tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169583773717467342018-03-06T08:29:41.780+00:00Scent TrailMutterings of a Soap Maker and Pet Sitter.Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-83826164048451225822014-02-15T13:04:00.002+00:002014-02-15T13:04:14.837+00:00Core Blimey!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">It has been a while, so Happy New Year!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">At this time of year, I tend to do a great deal of thinking about Scent Trail and where I see the business going. I am not sure I come up with any answers, but I do plan new products and we have quite a few in the pipe-line. This may mean that some of the current lines are dropped, but I am still thinking about that.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">Shortly to be released is a lovely lip balm made with olive wax and therefore suitable for vegans. When I did my research, I realised that most lip balms and actually balms in general seem to contain beeswax. I am not for one second doubting the efficacy of this wax, but it does mean that the vegans among us are left out.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">So, recipe sorted and I have been using it all winter. It has stopped my lips drying out which, when you consider the wind that we have had to put up with, is remarkable. The trouble I have had is deciding on the flavours (I have to get used to not saying fragrances). I asked a few people and the consensus seems to be CHOCOLATE. I can’t say I am surprised. It is a girl thing. So there will initially be three varieties: Chocolate, Unfragranced and Grapefruit&nbsp;and to flavour them I have found some natural, organic aromas. Nothing synthetic, thank you very much.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">For quite some time, I have been talking about making a beer soap, but with one thing and another, I have not got around to it. So, this afternoon I popped out and bought some organic beer and bit the bullet and made my first batch. Fragranced with a unisex blend of essential oils including Cardamom, Palmarosa and Vetivert it is now in the mould, and looks like toffee. I am really liking this blend with its citrus undertones and will interested to see how it developes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">Knowing how keen you will be to see it in the mould, ta da! here is it.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SufgMEgC_Mc/Uv9ldsScqeI/AAAAAAAAATM/f2fIuNQ9yPI/s1600/beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SufgMEgC_Mc/Uv9ldsScqeI/AAAAAAAAATM/f2fIuNQ9yPI/s1600/beer.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I have to say, that I really do not like the beer lye water. Core blimey it was stinky, but I think I can live with that if this turns out to be as good as I hope. Hopefully tomorrow you can see the soap cut.</span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-54858891798980381052013-10-18T20:08:00.004+01:002013-10-18T20:08:43.975+01:00Stampin Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-nr9e3lLls/UmGGokQAHsI/AAAAAAAAASY/BlgRIJsqqkY/s1600/BAROQUE+GROUP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-nr9e3lLls/UmGGokQAHsI/AAAAAAAAASY/BlgRIJsqqkY/s320/BAROQUE+GROUP.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I recently joined Stampin Up as an independent demonstrator. One of the things I love about the company is the quality of the products, and the fact that you can make money doing what you love.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">As an inveterate crafter, I have always been on the look out for versatile stamps and beautiful cards and papers. I did a lot of card making a few years ago, using embellishments because I always found the available stamps so uninspiring. I have a large box of stamps which I bought at the time but hardly used, and I had a look at them recently. There was only one which I still like, the rest will be consigned to lurk at the back of a cupboard, possibly never again to see the light of day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">What I like about Stampin Up is that everything is colour co-ordinated. Select your card and ink in a certain colour, choose your stamp, possibly some pretty paper and then finish with ribbon, brads or buttons in that colour. For those who are a little challenged, or possibly scared of colour co-ordination, this is the perfect. The only thing you need to supply is inspiration and a little time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><div style="text-align: left;">To celebrate 25 years, Stampin Up have announced a fabulous special offer for anyone in the UK who wants to join.</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">Instead of the normal £99 joining fee, for which you get £130 worth of products, for a limited time you can join for £25. This gets you £26.95 worth of products plus the business pack.</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the great things about Stampin Up is that there is no pressure to do workshops or demonstrations. There are people who do just that, but others who are hobby crafters and have joined just for fun. Whatever the reasons for signing up, you will join a growing number of fabulous, supportive, creative crafters.</div><div style="text-align: left;">This limited offer is available until 21st October so don’t miss out. </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are in the UK and do want to join, click <a href="http://www.moonsongdesigns.wordpress.com/">www.moonsongdesigns.wordpress.com</a>&nbsp; and then the "Join My Team" link.