If you are finding your way here to the Bubbly Creations blog because you saw that my shop appears to be closed, I want to let you know that it isn't.
I'm not sure what happened, but this evening, when I went to log into my account, I saw that I had been downgraded to Patron! What? I did not authorize this! What the heck? (commence minor freak out!) It was working just fine yesterday!
I have an email in to the service department and hope they will be able to tell me what happened. In the mean time, here is a list of the soap I have in stock. Each one is $5 + shipping and tax in NV unless otherwise noted. If you would like to place an order, please email me at gina.bubblycreations@gmail.com I will send you a paypal invoice or, if you live in Washoe County, I can deliver (no shipping!!)
Imp (NEW!!) - Bubble Gum $3.00
Peppalyptus - Peppermint Eucalyptus
Lemongrass
Queen's Garden - Lavender
Mermaid Cove - Orange Clove
Queen Fluffy - Plumeria Orange
Faerie Kisses - Peppermint
Earth Child - Patchouli
Dreamer (Nut Free) - Vanilla
I hope to have everything back up and running soon!
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Monday, December 2, 2013
Why I don't have Cyber Monday Deals
I'm not against sales. I LOVE a good sale. I'm out on Black Friday every year whether I need/want anything or not just to enjoy looking at all the madness that is available. Well, that and Joanne Fabrics. I haven't hoarded nearly enough flannel over the years.
However, for Bubbly Creations, I choose not to have a yearly sale to try and drive up my figures during the holiday season. Here is why:
It's not because I don't want to give my customers good deals during the spendy season. I am thrilled when people use my soap as gifts and stocking stuffers.
It's because I want to give my customers good deals all year.
I have priced my soap at "very reasonable" for handmade soap. If you shop around, ounce for ounce, Bubbly Creations Soap is a very good deal at approximately $1 per ounce, especially when you consider that each bar is over 5 ounces. Technically, it's less than $1 per ounce, but I'm too lazy to calculate the actual cost and there can be variables. It's always at least 5 oz. VERY likely more. Good deal, right? I think so. I've seen 3 and 4 oz bars sell for $8 to $11.
I don't think I would buy soap for $11 per bar unless it also folded laundry. Actually, lets make the fantasy soap put the laundry away. I fail at that. In reality, that same bar would likely look very attractive at 50% off on Cyber Monday.
In other words, I don't want to mark up my soap just to mark it down later. Handmade soap is a wonderful thing. Like all wonderful things, I want people to be able to afford it. While I still need to cover my expenses, I also want you to feel like Bubbly Creations Soap is a good deal all year round. Not just for gift giving occasions.
So I'm sure you understand that if I were to lower my already low prices to get your holiday dollar, I'd put myself out of business. That won't work for anyone!
However, for Bubbly Creations, I choose not to have a yearly sale to try and drive up my figures during the holiday season. Here is why:
It's not because I don't want to give my customers good deals during the spendy season. I am thrilled when people use my soap as gifts and stocking stuffers.
It's because I want to give my customers good deals all year.
I have priced my soap at "very reasonable" for handmade soap. If you shop around, ounce for ounce, Bubbly Creations Soap is a very good deal at approximately $1 per ounce, especially when you consider that each bar is over 5 ounces. Technically, it's less than $1 per ounce, but I'm too lazy to calculate the actual cost and there can be variables. It's always at least 5 oz. VERY likely more. Good deal, right? I think so. I've seen 3 and 4 oz bars sell for $8 to $11.
I don't think I would buy soap for $11 per bar unless it also folded laundry. Actually, lets make the fantasy soap put the laundry away. I fail at that. In reality, that same bar would likely look very attractive at 50% off on Cyber Monday.
In other words, I don't want to mark up my soap just to mark it down later. Handmade soap is a wonderful thing. Like all wonderful things, I want people to be able to afford it. While I still need to cover my expenses, I also want you to feel like Bubbly Creations Soap is a good deal all year round. Not just for gift giving occasions.
So I'm sure you understand that if I were to lower my already low prices to get your holiday dollar, I'd put myself out of business. That won't work for anyone!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Bingo Month is Coming!!
