Handmade Toiletries Weekly Newsletter
February 20, 2000
A Publication of The Handmade Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630
February 20, 2000
Issue 6
------------->THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: STOREY BOOKS<-------------
Storey Books is a recognized leader in how-to books for country living, including gardening, natural health and beauty, herbs, cooking and food preservation, building, crafts, equestrian, animals, and home brewing. Our mission is to serve our customers by publishing practical information that encourages personal independence in harmony with the environment. We seek to do this in a positive atmosphere that promotes editorial quality, team spirit and profitability. Check out Storey's web site with tons of books on making your own body care products, profiles of Storey authors and even some recipes.
Fresh From Vermont --- Storey Books, Inc., http://www.storeybooks.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. A Not So Wild "Wild Child": HBN's Exclusive Interview With Little Miss Rachel Dahlem
2. Handmade Toiletries Thyme Trivia Question -- win Storey Books' "Body Care Just For Men" by Jim Long!! Featuring skin protection, sore muscle relief, after shaves, tonics and more!
3. HBN Update
4. What's New On HBN's Web Site
5. Rachel's Peppy Peppermint Lip Stuff
6. Correction To LuShus LoShun Recipe
1. A NOT SO WILD "WILD CHILD": AN INTERVIEW WITH LITTLE MISS RACHEL DAHLEM
Rachel is living proof that it's never too early to become an entrepreneur. Rachel lives in Many, Louisiana (80 miles south of Shreveport) with her mom, dad, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Her favorite color is yellow and her hobbies include working on the computer and playing games using her favorite CDs. Her favorite subject is mathematics and she would like to learn how to play the flute when she gets a little older.
At fist blush, Rachel seems like any other 8-year-old -- but look again and you'll see some incredibly remarkable things that you don't see everyday. Rachel is a testimony to the fact that we can all accomplish our goals, no matter how old (or young!) we are. Witness: at the tender age of 8, Rachel has started her own handmade toiletries business -- Wild Child -- AND:
- has her own business cards and a brochure
- along with her mom, plans to sell her products at the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Earth Day celebration in April
- has designed and printed labels for the bags to package her goodies on Earth Day, and will be stuffing them with purchases surrounded by retro green tissue paper
Rachel was kind enough to break away from her busy schedule to spend a few minutes telling me what it's like to run a handmade toiletries business.
HBN: How did you come up with the name for your business?
Rachel: Ever since I was a little girl, my family called me Wild Child.
HBN: What is your favorite product to make? What are your best sellers?
Rachel: I love making the lip stuff ... all the different flavors are fun to do. I think every girl I know LOVES lip stuff. Fruity flavors like raspberry, lemon lime, grape. My sister Hannah (age 11) loves Cappuccino flavors.
HBN: How did you decide to start Wild Child? What is your favorite scent?
Rachel: My mom has been making soap since before I was born. I always wanted to be her partner, but she makes the kind of soap that little girls can't make because of the lye. So I thought I would just start my own business and make products kids would like. And I would know because I'm a kid!! I like all kinds of scents. Mulberry is my favorite overall.
HBN: How would you like to encourage other people your age to start their own beauty businesses?
Rachel: Well, my mom says it's all about doing a good job even if you don't get rich. So if you're setting out to get rich, be prepared that having your own business is a lot of work!!
HBN: What are some products you haven't made yet that you would like to make in the future?
Rachel: I plan to add fairy dust (shimmer powder) and shampoo, maybe a good soft soap and hand cleaner. Who knows what I might come up with?
Who knows indeed? Well, you just go girl!! You are an inspiration to all of us...thanks for sharing your story. Check out Rachel's own recipe for Peppy Peppermint Lip Stuff (below). Thanks to Rachel's mom, Susan, who helped Rachel and I put this information together for you. You can send Rachel an email message through her mom at jsdahlem@bellsouth.net
2. HANDMADE TOILETRIES THYME TRIVIA QUESTION -- LAST WEEK'S WINNER -- Suzanne Buckles of El Cajon, California
If you would like to send in a contest question, forward it to donnamaria@handmadebeauty.com. If selected, your question will be posted, along with a credit to you!!
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: In 1867, Sarah Breedlove was born to Africans who had been held as slaves in Delta, Louisiana. In 1905, in her kitchen, she began handcrafting a product which, when applied to her hair, restored its luster and strengthened its roots. Sarah began selling her handmade hair care product door to door, and seven years later, became America's first female millionaire. By 1925, Sarah's company had commissioned over 25,000 "hair culturists," many of whom, like Sarah, had been single mothers. Sarah was a generous benefactor for worthy causes of the time, including the YMCA and the NAACP. In the early 1900's, out of anger and frustration resulting from indignities suffered as a result of her race, Sarah gave herself a new name, which she felt was reflective of her proud heritage.
