So I'd better get to it.
I know I have been quite absent from Internet life as of late. There is a reason for this, and I'm about to share it with you.
As many of you know, in June of 2008 I was able to finally procure a lab space outside of our house (well, barn) for the Panda. Not only did this make my productivity skyrocket, but the space was no-cost to me, as it was a barter arrangement. It was a win-win for the owner and myself. Well, in January of this year, the owner of the space got a paying offer on the place and I had to drag everything back up the road to our house. I know that this isn't a failure on my part or anything, but psychologically it was a very large blow.
Moving the Panda back into the house and out of its own lab space has been greatly detrimental to my overall productivity. In the last eight weeks I have found more and more things on my to-do list have been falling to the wayside simply because there is not enough time or room. Chores go half-finished or untouched. Orders are taking longer and longer to fill due to the limited space. Meals have mostly been haphazard and last-minute, meaning lots of frozen meals and pizza. I haven't seen the floor in my office for nearly a month, there's so many piles of paperwork (both personal and business) stacked up in there.
All of this has finally forced me to make a decision that has been a long time coming: I'm going to have to cut some things from the Panda's catalog, specifically certain varieties of hot-process soap. It is not a decision I make lightly; I know a lot of you love my soap bars, but there just aren't enough hours in the day for me to keep up with all the current soap varieties AND introduce new ones that have cleared the R&D stage. Also, they aren't selling as well as they used to be, thanks in no small part to my curious aptitude for making cute little shaped soaps. (As an example, most of our Christmas sales this year were for the shaped soaps rather than full bars. Nearly 89%, if I remember correctly.)
It just makes fiscal (and mental) sense to change the catalog a bit. I'm not going to be a soaper forever, so I may as well do what works well while the gumption is still there. Besides, the shaped soaps allow me more creative freedom, and that is something I desperately need right now to appease my inner yeti.
I really hope you guys won't hate me for this. As soon as I have decided what products will be going away, you lot will be the first to know.
Another reason for my online hiatus this quarter was due to personal ailments (my eczema reared its ugly head after YEARS of leaving me in peace AND I busted my right foot), home and office improvements (we now have an ACTUAL ceiling in the barn!) and two deaths in the family. I do not remember if I mentioned this here, but one of our beloved fur-kids, Shaina the Peik-a-poo, died of a heart attack while we were away for the Christmas holidays. If you all remember the last time we attempted to take a vacation, you'll know why I am beginning to think that we are just not supposed to travel to Florida.
The other dearly departed family member was my Great-Aunt Mickey. She finally succumbed to her long battle with cancer early this year. Putting her affairs in order has been an epic adventure, involving lawyers and family members from three different states. I've typed up so many letters and read over so many documents my eyeballs are in danger of giving up the ghost in protest. For all that, most of what she had will most likely be liquidated to pay her outstanding medical bills, and that's just fine by me. I would rather her more immediate family be freed of the burden of debt than to see a penny of it for myself.
So, dear readers, I'm back. We are gearing up for Carolina Spirit Quest in April and we will be there with bells on. Beyond that, we are currently only committed to Central Carolina Pagan Pride Day. There will be other shows, but as of right now nothing is set in stone.
All that said, life is not too shabby. Now if the weather here in North Carolina would just make up its mind, things would be golden. . .
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Up to My Old Tricks
Every time I clean, I somehow always think back to when I was a professional nanny and housekeeper. Sometimes, it leaves me wistful. "You know, I really miss that family. I wonder how they are doing?"
Other times, I feel relieved that the Panda is generating as much business as it has been. "Good grief, no amount of money in the world would be enough to make me go back to that house!"
However, I do not regret any of those experiences. Strange, how the mind works.
Anyway, this post was brought to you by the fact that I am heading down to the lab to give it a proper scrubbing, check all the equipment to make sure it is clean and ready to go, and gather up a laundry-load's worth of towels, rags and aprons that need to be cleaned before I can begin working on soap.
By comparison, soy candles take much less work in the way of sanitizing tools and work space than other products I make. The containers need to be double-checked for debris and cleaned out if necessary, but I clean all of the pouring pots and measuring cups after every use. (Warm wax is MUCH easier to clean than cold wax. Period.) These items do NOT go in the sanitizing dishwasher, so they have to be cleaned as soon as they are used.
