Articles

When you’re running a small business, it’s common to look for cost cutting opportunities, but there are some circumstances where spending money upfront to ensure that you’re not committing even costlier errors down the road is worth the investment. Here are four common and potentially costly errors small business make.

Artists experience rejection from customers on a regular basis. Here are a few things you can do to boost your confidence and shift your perspective on what you view as rejection. Your mindset is a masterful work in progress. Shape and mold it into a positive state and you’ll have better results when you display your work, and a lot more fun too!

The Taiwan Swirl Cold Process Soap technique is an enchanting method that combines artistry and chemistry, creating beautifully marbled and intricately patterned bars that are as delightful to use as they are to look at. This unique method, popularized by soap makers in Taiwan, has gained international acclaim for its ability to produce stunning visual effects with swirling colors that intertwine yet remain distinct. Taiwan swirl soap making is a rewarding craft that combines creative expression with the practicality of soap making. By understanding the technique and experimenting with your own designs, you can create stunning, one-of-a-kind soaps that are sure to impress. Taiwan swirl soap is not just a cleanser but a piece of art that brings a touch of elegance to your daily routine. This technique involves pouring layers of colored soap batter into a mold and then using a tool to swirl the colors together in a specific pattern. The beauty of the Taiwan swirl soap technique lies in its versatility; no two bars are ever exactly alike, offering a unique blend of colors and patterns that captivate the eye. Personalization: One of the most appealing aspects of the Taiwan swirl is the ability to personalize your soap. From selecting color combinations to choosing fragrances, each batch can be tailored to reflect your personal style or to create the perfect handmade gift. Aesthetic Appeal: Beyond its cleansing properties, Taiwan swirl soap adds a decorative touch to your bathroom or kitchen. Its intricate patterns and vibrant colors make it a conversation starter and a beautiful addition to any home. Therapeutic Activity: The process of making Taiwan swirl soap can be incredibly therapeutic. The careful measuring, mixing, and artistic swirling require focus and creativity, offering a rewarding escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Trace Consistency: Achieving the right trace consistency is crucial for the Taiwan swirl technique. The soap batter should be fluid enough to pour and swirl easily but thick enough to hold the pattern. Practice and patience are key to mastering this balance. Color Selection: Choose colors that contrast well to ensure they stand out against each other. Using too many similar shades can result in a muddled appearance rather than clear, defined swirls. Swirling Tools: Different tools can create different effects. Experiment with combs, skewers, and spatulas to find your favorite swirling technique. Each tool will drag the soap batter in unique ways, offering a variety of patterns. Temperature Control: Keeping your soap batter at a consistent, moderate temperature helps maintain its workability. Too hot, and it may accelerate trace; too cool, and it may begin to set before you're done swirling. Can any type of soap base be used for Taiwan swirl soap making?The Taiwan swirl technique is best suited for cold process soap making due to the control over trace consistency. Melt and pour soap bases set too quickly and don't offer the same level of fluidity needed for intricate swirls.What's the best way to choose colors for my Taiwan swirl soap?Opt for contrasting colors to ensure the swirls are distinct. Using a color wheel can help you select complementary colors that will pop against each other. Also, consider using colors that align with the fragrance you've chosen for a cohesive sensory experience.How can I prevent my colors from blending into each other too much?Achieving a light trace and carefully pouring your colors can help prevent them from blending too much. Additionally, the technique and depth of your swirling will affect how the colors interact, so experiment with different methods to find what works best for you.

Fragrance Formulator fragrance oils allow you to create custom scents to fit all occasions. Blend different oils together to create your new favorite scent!

We have created a chart that lists all of the characteristics and properties of Oils & Butters. Use this chart as a guide when making soap, lotion, lip gloss and more! 

