The last 2 months

The last 2 month have been busy! Im done school- officially! Graduation was a couple weeks ago… Having a career, a family, being a student- and running a business left me no free time for fun 😦

The last several weeks I’ve done back to back weekend sales- This weekend past was the first weekend i had off in a month. No suprise I got sick.. hahah- today i was not well and stayed home from the office- It was a good couch and tea day- and I watched so much HGTV I’m pretty sure i can Demo/reno/sell a house myself and make 110,000 in profit lol.

So it seems Like I had sickness coming.. Plus my step daughter had the flu on the weekend- Im certain I picked up what she had.

An update to The Urban organics store in Sherwood Park- The owner decided to block all the vendors from her social media- and announce via facebook the stores closure. She did not respond to any calls, emails, or texts. I found out AFTER the store had closed- She also had about $800 of my product in the store. I found out that I was not the only vendor that this was done to- She did this to ALL the local vendors whose items were stocked in this store. Right before the holidays 800 unpaid bill really hurts- Ive spoken to many of the other vendors who are in the same boat.

BUT- on the upside- I have a couple stores I’ve done some wholesale orders for- Which is awesome!  So things are looking up!

Other than that- Im happily awaiting January where I will have no shows- I will only be doing my wholesale accounts, and my website. I will also be listing some new items in the new year.

I also decided to keep the sale on my etsy shop until Jan 1/2017.

if you have any questions or to discuss wholesale/custom orders- please email me at nakedhippiesospinb@gmail.com

#getnaked

 

My body hates me… (For real)

I started this blog as a way to write and share tips- about soap and as a beauty/bath product how to.

This has sort of fallen away.

Ive hardly been making any product.

11 years ago (to the month) – I was diagnosed with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome- I was 25 and diagnosed after a series of blood clots nearly killed me.

Fast track to today – I am on life long blood thinners, and have not had any major issues since.

The last few months have been rough for me.

Mentally and physically rough- Ive been in almost constant pain, all over pain..the wake up in the middle of the night crying pain. For months- with no relief. Feet dont fit in the shoes kind of swelling in my hands and feet- and a – I need help up the stairs cause my knees dont work pain.

Its exhausting. Its depressing. And – as supportive as people try to be- they dont understand.

Ive been diagnosed with Autoimmune arthritis (RA). Im 35.

Im on a new remedy of meds from my Rhumey…I week later and I almost feel like me again- Almost.

I wore high heels all day today- my feet fit and I could do up the cute little zippers on the side. it was thrilling..

One of the managers made a comment on how much I was smiling today….

Hurting with no relief is a – pardon my french here- but its a mind fuck.

Its dark, and its lonely – and as supportive and as understanding as people are- friends, family, co workers… noone REALLY understands. Im now (hooray) sleeping through entire nights- after MONTHS of waking up several times through the night crying in pain.

Ive been moody to my friends and my family – Ive said things I normally never would have- and have been kind of (pardon me again) – bitchy.  and for this I really am so sorry- I feel like a complete ass.

But As the pain is subsiding- I am getting excited- again – first time in Months- I still have the pain- but its not even close to where it was a week ago- just a fraction. Im still sleepy- but I feel at this point- this is just me…

Im getting excited again to make! and now that I know what is wrong- and have medication for it- As long as I dont overdo it- I think maybe I can have my life back 🙂

I think maybe my youtube channel and my blog can start to be what I truly envisioned them to be… The helpful how  to’s- and the Diy’s.

Maybe with a mention or 2 sprinkled in about my awesome hubby, kids and my 2 pugs…

And of course- SOAP!

#getnaked

http://www.nakedhippiesoapco.com

 

 

Hippie Pits….

I’ve been testing pit stick for a little while now- I didnt have time to make anymore this weekend (baking soda free of course) and I (GASP)..had to pick some up from the drugstore.

I hate it.

It smells so fake and artificial and its all I could smell all day. ick.  Please keep in mind this is the same brand/scent I bought prior to using my own handmade one.