However, soap takes longer to make, plus I toss most of the tools into the dishwasher until I have a full load, then run it. Given all that, it is best to clean the lab first, then get down to brass tacks. Speaking of which, do I even have all the outstanding orders printed out? I'd better go check on that.
Later days. ;)
P.S.--I'm still working on the "How to Throw Your Own Home Party" entries. They might not get posted until I am in Orlando, which won't be until December 14th. (Which, coincidentally, happens to be mine and John's first wedding anniversary. We're spoiling each other rotten with a trip to Orlando before we invade Miami to see his family for Christmas. We'll call it a working holiday. *wink*)
Other times, I feel relieved that the Panda is generating as much business as it has been. "Good grief, no amount of money in the world would be enough to make me go back to that house!"
However, I do not regret any of those experiences. Strange, how the mind works.
Anyway, this post was brought to you by the fact that I am heading down to the lab to give it a proper scrubbing, check all the equipment to make sure it is clean and ready to go, and gather up a laundry-load's worth of towels, rags and aprons that need to be cleaned before I can begin working on soap.
By comparison, soy candles take much less work in the way of sanitizing tools and work space than other products I make. The containers need to be double-checked for debris and cleaned out if necessary, but I clean all of the pouring pots and measuring cups after every use. (Warm wax is MUCH easier to clean than cold wax. Period.) These items do NOT go in the sanitizing dishwasher, so they have to be cleaned as soon as they are used.
However, soap takes longer to make, plus I toss most of the tools into the dishwasher until I have a full load, then run it. Given all that, it is best to clean the lab first, then get down to brass tacks. Speaking of which, do I even have all the outstanding orders printed out? I'd better go check on that.
Later days. ;)
P.S.--I'm still working on the "How to Throw Your Own Home Party" entries. They might not get posted until I am in Orlando, which won't be until December 14th. (Which, coincidentally, happens to be mine and John's first wedding anniversary. We're spoiling each other rotten with a trip to Orlando before we invade Miami to see his family for Christmas. We'll call it a working holiday. *wink*)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Dancing Panda's Winter Product Premiere Party
After much debate and note-scribbling, the idea that was hatched in my last post has finally been given a green-light. The Winter Product Premiere Party is a go!
Many factors contributed to the direction that things have taken, including the fact that I was laid off from my day job early last week. It was a planned layoff, not something that blindsided us. I made the conscious decision to take life's lemons and make them into lemon-drop martinis. I was prepared to go full throttle into the holiday season here at the Panda the minute my desk at the day job had been cleared out. (**For new readers, I occasionally take on temporary work assignments outside of Dancing Panda when a new need arises in my household. In this case, we are saving up for a down-payment on a new house.)
Another factor was that due to having a day job, albeit part-time, we had cleared the traveling show schedule for the last 10 weeks of the year so I could finish the project I was contracted to complete with little distraction. Not until after we had cleared out calendars of everything but holiday travel did the day job tell me that things might be changing more quickly than originally planned.
So, given that we had no shows planned, John (my husband and unofficial business partner) had pretty much written off the holiday selling season as a wash. He wasn't convinced we would make much money or garner many sales because we have NO BUDGET when it comes to marketing. Being a fairly young company, we can only utilize no-or-low-cost marketing strategies to achieve the same impact as the Big Guys.
I said, "To heck with that attitude. We'll make our own show!" And the premiere party was born.
Granted, it isn't exactly a completely original idea. I can remember my mother taking me to Mary Kay "hostess parties" her friends organized when I was a teenager, and I know that PartyLite was big in this area a few years back. It all started with Tupperware parties back in the 1970's, really, but I digress. Whichever way you slice it, this is a marketing method that has merit, as well as a proven track record. John and I LOVE throwing parties; however, we can rarely justify it in the budget. Talk about a win-win situation! We get to throw a party, the business gets a bump in sales, and our clients get to introduce their friends to our fabulous products as well as preview new goodies before they go on sale to the general public.
I will do a series of posts outlining how to throw a premiere party such as ours, and not break the bank! Those posts will come later, though. November 22nd looms ever larger on the horizon, and there is much work left to be done. Speaking of which, I can hear the FedEx truck pulling into the driveway now. Gotta run. Deliveries won't sign for themselves!
