Beer! Beer! Beer! For Those That Like Beer

I'm personally not a drinker, and I never acquired the taste for beer.  But it's something that my hubby enjoys from time to time.

Beer soap is not a new concept and soapmakers have been making bath soaps using beer as the liquid for quite some time.  And likewise I have been using beer in my shaving soaps for some time as well.   Just like you expect with my other shaving soaps you can expect the same with my beer shaving soap as well.

The beer adds an earthy aroma to the soap that can morph some scents when beer is used as the only liquid in the soap.  But to help prevent this from happening I have decided to use half the liquid as beer and the other half as water.

I make each of these different shaving soaps in about 4-5 lb batches and they are made from scratch in my kitchen. I will make various shaving soaps in various scents that are ready to ship. In the title look to see what beer is used to make each particular RTS shaving soap. But if you are ordering a custom shaving soap you will be able to select the beer of choice that you want your shaving soap made with.

I have been using Blue Moon Beer for some time now......

But now I will be adding two more beers to my options.

Samuel Adams Boston Lager.......

and Guinness Extra Stout.......

So for you beer lovers, I hope you enjoy these added options.......

`Cheers`

New Fragrances #4

Order 4 of 6

This order came from a larger company that I order from and so in restocking some scents I also decided to order a few new ones.  But I didn't just order scents, I ordered a few other odds and ends as well.

Restock ~ Bay Rum
This has the fresh essence of bay leaves with the bright enjoyment of orange peel and zest. This bay rum is not as strong with it’s clove notes.

NEW FRAGRANCE ~ Sunflower
A charming fragrance of radiant sunshine and wistful floral accords.

NEW FRAGRANCE : Intuition for Men
A masculine blend of cedarwood and sandalwood with rich musk.

NEW FRAGRANCE : Lilac In Bloom
Lavishing lilac radiantly blossoms with beautiful buds of sweet rose and delicate lily of the valley.

NEW FRAGRANCE : London For Men
A masculine blend of bergamot, fresh juniper, jasmine and earthy patchouli.

Restock : Gentleman's Pipe
This is the cozy scent with notes of cherry wood, raspberry, vanilla and tobacco.

Restock : Barbershop ~
Vibrant Bergamot and fresh basil leaf are complimented by earthy notes of Oakmoss and white patchouli.

NEW FRAGRANCE SAMPLE OF : Monoi de Tahiti
Notes of exotic tiare flower are seduced with a tease of rose and softened with tender orchid in an exceptionally beautiful blossom.

New Fragrances Order #3

Order 3 out of 6

There is another small company that I order a few of my scents from.  So while I needed to restock three scents from them I did add another scent that I had purchased a small amount to test out some time ago.

Restock ~ Rose
Just like a garden full of fresh and blooming roses.

Restock ~ Sandalwood
This is the woody bouquet of cedar and sandalwood with rose and jasmine.

Restock ~ Nag Champa
This is a classic scent with the wonderful aroma of incense, patchouli, sandalwood and dragon's blood. They work together to create this wonderful blend.

NEW SCENT ~ Black Cherry
This is an extremely strong and intense aroma of ripened sweet black cherries.

Non-Tallow Shaving Soap

In an email on ebay this morning I was asked if I offered a non-tallow shaving soap.  While I do have my DdC soap which is more of a croap than a hard soap and my KISS cream which is a soft cream I decided to bring back my non-tallow shaving soap.  The shaving soap will become very hard just like my tallow & lanolin version after the excess liquid evaporates out.

I just made up a batch and poured it into a log mold that weighs a bit more than 2 pounds.   From that just like my other shaving soap can be taken and scented an individual products.

The ingredients below are given in alphabetical order in the different categories to help showcase the different ingredients that are used.   However they will be correct on the product label in accordance to the FDA regulations.

Liquids Used : Aloe Vera Juice
Oils Used : Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Jojoba, Palm Oil, Unrefined Shea Butter
Other Ingredients Used : Glycerin, Kaolin Clay, Raw Silk Fibers, Sodium Lactate, Stearic Acid, Sugar, Tocopherols
Scent : Fragrance Oil or Essential Oils are optional

The oils in this shaving soap are saponified by both sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

This will be available as soon as I can create listings for this new product and it will be available in sample pucks, all the various sizes of the pucks that I offer, shave sticks and in jars.
  