</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span>&nbsp;</div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-15481292070115089862013-08-26T20:29:00.001+01:002013-08-26T20:29:36.111+01:00New Products and new packaging.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">Since being made redundant I have re-found my enthusiasm for soap making. Whether that is because life is a little less stressful (as long as money is taken out of the equation), or because the weather is good, or because I have the time to play I don't know, but I am having fun.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">There are two new soaps on the curing rack and another on its way. The first of the two soon to be ready, is a soap specially designed for the gardeners among you. Fragranced with a beautiful blend of Lavender and Clary Sage essential oils, it has nettle powder for a touch of colour, and poppy seeds for exfoliation. This blend is becoming a firm favourite here, not too floral or herby, but a lovely light scent. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">The second soap is&nbsp;Bergamot and Green Tea, seen on the left in the photo. This soap set up really quickly and the depth of colour really surprised me.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8tYeecOAos/UhuojWaFwXI/AAAAAAAAARg/4bPmTfIr4Qg/s1600/tea+scrub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8tYeecOAos/UhuojWaFwXI/AAAAAAAAARg/4bPmTfIr4Qg/s320/tea+scrub.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">Soap packaging has had a revamp. The boxes will be made of plain, coloured card and labels will be in a neutral colour. </span></div><span style="font-family: Courier New;">&nbsp;</span><br /> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze3BPiqhhQ8/UhupeDQ9DdI/AAAAAAAAARo/sAbEertNHhM/s1600/GROUP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze3BPiqhhQ8/UhupeDQ9DdI/AAAAAAAAARo/sAbEertNHhM/s320/GROUP.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">There is a new Liquid Soap fragrance. Orange and Pettigrain has joined the party and they have all had new labels too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xshHeUeyMoc/UhurZPDXqOI/AAAAAAAAAR0/qkdjEbz_tz0/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xshHeUeyMoc/UhurZPDXqOI/AAAAAAAAAR0/qkdjEbz_tz0/s320/IMG_2114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I am very happy with the way all the packaging is finally coming together in a more co-ordinated way and hopefully it will not be long before there are new style labels for all the products.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">&nbsp;</span></div></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-60956625313963473092013-07-17T13:30:00.001+01:002013-07-17T13:30:04.148+01:00Changes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I have been a little quiet of late, not without good reason.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">For soap and cosmetics makers large and small, the regulations changed on 11th of this month, and we now have upload details of all our products to a Portal (otherwise known in this establishment, among other less polite things, as the black hole). </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">For those who think that this&nbsp;should be&nbsp;a simple task, may I remind you that this black hole was invented by someone in Europe and that it has, therefore, been made as difficult as possible. The requirements are simple enough - a photograph of the packaged item, the formulation, an image of the label and a few other small details which are effectively drop down or tick boxes. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">What "the powers that be" have failed to understand is how many small soap/cosmetics manufacturers there are, and for most of the last week the system has, when working at all, puttered along so slowly that there has been a mass, Europe wide,&nbsp;tearing out of hair. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">To add to my particular woes, I have been unable to upload a single pdf or image of my products until today, which would have meant I was unable to sell them, at least legally.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">The big question now is who is going to police this, and check that the products have been correctly uploaded? I cannot see anybody trawling through the database looking at every one of the 1000s of uploaded recipes and checking that it is not harmful. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">The other issue, of course, is that there are people who have never properly complied with the regulations, so why would they start now?&nbsp; These are the people that "the powers that be" should be more concerned about; the people who do not have their products assessed, do not list the allergens and do not care. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">The people who do care are those who are now hairless, stressed and worried that they have not uploaded their products correctly. </span><br /><br />&nbsp;</div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-6552557105594536422013-06-05T20:08:00.003+01:002013-06-05T20:08:43.423+01:00Finally<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dsw55sW8JFA/Ua-KdY5o4tI/AAAAAAAAAPU/2LWlJxfD5X0/s1600/Final.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dsw55sW8JFA/Ua-KdY5o4tI/AAAAAAAAAPU/2LWlJxfD5X0/s320/Final.JPG" width="215" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">Finally, after months of development, the Scent Trail Luxury Face Oil is ready. