As If I Don't Have Enough To Worry About

This bill, The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010' (H.R. 5786), was introduced this week by Democrat Representatives Scharkowsky (Illinois), Markey (Massachusetts) and Baldwin (Wisconsin). You can read all 47 pages here. It has not been voted on yet, and I need your help. Please don't support this legislation. It may be well-meaning but is written in such a way that I won't be able to stay in business because I won't be able to keep up with the requirements.

Here are the reasons I, and other business owners in the handmade sector, do not support the bill.

1. The cosmetic industry, which includes my soap, has a huge variety of choice for customers. It is already illegal to not show contact information and ingredients on labels. That makes this bill unnecessary.

2. This bill would handicap small manufacturing businesses, that would be ME! I would not be able to keep up with the reporting requirements! I am a one woman show!

3. The reporting requirements would ask your annual sales, number of employees and even the names and addresses of your vendors. I must have over 100 vendors, some I buy ONE small ingredient from, but they are the only ones to carry it.

4. 'Detectable' trace elements must be included on labels. Since almost everything is detectable, labeling will be confusing to end consumers (even more than it is already). So, "Water" on a label would look like "Aqua, Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Nickel, Silver, Zinc" (boy I would hate to see the label I would have to print, our water is well water and our county is all ag, I bet there is enough methane to blow up the state!).

5. Ingredients that are considered carcinogenic when ingested (eaten) will be unable to be used in skin care products. You can still eat them, you just could not put them on your skin. Like an apple, they contain small amount of cyanide, so you can eat them but they could not go into a face mask.

6. While I use a basic soap formula that took me years to develop to perfection :) I like to experiment. This morning I made a soap with Cocoa Butter, 5 Fold Vanilla Essential Oil, and dark Cocoa Powder. With the new bill ingredient listing and registration information must be listed for each and every cosmetic, soap, lotion and potion made up, it does not allow for changing of formulas without creating a paperwork nightmare.

7. There is no full exemption for small businesses, who often are on a strict budget to bring their creations to you, for an affordable price.

SierraSnowSoaps opposes this draft legislation as written. Please help by writing your Representative opposing this legislation as it is currently written (not sure who your Rep is? Click here to find out!). Let them know you do not support a bill that will affect so many in the handmade Bath and Body industry.

Thank you!
SierraSnowSoaps

We Are So Blessed

Thank you for all your prayers. Yesterday our girl came home! She was gaining weight, her temperature was holding steady, her breathing was fine. Why did it take so long for her to come home? A funny little thing most of us do not think of, it just comes naturally. She had to drink, swallow, AND breathe, all at the same time. Sounds easy, but not when you are born pre mature. That is something that comes along in the 34-36th week. Thank you for all your prayers. It is hard to see good friends going through hard times and I think your prayers helped our friends during their trying times.

Moving Can Be Traumatic On Animals

We moved into the new house and I am sorry to report the animals are not taking it well. They are nervous, scared and just can't relax, and I worry about them.

This is nervous.


This is scared.


And this is just can't relax.



I did find time to deliver my Dog Shampoo Bar to Max's Pet Supply. They told me what they Essential Oils they wanted and I created an exclusive soap for their shop. You can find it here.

Max's Pet Supplies
1363 US Hwy 395 #4
Gardnerville, NV 89410
ph: (775) 782-8088
fax: (775) 782-8083

When Is A Supplier Not Just A Place To Buy Oil?

When they are having a contest, that's when!

Cibaria Soap Supply is having a fantastic contest with some fabulous prizes and I want to win them!
It is the
Cibaria Soap Supply’s Summer Contest.
You get points by passing the word and posting in several places.

The prizes are

First Prize: Free Consultation w/ a Veteran Web Designer and Internet Marketer on how to spice up your website (or start one), track your website visitors, and how to market your brand online! Get Ideas, suggestions, and build a powerful brand!

Second Prize: 35 Lbs of high quality Pomace Olive Oil

Third Prize: $5.00 OFF Of your next Order at Cibaria Soap Supply!

You can get full details here.

Cibarias Soap Supply's Summer Contest.

I first ordered from Cibaria a couple of years ago.

Their web site is so easy to navigate and they just have some of the best prices on oils. I loved that the shipping did not cost me an arm and a leg. I just wish I lived closer so I could pick up my oils. What a savings that would be! I have used their Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, and Olive Oil. They come in 5 gallon pails but the best part is they also box them up so there is not extra shipping charges for the pails. Isn't that silly when the pails cost more than a box? I do think the boxes are easy to carry and stack, so thanks Cibaria!

Check them out on Facebook and Twitter!