New Fragrances Order #2

Order 2 of 6

There is a small company that two of my scents come from, although I do have more of their scents, they just aren't my favorites.  I have tried ordering them (same names) from other companies that I order from and save on shipping and I've always been disappointed.  Although I do have some left of these two scents and they are currently listed as part of my regular scents I decided it was time to order more.  I also want to be able to make bath soaps with them, so I need more to be able to do that!  But they are wonderful scents and I wanted to be able to continue to offer them to you....

While these two scents are listed under my Other Scents as they are scents that either a man or a women would enjoy.   I had them previously listed under masculine scents but I am moving them because they are a universal scent.

Cool Citrus Basil
This is a zesty and clean fragrance infused with cool citrus and fresh basil leaves. Refreshing and Energizing! A Bath and Body Works type fragrance.

Lemongrass and Sage
This fragrance is a perfect blend. Lemongrass top notes with a fresh, lightly herbal background of sage to smooth and round out the lemongrass make this one scent you can't put down.



But while I was placing my order, there was another scent I have had my eye on for some time.  So I decided it was time to order it....  Well Cleopatra Queen of the Nile was out of stock so I selected this one instead.   A friend of mine sent me some soap with this some time ago and I did like it quite a bit.

Salty Sea Air
Sun, Sand and a wave of sea air… inspired by the picturesque landscape and the fresh scents of the waters of the Aegean. You'll be transported to an azure-lined shore, amidst a salty sea breeze, inhaling the crisp sea air.

New Fragrances Order #1

Order 1 of 6

There are several companies that I order my scents from, and this is the first order of a couple of them to re-stock fragrances and essential oils and try some new ones.

I was running low on Old Spice so I thought I would order a few others while I was at it.

The last time I had ordered I had gotten a sample of Royal Water Creed for those that are familiar with Green Irish Tweed also by Creed you may like this one as well.  With a previous order I had gotten a sample of Royal Water Creed and found it to be amazing!  I didn't have much of it but it was enough to know that I wanted to order a larger bottle of.

Fresh and cool, it's an invigorating celebration of personal spirit and a tribute to the next generation of the House of Windsor.  Regal, refined, yet refreshingly approachable – just like the young royals. Royal Water captures the glamour, energy and power of tomorrow's international news-makers.
* Top note: Fresh citrus infusion with peppermint
* Middle note: Juniper berry, basil
* Base note: Musk, ambergris

The next scent is Eau D'Orange Verte Herms, and is one that I have a vague memory of, but I also know it's still a beloved scent by many men.   As a child/teen I grew up overseas as an expat in SE Asia, and there were a few times that my mom got a call from her sister saying my grandmother was doing poorly and didn't think she would survive the night.  (She did survive by some miracle, and although wasn't the same because of so many small strokes.  She passed away peacefully Christmas Day 1991, less than a year after we returned to the United States for good I think she was waiting for that moment.)  The office of the company my dad worked for arranged airline tickets for my mum and she left us immediately to return to her mum's bedside.  Since we had frequent flier mile plan with Northwest Orient that's what they booked her on between Hong Kong and Grand Forks ND and booked her first class.  In the 80's this was the cologne added into their amenity kit handed out during long haul international flights and when my mum got back home she gave those amenity kits to me.   I haven't used this particular scent before, nor have I smelled the original scent in many years, so I can't say if it will be an exact dupe, but it did have some really good reviews by others on the site where I ordered it from.  

Hermès Colognes are generous, figurative expressions of simple pleasures. Sparkling and invigorating, it carries the green freshness of an explosion of oranges with a woody signature. Citrus, minty, woody.

This next scent I have changed the name of to suit me.   The original name was Komodo which is an animal found in Indonesia, but since I grew up there as an expat as a child/teen and attended the JIS (Jakarta International School) for ten years the Komodo Dragon was also our school mascot.  Given the discription I decided to call this one what we called our swim team..... AquaDragons!   I was privileged enough that the company my dad worked for had places for their employees to go to for a little R&R out of the city.  One of the places was what we nicked named "the islands".  It was one of the islands leased out by Pulau Putri.  It had three cabins, each slept 10 so I always brought out my friends and each cabin had their own boat, driver and unlimited amount of petrol.  What kid wouldn't like that!!!   The other was various houses they leased up in the mountains known a Puncak, around the well known area of Puncak Pass.  Curvy roads and horses you can rent as you trot along the rice paddies and the busy roads.  Good local food and buying fruits and vegetables at local stands by the road are some of my favorite memories.   But while at the houses we had tennis courts and swimming pools to keep us busy.  One even had a pool table which was quite fun! And again I brought my friends with, just fewer than the islands because we drove ourselves up to the pass so that meant one or two friends depending if it was before or after my brother graduated.