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">We have selected 6 lovely, light&nbsp;oils which absorb beautifully, leaving no sticky residue and added a touch of the gorgeous Neroli for its uplifting fragrance. Skin feels soft and beautifully nourished. Suitable for all skin types.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">The oils we have chosen are as follows:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Organic Baobab Oil: said to improve skin elasticity. Contains Vitamins A, D, E and F.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Kukui Nut Oil: High in Omegas 3 &amp; 6 which help prevent water loss and improve skin elasticity.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Olive Squalane:<span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;Indentical to one of the components of sebum. Helps to restore suppleness and skin flexibility.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Rasperry Seed Oil: High in vitamins A &amp; E and antioxidents</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Cranberry Oil: Contains a high percentage of Tocopherols, Tocotrienols (components of Vitamin E), phytosterols and Vitamin A. It can help protect against environmental pollutants.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Pomegranate Oil: Helps promote collegen synthesis and improve skin elasticity, strengthening the epidermis.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span>&nbsp;</div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-88891456487799444442013-05-26T21:27:00.000+01:002013-05-26T21:27:19.263+01:00Bravery and Cowardice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">Summer arrived, and went. We are now back to Autumn and I have had about enough. This is the strangest year for weather that I can remember, although Mum tells me that when we had a heatwave in the 1970's we had snow in June, so perhaps there is hope. Following on from last year with all the rain we had I have my fingers crossed that things pick up soon.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I need to start doing some decorating. The house is driving me to distraction and there is a lot to do. I spend more time than is healthy looking at Pinterest and there are some gorgeous rooms on there which make my house look very shabby. I am shortly going to be having the house re-rendered, and once the internal walls have dried out, I can finish decorating the lounge (started 12 months ago) followed by the dining room. The bathroom needs tiling as does the kitchen. I think I have decided what to do in the bathroom, but I am not the best at tiling and the tap end of the bath is shaped so it is going to be a nightmare. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I have a week off shortly, and there is a long list of things I need to do, including re-stocking soap for a fair, or series of fairs depending on how the first one goes. It will be at a new venue about which I have heard good reports so I am hopeful that I do well. All I know is that something has to change, and I need to sell more. I am thinking about soap styles and whether or not mine is working. I suppose that it take a while to create an identifiable style and I don't think that I am<em> that</em>&nbsp;creative. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Last week saw the shocking death in Woolwich of Drummer Lee Rigby who was murdered in broad daylight by two, British born&nbsp;Islamic fundamentalists. Rigby served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and was a brave young man, who by all accounts served his country well and deserved far better than this.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">What has struck me, apart from the brutality of this senseless act, was the bravery of three women who tried to help him. One of them talked to one of the attackers and tried to persuade him to hand over his weapon, whilst two others tried to get between the men and their victim. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">This bravery, contrasts wildly with the cowardice of the men who killed Lee Rigby, for cowards they are. What their motives might be who knows, but if it is to strike fear into the hearts of the people of this country then they have failed. It has brought the English Defense League out from under their large rock, but it has also brought hundreds of normal, well balanced people to Woolwich to pay tribute and lay flowers. People of all colours&nbsp;and religious persuasions have united to condem the attack which has also been roundly&nbsp;denounced by Imams all&nbsp;over the country. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">What this attack has served to do is unite the country, increase support for our armed services and to show the world the true spirit of the British people.</span><br />&nbsp;</div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-52759310012923185692013-03-30T19:42:00.001+00:002013-03-31T18:25:31.171+01:00Focus on Essential Oils - part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">When they first start out, soap makers have to decide if they are going to&nbsp;use fragrance oils, or essential oils? I suppose that it all depends on how "natural" you want your product to be.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">It is true, that fragrance oils are cheaper than essential oils, but many essential oils are of a reasonable price, and you don't need to use a huge amount,&nbsp;so you can easily use them to fragrance your products. If, like me, you have horribly expensive taste, a blend using a combination of cheaper and more expensive oils is the perfect solution.