When it comes to crafting skincare and personal care products, the debate often arises: shea butter vs cocoa butter. Both are celebrated for their nourishing properties, yet each brings unique characteristics to the table. Whether you’re a soap maker, lotion crafter, or DIY enthusiast, understanding the differences and benefits of these two powerhouse ingredients can help you choose the perfect fit for your creations. Cocoa butter, derived from cocoa beans, is prized for its firm texture and subtle chocolate scent. It’s a hard butter that’s solid at room temperature, making it ideal for products that need structure, such as: Lip balms Solid lotions Bar soaps Key Benefits: Forms a protective barrier on the skin to lock in moisture Rich in antioxidants that support skin elasticity Adds hardness to soaps, extending their lifespan Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree and is known for its creamy consistency and versatile uses. Softer than cocoa butter, it’s often used in: Creams and lotions Whipped body butters Moisturizing soaps Key Benefits: Deeply hydrates and soothes dry or irritated skin Contains vitamins A and E for skin repair and rejuvenation Adds a luxurious feel to products without making them too hard When evaluating cocoa butter vs shea butter for skin, the choice often depends on the desired outcome: For Dry or Sensitive Skin: Shea butter is an excellent option due to its deeply moisturizing and soothing properties. For Stretch Marks or Scars: Cocoa butter is often favored for its potential to contribute to better skin elasticity and texture. For Long-Lasting Hydration: Both butters create a moisture barrier, but cocoa butter’s thicker consistency makes it ideal for ultra-dry areas. When crafting soaps, the shea butter or cocoa butter question often arises. Here’s how they compare: Cocoa Butter: Adds firmness to your bars, creates a stable lather, and contributes a subtle chocolate aroma. Shea Butter: Offers a creamy texture, boosts moisturizing properties, and enhances the soap’s gentleness on sensitive skin. For the best of both worlds, many artisans use a combination of cocoa butter and shea butter to balance hardness, moisture, and lather quality in their soaps. Can’t decide between the two? You don’t have to! Combining cocoa butter and shea butter allows you to leverage the strengths of both ingredients. For example: In lotions, shea butter provides a smooth base while cocoa butter adds richness. In lip balms, the firmness of cocoa butter pairs beautifully with the creaminess of shea butter. In soaps, blending both creates a bar that’s hard yet gentle on the skin. Ultimately, the choice between shea butter or cocoa butter depends on your specific needs and project goals. If you’re creating a product that requires structure, cocoa butter is a great option. For soft, moisturizing applications, shea butter shines. And for versatile, all-purpose products, why not use both? At Wholesale Supplies Plus, we offer premium cocoa butter and shea butter for all your crafting needs. Whether you’re perfecting a new lotion recipe or experimenting with soap making, our butters are here to help you create exceptional products. Explore our collection today and discover the perfect ingredients for your next project!

Halloween marks the beginning of holiday trends and gift shopping. What is your business doing to capitalize on the season?  Since “buyer mentality” prevails during this time many businesses make the bulk of their revenue from now until January 1st. Here are some marketing strategies to help you boost sales and offer customers a little fun and a lot of motivation to buy.

Last week one of my clients attended a conference about brand building. Unfortunately, she left the event feeling more overwhelmed and confused than informed. Throughout the day she experienced growing anxiety aboutwhether she should focus on her business brand or personal brand? Where, oh where, should she put hertime and attention?

Suspending additives is gaining popularity among handmade soap buyers because it is an interesting way to show off natural additives. Using the simple techniques described in this article will help your scrubby exfoliants remain evenly distributed while helping clays and milk powders stay fully dispersed.

When Nathan Walden decided to start making his own natural soaps in an effort to finally cure his dermatitis, there’s no way he could have foreseen it turning into a full-time business, let alone a way to give back to those most in need.

One of the tools we use when formulating our own soap recipes is this chart. The chart contains the most popular oils and butters used for soapmaking and values for different soap properties. Each column represents a different soap characteristic and each characteristic has a recommended range. Below we explain the different soap categories and discuss the recommended ranges.

This video showcases Crafter's Choice® Duck Column Silicone Soap Mold. This mold creates a column of soap shaped as a duck! Once you have the duck soap column made, embed it into a loaf for soap bars customers will rave about. This mold is the perfect tool to create adorable baby shower soaps!