Masculine, fresh, airy and aquatic, but with reminiscent notes of mountain herbal tea, lemon peel, lavender, jasmine and mint.



Given the company offers the option to try some free scents depending on the dollar amount of your order I also selected the following scents.

* Fresh Milk ~ Creamy and very sweet, with ever so light accents of creamy florals.

* Milk ~ Our truest milk fragrance. Great in blends, to bring a warm creamy note or as a soft standalone.

* Stetson ~ Ooooh I am a sucker for this one myself, and even though I know it's a cheap drug store scent it's one I do love on a man...... It's described as being rich, masculine blend of rugged woods and spice scents.

* Jazz ~ A hip masculine scent for its time, this refreshing, spicy, lavender, amber fragrance.




Plus 4 scents of their choice.....
Edited to add the scents they sent me are as follows....

* 212 Sexy type (womans) ~ Top : Bergamot and Pink Pepper ~ Middle : Geranium, Gardenia, Cotton Candy ~ Base : Vanilla, Musk, Sandalwood

* Moss ~ no description given on their website, I hate when they do that. But it's a very green and earthy scent that is quite lovely.

* Puppy Breath ~ Playful, milky with hints of dirt, grass and mischief. (pretty accurate)

* Rain Forest Bloom ~ Green ozonic top notes with a clean linen and wild rose floral heart ending with damp earth, moss and woodland musk.

Current Items On Sale ~ Ends February 26, 2014

I have added the following items on sale on my website.
10% Off Regular Price, you must use the listing marked *sale* to get the sale price.  

http://prairie-creations.com/shop/index.php?cPath=197


Aftershave Balm

Tallow Shaving Cream
Photo shown is my KISS cream because I haven't taken one of the tallow label yet.  But the product looks the same.

Walters Shaving Soap (Jar)

Updates on New Ingredients To Work With & 3 new Essential Oils

One of the things that I am proud of doing, and that is by not using any pre-made bases.  Instead I buy all individual ingredients and I formulate my own recipes using those ingredients.   Well I have added a couple of more wonderful ingredients to my stash to play with.........

That is including my shaving soap that are not made from a pre-made glycerin soap base like many other artisan soapmakers.  Mine truly is homemade and made in the USA.


But first off before I get into those ingredients I've also added three new essential oils.  I will enter them into my store once they have arrived.  I know there are those that prefer essential oils over fragrance oils so I am adding some new ones that won't break the bank.  Sadly some are extremely expensive and makes it hard to swallow the price.  Some are $50 to $70 for 8 ounces and others are even higher than that!  If I did acquire those essential oils I would have to add that to the price of product and few would be willing to pay that difference.   However if you would like to buy your own essential oil I would use it to scent your own with it as I have just done recently for another customer with Rose Absolute Essential Oil.  Just some food for thought for you.

* Lemongrass Essential Oil

* Grapefruit Essential Oil

* Tangerine Essential Oil


I have added the following extract which I plan on incorporating into an aftershave balm as well as a hand/body lotion and possibly a cooling menthol foot cream.  

* Comfrey Leaves Extract
The extract is emollient, healing, anti-inflammatory, astringent, promotes tissue repair and is moisturizing to the skin. 

* Horsetail Grass Extract
The extract is an astringent, healing, texturizer, elasticizer, high in silica, adds strength & sheen to hair and is good for the skin.

* Ivy Extract
Ivy has long been known to be an astringent, stimulant, anti-cellulite, anti-blotchiness and a wonderful skin healer.

* Sea Buckthorn Extract
This extract is used as an antioxidant, anti-aging, acne, anti-inflammatory, emollient,and cell healing and regeneration agent.  

* Carrot Extract
This extract is high in vitamins A and E and beta carotene.  It is an anti-inflammatory, soothing chapped and uncomfortable skin.  It is thought to bring balance to the moisture in both skin and hair as a conditioning agent.

* Mallow Extract
This extract was cherished by the Ancient Romans for it's soothing and protecting properties to dry and sensitive skin.  It is commonly used in skincare preparations to reduce inflammation. 