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Essential&nbsp;oils are volatile oils obtained from various parts of plants and they have been used for healing and fragrancing for centuries. There are floral ones, woody ones, citrus ones, smokey ones the list goes on. Take a walk through a fragrant garden, a park, and orange grove and much of what you smell will have an essential oil. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGqqumISjB0/UVc_xA31OcI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/AQmq0pDng6A/s1600/rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGqqumISjB0/UVc_xA31OcI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/AQmq0pDng6A/s1600/rose.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><u>Rose Otto:</u> One of the most expensive, the oil is distilled from the petals.&nbsp;When I think of Rose, I think of the Mughal Gardens of Hyderabad, or the harems of the Royal Household where Attar of Roses was used to fragrance the air. The ultimate romantic fragrance it is used in many high end fragrances. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Rosewater is a by-product of the production of essential oils and is&nbsp; used in cooking,&nbsp;mainly of the Middle East,&nbsp;and can by used as a facial toner.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">A suitable alternative to Rose essential oil, is Rose absolute which is a good deal cheaper. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"> <o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-juBgAPbwrJU/UVhxclRG4AI/AAAAAAAAAOg/IyZKvVrbyV0/s1600/violet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-juBgAPbwrJU/UVhxclRG4AI/AAAAAAAAAOg/IyZKvVrbyV0/s320/violet.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;"><u>Violet Leaf:</u>&nbsp;One of my current favourites,and another expensive oil. Violet Leaf absolute (Viola Odorata)&nbsp;is a very complex essential oil with strong green notes and a beautiful, floral violet undertone. It is extracted from the leaves of the plant and the&nbsp;absolute has a dark green colour. It is absolutely beautiful on its own or in a blend. </span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-42944785450867213952013-03-09T22:00:00.001+00:002013-03-09T22:00:29.051+00:00Distractions and new things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">What a day! I decided to dig out the sewing machine. Not difficult, I have used it before when I was in my clothes making phase, so what could go wrong? Well, plenty as it turns out.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">A lady I know,&nbsp;Polly from Miss Polly Designs, has been making some beautiful tote bags recently, which made me think that it would be nice for me to do the same as a Mother's Day present. Simple, I thought.&nbsp;Well, no.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I popped into Mum's this morning to collect the sewing machine. I gathered all the bits together, all except the idiot guide, which appears to have gone astray, and came home to the two pretty bundles of fabric that were waiting for me. I cut out the bits I needed and started to sew. At least I would have done except that I could not get the blasted machine to work. I have spent all afternoon, and into this evening cursing the stupid white machine which I&nbsp;swear just sat there laughing at me. Finally it started to work (no, I have no idea what I did, but I am guessing that all the threats finally did their job) and now, I am almost out of thread. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I do not see how anyone could make a living making these bags. I think that it will be rather nice when it is finished. It is a quilted (yes, I know, make it complicated) and I think it will be quite roomy. It has different fabric front and back, in a tiny print design, with a floral lining. Or at least it will be, sometime.</span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-25332369494302825292013-02-04T19:16:00.001+00:002013-02-04T19:16:45.658+00:00Product Research<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I am in the throes of developing new products. The problem with this is that there are so many options when it comes to ingredients it is hard to know when to stop looking. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Working out how oils will work together, or if indeed they will, is all part of a somewhat complicated process, and takes a certain amount of trial and error. Luckily, this also means a great deal of testing, a perk of the "job." </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Products currently under development are bath oils (essential oil blends sorted, but a decision needs to be made about base oils); eye gel, again a decision about oils needs making; and face serum(s), ditto. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">There is also the thorny question of packaging. I have found some fabulously gorgeous bottles for the bath oils, but they are&nbsp;not cheap,&nbsp;so I will have to think carefully about my pricing structure. These will be aimed at the luxury end of the market, so the packaging has to be perfect, and the bottles are absolutely drool worthy. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuRh8xLPHnw/URAJBbGPdZI/AAAAAAAAAOA/iMpB9n2XZnI/s1600/bottles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuRh8xLPHnw/URAJBbGPdZI/AAAAAAAAAOA/iMpB9n2XZnI/s320/bottles.