Are you on my mailing list?
If not, please send your address to gina.bubblycreations@gmail.com and I'll put you on the list! I try to do fun stuff throughout the year, and I am not at all junkish with my mailings (who can afford to send out USPS Junk mail? Not me!! I'd rather make soap and send you cool stuff!!!) I also don't sell my lists.
Towards the end of this month I will be sending out Bingo cards to everyone on the list so that we can start the Second Annual Soapy Bingo game! Last year I gave away 2 $10 gift certificates to the Bubbly Creations Store!
So fun!
Numbers are announced via Facebook (bubblycreationssoap) and twitter (@bubblycreations)
If not, please send your address to gina.bubblycreations@gmail.com and I'll put you on the list! I try to do fun stuff throughout the year, and I am not at all junkish with my mailings (who can afford to send out USPS Junk mail? Not me!! I'd rather make soap and send you cool stuff!!!) I also don't sell my lists.
Towards the end of this month I will be sending out Bingo cards to everyone on the list so that we can start the Second Annual Soapy Bingo game! Last year I gave away 2 $10 gift certificates to the Bubbly Creations Store!
So fun!
Numbers are announced via Facebook (bubblycreationssoap) and twitter (@bubblycreations)
Monday, August 5, 2013
Horrifying. Just, Horrifying
My Coworker has a sister who tried and liked my soap. Hooray!
She ordered more in June.
I got the order today. Since she had planned to pay by check, I didn't get the notification from PayPal, and for some reason, I didn't get the usual "you have an order" email that I usually get from my webhost.
One of the two bars was supposed to be a gift.
I feel like a total jerk.
I'll be sending the bars to her house complimentary today. I sent her an email apologizing for the mix up. I would LIKE to talk to her sister about it, but really? It's not her business to tell me everything will be okay because this is a business transaction that has nothing to do with her.
So off the soap goes today, and hopefully I will save the customer. I think, since she likes the Summer Sun that I will send a bar of Lemongrass too for her to try.
It's serious butt kissing time.
And I learned, that I need to check my "recent orders" section daily. Just in case I miss one. I CAN blame my host for that, but honestly? It's my responsibility!
I hope this one has a good end. If not, it's still a good lesson.
She ordered more in June.
I got the order today. Since she had planned to pay by check, I didn't get the notification from PayPal, and for some reason, I didn't get the usual "you have an order" email that I usually get from my webhost.
One of the two bars was supposed to be a gift.
I feel like a total jerk.
I'll be sending the bars to her house complimentary today. I sent her an email apologizing for the mix up. I would LIKE to talk to her sister about it, but really? It's not her business to tell me everything will be okay because this is a business transaction that has nothing to do with her.
So off the soap goes today, and hopefully I will save the customer. I think, since she likes the Summer Sun that I will send a bar of Lemongrass too for her to try.
It's serious butt kissing time.
And I learned, that I need to check my "recent orders" section daily. Just in case I miss one. I CAN blame my host for that, but honestly? It's my responsibility!
I hope this one has a good end. If not, it's still a good lesson.
Friday, August 2, 2013
On Inspiration and Drive
Sometimes it lags.
And sometimes, it explodes!
I'm in an explosion phase right now, working on solidifying my brand and reaching out for marketing opportunities. Accepting the help of the many, many people, experts in their fields, who have offered it over the years and recent days.
I'm accepting that I can't do it all on my own and that I don't know everything, which is difficult because I really do know a lot. But not everything. We can't know everything.
When you're a sole proprietor, it's easy to get tunnel vision and to think that your way is the only way. To forget that the input of others is very, very important.
It's also amazing where opportunity pops up. And so often, it is easy NOT to pick that low hanging fruit because you think it will be there when you are ready to pick it.
But "opportunity is not a lengthy visitor", to quote Into The Woods.
I know, I'm rambling. And I'm not giving a lot of information, but truth be told, I'm in a planning and gathering phase and I don't want to announce I'm doing something only to not get it done.
So there you have it. The wild state of my little soapy passion.
Hold your breath, I'm about to leap across a chasm. Not off a cliff, that will come later.
And sometimes, it explodes!
