Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Packaging (Part 1) – Finding the Best Fit for Your Bar

Executive DirectorTips, Tricks & Tutorials1 Comment

You’ve made your product; that swirl is just right, the scent; amazing! Now comes the big decision…how are you going to package it? When it comes to packaging soap and cosmetics, there are many different options on the market. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, and everyone has opinions on which type is best; we won’t try to decide … Read More

The What, Why, & Where of NAICS Codes

Executive DirectorBusiness & Finance1 Comment

As a small business owner, you’ve probably heard of NAICS codes before but may not know what they are, what they’re for, or how to find out which one is right for your business.  Here’s a quick overview of what you need to know!     // What is a NAICS code? // A NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) … Read More

Vendor Spotlight: Rustic Escentuals

Executive DirectorMember SpotlightsLeave a Comment

Happy Friday Tracers! This week’s #HSCGVendorSpotlight goes to our lovely friends at Rustic Escentuals in Roebuck, South Carolina! Having started out in 1999 with founder and owner Amy Pascoe filling orders in the middle of her laundry room, it’s quite impressive that now Rustic Escentuals has grown into a widely popular specialty warehouse that acts as a “one-stop-shop” for the industry! … Read More

Vendor Spotlight: Mission Peak Soap & Supplies

Executive DirectorMember Spotlights2 Comments

Happy Friday peeps – you made it through another week! And yes, it’s that time of the week again – We’re excited to let you know that this week’s #HSCGVendorSpotlight is going to Mission Peak Soap & Supplies! How beautiful are those castille soaps in the background image? (They let me in on the fact that they made them with … Read More

Vendor Spotlight: Mad Oils, Inc.

Executive DirectorMember Spotlights10 Comments

  Howdy Tracers!  It’s been decided that we’re going to start showcasing all of our lovely feature posts right here on Ye Olde Blogg so that we (and you) will be able to admire them for years to come! I know, we’re excited too. We are even more excited to say that this week’s #HSCGVendorSpotlight goes toooo….(*drum roll*) Mad Oils, … Read More

Member Spotlight: Master Certification Recipients

Executive DirectorMember SpotlightsLeave a Comment

Are you exited? Because WE’RE excited! I must say that I do love the fresh smell of ambition in the morning… For those who may not know, one of the many Member Benefits of the HSCG is the opportunity to partake in the Certification Program.  Long story short,  there are  3 levels of certification: Basic, Advanced, and Master.  Each available … Read More

Proudly Announcing: Cut to the Trace

Executive DirectorMembership & Benefits6 Comments

»We’re back!«  Bonjour everyone! I am happy to announce that the HSCG blog, now known as “Cut To The Trace”, is officially up and running (soapmakers, you can definitely appreciate our punny new name, right?) and I must say, we have missed you so!  You may have noticed that we look a bit different than before – We got a fancy … Read More

Ladies & Gents: The How-To Is Here!

Executive DirectorMembership & BenefitsLeave a Comment

Remember that time that we were bragging about putting together a fantastic collection of instructional videos and business-related toolkits for all of you lovely people??  If you’ve visited the HSCG website recently, you may have seen the new and magical How-To Library tab on our homepage!  Yes, it is finally here in all of it’s knowledgeable glory and we couldn’t … Read More

FDA Responds to PO Box Petition

Executive DirectorIndustry Advocacy & News19 Comments

In August of 2012, the HSCG wrote a Citizen Petition to the FDA – Department of Health & Human Services, regarding the use of a PO Box in the place of a street address on a cosmetic label.  We did this mainly for the safety of the small businesses that make up the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry as many … Read More