Tell them Michelle at SierraSnowSoaps sent you! :)

Here are a few pictures of soap made with oils purchased from them.
You can purchase them here.

Father's Day 2010

My family is spending this Father's Day working on an old 1983 Ford 3/4 ton pickup truck we are trying to sell. It has been sitting for a year so we are gassing and cleaning and changing whatever needs to be changed. I say we because my husband, daughter and myself are all part of the process. Everyone expects the dude of the family to work on cars but I have worked on cars all my life. I am teaching my 16 year old daughter to do the same. And where did I learn how to work on cars?

Why my dad!

My mom and dad did not believe in gender duties or tasks. For Mother's Day my dad would buy my mom


a new pipe wrench. For Father's Day he got a new vacuum. Before any of us kids (and there were 5) could get our driver's license we had to be able to change a tire. Or better yet, rotate all 4. My daughter can change a tire, because I taught her how. She will never be stuck out in the middle of nowhere, scared and not knowing what to do, because she has changed lots of tires. My daughter also checks her air pressure, changes her oil, checks her coolant, fills her washer fluid, and does not think that is a big deal. She also knows enough about how an engine works that when she has to go to a mechanic she will NOT be clueless.

I owe a lot to my dad. One time I told him that every time we get a little money ahead, something breaks. He said "No, every time something breaks, you have extra money." He always looks at the half full cup, never the half empty. Because of him (and you mom)


I try not to sweat the small stuff. Things will always work out, somehow. My family has gone through a lot of things in the last 40 years or so, both financial and medical. How your parents handle the problems of life teaches the children how to handle the same things that might happen later in their lives. Thanks to my folks, I feel like I can handle just about anything.

Happy Father's Day dad. I love you.

Markleeville Art Gallery Grand Opening

Yup, you guessed it. I put a soap display in another gallery. They are located in beautiful Downtown Markleeville. The owner is Evelyn Yonker, artist. She makes some of the most beautiful fiber art ever.




The gallery is located at 14841 Hwy 89, Markleeville, Ca. Hours will be 11 am to 5:30 pm. Friday through Tuesday, closed Wednesday and Thursday. Phone is 530-694-2782.


Items available are original paintings and prints in oils, pastel, watercolors and acrylic. There will be photography, greeting cards, sculpture, pottery, hand painted silk, jewelry, and books from local authors.


Some of the artists include Pam Brekas


JoAnne Wood


Lorraine Felix
and of course SierraSnowSoaps


The Grand Opening is Saturday. Take a drive and visit the wonderful town of Markleeville.

When is a heater not a heater? When it is covered by fine art!


A bit about Markleeville.
With the Sierra Nevada mountain range seperating Alpine county seat Markleeville and Woodfords from the rest of California they have developed a close association with Western Nevada. Jacob Marklee established a toll bridge across the Carson River in 1861 during the silver mining boom and the town served as a supply and shipping center for mining, lumber and local ranches. When the mines shut down Markleeville assumed the county seat and today is home to a mix of local, state and federal government employees, ranging from the U.S. Forest Service to the state highway department, and small businesses catering to the tourist trade and visitors to the nearby Grover Hot Springs State Park.
During the winter months, the community is only accessible from the north via Highway 88 & 89, as both Monitor Pass* and Ebbett's Pass close for the season due to heavy snow.

I Am Putting Soap Into A New Store

I put a soap display into a shop in Gardnerville the other day.


Heartstrings Gallery Gifts
1572 US Highway 395
Minden NV 89423
Phone: 775-781-0861

Long-time artist Lee Lewis opened the shop in October of 2009 in the Copeland Center site that now is home to the Arts Council. She makes and sells her own work: silk scarves and ties, jewelry, wall hangings, mosaics, hand painted glassware, candles and original watercolors and prints.


Her partner is photographer Rich Farrar.


She features several other artists.
Laura Burt shows her glass art and fused, leaded, etched and stained glass.


Kim Johnston shows her ceramics and pottery.


And now there is me.


The store is bright and the colors are brilliant. It makes you happy just walking into the door. And now it smells good, too! Lee has the eye when it comes to decorating. The store flows from one treasure to the next. It draws you in, you know there will be another delight to the eyes right around the corner. I am so happy to be here.


As with all the shops I put my soap in, this one is community friendly too! We all believe in shop local and support your local businesses and friends. This is Lee donating a painting to the DAWG representative for their fundraiser. I love our no-kill pet shelter and try to support them any way I can.


Lee will have the shop open for Carson Valley Days, so stop in and say hello!

Heartstrings Gallery Gifts
1572 US Highway 395
Minden NV 89423
Phone: 775-781-0861