What is the name this remarkable role model gave herself?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWER: Madame CJ Walker.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: In 1937, an African-American baby boy, the 5th of 11 children, was born in Aurora, North Carolina. As a young man, he sold products door to door while working his way through college. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree, he took a job at a company called Fuller Products. When Fuller Products began having financial problems, in order to make ends meet, the man and his wife began manufacturing handmade beauty products in their kitchen. The company, which started in their kitchen, has now grown into a multi-million dollar hair care and cosmetics company headquarted in Kernersville, North Carolina. The company has a cosmetology university and last year, gave away a brand new Rolls Royce at its Financial Success Symposium.
What is the exact name of the company?
Be the first one to answer correctly and win "Body Care Just For Men" by Jim Long!! Read contest rules at the end of the Newsletter.
3. HBN UPDATE
--->This week, HBN is featured at TheCosmeticSite.com, which bills itself as a "primary portal for the cosmetic industry". Take a peek ... you'll find HBN featured among 17 running news stories that rotate at the top of the home page. There's great news there so you can read the different stories or just refresh until HBN's page comes up! See TheCosmeticSite.com.
--->HBN member Clesha Staten of "Simply Clesha" has added a link to HBN's site on her home page. Thanks, Clesha!! You can visit Clesha's newly designed site at simplyclesha.com. Check out Clesha's pretty baskets filled with aromatic goodies and her lovely photo on the Aromatherapy page.
--->An HBN member sent this link for a great Internet resource on copyright issues. Check it out at http://www.marketingtoday.com/legal/cpyrtlaw.htm.
4. WHAT'S NEW ON HBN's WEB SITE
--->HBN'S NEW Newsletter ARCHIVE PAGE. If you've missed previous issues of the Newsletter, don't despair. Click on the Newsletter icon at http://www.handmadebeauty.com and then click on our new Archives Link ... don't miss a single issue!!
--->LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY. Though it's still snowing in some parts of the country, it's time to starting preparing some new "Spring Things" to add to those handmade toiletries lines. The newest addition to HBN's Legislative/Regulatory page provides an overview of the Environmental Protection Agency's regulation of a popular Spring Thing -- insect repellants.
--->HBN STAFF. Many of you know Vicki Bedell because of her wonderful Essential Restoratives products, and Jan Berger from some of the toiletries/soap email discussion group lists. Well, HBN's Staff page finally lets you match faces to names ... check out Jan's and Vicki's lovely photos on HBN's Staff page!!
5. RACHEL'S PEPPY PEPPERMINT LIP STUFF
1/4 tsp grated beeswax
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp almond oil
1 candy melt (small disc-shaped flavored candies available from candy suppliers and cake decorating stores. Rachel recommends Wilton.Com).
1/8 tsp peppermint extract
1/4 tsp crushed peppermint candy (Rachel uses candy canes or peppermint disk candies)
1. Put all the ingredients in a zip lock bag and immerse in a bowl of hot tap water until melted. You may have to change the water a couple of times. This take about 3 to 5 minutes.
2. After the ingredients in the bag are melted, squish them around in the bag to mix well. Be careful not to burn your fingers and do not squish hard enough to break the bag.
3. Clip off a tiny corner of the bag and squeeze into a clean lip gloss container with a lid. Let is set for an hour or put it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Rachel says, "Your lip stuff should last a LONG time, but if it changes color, smell or texture, throw it away".
(If you would like to send in a recipe, forward it to donnamaria@handmadebeauty.com. If selected, your recipe will be included in an upcoming issue of the Newsletter, along with a credit to you!!)
6. CORRECTION TO LuSHUS LoSHUN RECIPE
Last week's Newsletter recipe for LuShus LoShun contained an error in that the instructions said to "Place each Phase in separate double boiler to warm water/borax ..." Borax should not have been included in the instructions as the recipe for LuShus LoShun does not call for borax. This error has been corrected in HBN's Newsletter archives. Thanks to Mindy Kattay for calling this to my attention ... I apologize for the error.
This Newsletter is announcement only ... all messages sent using your "Reply" key will bounce. To contact me, donnamaria@handmadebeauty.com.
Have A Great Week!!
Donna Maria
Founder & President, The Handmade Beauty Network
"Securing The Future Of The Handmade Toiletries Industry"
http://www.handmadebeauty.com
http://www.donnamaria.com
Handmade Toiletries Thyme Question Contest Rules.
To enter, send one answer ONLY, name and street mailing address to donnamaria@handmadebeauty.com. The winner will be notified via personal email. Winner's name and correct answer will be announced in next week's HBN Newsletter. Email entries are tallied based on the time indicated as "received" on my computer. HBN VALUES YOUR PRIVACY ... your personal information will not be sold, loaned or given to any third party without your permission. HBN staff not eligible to win.
Handmade Toiletries Weekly Newsletter
Library of Congress ISSN # Pending
Copyright (c) 2000 by The Handmade Beauty Network and Donna Maria. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized distribution or reproduction is prohibited. HBN's Product Reviews are "as is"and no express or implied warranties are given.