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span>&nbsp;</div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-21662773639885493702013-01-13T20:24:00.001+00:002013-01-13T20:24:11.463+00:00Teaching<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I had a telephone call late&nbsp;last week asking me&nbsp;to go to a local girls Grammar School to assist in a Design Technology project. The girls will research Scent Trail and work at designing a soap, plus packaging and point of sale that would fit comfortably in the existing range. There will be two visits involved, starting with this Thursday and culminating with a soap-making day in May. The middle visit is to see how the ideas are developing and commenting on them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I am really looking forward to it. As any soapmaker knows, packaging is a nightmare. If you can find what you want, it is too expensive, or out of stock, or not quite suitable and if these students can come up with some lovely, innovative ideas, who am I to say "no."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">The Silk Route colleciton is coming along nicely. Indigo arrived this week for use as a colour in one of the soaps, and a decicision has been reached for colour in the last one. Hopefully, before long the full collection will be available, and assuming that I can get hold of someone at the company which sells the bottles I want (and so far they have not replied to me) the bath oils will follow shortly.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-816267445030398202012-12-10T20:42:00.002+00:002012-12-10T20:42:46.299+00:00My new favourite blend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I have been playing with essential oils again, and I have come up with what I think is a gorgeous blend which&nbsp;will make not only a lovely soap, but a fabulous bath oil.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I do not find blending terribly easy and the successful blends I have manage to create to date have tended to be happy accidents.&nbsp; Take my Geranium blend for example. This is something created by throwing everything I had into the pot, because when I made my very first batch of soap, I had not considered the weight of essential oils. It worked and is probably my best seller.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I am planning a new range of products including bath oils, and I need four blends. These blends need to be absolutely fabulous and make the bather feel like a film star so I am not rushing. I have had two of them for a while, but the second two have been somewhat elusive. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">But.....drum roll please, I think that the third blend is in the bag with the fourth needing a slight tweak. This third blend, is actually&nbsp;the first in the series (not saying more than that at the moment) and I think it is gorgeous. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I have&nbsp;created a blend containing May Chang and Violet Leaf. May Chang is a lovely, light, lemon-sherbet fragrance which seems to float like gossamer on a breeze. Violet Leaf on the other hand, has its feet anchored firmly in the ground. Smelling it neat in the bottle, it is a little overwhelming and you miss its subtleties. It has an intense, dry,&nbsp;green note with, somewhere in the background, a fleeting tiny hint of&nbsp;violet. Use it in&nbsp;this blend and the green notes take a back seat, and you get nodding heads of violets combining beautifully with the soft lemon of the May Chang.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">This has quickly become my favourite blend and I can't wait to send it out into the world. Watch this space!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">&nbsp;</span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-66549296096754650032012-11-18T12:57:00.001+00:002012-11-18T12:57:13.842+00:00New Soap Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I have wanted to try a different style of soap, using only natural colours. This week, I have made two different layered soaps. The first one is&nbsp;a rosey blend of essential oils and the top layer is coloured with pink clay.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6GDQt5Dze6Y/UKjZWGNTEWI/AAAAAAAAANc/ZPg3S6nShJw/s1600/IMG_1821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6GDQt5Dze6Y/UKjZWGNTEWI/AAAAAAAAANc/ZPg3S6nShJw/s320/IMG_1821.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">The second one has a blend of essential oils including Ylang Ylang, Lavender and Orange with the addition of some more smokey oils to add depth and mystery. The top layer is coloured with turmeric. The line on both is made with cocoa.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LXEhJlbUYs/UKjaCMD1koI/AAAAAAAAANk/-luhIkT9saw/s1600/Mens+blend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LXEhJlbUYs/UKjaCMD1koI/AAAAAAAAANk/-luhIkT9saw/s320/Mens+blend.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I really like the way these have turned out and will be&nbsp;two of a new range of four soaps made with Babassu and Silk forming the backbone&nbsp;of a new product range, including bath oils. I have to decide what to use as&nbsp;colour in the other two soaps and then off they go into the world&nbsp;- once I have&nbsp;decided on packaging.&nbsp;</span></div>&nbsp;</div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-84061799049634341072012-11-04T17:14:00.001+00:002012-11-04T17:14:36.558+00:00Christmas is coming!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">It is the run-up to Christmas and the mad fair season. I have not done a large number of fairs this year but have three in pretty quick succession. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">The fair last weekend was a great success with a&nbsp;decent footfall and people prepared to part with their cash. At the end of this month I have another fair at the same venue, and then one a little more local. With luck there will be plenty of people on the look out for Christmas presents.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Next year, I am determined that I will find more shops to take my products and try to grow the business. I am in the process of sorting out some packaging&nbsp;which will stand up to the rigours of being handled by customers. There is a potential plan in the pipeline which I am not going to reveal at the moment.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Presentation is incredibly important, and is what sells a product in the first instance. What brings customers back is the quality of the item they have bought, and whether it does the job. I think that some people underestimate the importance of packaging because it gets thrown away, but not only does it serve a purpose, it can catch the eye. If you have two products side by side on a shelf which do you go for, the one in the ugly packaging? I think not.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">And on that note, I am off to redesign some lables.</span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-72418333141632170722012-10-12T20:03:00.000+01:002012-10-12T20:03:54.606+01:00Cardamom Facial Scrub<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7GMXfQnIqI/UHhoFs978_I/AAAAAAAAANE/skB8bNz_ETc/s1600/Face+Scrub.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7GMXfQnIqI/UHhoFs978_I/AAAAAAAAANE/skB8bNz_ETc/s320/Face+Scrub.JPG" width="211" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">We are proud to announce the launch of the Scent Trail Cardamom Face Scrub.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">This gorgeous, oil-based exfoliator leaves the skin feeling cleansed, soft and silky. The ground Cardamom gently gets rid of dead skin cells&nbsp;while the&nbsp;addition of glycerine means that it won't dry your skin. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">This is the perfect product for anyone who used the oil cleansing method and for those who don't.</span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-82295595701417998322012-09-27T21:22:00.000+01:002012-09-27T21:22:04.875+01:00Playing with Scents Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I wrote a few days ago about playing with some of the less common essential oils, so I thought I should also write about the results.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I had an idea in mind of the kind of scent I was looking for. Of course, I ended up with something rather different, but which I think might be perfect.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">What I was looking for, was something that was slightly reminiscent of&nbsp;the kind of warm, slightly&nbsp;dusty&nbsp;scent you get in old book shops,&nbsp;but I&nbsp; was also looking for something light like gossamer floating on the breeze. Determined to use Violet Leaf for its green note and hint of violet fragrance which is so lovely and which I knew would give depth to the blend, I needed to find something which was capable of coping with its tenacity. Violet Leaf is a kind of slap you in the face fragrance that is not of the shrinking variety! </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I had a choice of other oils to use, including Cistus and Spikenard&nbsp;which do have a smokiness, but no matter how hard I tried using the tiniest amount of one of these with the Violet Leaf&nbsp;was just too much. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I ended up with two potential candidates, and have been sniffing them off and on for the last few days. Having allowed them to mature a little, I have opted for a blend&nbsp;with Violet Leaf and May Chang. The lightness of the May Chang hovers above the base of green, dry Violet Leaf and it makes for a rather nice blend if&nbsp;I do&nbsp;say so. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I have one more blend to sort out, and I can launch this new range of soaps on the poor unsuspecting public, so watch out. You have been warned.</span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-44211232940484825512012-09-23T19:34:00.001+01:002012-09-23T19:34:47.674+01:00Playing with Scent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I have had a few of the more interesting essential&nbsp;oils for a while but have not got around to playing with them. Tonight, I bit the bullet and started to work on a blend&nbsp;for a new soap range. I want something that has a slightly dusty/smokey base with a lightness at the top and as this is supposed to be representative of a particular place (to be revealed at a later date) I wanted to add a touch of Violet Leaf. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I love Violet Leaf, but fully acknowledge that it is not to everyone's taste. It can be completely overpowering, and luckily, because it is horribly expensive, you don't need much. I have used the aforesaid Violet Leaf, May Chang, Pettigrain and&nbsp;Vetivert, and have ended up with a rather heady blend which needs to be lightened up a little. At the moment, the Violet Leaf reaches out and slaps you around the face. Next, you get a hit of Vetivert with its green, smokey&nbsp;yet sweet undertones. Then, very faintly you smell the May Chang which is a beautiful,&nbsp;soft lemon sherbety kind of fragrance&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">which&nbsp;I think I need increase. I may try a couple of slightly different blends tomorrow, one with just Vetivert and one with just Violet Leaf. It may be that the two together are just a bit much. I think that this will be a long road, but the fun is in the trying!