Contests!

It is so much fun to enter contests that showcase your talent and abilities! I entered my handcrafted soap business,  Sonoran Scents from the Heart, in a contest put on by Lion & Rose Handmade Soaps. I was so hoping to win the first prize which was a copy of the new book by Anne Marie Faiola of Brambleberry, titled, "Soap Crafting". I did win 3rd prize, however, which was a Calendula Cleansing Bar, created using a soap recipe in the book! I may just have to order my own book! :) It sounds really helpful in that it has all the tips, techniques, recipes, calculations, and everything a soapmaker would ever want, wrapped up into one book!

Lovely Calendula Cleansing Bars made by Lion & Rose Handmade Soap, my 3rd prize!!

Another contest I've entered is the "American Made Contest", put on by Martha Stewart. It's a fantastic way to award the entrepreneurship of American artisans and small businesses. The top award is $10,000 to further their business and a free trip for two to New York City for an American Made workshop! Their business will also be featured on MarthaStewart.com. I would really like to win this! Starting up a home business is very expensive and a bit of a gamble that others will like what you've produced well enough to buy it. 

To vote for "Sonoran Scents from the Heart", please click on this link: Martha Stewart's American Made Contest.  Anyone can vote up to six times each day until September 22, 2013. You can also see all the details about the contest and vote for other crafters as well. 

It is very difficult to sell handmade crafts from your home. Many times, you are the owner, purchaser, secretary, producer, business promoter, and seller. You make daily choices that you hope others will appreciate well enough to purchase your artistic creation for their own. Many times, the handcrafted item is much more unique, creative, beautiful, and healthy than anything you could quickly buy at a lesser price at a discount store. We just hope people can see and appreciate the difference. 

Handmade (Prickly Pear Soap)

VS.

Commercially, mass-produced Soap

The contests are so fun to enter and its very wonderful to know that there are awards for making things by hand! The biggest awards, however, are all of the personal letters written by customers, telling me how much they love my soaps, shower soap favors, and gift baskets!