Fresholi | Melting Pot Café

Hi all, just joined today, been making soap for one whole week now!  Sooo  excited.  Okay, info appreciated from all members please.  I have been surfing the web like crazy and struggle to find molds and a single site that has it all.  Sooo ..  had an idea.  I want to import molds from wherever, and the hardware etc that all goes with it.  and start my own e-business selling to home crafters etc.  Not into the oils and frangrances yet, there are a lot of sites like fresholi etc doing it anyway so dont want to steal business - but compliment it!

Question - good or silly idea?  How do you think a soaping accessories site will go down - stacks of molds, cutters, jugs, thermometers, bla bla..

Other than that - my coffee grounds soap is busy hardening, the M&P i tried is sweating glycerin like mad :( , and my lavender is already in the shower - could not wait for it to fully harden!  Whooppeee !

ok...lol - what an intro!!

One thing we are always on the hunt for is packaging. Tins, jars, bottles, boxes etc. Many sites on the internet do them, but you'll find one bottle here and a box there and it is always very time consuming and frustrating at times.

Molds and cutters would be great too, speak to Corrie, I think her husband makes them?

Importing sounds great, but it is a whole load of headache with customs, taxes and regulations.

Oh - and welcome here!

Welcome to the forum.

In theory it is a good idea, but...you would have to have lots of storage, and plenty of variety. We are always on the lookout for something a little different (at least I am) and it would be nice to find it under one roof.

As MP says you would need to check the costs of importing very carefully. The shipping costs would be high and customs are a pain to deal with. Don't rush into it, and do your homework.

Hi and WElcome. I third the above and my two pennorth is theres always peoplre looking for different silicone moulds. We dont have the variety here they have in the states

Hello and welcome aboard!

When you've made a few posts you'll see the Packaging boards - and discover that packaging is a headache for most of us - but we don't all have the same headache.

Some sites do offer accessories as well as soap ingredients - your best bet would be to take a good look round and see what's already there.

hey girls ( presume you all are)
Wow what a great welcome from you all.
Okay - up on the road to sourcing molds already, some FAB ones in China, from silicone manuf.   idea is to get in the nice ones, not std run of the mill stuff.  packaging, gimme ideas.  got organza bags, cotton bags, wood and bamboo slat soap bar holders.

oh - who is Corrie - how do i ask her anything.? ;)

importing - get an agent, preferably Chinese who knows the ropes - which i do have thank goodness!!  he is there right now and hopefully will bring me back some samples!

All tips. ideas would be gratefully accepted.  I am pretty determined to do this - putting all the supplies under one roof - and tons of links to home soap makers to sell / advertise their finished product from.

Hi and welcome. :hi:

Eire

Ta Eire, so  nice to find a board that has friendly m embers!

Thanks MP - will look into the packaging options.  will try find some pics and see if i can figure how to put an image on here, and get members response to them as to a thumbs up or down !!

Sounds great I hope it works out for you. Welcome  :buttrf:

EJ - just had a look around and did not see a packaging board - can you point  me in the direction please?

wow Scribe, sounds like you are already well on your way. We are all looking for packaging at one time or another, but be warned, we are all looking for different things!! We will soon make your hair go grey and then fall out...

Organza bags are good, but not that difficult to find. How about cotton/hemp bags? I am currently trying to source those, happy if they are made from bamboo as well, as long as they are not see-through like organza, but breathable I am fine...

Have a look over at Papermart in the US, they very often have just the thing I am looking for, but, of course, don't ship to the UK and aren't exactly cheap either.

Welcome aboard scribe! In everyone's excitement about getting their hands on all the goodies you might import, I can't believe noone's asked to see pics of the things you make! We love pictures! Look forward to hearing all about your business.  :buttrf:

I am waiting for pictures of gorgeous and just-the-right-size packaging  :mwaha:

Hi Naked - no pics of what i made yet - just been sooo excited with the stuff and busy drying it - never thought of taking a pic of the stuff.  will make amends and take some pics, then try figure how to post on here!

MP - found jute bags in China, and cotton baggies too...  how do i put a pic on here?

if the picture is small, download it to your PC and then under your post, you see additional options, click that and you cna see where to upload.

If it is larger, upload to Flickr and link from there

Cotton bag
 
Material
100% cotton with 110 to 220G,Canvac, Jute, Liene,T/C &CVC Fabrics etc..
Various sizes are available
Drawstring ; Tassels , ribbons , China knotted cord ( rattail ) , twist cord

 More than 50 colors , such like White , Ivory , Gold , Silver , Lavender , Black , Red , Pink , Baby Maize , Moss Green , Royal Blue , Navy Blue ,  Lt. Blue , Purple , Wine , Rose , Lt. Pink , Old Willow , Toffee , Emerald , Celery , Lime , Smoke Blue , Lt. Silver , Brown

oh, and by the way, as much as I love China, I support local businesses. I know Chinese companies are offering incredible deals if you are able to take 10k of something, but also have a look locally, many factories here also make the same things. Marginally more expensive, but no customs and shipping charges and no import limits.

