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This week, Sue and Mattie from marketing smell nine new essential oils. We carried some of these essential oils in 2012 and they have been brought back due to popular demand. Watch this video to get our honest smell review of these natural scents!

Skin is much more than the outer surface of the human body. It protects us from bacteria, dirt, the ultraviolet rays of the sun, and contains nerve endings that tell us if something is hot or cold, soft or hard. Skin also plays an important role in regulating body fluids and temperature. Skin is the largest organ of the body. It consists of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the thin outer layer of the skin, also referred to as the stratum corneum. The outer layer of the epidermis consists of dead cells that are always sloughing off. These are replaced by new cells manufactured in the lower portion of the epidermis, which then move upward to the outside of the skin. As they do this, the cells harden and die. This cycle of cell production and replacement takes roughly 28 days.

The holiday season is a time of warmth, joy, and togetherness, and nothing sets the mood quite like the scent of Christmas fragrance oils filling your home. Whether you're decorating your space, hosting a festive gathering, or simply enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, the right Christmas fragrance oil can create the perfect holiday atmosphere. In this blog, we'll explore the best Christmas fragrance oils, how to choose the right one for your needs, and creative ways to use them throughout your home. Choosing the best fragrance oil can be overwhelming with so many delightful options available. Here are the top five Christmas fragrance oils that are sure to make your home feel festive and welcoming: Cinnamon & Clove: A classic holiday scent that combines the warmth of cinnamon with the spicy notes of clove. This fragrance oil is perfect for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Pine & Evergreen: Nothing says Christmas like the fresh scent of pine trees. This fragrance oil brings the outdoors in, making your home smell like a freshly cut Christmas tree. Gingerbread: The sweet and spicy aroma of gingerbread cookies baking in the oven is a holiday favorite. This fragrance oil captures that delicious scent, perfect for those who love baking and sweet treats. Peppermint: This refreshing blend of cool peppermint is ideal for those who want a crisp, clean holiday scent that isn't overpowering. Mulled Wine: With notes of red wine, orange zest, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this fragrance oil creates a warm and festive ambiance reminiscent of holiday gatherings. When selecting the best Christmas fragrance oil for your home, consider the following factors: Scent Profile: Think about the type of scent you want to fill your space. Do you prefer something sweet and spicy, like gingerbread, or something fresh and woodsy, like pine? Intensity: Some Christmas fragrance oils are stronger than others. If you have a large space, you might need a more intense fragrance, whereas a smaller room might benefit from a lighter scent. Versatility: Consider how you plan to use the oil. Some Christmas candle fragrance oils are specifically designed for candle-making, while others are perfect for diffusers or room sprays. Personal Preference: Ultimately, the best Christmas fragrance oil is one that you love. Choose a scent that resonates with you and brings the holiday spirit into your home. Christmas fragrance oils are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to enhance your holiday experience: Candle-Making: Create your own Christmas candles using your favorite Christmas candle fragrance oils. These make great gifts or can be used to set the mood at your holiday gatherings. Diffusers: Add a few drops of Christmas fragrance oil to your diffuser to spread the scent throughout your home. This is an easy way to keep your space smelling festive all season long. Room Sprays: Mix a few drops of Christmas fragrance oil with water in a spray bottle for an instant room refresher. Spritz it around your home for a quick boost of holiday cheer. Potpourri: Enhance your holiday potpourri with a few drops of Christmas fragrance oil to keep it smelling fresh and fragrant. Gift Wrapping: Add a drop of Christmas fragrance oil to your gift tags or ribbon for an extra special touch that delights the senses. Q: Can I use Christmas fragrance oils in my candles?A: Yes! Christmas candle fragrance oils are specifically designed for use in candles. Just be sure to follow the recommended usage rates to ensure a safe and effective burn.Q: How long do Christmas fragrance oils last?A: The shelf life of Christmas fragrance oils can vary, but most will last up to two years if stored properly in a cool, dark place.Q: Are Christmas fragrance oils safe to use around pets?A: While most Christmas fragrance oils are safe when used correctly, it's always a good idea to check the specific oil's safety guidelines and consult with your veterinarian if you have concerns.Q: Can I mix different Christmas fragrance oils together?A: Absolutely! Experimenting with different blends can create a unique holiday scent that is all your own. Just be mindful of the proportions to ensure a balanced aroma.Christmas fragrance oils are a simple yet powerful way to enhance the holiday spirit in your home. Whether you're crafting candles, diffusing scents, or finding creative ways to use these oils, the right fragrance can make your holiday season even more magical.

In this Facebook Live Video Newsletter, Debbie May talks all about exfoliants. We all know about how great salt, sugar and jojoba beads are at exfoliating, but what about flax seed powder, apricot seed powder, or orange peel granules? Using these other natural exfoliant options can add great vitamins, minerals, and more to your product and helps them stand out in the market. Watch this video to learn more. 

Last month we explored seizing, a phenomenon in which an oil/lye mixture solidifies so quickly after mixing that it is too thick to transfer easily from the mixing pot to the molds. The root cause of seizing is the presence of a surfactant (like soap), which hastens the conversion of an unstable emulsion (pre-trace) to a stable colloid (post-trace). Normally, lye reacts slowly with oil, soap forms gradually, and the mixture becomes thicker as the emulsion becomes a colloid. Rancid oil, however, may contain “free” fatty acid (i.e. not bound to glycerol), which reacts almost instantly with lye to form soap, cutting the time short available for crafting and pouring. Last month's article gave directions for detecting free fatty acid in oil.

There is an old marketing adage that says, "Your brand is everything". But what exactly does that mean? To the entrepreneur, unlocking the meaning of this obscure phrase can make you a huge success over the long term.  Contrary to what some might believe, branding is not just a pretty logo. Rather, every business, large and small, must learn how to build their brand and manage it over time for any success. Neglecting your brand will stunt your growth or result in never gaining traction at all. Worse yet, gross brand mismanagement will cause irreversible damage to your business that eventually causes you an early departure from the marketplace. If you want to avoid these pitfalls, then read on.

Visual merchandising is the technical name for staging craft show tables and other retail spaces. For mosthandmade sellers, the end goal is to sell your handmade items. In order to do this, you need to attractcustomers to your table and they need to find what they are looking for quickly. We’ve put together ten tips tostep-up your visual merchandising to help attract customers and increase sales.

Though you need to invest in your business to fuel growth to some degree, you’ll generally uncover the path to profitability quicker by lowering your business costs. Here are four ways to do it.

When inspiration hits, you happily busy yourself developing that new line of sugar scrubs or tea infused soaps--it feels as though nothing can stop you. Ideas seem to come from nowhere to peak your confidence and curiosity.

This video shows three techniques to color bath salts. You can color using powdered dyes mixed with glycerin, using oil based colors mixed with fragrance oil, or using mica powders with rubbing alcohol. Each way leaves you with beautifully colored bath salts that are sure to entice customers to buy them! Watch this video to learn more.

When you’ve got more work than there are hours in the day, sites like Elance, FlexJobs, and oDesk can be inexpensive and efficient resources to help you find the talent you need—even if you’ve got a small budget, sporadic needs, and a lack of office space.

In order of importance, what are your priorities in life? All too often busy people do not include their personal needs and desires on their list of priorities. Here are some simple steps to avoid priority problems.