But one other oil I also added was Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil.  This oil I plan on also using in a shaving soap.   But I am unsure if it should be a vegan shaving soap or a tallow one.  If you have any thoughts or ideas to that please feel to leave a comment here.   But I thought it would be a wonderful addition into a shaving soap just as the commercial made one that also uses this ingredient.   

* Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil
This is a cold processed oil that has a dark red-orange color and is perfect or adding regenerative properties to your products.  There is a stronger odor with this oil but it shouldn't prevent anyone from using this oil. 

I will be needing a few testers for my new ASB and shave soap made with the sea buckthorn and other extracts.  My current two ASB will remain in my store as the recipes are tested, tried and well liked.  The same goes for my other shaving soaps, they will remain, but this will give one more option.......   So if you are interested please drop me an email and let me know why you would like to be considered as a tester for me.  Results will need to be posted on the shave nook forum for all to see.  

2 New Jars For Shaving Soaps

This new jar arrived last week.   It is a generous 4 inches across and 2 inches tall.   I put my DdC shaving soap in it, that's my faux MdC version and when filled the contents not including the jar weighed a whopping 10 1/2 ounces!   Because it's so large you the customer gets to select if you want it filled with 5 oz, 6 oz, 7 oz, 8 oz, 9 oz or a full 10.5 ounces!  The base price is $17.00 and goes up $1.50 per ounce to a maximum of $25 dollars.

But I also found a jar I had used some years ago for my shaving soap.  So I'm going to bring it back.  I just ordered it today and it was shipped out today via UPS.  The tracking doesn't have an ETA yet.  But it's a bit smaller and I've filled it with 4+ ounces of shaving soap.  I took the one jar I found and filled it.  It's a bit over 3" in diameter and is commonly used by other soapers as well.

Here is a photo of the two jars side by side so you can see the difference!


Both of these jars will be used for my Tallow & Lanolin shaving soap as well as my DdC (faux MdC) shaving soap.  This way it gives you the buyer to decide what size jar you want as well as how full you want it filled.  The more I put into the jar the more you save.

Bottles and Jars ~ Jars and Bottles

Today I received two of the three orders that I've made recently. 

The first order contained the new bottles for my aftershave balm and also lotion.  They are malibu bottles, this means they sit upside down so take advantage of gravity to get most of the product out of the bottle as it empties with use
. 

The 2 oz bottles will be used for my aftershave balm while the 4 oz bottles will be for my lotions.   I didn't order the 6 oz but I do have a few down the basement yet although they have black caps.  But this is a stock picture that I found of the bottles that I purchased.


Then the second order that came today was for other purchased sample size bottles and jars.

I purchased some .5 oz bottles for pre-shave oil purchased samples.   These are white bottles with a flip top cap to dispense the product.  

The other bottle that came in that box is a white euro oval bottle.  They remind me of the shampoo bottles offered in some hotels.   They aren't as flexible as I would have hoped but I still think they will work quite nicely for samples of aftershave bottles.  The size I believe is .89 oz, so will see how much they will actually hold by weight of my aftershave balm.

  
Last but not least I also ordered regular 2 oz jars to purchased samples of shaving cream.  I also ordered 1 oz jars but they won't be here until next week.  But will see how much they hold by weight of my shaving cream once I do a sample fill.  As I know the cream doesn't have the same weight as it does volume for jars and the FDA requires products to be labeled by weight not volume.


I can't wait until next week when the rest of my order comes that is quite large with the majority of the bottles and jars that I purchased.  I hope you like the new PC look as well as the offering of free samples with purchase as well as the option to purchase samples before buying a full size product.

New Jars and Bottles Ordered !!!!! ~~~ and some great jars for samples

While I'm not out of my amber jars yet that I use for my tallow & lanolin shaving soap I came to realize awhile ago that the company that I ordered them from has discontinued most of their amber jars and bottles.  Well all of them that I use at least.

But because I was planning on ordering different jars for my DdC shaving soap that were a tad wider in diameter I decided to go ahead and order them to use for both shaving soaps.   Once the amber jars are used up I will transition to the white jars for my tallow and lanolin shaving soap.

But I also wanted my entire line to match I decided to order other white jars and bottles while I was at it.   But I will be keeping the red lettering with the prairie schooner wagon logo as it's very fitting to my business name and location to where I live.    Plus I just love that time era, although I wouldn't want to live with the hardships they had back then but I still love reading about it.