Bah humbug - how do I put a pic on her MP?  just tried to post a pic of a jute baggie!

under your post on the left hand side, click on "additional Options" - then you see at the bottom "Attach", chose the file on your PC and upload.

Like this - these are favour bags made from Hemp Fabric, as I said before, Cotton or Bamboo is fine by me as well

You won't see it until you've made 25 (or maybe it's 50 - I can never remember) posts.

Sorry 'bout that and I can't do anything about it - you can go and "ooh" & "aahh" at a few topics in Show Offs - or find something you can relate to on the other boards which are open to you.

okay - lets see if this pic works

Hello and welcome  - mainly girls but not exclusively so - the odd bloke is allowed in from time to time (if we behave) :mwaha:

that doesn't look bad - what size is it, and how strong is the Jute smell?

Whoopie - managed it, ta girl.
I totally agree with trying to keep things local, my personal preference as well.  But to be honest, getting the business up and running, seeing the demand on items is the first.  once i have a demand on an item, i can then source local suppliers to it, or encourage local home crafter to make it for me.

That is the joy of this site as well, i can post the item and see if anyone will take up making it for resale!

LOL... Scott, how cool is that !  a man who knows how to behave.   Handy to know ;)

Now  MP - I know chicks are magic and can achieve so much in a small space of time, but totally magic i am not - sadly.
Still looking to source these - i have the manuf. and have send inquiries off to them - eagerly await response.
They do jute, unbleached cotton, bleached cotton, printing on the bags, choice of draw strings and sizes are various so I would need ideas from  members of what is a good all round size.  I thought one to take a loaf slice should be sufficient?

Hi Scribe and welcome to the forum.  You sound really enthusiastic!!   :)

I look forward to chatting more with you around the boards.  :buttrf:

Thanks Helen, so glad i have joined up here.  I have spent a week or more doing research into th e UK soapie scene, and was getting a little fazed when I could not find what i was looking for.  Joined 3 US boards etc and have to confess, first time was on fresholi site did not see the forum link, or would have joined a week ago.

that being said - am here now to bug you all with ideas and comments!!

you survived the US boards? Wow!! Well done  :mwaha:

Gosh - fast paced, you are!

Welcome and good luck with your business, I'll keep an eye on for what you'll be supplying.  :buttrf:

Hi and welcome!  :buttrf:

I must say I'm having trouble keeping up with you.  :mwaha:

fast paced, well yea.  When i get a bee in my bonnet I tend to go all out for it.  already have the idea for the layout of the web design, I hate doing website building so will have to nag a contact on that one.

Ideas members ..  c'mon throw your pennies in the pot.   Names please....

The Soap Makers Handbasket....

Bee's Soaping Supplies ....

Soap and Stuff .....

Votes, and alternative suggestions  muchly appreciated..

If it's silicone moulds you're looking for, why not try making your own?  Not sure where you are but I know of one place which does a course on how to make your own - not sure if I'm allowed to post a link?
Anne

hello scribe! keen as mustard I would say!!  hope to catch up with you soon. I am always having trouble finding exactly the thing I want, and usually have to make do with 'nearly'.  moulds, cutters & splitters are also hard to come by this side of the pond.

Hi Abrit,  Nope dont wanna make my own.  Objective is to sell them, lots and lots of them to all you soapies out there.  I can source the liquid silicone at the right spec to make our own moulds, but they are really for a one off mould.  making to sell will really req. production line to get lots of one kind.
Liq. silicone you can use to make a one off mould, say a friend or client wants wedding favors and you design one specially for them, make the soaps and give them the mold at the end of the day.  Or kiddies birthday with a name etc.

~Cheers Andy, thanks for the good wished.  gonna need them I think!

Retro - just LOVE your pic.    Yes, cutters, crinkle and straight, and double handled are all on the list, along with beveling tools, miter boxes and thermometers.

You just need to let me know what items i am missing  -  but guess you can only do that once i get the site up and you can see what i got, eh.
ho hum ... wish things happened as fast as i think.
my word doc and excel sheet are full, as is the brain of ideas, product etc.

What fun!   ;D

it sounds brilliant! I am looking forward to your website!

Can I recommend Kevin on here? He is a whizz kid with Zen Cart, if that's what you are after.

Hi

Wow I don't think I will be able to keep up with you   :mwaha:

Welcome to the forum.   :buttrf:

kevin and Corrie you mentioned.  now how exactly do i find them?
guess there must be a members list or something...

Course you can keep up Hayley - type as fast as you think, and  have mutiple windows open on google search engine so you can post on here, source at the same time and email overseas manuf.   Hey - chicks multi task, remember!

Hi Scribe & welcome! 