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Once this blend has been finalised, I have one more which I need to work on and then the new soap range can be launched. They will have silk and babassu oil in and will be the height of affordable luxury. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span>&nbsp;</div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-16971246238885054082012-08-17T15:10:00.004+01:002012-08-17T15:10:46.355+01:00New Soap Packaging<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uR-SsuPJJE0/UC5QfdJxNJI/AAAAAAAAAMw/sBnDANFyBR4/s1600/new+Boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uR-SsuPJJE0/UC5QfdJxNJI/AAAAAAAAAMw/sBnDANFyBR4/s1600/new+Boxes.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">Now I have my shiny new logo, I thought that it was about time to look at new soap packaging. The lovely Hel at Uppercutz made some boxes for me for my four key fragrances. </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I love the end result. They look professional and neat and would look good at fair or on the shelves in shops. </span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-49193502174927198672012-08-11T20:34:00.002+01:002012-08-11T20:34:43.024+01:00Playing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">Whisper this, but it would appear that we may be getting a summer. For the last couple of days, we have had warm temperatures and brilliant sunshine, although today, the sun did disappear leaving a sultry afternoon. The humidity is a little high, and last night one of the cats decided it would be fun to sleep draped over me. Warm temperatures, and a furry scarf just do not mix but try telling him that.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I have a week off and some new essential oils to play with. </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I have a specific "project" in mind and it is going to be fun trying to get a blend that is suitable for it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">So far, except for my Geranium blend which was a happy accident, I have stuck to very simple blends of no more than three essential oils, but this one may have to be a little more complex and I have no idea where to start. I will have to do a bit of reading of all the perfume blending information I have. What I want to end up with is a blend of essential oils which gives me something redolent of dusty rooms filled with maps&nbsp;and books, it also needs to have a lightness to it, which may come from Pettigrain or May Chang but we shall see. </span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-47728767228692648802012-07-05T20:33:00.004+01:002012-07-05T20:33:48.229+01:00Fairs, fairs and fairs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DGFHlT6t8A/T_XqLdQPZqI/AAAAAAAAAMk/VefTP5E1Yrs/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DGFHlT6t8A/T_XqLdQPZqI/AAAAAAAAAMk/VefTP5E1Yrs/s320/001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I have three fairs in fairly rapid succession, starting on 21 July. So, I have been busy making salt scrubs. These are fragranced with Lavender essential oil, and I am going to be making some with May Chang, which is an absolute favourite. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I have had to change the packaging for the scrubs and I am happy with the label re-design. It is amazing the difference a proper logo makes.</span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-51196823214008053922012-06-17T13:44:00.003+01:002012-06-17T13:46:01.077+01:00Luxurious Bathing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nBoe7wybr0/T93QXh6qYOI/AAAAAAAAAMY/rBMeLZ8STag/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nBoe7wybr0/T93QXh6qYOI/AAAAAAAAAMY/rBMeLZ8STag/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I have been making fizzing bath melts for my own use for a little while, and have recently got my Safety Assessment for them, so they will be on the website shortly. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">These are fragranced with a rosey blend of essential oils, made with lots of shea butter and avocado oil, hand rolled and finished with fragrant rose petals. Pop one or two in the bath and soak away the stresses of the day. Pure luxury.</span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-81215586941695585392012-06-14T20:42:00.002+01:002012-06-14T20:42:38.750+01:00New logo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">A comment to a previous blog entry has reminded me that I never did show you all my new logo. So here it is, drum roll please!</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oEELk-kKY9o/T9o-i_6ovDI/AAAAAAAAAMM/d9Q6PDbTNDQ/s1600/ScentTrailLOGOfinal-01a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oEELk-kKY9o/T9o-i_6ovDI/AAAAAAAAAMM/d9Q6PDbTNDQ/s320/ScentTrailLOGOfinal-01a.png" width="320" /></a></div></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-63078361643695907102012-06-09T11:44:00.003+01:002012-06-09T11:44:17.162+01:00Handmade Dog Shampoo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L6dsyOXeaOQ/T9MocHgBqTI/AAAAAAAAALw/f_THhZSvcXc/s1600/Dog+shampoo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L6dsyOXeaOQ/T9MocHgBqTI/AAAAAAAAALw/f_THhZSvcXc/s320/Dog+shampoo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">Finally, albeit with temporary labels, the Scent Trail Handmade Dog Shampoo has been launched. Made with&nbsp;fur loving olive oil, castor oil and a little coconut for cleansing and with added panthenol, fragranced with a touch of Lavender essential oil&nbsp;(said to repel ticks and fleas) this should make your furry friend feel like they are ready for the catwalk.