Many factors contributed to the direction that things have taken, including the fact that I was laid off from my day job early last week. It was a planned layoff, not something that blindsided us. I made the conscious decision to take life's lemons and make them into lemon-drop martinis. I was prepared to go full throttle into the holiday season here at the Panda the minute my desk at the day job had been cleared out. (**For new readers, I occasionally take on temporary work assignments outside of Dancing Panda when a new need arises in my household. In this case, we are saving up for a down-payment on a new house.)
Another factor was that due to having a day job, albeit part-time, we had cleared the traveling show schedule for the last 10 weeks of the year so I could finish the project I was contracted to complete with little distraction. Not until after we had cleared out calendars of everything but holiday travel did the day job tell me that things might be changing more quickly than originally planned.
So, given that we had no shows planned, John (my husband and unofficial business partner) had pretty much written off the holiday selling season as a wash. He wasn't convinced we would make much money or garner many sales because we have NO BUDGET when it comes to marketing. Being a fairly young company, we can only utilize no-or-low-cost marketing strategies to achieve the same impact as the Big Guys.
I said, "To heck with that attitude. We'll make our own show!" And the premiere party was born.
Granted, it isn't exactly a completely original idea. I can remember my mother taking me to Mary Kay "hostess parties" her friends organized when I was a teenager, and I know that PartyLite was big in this area a few years back. It all started with Tupperware parties back in the 1970's, really, but I digress. Whichever way you slice it, this is a marketing method that has merit, as well as a proven track record. John and I LOVE throwing parties; however, we can rarely justify it in the budget. Talk about a win-win situation! We get to throw a party, the business gets a bump in sales, and our clients get to introduce their friends to our fabulous products as well as preview new goodies before they go on sale to the general public.
I will do a series of posts outlining how to throw a premiere party such as ours, and not break the bank! Those posts will come later, though. November 22nd looms ever larger on the horizon, and there is much work left to be done. Speaking of which, I can hear the FedEx truck pulling into the driveway now. Gotta run. Deliveries won't sign for themselves!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Fall/Winter Line Premiere Party. . .Your Thoughts?
I have been mulling over this idea for a long while now, and am ready to discuss it with you, my smart, lovely friends. :)
I want to have a sort of "premiere party" for the Seasonal Exclusive items and scents we've come up with for the holiday season. It would be part social gathering, part Mary Kay-esque spiel. In addition, there would be a raffle for a yet-to-be-determined number of door prizes, plus food and drink provided by yours truly. Obviously, there would also be the opportunity for folks to sample and purchase products while at the party, as well as goodies for folks to take home.
If it matters, it would be an invitation-only event. (I have yet to decide how I would go about doing this, but most likely through Evite for the sake of speed, ease-of-use, and ability to track RSVPs. Though, old-fashioned paper invitations do have a certain charm. . .) Those on the guest list would be encouraged to bring along a friend who has never seen or used Dancing Panda products before, or at least someone I haven't seen in a long while. :D
The catch: It would have to be held sometime between now and Thanksgiving. Probably on or around November 22nd.
Other issues include figuring out where to hold the event, what time of the day, and of course, parking. Time of day is something to also consider, because that will determine the menu, drinks, music, format, decorations, etc.
There is also nothing stopping us from holding two smaller events instead of one huge party. That would depend purely on the level of interest.
Input is encouraged and greatly desired. It is also very much appreciated. :)
I want to have a sort of "premiere party" for the Seasonal Exclusive items and scents we've come up with for the holiday season. It would be part social gathering, part Mary Kay-esque spiel. In addition, there would be a raffle for a yet-to-be-determined number of door prizes, plus food and drink provided by yours truly. Obviously, there would also be the opportunity for folks to sample and purchase products while at the party, as well as goodies for folks to take home.
If it matters, it would be an invitation-only event. (I have yet to decide how I would go about doing this, but most likely through Evite for the sake of speed, ease-of-use, and ability to track RSVPs. Though, old-fashioned paper invitations do have a certain charm. . .) Those on the guest list would be encouraged to bring along a friend who has never seen or used Dancing Panda products before, or at least someone I haven't seen in a long while. :D
The catch: It would have to be held sometime between now and Thanksgiving. Probably on or around November 22nd.