My own formula is not perfect- I  am working on it…

but ANYTHING has to be better then this commercial crap I have on now!

Tomorrow night- as I just dont have any more time tonight- I will make another couple tubes-Tomorrow- One more day of this crappy commercial brand.

Its funny how you get used to something better for you and more natural so quickly.

 

I cant wait to make more hippie pits for myself… lol- i know now the additives I want to add, and will re test this next batch! hopefully its even more awesome than the last one!

#getnaked

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NakedHippieSoapCo

Bath Bombs are Evil! (not really)

So…. Ive been making my bombs or “hippie fizz” as I like to label them… Ive  been making 1/2 circles- in my own tub I feel its enough, the oil , the scent, lovely… perfect.

BUT – I wanted WOW…. So- I made another bomb formula- similar to my previous one- with a few different measurements… and foam and color galore!

However- My bombs ALWAYS break! They are finicky creatures these fizzy balls of color. They are my nemesis…… But I REALLY thought I had them this week, truly I did.

I made them, and left the bottom portion of the circle on- Why- so the side did not flatten.

Then…oops… I forgot about them.

So I took to my soapy friends on social media for assistance- “tap with metal spoon” , “use heat gun”

all great tips. They kinda worked

I got one full bomb out and 1 half bomb out. The rest are stuck.. Forever I’m afraid… You see- this new formulation is so good….is so ROCK HARD… I cant get them out… I think they will have to be broken and used at home.

Tomorrow I will have a re do- and hope these “super fizz” come out better… .

I need them for the 24th at the shaw in Edmonton- I am part of the etsy edmonton pop up sale… Super excited and hoping I will be ready!

In the mean time- #getnaked

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restocks Tomorrow!!!

I have all week off.

omg.

excite!

what am I doing during this time you ask?

making product!

and doing some cost pricing for the classes I’ve been asked to teach.

Tomorrow however- I will be restocking pineapple cilantro, and dirty hippie.

I  also am going to try a new shampoo bar formula and see what my hair thinks!

(its getting used to the other one) I think i will alternate!

wish me luck!

(sorry for the short post) 🙂

#getnaked

Teaching?

I’ve been asked to possibly hold a small soap making class….. One of the stores I’m selling in has a whole free area in the back if the store.  They’ve asked if i may be interested in doing something in their store… YES!

I never did it before or was even willing to entertain the thought of it as I do not have the space…at all.

We just need to sort out the details. Soaping ingredients can be costly. Im thinking a very basic soapmaking class  with simple ingredients that are easy to find.

Coconut oil, olive oil, and castor maybe?

If they bring their own ingredients, milk carton molds… and stick blender I’d be 100% on board.

If there will be a class fee and materials provided- I maybe???  like I said- still in discussion mode right now-

but I’m super excited at this chance! She sells other handmade soaps in the store- but i think I’m the only local producer.

People would of course be needing to bring their own gloves, safety goggles etc.

 

What are your thoughts on this? I’d love to know?

 

#getnaked

check out my updated etsy shop-

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NakedHippieSoapCo

and my online store has a new look too!

http://www.nakedhippiesoapco.com

SALE

I’m having a Naked Hippie Sale.

It will be going until August 31/2016.

http://www.nakedhippiesoapco.com

AND

http://www.etsy.com/NakedHippieSoapCo

I LAunched in the Sherwood Park location this week- I love this store… I also bought DANDIES…. for those that do not know it is a VEGAN MARSHMALLOW. Yes …Smore’s will be mine again… hahah. Its been 10 years since I had a marshmallow…. Maybe 9?

I ate some raw on the way home. OMG.

I also bought and tried my first organic Kombacha Tea… It was lovely- why have I never had this before?? Oh right… the scooby freaks me the hell out….