I ordered white 4 oz jars for my shaving creams.  To which I will be making more KISS shaving cream this week along with maybe a shea shaving cream as well for shea lovers.   But my tallow shaving cream is in stock. 

I also have had a number of requests for shave sticks as I use to offer them in the past.  So once again I will be offering shave sticks.  I went with the white push up tubes that have a screw on cap.  I've ordered these in the past and they are really nice tubes.   This is what they look like for those that are wondering.
 

I also ordered both 1 oz and 2 oz bottles for my pre-shave oil.  I decided to also offer this in 1 oz bottles.  It will have a flip top cap to make it easy to use.   For those that travel a bit of electrical tape wrapped around the cap will prevent it from leaking in transit.  Just a hint to throw out to anyone who travels with liquids.  The electrical tape won't leave a sticky residue on the bottle.

I also ordered 2 oz and 4 oz Malibu tubes.   The 2 oz will be used for aftershave balm and the 4 oz for lotion.  The nice thing about this type of container which I used in the past (but with black caps) is that you use gravity to your advantage to get every last bit of the contents out.   For those that travel a bit of electrical tape (which is very cheap) will keep it from leaking in transit without leaving residue on the bottle.  Just wrap it around the cap a few times to prevent the flip top part from opening by accident.  If you want to make double sure it doesn't open then while your wrapping it continue the wrap onto the body of the bottle.   This is how it will arrive to you in the mail to ensure it doesn't open while in transit.   
  

With all these new containers I will be looking at my prices to see if I need to adjust them based on the cost of my old containers VS the new ones.  But while I am looking at that I will also be looking at my cost of materials (ingredients) in how much their prices have increased since I set my prices some time ago.  


Last but not least I also ordered three smaller sized jars.......

I will continue to let the customer select their own free gift with purchase with a variety of items and scents to choose from but I am also going to add a selection of samples in larger sizes than the free ones that can be purchased.  That way people can select them for travel or new customers can select them to try my products out before buying a full size product. 


The 1/4 oz jar which is about 7 grams will be used for free samples of aftershave balm that can be selected as your free gift with purchase.

The 1/2 oz jar which is about 14 grams will be used for two things.  It will be used for shaving cream samples that can be selected as your free gift with purchase.   But  they will also be used for those that want to purchase samples of aftershave balm.   The purchased samples will have the option to have it made with the scent of the customers choice.

The 1 oz jar which is about 18 grams will be used for the purchased samples of shaving cream.  However the actual weight of the contents will be slightly less than 1 oz from.  I know this as my 4 oz jars by volume actually hold 3 oz of shaving cream nicely and could maybe accommodate a little more depending on the cream and it's age.   Recently whipped cream contains more air so it takes up more volume with less weight.  But the purchased samples will also have the option of the customer being able to select the scent of their choice.

For shaving soap free samples I cut up pucks to make those samples.  But I have just listed the option to purchase smaller mini-pucks as I call them.   I use my mold that has a diameter of 2.5 inches and they weigh about 38 grams when they are freshly made but once the excess liquid has evaporated out they will weigh about 28 grams or 1 ounce.  Customers can also select their scent of choice for these as well.
http://prairie-creations.com/shop/index.php?cPath=136

I do offer them as 1 mini-puck, 2 mini-pucks and 4 mini-pucks.  The price goes down per each mini-puck with the more you buy.  I decided to do this because someone might want to purchase multiple ones for travel or to try different scents out before deciding on a larger puck or a jar.   They are made individually just for you just like the larger puck.


Thank you to everyone who has purchased me in the past and those who will purchase in the future. 

 Krissy
   

Shipping Solutions.......

I've been hashing over the issue of offering free shipping for some time.   A lot of sites offer it, but I also wanted to do what was best for the customer. 

For awhile the first class shipping option on my site wasn't working.  That is what first started me to think about what to do for smaller orders.  All it took to get it back up and going again was to contact the USPS to let them know that the module was still being used and was needed.   I sure wish they had sent me notice of this fact before I sweated over it.    When it was down I was thinking the free shipping option may be the way to go for smaller orders.  

While free shipping really isn't free I would have had to adjust prices to pay for the shipping so I wasn't losing money on the small profit I do make on my items.   But that got me thinking about some customers who do order, four, six or more items at once!   That would be costing them more, and while the profit would have been nice for my pockets, I just wasn't comfortable with that fact. 