Other issues include figuring out where to hold the event, what time of the day, and of course, parking. Time of day is something to also consider, because that will determine the menu, drinks, music, format, decorations, etc.
There is also nothing stopping us from holding two smaller events instead of one huge party. That would depend purely on the level of interest.
Input is encouraged and greatly desired. It is also very much appreciated. :)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Panda News for the Week of August 25th
So. . .I sent out a vendor application for a festival called People Fest in Wadesboro, NC. It is a juried show, meaning that the coordinators of the event have to review the portfolio (or sometimes tangible samples) of an entrant's work before deciding on who will get a display slot at their festival. I have entered examples of my work for juried shows several times in my five years as a soaper, but nothing has ever come of it.
Well, I just got word from the vendor coordinator at People Fest 2008.
I MADE THE CUT!: :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
I have just made it into my first juried show.
I think I'm going to throw up now.
*ahem*
Sorry. Really, though, this is HUGE. I will be displaying my hand-made soaps and jewelry ONLY. No bought-for-resale items AT ALL.
O.O
What in the blue blazes have I just gotten myself into?
This is People Fest's 25th Anniversary year, too. The foot traffic is anticipated to be in the thousands.
*blinkblink*
The festival is on October 11th, 2008. This means that my fall/winter show schedule thus far looks like this:
September 20th--Central NC Pagan Pride Day
September 27th--Charlotte/Mecklenburg Pagan Pride Day
October 11th----People Fest 2008
That DOES NOT leave a lot of recovery time between shows, production or otherwise. This is going to be the biggest test of my planning abilities to date. (Okay, the wedding doesn't count because my mother was handling the majority of the planning. I was just "remote-ing in" most of the time.)
You know how some folks (including myself) make ahead food for busy times? Looks like it is time to "make ahead" HUGE amounts of soap, candles, and whatnot. Jewelry is more artwork than procedure for me, so that will just come into fruition as the muse strikes.
I guess this means I need to go raid petty cash and stock up on olive oil! *grin*
Wish me luck! :D
(cross-posted like mad)
Well, I just got word from the vendor coordinator at People Fest 2008.
I MADE THE CUT!: :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
I have just made it into my first juried show.
I think I'm going to throw up now.
*ahem*
Sorry. Really, though, this is HUGE. I will be displaying my hand-made soaps and jewelry ONLY. No bought-for-resale items AT ALL.
O.O
What in the blue blazes have I just gotten myself into?
This is People Fest's 25th Anniversary year, too. The foot traffic is anticipated to be in the thousands.
*blinkblink*
The festival is on October 11th, 2008. This means that my fall/winter show schedule thus far looks like this:
September 20th--Central NC Pagan Pride Day
September 27th--Charlotte/Mecklenburg Pagan Pride Day
October 11th----People Fest 2008
That DOES NOT leave a lot of recovery time between shows, production or otherwise. This is going to be the biggest test of my planning abilities to date. (Okay, the wedding doesn't count because my mother was handling the majority of the planning. I was just "remote-ing in" most of the time.)
You know how some folks (including myself) make ahead food for busy times? Looks like it is time to "make ahead" HUGE amounts of soap, candles, and whatnot. Jewelry is more artwork than procedure for me, so that will just come into fruition as the muse strikes.
I guess this means I need to go raid petty cash and stock up on olive oil! *grin*
Wish me luck! :D
(cross-posted like mad)
Insert Witty Title 'Here'
The blogging client I was testing earlier this summer just isn't working out for me, so I am putting it aside to tinker with at another time. Until then, I'll just post the old-fashioned way: One blog site at a time. :)
A lot of my fellow soapers and artists are on Blogger, so I thought perhaps I could keep in better touch by signing up here, too. This is yet another account to go along with the 92343012345 other blogging sites I have memberships with. Here's hoping I can keep up.
Welcome to the random ramblings of a soaper high on suds. Strap in, because my life is far from boring, which makes for a bumpy ride. ;)
A lot of my fellow soapers and artists are on Blogger, so I thought perhaps I could keep in better touch by signing up here, too. This is yet another account to go along with the 92343012345 other blogging sites I have memberships with. Here's hoping I can keep up.
Welcome to the random ramblings of a soaper high on suds. Strap in, because my life is far from boring, which makes for a bumpy ride. ;)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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