Archive for September 2010
‘Tis the Season
September 29, 2010 | 
Author The busy season is again upon us! Craft fairs, flea markets, holiday bazaars, and Christmas shopping are all right around the corner! Our warehouse is bustling, and we’ve heard our customers are beginning to see orders for their products come rolling in, as well. What a wonderful time of year!
Since this time of year does get busier for most and there’s more going on in our lives, we wanted to remind everyone when ordering to please plan accordingly. Here are some helpful tips to avoid the busy season “out of stocks” and “seasonal delays.”
- Plan ahead–order products as early as possible (for example, If you think that you’re going to sell out of an item at the weekend fair, order your replacement products before the weekend fair. That way, when you return from a productive weekend, your new product is already there waiting for you to make more for the next weekend fair.)
- In-house processing time is DIFFERENT from shipping time–the in-house processing time is the time it takes for us to get to your order, pick, pack, and invoice your order getting it ready to ship (if there are more orders ahead of your order, the in-house processing time may be longer); shipping time is the time it takes an order to ship from our facility to your location (our in-house processing time during the busy season can be anywhere from 3-5 business days that we’re open; the shipping time depends on the carrier and the seasonal delays they may be facing; it’s a good rule of thumb to allow for more time than you think is necessary, just to be on the safe side.)
- Review company policies–knowing the policies ahead of time makes sure there are no “surprises” later (crazy things can happen at this time of year and products may not be needed after they are ordered, be sure you know the cancellation, return, and other policies)
- Allow enough time for unforeseen mistakes, errors, and delays–some things (like weather, shipping errors, and manufacturers’ backordered items) may occur and they are beyond our control (be sure to leave enough extra time just in case…you never know if the Abominable Snowman will decide to visit this year to slow things down.)
- For those picking orders up at the warehouse, know the pick-up order schedule–during the busy season, we are sticking to the pick-up schedule, please plan accordingly
- If you’re in a bind–if the in-house processing time isn’t fast enough we offer an In-House Rush Service to aid you when the need arises (charges do apply, please contact our office for more information)
- If you’re in a bind 2–if regular ground shipping methods are not fast enough to get you the product in time, expedited shipping methods are available in most areas (higher costs do apply)
- Know the holiday closing schedules–check out Nu-Scents’ holiday closing schedule when it becomes available. Also, be sure to look at the holiday schedules of United States Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS.
We wish all of you a fun and profitable busy season! If chaos ensues, remember to breathe–nothing is worth the stress or anger. Everything will turn out the way it’s supposed to. May all your orders go smoothly and projects turn out wonderfully!!
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Moisturizing Lip Balm
No matter what season of the year it may be, dry lips can find us anywhere, anytime. It helps to have a Moisturizing Lip Balm around to help alleviate the dry, chapped feeling. The recipe below creates a wonderful product that almost instantly moisturizes lips. It leaves a smooth, non-greasy feeling and will not cake on the lips. The lip balm contains vitamins and ingredients that help protect against the damaging effects of the sun while softening and conditioning the lips.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz White Beeswax
- 1 oz Cocoa Butter
- 1.5 oz Shea Butter
- 2 oz Sweet Almond Oil
- 1 tsp Flavor Oil (our example used Island Delight)
- 12 drops Sweetener (more can be added until the desired sweetness is achieved)
- 1 tsp Vitamin E Oil
- 24 Lip Balm Slider Tins
Directions:
- Using the double boiler method, melt the Beeswax.
- Once completely melted, add the Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter.
- Allow the butters to melt and add the Sweet Almond Oil.
- Heat through and thoroughly mix together.
- Add the Vitamin E Oil and mix in.
- Remove from heat.
- Add the desired amount of Sweetener.
- Thoroughly mix in the Flavor Oil. Note–more flavor oil can be added, flavor oils are generally used at a rate of about 1% to 3% in lip balm formulations.
- Pour the mixture into the Lip Balm Slider Tins. Note–if the mixture starts to harden, re-heat it and then continue pouring.
- Allow the lip balm to completely cool in the tins.
- Cover the tins with the slider lid.
Packaging Ideas:
- Finish the lip balm product with our Rectangle Semi-Custom Labels. The labels fit perfectly on the slider tins, and they add a professional flare to the end result!
- Run out of Lip Balm Slider Tins? Use the White Lip Balm Tube, Black Lip Balm Tube, or Lip Balm Pot.
“Remember, no human condition is ever permanent. Then you will not be overjoyed in good fortune nor too scornful in misfortune.” –Socrates
Fall Color Report
In honor of today being the first day of Autumn, we wanted to share with you Pantone’s take on the top colors for this fall season!