The flaw with first class postage is that packages must be 13 ounces or less to be mailed with those rates.   But on my website when I list an item, I enter a weight for that item.  The weight entered is that given item in for example as a general rule would be a bubble mailer envelope.    So when the carts adds up the weights to figure shipping costs, it also doubles up on the packaging material causing it to figure a package weight that is heavier than what it would be in reality.   Does that make sense? 

But I think I may have found an honest solution to the problem!   In looking on the admin pages of my website, I came across a bit of information that wasn't with the shipping information.   In another part I could enter what is known as a tare weight.   This means I can enter the weight of the bubble mailer that I typically use for first class packages, and then adjust the weights for each item listed.  For each item listed I would not enter the weight as the shipping weight with the packaging used but as the actual weight of the item without any packaging.    So when the cart figures shipping it will add up the actual weights of the items in it, add the tare weight which is the bubble mailer and it will have a more accurate shipping weight.   Then if the package is 13 ounces or less the customer can select if they want their package mailed first class or priority mail flat rate.  I have added a handling fee to the cost first class postage to cover the cost of shipping materials used.  But that is typical of most companies as well.   But it's still cheap first class postage! 

It seems like a win-win for everyone!   

So over the next week or two I will be working on adjusting all the weights listed for all the items in my store!  

Awhile ago I also reduced my flat rate shipping from $7.50 to $6.75 so I hope that's appreciated as well.   This way I have the same $1.50 handing fee to both first class and priority mail rates which goes towards the cost of packaging materials, labels and tape.  But also toward credit card or paypal fee's when orders are placed as well as the general cost to keep my website up and running.

I also have added free shipping on orders $75 or more!  

I'm considering offering Free Shipping, What Are Your Thoughts?

I'm thinking of offering FREE SHIPPING on my website and I wanted to get some feedback from customers before I did anything.   I really would appreciate any feedback you might have on the subject before a final decision is made.  So take the time and use the comment section or drop me an email letting me know your opinions.   


While Free Shipping is a nice term, the reality is that it's really not free.  The shipper regardless of who the company is, being USPS, UPS or Fedex needs to be paid before they will take the package and deliver it to the address on the package.   If I did this then I would need to increase the price of each item to cover the cost of the shipping.   The amount added would be based on the packaging used to mail the product as well as the postage rate for that package for first class postage and a small handling fee to cover the other stuff.  Tape, labels and printer ink etc.   I would include the cost of the packaging material because that is something I would need to purchase for first class postage.   Priority mail packages I get from the post office however if you have purchased from me you may need a knife to get into it.  I do take the time to cover the entire package with clear packing tape.  I do this to prevent from the contents inside from poking through the package materials.  Especially for the boxes that fit into the flat rate legal envelope.

With the free shipping option the package would be mailed first class or priority mail depending on the weight of the items/package. 

I've had a poll up on my website for some time now and the results are 8 say yes and 5 say no.

I do see both sides of the coin with this option.  It really makes it nice for the buyer who wishes to purchase just one or two items, but it's not as cost effective for someone who buys multiple items.   Especially if the items are mailed flat rate which 99% of my orders do fit into a flat rate options which costs approximately $5.25 on average give or take depending on the type of smaller flat rate used.  They do vary by I think .20 or so for some of the small flat rate options.  I don't use the larger flat rate too often, and when I do it's because of a larger order and I absorb the different in price from what is charged and the postage paid.

One of the issues with first class postage is that packages must be 13 ounces or less to be mailed this way.  But when multiple items are purchase it combined the weight that I enter for the item.  That weight is the weight of the item in it's package when it's ready to be mailed. So when multiple items are purchased it doesn't know that there is extra weight figured in for packaging not being used.  Does that make sense?  I have returned first class postage to my site.  I needed to update my account with them as I've been using it for quite a number of years.  But that has been done now.

However in looking at the new cart that my site will be transferring to, I may be able to enter a tare weight.  This means that that is the package weight so I can enter product weights as they actually are.  Which may by pass the issues of that extra packaging figured in as stated above.  I'm not changing companies for my site, but my gal is working on this right now for me.  And it should be finished in the next week or two.   I'm making the change because of Chinese "hackers" trying to access my site and using up a lot of bandwidth I sometimes have down time towards the end of the month.  So this will be a much better cart and will help with that issues.   But there are several other perks to this site such as being able to use a point system with items purchased which can go towards free stuff on your next purchase!    You can see the new site here but it's not ready to go yet as it's still being worked on. http://prairie-creations.com/pc/index.php     

I would like to be able to get shipping down as much as possible.  I know when I buy online and because of where I live I do that on a regular basis!  I don't like to pay more for shipping than I have to and I know how frustrating to know your being ripped off on shipping because I know the costs.