I'm in an explosion phase right now, working on solidifying my brand and reaching out for marketing opportunities. Accepting the help of the many, many people, experts in their fields, who have offered it over the years and recent days.
I'm accepting that I can't do it all on my own and that I don't know everything, which is difficult because I really do know a lot. But not everything. We can't know everything.
When you're a sole proprietor, it's easy to get tunnel vision and to think that your way is the only way. To forget that the input of others is very, very important.
It's also amazing where opportunity pops up. And so often, it is easy NOT to pick that low hanging fruit because you think it will be there when you are ready to pick it.
But "opportunity is not a lengthy visitor", to quote Into The Woods.
I know, I'm rambling. And I'm not giving a lot of information, but truth be told, I'm in a planning and gathering phase and I don't want to announce I'm doing something only to not get it done.
So there you have it. The wild state of my little soapy passion.
Hold your breath, I'm about to leap across a chasm. Not off a cliff, that will come later.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
I do love a good bath
I'm sure you can imagine how a person who owns a soap company could find themselves enamored of bath tubs.
I've always appreciated a good claw foot, and when I lived in a house with a garden tub, I was in it at least once a week. Heck, I remember the first time I saw a garden tub. I was in high school and a friend of mine had just moved into an apartment that had one. We fit three teenagers (fully clothed, no water) in that tub that day. Good times. High School was so long ago that I don't even remember who teen #3 was.
Enter Pinterest, and I learned that I am not the only person who loves tubs. I think I set up my "Baths I Love" board on the very first day. (if you are a Pinterest user and would like to follow me, please search Gina Caudillo)
Bathtubs. Architecture. There was an article on Yahoo today that had some nice ones, but I've seen better. Funny how one interest can spawn another.
I've always appreciated a good claw foot, and when I lived in a house with a garden tub, I was in it at least once a week. Heck, I remember the first time I saw a garden tub. I was in high school and a friend of mine had just moved into an apartment that had one. We fit three teenagers (fully clothed, no water) in that tub that day. Good times. High School was so long ago that I don't even remember who teen #3 was.
Enter Pinterest, and I learned that I am not the only person who loves tubs. I think I set up my "Baths I Love" board on the very first day. (if you are a Pinterest user and would like to follow me, please search Gina Caudillo)
Bathtubs. Architecture. There was an article on Yahoo today that had some nice ones, but I've seen better. Funny how one interest can spawn another.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The worlds longest Bingo Game
Back in December, for National Bingo Month, I sent out bingo cards to all the wonderful people on my mailing list (send me your address if you want to be on the list too!) so that we could play Bingo. Prizes were 2 $10 gift certificates to the Bubbly Creations shop.
Little did I know, it's the end of February, and we still don't have a winner for the second prize! It's not for lack of players, but sometimes, I have to admit, that I forget to post (like yesterday...) and well, it's apparently harder than I thought to clack out a Bingo card one day at a time.
Thank you to the Facebook follower who suggested that I post more than one number on days when I forgot.
I can't wait to do it again next year!!
Seriously, this has been so much fun. I love the interactions with you guys and the opportunity to get to know you a little. I think it's funny when I get the "ahem" reminders to post a number and knowing that we're almost there!! is really exciting. That means someone out there is going to get some soap. And we know that I love soap.
The part that makes me sad? I haven't come up with the next idea for playing with you guys yet. Don't think for a minute that I'm not brainstorming!!
Little did I know, it's the end of February, and we still don't have a winner for the second prize! It's not for lack of players, but sometimes, I have to admit, that I forget to post (like yesterday...) and well, it's apparently harder than I thought to clack out a Bingo card one day at a time.
Thank you to the Facebook follower who suggested that I post more than one number on days when I forgot.
I can't wait to do it again next year!!
Seriously, this has been so much fun. I love the interactions with you guys and the opportunity to get to know you a little. I think it's funny when I get the "ahem" reminders to post a number and knowing that we're almost there!! is really exciting. That means someone out there is going to get some soap. And we know that I love soap.
The part that makes me sad? I haven't come up with the next idea for playing with you guys yet. Don't think for a minute that I'm not brainstorming!!
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