap turns out so beautiful. I put the rain gutter with soap inside a flat bottomed bowl to catch any leakage, which wasn't much once I tried the saran wrap.

______________________________

If you want to try this and are looking for wide rubber bands, you can find them here. You will want to order the Size 84.

The next trip my husband makes to Home Depot (which is almost every weekend), I am going to have him purchase a 12 ft section so I can try with Melt & Pour soap. Not so sure it will release as easily as the CP since MP soap doesn't have the same shrinkage as CP soap. But what the heck! It's worth a try. I'll let you know how it works out.

Melt & Pour Soapmaking: Miss O Princess Soapsicle Tutorial

The Princess O Soapsicle tutorial is complete. You can view it below and also on our web site. A great soap for Valentine's Day. Pair it with coordinating heart shaped soaps.