 Pantone LLC (www.pantone.com), the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, announced the Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2010. The report, coinciding with New York Fashion Week, features the top 10 colors for women’s fashion for fall 2010, which are: Endive, Golden Glow, Living Coral, Lipstick Red, Purple Orchid, Chocolate Truffle, Lagoon, Woodbine, Oyster Gray and Rose Dust. The colors are culled from the Pantone Fashion + Home Color System. |
Nu-Scents Dyes to Use For Fall
“Pantone’s Color Name”– Nu-Scents’ Candle Dye Name /or/ Nu-Scents’ Soap, Bath, & Body Dye Name
“Endive”– Jade Block Dye /or/ French Green Clay
“Golden Glow”– Golden Honey Liquid Candle Dye /or/ Gold Sparkle Mica
“Living Coral”– Mauve Block Dye /or/ Fuchsia Cosmetic Grade Liquid Colorant
“Lipstick Red”– Red Liquid Candle Dye /or/ Merlot Pearl Mica
“Purple Orchid”– Purple Liquid Candle Dye /or/ Violet Mica
“Chocolate Truffle”– Brown Block Dye /or/ Vanilla Cosmetic Grade Liquid Colorant
“Lagoon”– Teal Block Dye /or/ Shamrock Green Mica
“Woodbine”– Kelly Green Block Dye /or/ Moss Green Oxide
“Oyster Grey”– Black Liquid Candle Dye /or/ Patina Sheen Mica
“Rose Dust”– Shrimp Block Dye /or/ Pink Ultramarine
Tween Lotion & Body Wash Kit
We have created a new kit for pre-teens and teens! The Tween Lotion and Body Wash Kit. The kit comes with all you need to make your own homemade scented and colored lotions and body washes.
Each kit makes four 4 ounce lotions and four 4 ounce body washes. Perfect for a birthday party, sleepover, day off, or rainy day activity with friends!
The lotion base absorbs nicely into the skin without leaving you feeling greasy. It contains shea butter, aloe, and almond oil to leave your skin feeling moisturized. The body wash base is an excellent cleansing product with wonderful foaming capabilities. Create matching scented lotion and body wash combos for a product to use at home or a great gift! The two fragrances found in the kit are the hottest on the market: Twilight Woods and Cranberry Mango Smoothie. Sure to be the talk of the town!
Kit Includes:
- 16 oz Premium Lotion Base
- 16 oz Suspension Shower Gel
- 1/4 oz Twilight Woods Fragrance Oil
- 1/4 oz Cranberry Mango Smoothie Fragrance Oil
- 1/4 oz Black Cherry Cosmetic Grade Liquid Colorant
- 1/4 oz Dark Purple Cosmetic Grade Liquid Colorant
- 8 Sculpted Oval Bottles
- 4 Body Lotion Labels
- 4 Body Wash Labels
- Instructions
Tub and Shower Scrub
Here is a do-it-yourself home recipe for a tub and shower scrub. The scrub is known to remove and prevent mold and mildew buildup, while having quite the beautiful aroma!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Baking Soda
- 10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
- 10 drops Geranium Rose Essential Oil
- 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Directions:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a sterile container being sure to thoroughly mix them together.
- Using a damp cloth or sponge, scrub the bathtub and/or shower with the powder.
Tip:
- For serious mildew buildup areas, combine 20 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil and water in a spray bottle. Spray the bathtub/shower every day for five days. Then, decrease to spraying the area two times a week.
As with all essential oils, always do a test to see if you react to certain oils. Some essential oils in the scrub may cause possible sensitization in some individuals or contact dermatitis in hypersensitive individuals. Avoid use of this scrub during pregnancy and do not use if epileptic. Always use caution when using a cleaning agent.
Top Selling Essential Oils for August
Here are the top selling essential oils for the month of August:
- Sweet Orange
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Rosemary Moroccan
- Geranium Rose
- Grapefruit
- Patchouli
- Lime Distilled
- Peppermint Indian
- Basil
The top selling Essential Oil Blend for August: Nutmeg Orange Ginger
The top selling Organic Essential Oil for August: Orange
Poorly Made Candle Recovery
We’ve all had it happen. We follow the instructions, perform all of the steps to a ‘T,’ create the perfect cooling environment, and then we burn the finished candle only to find that it turns into an utter disaster that cannot be saved! Here is a wonderful way to give new life to a cracking pillar, an insufficient container, or a lousy votive.
Carefully cut or break the wax into small chunks until the entire candle has been demolished. Since the fragrance is still alive and well in the wax, use the chunks in a tart warmer! Your home, office, or work space will continue to be full of the lively scent the original candle had, but the danger of the candle’s disaster has been removed.
Product Review – Fall Reed Diffuser Kit
The Fall Reed Diffuser Kit debuted in early August for the purpose of getting ready for the harvest season and Autumn days. It comes with everything that you need to create a beautiful Reed Diffuser decor!
Just like in the stores, the Fall Reed Diffuser Kit comes with a reed diffuser bottle, wooden reed diffuser cap, 10″ reed diffusers, Fall Festival scented reed diffuser oil, and silk leaves for added flair.
The scent is amazing! It is a Yankee Candle type that boasts of a warm earthy, nutty aroma with rich, buttery vanilla notes. The colors of the diffuser oil and the silk leaves bring out the greens, golds, oranges, and reds of the Autumn season. Its simple, yet chic appearance blends in with any type of decor.
The Fall Reed Diffuser is great for sprucing up your house in preparation for the brisk days and cool nights. It also makes a great gift for that hard to shop for person.
Top Selling Fragrance Oils for August
Here are August’s Top Selling Fragrance Oils:
- Patchouli Honey
- Sandalwood
- Pumpkin Souffle
- Coconut
- Cranberry Plum
- Angel Wings
- Almond
- Apple Brown Betty
- Christmas Tree
- Love Spell (Victoria’s Secret Type)
- Sweet Pea Bouquet (Bath & Body Works Type)
Soap Making Dictionary of Terms
If you have ever wondered what a humectant is, you will find the answer here! We have compiled a complete list of soap terminology and definitions, including the most commonly used acronyms. It is a wonderful source of reference to use while you are creating homemade works of art.
Click here to see the complete dictionary from A-Z!