IMPORTANT warning to all soapmakers out there - please read

Hi there everyone in the soap world.  I received this warning today and decided that it was important enough to put straight on the blog.  I have had a couple of similar requests too, seemingly very flattering, they want your product shipped out to Hong Kong, Poland, China etc. and ask what payment options you accept.  They want you to take credit cards so that they can make a payment in full, you send the goods and they then cancel the payment so you are left with nothing!  Delete them or just let them know that you accept direct BACS or bank transfers only.

If you have any examples of this kind of thing do let Elizabeth know, the more information the better.  Thank you.

Dear Member, It has come to my attention that several members of the European Directory of Soap and Cosmetics Makers have been contacted by someone from South Korea claiming to want to buy soaps and other items. I believe this might be a scam and would like to warn all members to be wary if contacted. I'm in the process of gathering more information, and would appreciate input from all members. If you have been contacted about sending products to South Korea, or anywhere else, and feel unsure about the transaction, please let me know. Kind regards, Elizabeth Carnahan www.soapmakers.eu An official communication from The European Directory of Soap & Cosmetics Makers The European Directory of Soap & Cosmetics Makers 146 Glasgow Road • Longcroft • Stirlingshire • FK4 1QL • United Kingdom Email: sales@soapmakers.eu • Web: www.soapmakers.eu

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR UK AND EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION

I am so excited to be able to pass on this great news!  It seems everything has been happening all at once for me.  I know that is often the case but it has left me a little bit breathless and a little bit scared too, if I'm being honest.

Naturally Made Soaps is branching out.....  I already distribute soaps to outlets in France, Germany and Spain and that is going nicely, all the people receiving my soaps in these countries say that they are being received very, very well and, now that I have my fab new workshop set up (see this post), I am ready to take it one step further.

I have been asked many times if I offer opportunities for distribution of my soaps and I have always hesitated, my workshop was too small, I didn't have the curing space and I just felt unsure if I was ready.  

My Wedding work has been going well, I have been lucky enough to receive some great orders from brides wanting my soaps as favors both cupcakes and Soap Bar Minis, the website is ticking along nicely also I have had such fun with Farmers Markets and other direct selling opportunities.  I now feel ready........

Launching the new NMS Portugal range is the beginning of the European expansion.  If you have not had a look yet, click the link and let me know what you think.  I still plan to make my soaps by hand from start to finish and on a small scale to ensure a high quality and a consistently beautiful finish.  Although my products are my own and I am not currently making soaps for anyone else I am very happy to talk to distributors who might be interested in Naturally Made Soaps coming up with custom blends and soaps that suit their own country and culture - just like  NMS Portugal There would be a minimum order quantity for this service though.

I think its probably good to give yourself butterfly's once in a while and push the boundaries - what do you think?  It is all part of my marketing strategy for this year so I'm not doing anything I had not planned for in advance - still, makes the old ticker beat a bit!!