Launch is done- I’m having a websale,Wedding favors are delivered… and the handmade haven show this upcoming weekend has been cancelled. So I can put all my energy into focusing on the SEpt 24 Etsy sale at the  shaw… I took a whole week off to prep for this 🙂

Wish me luck!

follow me on instagram- @nakedhippiesoap

facebook- Naked hippie Soap co

Twitter- @nakedhippiesoap

and pintrest- Veggiegirl213 (it was set up prior to me selling my wares… )

#getnaked

Making a Buck…(its hard)

Owning a business is hard…..
So hard.

I, like many others have a full-time job.. (I love), and a home business (I also love). I also have a husband and children (#1 xo).

Balancing all this is also hard. My house gets messy, the laundry piles up… I’m exhausted.

Would I trade it? ….. nope.

Everything I make right now from shows and direct sales goes back into my business. Everything.

I don’t expect to make $$$ and be out of the red until at the very least… end of year 2, or year 3. (This has caused some conflict btw…. spend to make…)

So… why bother?

BECAUSE I LOVE IT!

I love making and designing……coming up with a new combo of essential oils and making something amazing- that people will love.

I’m hoping in the next couple years (keep in mind I’m only 7 months into selling) To start to inch back to the black….

People recognize my stuff people have heard of Naked Hippie- this excites me. This puts a fire in my belly I cannot explain…. To make more, better greater things people will love, and so will their skin…

and I keep going despite the obstacles I might face….no matter how exhausted and sore I am… (believe me) Because I believe in what I make, I know its good… I know the care and quality that goes into my products… And it really and truly is my passion.

I have a store launch this upcoming week at a great locally owned store in Sherwood Park- Urban Organics Market- This store is located at #130- 1020 Sherwood drive, Sherwood Park. Im excited. I love this kind of stuff….Plus- They sell Chao… Which I will buy again.. (don’t judge me if i eat it on the way home…)

I’m hoping this store launch helps with expanding my market! I have a couple shows in October in Sherwood Park- perhaps if i sell in a store there this will help???  😉

I truly believe in my product with everything in me…. and I WANT it to be successful… !

If i could actually make a buck PRIOR to year 3… I would be ecstatic!

So…. If you are thinking of turning your passion into a business Please do!!!! But be 100% prepared for all the long hours and intense hard work if you don’t absolutely LOVE what you do- Do not start a business!!! This takes love. Time. Commitment. and more time (and money)…Gotta spend to make… And I’m hoping this adventure pays off 🙂

Please check out the 3 new soaps I’ve added to my website Remember if you are local (or from Canada)… best to contact me direct at 780-953-4733 OR nakedhippiesoaping@gmail.com

#getnaked

 

follow me on inatagram- @nakedhippiesoap

and On Facebook- – Naked Hippie Soap Co

Pintrest- Veggiegirl213

 

 

 

Bath Fizz

Well- Still cant scoop and stick blend- because of my hands…. But i CAN make Bath Fizz!

It was Glorious.

Lemongrass, Lavender, Watermelon, Raspberry…. I made them all!

My soap room smells fantastic!

I could kept going all day, but sadly I ran out of sodium bicarb- one of the main ingredients in a fizz. So- I ordered more…..and now i wait!

Hopefully this week!

My sealer broke too- apparently I am a human wrecking ball! lol

it needs a new element- something I should have replaced this week then its get crazy time!

I have commissioned help this week to assist with wrapping and labeling…. thank goodness for friends who are willing to help! Plus the soap I give for exchange doesnt hurt either 🙂

Check out new soaps- http://www.nakedhippiesoapco.com

#getnaked

New soaps launched

I added 3 new handmade Vegan soaps to my online store tonight- a delish smelling vanilla, a manly coconut oil and coconut milk soap and a charcoal detox bar!

check it out here : http://www.nakedhippiesoapco.com

or here- http://www.etsy.com/shop/NakedHippieSoapCo

I think I may try to make some bubble cookies and call it a night!

night all

 

#getnaked

@nakedhippiesoap

facebook- Naked Hippie Soap Co.