So I'm trying to think of various options, that my customers would like to see.   

Currently I offer first class postage for smaller packages, plus I have reduced my flat rate (priority mail) shipping price from $7.50 to $6.75 so that's a .50 cent drop!   And I have currently added free shipping on orders over $75 as well. 

New Scents Added To The Drop Down Options

I've added some new scents to the drop down options on my website.   I thought these would be scents that you would enjoy.   There are others that I bought in smaller quantities to test out that I plan on adding at a later date.

But these have just been added to my store for all to enjoy........


In Masculine Scents............

Forrest Pine ~
The pure pine scent you love for the holidays – Christmas trees in the snow. This is clean and energizing; breathe deep, and imagine you’re in the woods on a snowy evening.

Homme L'Occitane type ~
A masculine blend of lavender, nutmeg, cinnamon, tonka bean and musk.



In Floral Scents...........

Frangipani ~
The Hawaiian floral – a lush sweet tropical flower. This is a strong clean floral that is unique and loved by many.

Scottish Heather ~
A delicate floral that will send you back to the Scottish moors. Imagine standing in a field of this delicate flower as the mist rises – relaxing and fragrant.

Orange Blossom ~
 A bit of orange (just a squeeze!) with a bold, clean white floral top note.

 Ylang-Ylang ~
 The ultimate floral, soft and sweet with a note of jasmine. Considered a potent aid to romance!

Tassi Lavender ~
A beautiful lavender scent.   Tassi Lavender is a fragrance oil rendition of the Tasmanian Lavender Essential Oil. A clean lavender scent with a very floral profile. While there are undertones of herbs and wood, the primary notes are sweet, soft florals. Fine lavender can be somewhat ozone-like in a clean sense, certainly not medicinal or camphoric. You may know these types of scents as flower garden duplications.




Other Scents............

Country Spice ~
Fresh spices, from the tang of clove to the warmth of cinnamon – a baker’s dream.

Milk & Honey ~
Creamy, fresh white scent (mmm…milk!) and sweet honey straight from the comb. A perfect, farm-fresh mix.

Huckleberry ~
This is a powerful berry blend that will always be reminiscent of Grandma's homemade preserves.   * Caution: Be careful using this one in bear country.

NOW 2 Sizes For Shaving Pucks!

I have brought back the larger diameter puck of shaving soap!  It's been added to my website already.

They both will have the same weight but the difference is in the diameter of each puck.

The small puck has a diameter of about 2.5" across while the large puck has a diameter of 3" across.  While that might not seem much to some, it may to some depending on how they use their puck or store it.

I've taken the following photo so you can see the difference........ 

This option is available on my aloe and the beer Tallow and Lanolin Shaving Soap.  Plus my savings listings where you can save 10% when you buy a puck and ASB set, as well as the set of four pucks. 


I have made 6 larger pucks and listed them in my RTS (ready to ship) section for Aloe Tallow & Lanolin Shaving Soaps.  They are as follows........

Rosemary Mint 
Home grown garden rosemary mingling  with cool peppermint and spearmint  leaves makes for a very awakening combination of herbs and mint.

Mayan Magic
Fresh orange and crisp aldehyde lead to a warm blend of woods and musk to create this sensual fragrance. Hints of rose are balanced with patchouli, cedar wood and sandalwood for warmth. A highly textured blend of musk notes is sweetened with hints of vanilla for the fragrance signature.

Cool Citrus Basil
This is a zesty and clean fragrance infused with cool citrus and fresh basil leaves. Refreshing and Energizing! A Bath and Body Works type fragrance.

Clubman
Reminiscent of the old time barbershop because it was a common product used by barbers. This is bursting with top notes of orange, bergamot and mouth-watering lemon with green nuances throughout. The floral heart of jasmine, orange flower and geranium dance with lavender and is completed with a warm musk background.

Oak Leaves & Acorns
Rustic pine, wild violets and fall leaves are the center of this intriguing new scent.

Black Cherry
An extremely strong aroma of ripened sweet black cherries.