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">A percentage of the profits goes to Nowzad Dogs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Made without parabens or SLS and with no nasty additives.</span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-30149080236842447912012-05-12T12:47:00.001+01:002012-05-12T12:47:56.057+01:00Change of Seasons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">Well, the sun is finally shining and perhaps Spring is on its way. Winter has seemed longer than normal this year and I will certainly be glad when temperatures rise. There is a cold wind keeping temperatures down, and I have to wear something wooly but bright sun and blue skies do raise the spirits. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I have just decided to do a Countryside Fair towards the end of July. It is the first time I have done a&nbsp;fair like this, and I don't really know what to expect. It is a two day event, but I am only going to attend on the Saturday. If it is successful, then I may do the whole weekend next year. They apparently have a large number of people attending over the weekend, so I had better get soaping!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Labels are taking up a great deal of my time at the moment, or rather lack of them. The company I have been getting them from has raised their prices considerably and because I may change the artwork shortly, I only want a small run. Finding a company which does short runs of labels which will stand up to oil and water is well nigh impossible. I want something which looks professional not something that looks like I have knocked it up in the garden shed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I finally had my oven fixed last week, and it has not been out of action since! I have made bread - twice, used it to insulate my CP soap, and pigged out on a lovely veggie lasagne. I don't know how I managed without it for so long. </span><br /><br /></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-42220130853976552092012-05-04T15:10:00.002+01:002012-05-04T16:08:27.867+01:00A Plea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">I don't usually do this, but the situation is desperate.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Nowzad is a small British charity helping service personnel in Afghanistan bring home cats and dogs they have adopted while on duty in the country. These animals have had a&nbsp;really bad start in life, many of the male dogs have their tails and ears chopped off, without anaesthetic, so that they can be used as fighting dogs. Yet despite what they have been through these dogs prove to be fantastic pets, if not without their issues.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">It is hard for most of us to imagine what it is like to live and work in a war zone, to go out on patrol not knowing if you will make it back to base in one piece. The stress must be unbearable, but what helps these men and woman cope with that stress is knowing that there will be a furry bundle waiting for them&nbsp;when they&nbsp;get back. Caring for that dog or cat helps to alleviate the stress, and gives&nbsp;some sense of normality. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Nowzad runs the only animal rescue centre in Afghanistan, and it is in serious need of help. They were recently given three months to vacate the land the shelter&nbsp;is on, and have now been told that they can't build on the land that was to be a temporary home. There is currently a desperate fund raising drive to&nbsp;get the&nbsp;money to buy land on which to build a permanent shelter. If these funds are not found,&nbsp;the shelter will have to close, and these animals will have no-one to help them, and will have to be left behind when the service personnel go home.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I am about to launch a dog shampoo with a percentage of the profits going to Nowzad. The charity has some fantastic supporters who are doing what they can, but more is needed. </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">If you able, please donate to the shelter appeal at <a href="http://www.nowzad.com/">www.nowzad.com</a>. </span><br /><br /></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516958377371746734.post-67046572174410757952012-04-26T19:29:00.001+01:002012-04-26T19:36:51.107+01:00A bit of a Tease!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;, Courier, monospace;">It has been a while since I last posted because I have been busy formulating new products and panicking about packaging. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Packaging is the bane of my existence. It is either completely out of my price range, or just not quite right. At least I have time next week to surf the internet to try to find what I want.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">We will shortly be announcing some exciting news, at least I think it is exciting. There will be two new products hitting the website and one of them is particularly exciting for reasons you probably can't guess.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Bit of a tease aren't I, but you will just have to wait to find out what is going on.</span></div>Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696329699580656458noreply@blogger.com0