We don't really have a formal agenda planned for the day ... we want everyone to feel free to enjoy themselves and participate at their leisure in some of the things we have up our sleeves....LOL Other than having a light breakfast and eating lunch, nothing is set in stone. If you would be willing to share knowledge on a particular subject of interest, or do a demonstration of a special technique, please contact Brenda or contact Tammy to volunteer your services. Some of the things we are planning to do include:
An organized swap - divided into groups of up to 15 participants each, and we'll have groups for soap (CP or M&P) and non-soap items (toiletries and/or candles). Sabrina Downard is organizing the swap, and complete details are available from her. If you'd like to participate, or just want more info, contact Sabrina directly at viv@ziggurat.org.
A "white elephant" table where you can recycle your unneeded items -- for example, FO's you ordered but didn't like when they got there, molds that were just too big, etc. Pat Ehler has graciously volunteered to organize the white elephants this year. If you've got anything, bring it along - just label items somewhere (masking tape works well) with your name or initials and approximately how much $$ the item is worth. Trades (or outright sales) can be worked out with the owner of items you are interested in. We won't guarantee you'll get rid of them, but you might! LOL As they say, one person's trash is another person's treasure...... Pat Ehler was kind enough to volunteer to co-ordinate this for us - please e-mail her if you have any questions.
A FO/EO "snorting table" so we can all smell a variety of new fragrances. Please bring along at least a few (we won't limit you! LOL) scents from some of your favorite vendors - but only if you've tested them and can vouch for them being soap-safe, please. Candlemakers, please be sure you've tested the fragrances in candles. Make sure to label all bottles with your name or initials, as well as the scent name and vendor name (if not already marked), to avoid confusion at the end of the day. If anyone wants to bring fragrances that are for M&P ONLY, or CANDLE SCENTS ONLY, that's fine - but PLEASE make sure they are clearly marked as such. Think of how much money we could all save if we "sniff before we buy".... who among us hasn't bought at least one scent that sounded good, but turned out to be a real "stinker"?? Jesse Kolman has graciously offered to coordinate this for us -- you can e-mail her directly for more details.
A "Showoff" table - each person coming is asked to bring along at least one of your creations (more than one is ok, too!). Think of it as kind of a "sneak preview" of what we're all up to at the moment.... An impartial (non-soaper) judge will award prizes for the most creative items.
An "Ugly Soap" contest - do you have soap so ugly, you can't even bring yourself to give it away? Bring it along - you won't have to admit it's yours unless you win and want to claim your prize... we'll have an impartial (non-soaper) judge decide whose is the absolute grossest!
SCHEDULE of DEMOS/WORKSHOPS (all times are approximate, and subject to change)
8:30 AM till ? - Check in, pick up of goodie bags/name tags, and bulk buy orders
9:00 AM - Breakfast - Tentative menu includes:
Bagels with Cream Cheese, Butter, Jams/Jellies
Fresh Fruit Tray
Mini Quiches or Breakfast Casserole (no sugar- OK for diabetics)
Danish Coffee Cake
Cinnamon Rolls
Coffee, Juice, Milk
9:30 AM - Sabrina Downard will be showing us how to make Closed-System Hot Process Soap. Sabrina will be showing the process, and giving samples of the finished soap to take home at the end of the day.
10:15 AM - Holly Heth from Shorr Packaging has graciously volunteered to come in and do a shrink wrapping demo and question-and-answer session for us (Holly was also with us last year). They've promised to bring several systems in different price ranges, from the most basic to a new cart-style system with a built-in shrink chamber (that takes the place of a heat gun). They will also bring some other packaging items for display.
11:00 AM - Teresita de la Torre will be demonstrating how to make cold-process soap in a blender (great for hobbyists and new soapers!!).
12:00 PM - Rob Brown from Lebermuth Fragrances will be leading a mini-perfuming workshop. If you want to pick up some tips on blending, here's your chance! Rob has been a speaker at the past two Handcrafted Soapmakers' Guild conventions, and was very well received -- we're very fortunate to have him!
1:00 PM - Lunch - tentative menu includes:
Cheese Tray
Selection of Luncheon Meats
Assorted Breads, Rolls, Croissants
Condiments (mustard, mayo, pickles, etc.)
Vegetable Platter with Dip
Meatballs in Sweet & Sour sauce
Potato Salad
Pasta Salad
Orange Jello Salad
Desserts:
Sheet Cake
Assorted Cookies
Sugar-free desserts will be available
2:00 PM - Ela Heyn will show us how to do beautiful and creative things with melt-and-pour soaps. For those of you working in m&p (or who would like to), you're in for a real treat! Ela's creations are legendary on the Internet soap mailing lists.
3:30 PM - Patti and Herb Schaeffer from BioMax Bodyworks have agreed to demonstrate making gel candles for us (BioMax sells gel wax and supplies). Patti will be showing us how to make basic gel candles, as well as techniques to embed beautiful things in the candle gel. (Patti's been known to toss goodies into the crowd, so wear your hard hats! LOL) They will also be bringing along some gel and embedding supplies to sell at the party (their kits are GREAT for new candlemakers!). Patti is also planning to bring along her vibratory endermatherapie machine and portable massage table, and give us all complimentary massages during the day!!
5:00 PM - Door Prize Drawing - look on the back of your name tag for your drawing number! Vendors who have offered donations for goodies bags and/or door prizes include (as of 4/25/00):
We also have tentative plans for Jeff Barnes, from the Baldwin Agency, to join us to discuss liability insurance for our small businesses. Jeff has written policies for soapmakers and candlemakers through Hartford Insurance, and will have information available. In the event that he is unable to join us, he has indicated that he'll provide literature to be distributed in our "goodie bags".
The balance of the day will be devoted to meeting each other, sharing suppliers, hints, and advice, and just yakking about soap, toiletries, candles, etc.....
