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Handmade Beauty Connection
April 16, 2001

A Publication of The Handmade Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630
April 16, 2001
Vol. 2, Issue 15

1. HBN Update - Welcome New HBN Members!!
2. Handmade Beauty Trivia Question ~ win Wild Honey Mesquite and Wild Bluebonnet handmade soap from HBN member Of the Earth Soapworks...plus an additional prize!!
3. Donna Maria's New "Legal Issues" Audio Tape Set!
4. Business Tip of the Week: Cherish The Small Steps
5. Handmade Beauty Product Review by Donna Maria
6. Still A Few Seats Left For The Chicago Business Workshop!
7. Handmade Beauty Recipe: Banana Honey Body Balm

1. HBN Update - Welcome New HBN Members & Insurance Program!!

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS!
Do you Want to protect the future of your business? Call HBN's liability insurance representative, Kathy Francis, at
(800) 332-9256, extension 135 to see if HBN has a plan for you! Home-based and non-home-based businesses can be covered! Join HBN today to take advantage of our great program and start ensuring the future your business today!

2. Handmade Beauty Trivia Question ~ Still no winner from Last week's contest so we sweeten the pot this week with the additional prize of an autographed copy of my book, "Making Aromatherapy Creams & Lotions"!

Be the first to correctly answer this week's question and win Wild Honey Mesquite and Wild Bluebonnet handmade soap from HBN member Of the Earth Soapworks, plus the new additional prize!!

Please read the contest rules before submitting your entry.

While time does not permit me to respond personally to all entrants, the winner will be notified by email and their name posted at the link above.

3. Donna Maria's New "Legal Issues" Audio Tape Set!

In this new 2-set audio series taped last month at the Conference of Handcrafted SoapMakers (sponsored by HBN member, the Handcrafted SoapMakers Guild), I share legal tips on managing your handmade toiletries business. You'll learn how to distinguish between true soap, melt and pour and cosmetics, how to label cosmetics and insect repellants, ways to protect your trademarks, copyrights and brand name and much more!

HBN Member Price - $15 (shipping/handling included)
Non-HBN Member Price - $20 (shipping/handling included)

To order, send an email to tapes@handmadebeauty.com with name, credit card information, number of tape sets ordered, shipping address or call (800) 934-5611 or (301) 464-4515 to order! Include your business name if you are an HBN member so you can enjoy the discount price!

4. Business Tip of the Week: Cherish The Small Steps

Most small business owners have a gigantic, never ending list of things to do to move their businesses forward. In
fact, our list often have lists! And as a wise person once said, "Rome wasn't built in a day." Still, one of the easiest
mistakes small business owners make as we endeavor to reach our goals is to bite off more than we can chew at one time.

Of course, we must maintain some level of focus on the big picture. But that doesn't mean we have to focus on the entire big picture all at once. Try breaking down the big picture into bite-sized chunks of tasks that can be performed on a short term basis. In this way, it's easier not to become completely overwhelmed by the sheer size of the monumental tasks and goals all small business owners have.

Remember that the big picture is really composed of small snapshots, each of which contributes to the grand scheme of overall goals. Separate the big picture into the small snapshot and focus on one at a time.

Here are some small snapshots to start with: getting more publicity for your business, getting your finances in order, creating a more attractive trade show booth, completing your business plan or re-designing your Web site.

All of these snapshots and more will be addressed by business experts at the Summit in August! Click here to learn more.

Whatever the task, breaking each one down into smaller steps and completing them one by one is the best, most effective and efficient way to accomplish your grandest goals - one by one by one at a time.

If you have a suggested recipe or trivia question you'd like to share, send it to Jenn@HandmadeBeauty.com. If we use either in an upcoming issue, we'll credit you!!

5. Handmade Beauty Product Review by Donna Maria

~ Herbal Body Butter by Greenridge Herbals
2 oz. travel size - 4.00
8 oz. - $12.00

Just when I think I've "slathered it all," I find a new product that is more fragrant and fun than the last. As winter turns into spring, the heavier lotions I like to use when my skin is especially dry are losing their favor. Now, I'm preferring body lotions that are rich, yet a bit lighter and ones that don't take so long to absorb into the skin.

My latest find is Herbal Body Butter by HBN member Greenridge Herbals. It's a light yet full bodied lotion that smoothes on nicely, absorbs quickly and does not leave behind a greasy feel. Packaged in a pretty green bottle, I got the travel size so I could carry it around with me and use it throughout the day. Sadly, the label came off the first time I used it so I had a hard time telling friends who liked it exactly what it was.

Anyway, the product smoothed on like light butter and had a pleasant Mango/Orange kind of aroma. Also available in other scents such as Lavender Petals and Maui Moon, this is a nice product to use and contains generous doses of cocoa, mango and shea butters.

For more delicious body care products, visit Greenridge Herbals Web site by visiting HBN's Online Member Directory.

6. Still A Few Seats Left For The Chicago Business Workshop!

We'll cover:

1. How To Prepare A Business Plan To Ensure Future Growth
2. How To Protect Your Trademark and Other Intellectual Property
3. How To Establish a Reliable "Sticky" Web Presence

Date: April 21, 2001
Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm, with optional networking dinner and book signing to follow!
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Only a few seats left so call Auroma at (800) 327-2025 or send an email to Kevin@Auroma.com to register today!

7. Handmade Beauty Recipe: Banana Honey Body Balm

This freshly made body balm is good for dryer skin types and serves as a mild morning cleanser and moisturizer. The
palmarosa/rose combination is not only good for the skin, but smells heavenly as well, and this mixture feels oh so
good smoothing onto the body.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon ground almonds
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 tablespoon honey
1 ripe banana
5 drops palmarosa essential oil
1 drop rose essential oil

Blending Procedure
Measure almonds and set aside in small food processor. Place milk and honey in microwave for 30 seconds, then add to almonds in food processor. Process to combine. Add 1/2 of the banana and combine further.

Pour mixture into a small bowl. Add essential oils and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to stand for about 10 minutes so it thickens a bit.

Use Banana Honey Body Balm immediately. Stand in tub or shower (I prefer to use in the shower for easier clean-up) and place a tablespoon or so between your palms and apply to skin using gentle, sweeping strokes and circular motions. Begin with feet, hands, legs and arms. Continue the cleansing massage over stomach, thighs and any other area where you want to feel pampered. (Avoid genitals of course.) You can also apply to neck and face. Rinse well. Enjoy!!

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Donna Maria, Editor-In-Chief, DonnaMaria@HandmadeBeauty.com
Jenn Givler, Associate Editor, Jenn@HandmadeBeauty.com
The Handmade Beauty Connection
The Handmade Beauty Network | www.HandmadeBeauty.com

Visit the newly designed www.DonnaMaria.com!!