News

Wax melts January 30, 2019 15:56

It's funny how, when you decide to remove an item from your inventory, you hear from customers... asking about what you've got in stock.  Asking about when you're going to bring out the spring scents.  Meanwhile, the little voice in the back of your head is going "Um...I just....wait a minute...let me rethink..."

SO.  Because you have asked, I will answer.  Spring/summer scents will come.  BUT... I am making a decision that reflects my desire to keep my ingredient list - and overhead - to a minimum.  From this season, all wax melts will free of colorants. The clamshells are clearly labeled, so I'm not worried about confusion in that regard. 

What kinds of scents are you looking for for Spring/Summer?  What should I stock ALL the time?


Restock January 22, 2019 07:00

Y'all...I'm restocking as fast as I can.  But, I'm telling you, there are SO many good spring/summer scents out there.

I'm trying to figure out what I'm adding.  And it's hard.  Do I go fruity?  Do I go beachy?  Do I go all coconut and get the whole tropics vibe going?  What about floral?  What about, what about?

And then there's the new products...do I add body care for next fall, and spend the spring perfecting formulations?  What about Shampoo Soap?  I've got a formulation that works great for my hair...but it's such a texture-driven product...I'm thinking I just don't do that?  

What do you think?  Leave me a comment below and let me know your thoughts for spring/summer scents or for new products!

 


Palm Oil January 7, 2019 20:26

Ohhh.  This is big one.  Every soap maker out there will tell you that "to palm or not to palm" is one of the bigger ethical dilemmas we face.

The wholesale harvest of palm forests has adversely impacted ecosystems.  There is NO doubt about that.  However, sustainable farmed palm oil, like that used in soaps from Mommy's Craft Basket, is a viable choice.  All of our Palm Oil is RSPO certified.  You can read more about that here: https://rspo.org/certification

The "big picture" reasons I have chosen to use RSPO certified palm oil are simple.  First, by using sustainably produced palm oil, I am ensuring that the workers have jobs.  While this seems like a somewhat reductive analysis, at the end of the day, families that have steady income have a better standard of living.  They are able to educate their children (not all countries offer free public school), which in turn improves the lives of many.  Second, it is a high-yield crop, which means, simply put, that a little goes a long way.  Third, from a business owner standpoint, because it is a high-yield crop, I am able to keep my prices low, as one of my standard oils is a very affordable raw material.

The "small picture" reasons are even more simple.  Palm oil makes a hard bar of soap - which means that it lasts longer.  It also stabilizes the coconut oil's bubbles. And, finally, it allows me to make vegan soaps.  

Is it a perfect system?  No.  Can we ensure 100% that there aren't issues in the supply chain?  I wish, but no.  

Do families like mine along the supply chain benefit by soap makers like me using it?  Highly likely.

Does it allow me to provide a vegan, quality product at a price point that makes handmade soap affordable to many?  Yes.


Supply chain January 3, 2019 09:53

A broad-brush look at the environmental benefits of shopping small.