I'm always thinking, oh I wish I could get this or that in the uk...now someone is asking I can't think of anything!!   :mwaha:

I seem to remember a few people wishing for nice make-up containers & packaging, like lipstick containers, mascara tubes etc.  The limited range of make-up packaging that is available tends to look a bit naff and boring.  oh and something which I had trouble finding lately was boxes for soap bars.

 :mwaha:

Hi vanilla, actual boxes for soap bars?  These would need to be plain, and you would need to decorate / print yourself as there is no way in wholesale i could stock specific to your design etc.  they do tend to be a bit on the dear side i have noticed, compared to baggies.  but can look into boxes.

never seen mascara tubes, but lipstick tubes yup - they are in a plain white though

There are loads of make-up container suppliers in China. Example:

http://www.cosmeticpackagingcn.com/Lipstick_Case.htm (http://www.cosmeticpackagingcn.com/Lipstick_Case.htm)

Eire

oh yeah sorry I did mean plain boxes for bars, not custom designed ones.  All I wanted was a plain white box but I could not find one in the shape/size I needed. 

I think for packaging, there is a need for more variety and some higher quality ranges.  We were all oohing & aahing over a french site recently as it had some really nice, classy, posh bottles and jars.  Most of the uk suppliers all sell the same thing, there's not much choice.

Golly gosh. This is a fast growing thread. Welcome Scribe, thats some enthusiasm you have there!

Thanks Alphya,  it is exhilarating isn't it.   (thanks goodness for spell check on this thing!)

Vanilla - so by your comment, can I presume it is not always a cost issue - cheap plain and simple is not always the call.  There is equally a demand out there for the more expensive - within reason - but different, posh, upmarket and smooth?


Eire - ta will take a peek at the site.  Have to admit, never gave the cosmetics packaging a thought at all.  was just thinking soap!  thanks all for that tip!
 :buttrf:

Welcome to Fresholi and lots of luck with your business idea, it really has legs.

IMO, I think you should look at getting things from the China sure, but you should also contact USA large soaper supply companies and obtain stock from them, give them a cut etc until you have a year or so under your belt. The USA have access to cutters etc,you could do a deal with the tank people and supply europe etc.

Hi Sidewalk
Yes, i have found a few US suppliers that seem reasonable, most are jolly dear!  Tank people?  tell me more...

I found crinkle cutters for UDS 2.78  for instance...  would have to add in shipping and a wee profit of course...

Wow Eire - those are really nice products!  have saved the link to the site, thanks

Sorry, I didnt explain, For crafts sake (fcs) make imo one of the best cutters out there, the commercial machine is called the tank, the costs to ship it to the UK are a bit pricey, but not totally crazy, I think if you would to speak to them or someone like that company and do a massive order or something,lots of soapers in europe would purchase them from you. There are lots of other things you could import and make a profit on from the states, there are new things in the USA that us UK soapers do not have access to.

Question people.  what size batch is the most popular?  ie what size loaf mould is the best to get, something that will take a 1KG batch.
I am seeing different sizes of moulds out there, so what is the standard or most preferred size?

Oh - and nobody has commented on the names ideas :(   please give input...

Yes personally I would like to have more choice, I don't necessarily just want to sell my products in the cheapest, most basic packaging available.  I think atm even if you are prepared to pay a bit more, most of the suppliers get their packaging from the same wholesalers, it is all the same.  Often many of us end up using the same packaging for our products, as there's so few options!  (Although obviously everyone's labelling & style makes things look different.)

I agree about considering getting stuff from the US too- they have loads of great things over there!

Sidewalk, got you now.  will try find tank online unless U have a link to the machine you are talking about specifically so i know got the right one!
That is what i am hoping to achieve - getting in the stuff here that soapers want but can only find in the states and like places.
then, with everyone posting in there "i want want on these .."  we can build it up and get all the stuff here we could possibly want!

I would be relying on input from soapers of course - i am too new at the process to know what is needed or wanted fully here... just my research showed that the cool stuff was not locally.

Hi Scribe,
Welcome  :hi:

I'm another one always looking at packaging & drooling over things like tank cutters, & I've recently been spending far too much on silicone moulds from the far east!

Can't wait to see what goodies you come up with.

Sally x

Sorry, here is the link :) http://www.forcraftssake.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_8&products_id=20

Its the commercial quick cutter, you can check out all the other bits and bobs they have on there also. :)

Hmmm...  my google of tank cutter was not successful, unless it is a thingie with a screw on one end!
you looking for something like this widget?  US$300 unshipped?

lol...ta Sidewalk, i gotta stop taking things literally - learn to read between the lines....  will check now

yup, thats the one!!

well least FCS is cheaper than the other one i found.    goodie - no idea why i cannot bring those in, although shipping will be a bit on the heavy side here girls.  Weight factor will apply, and no way to airfreight this will have to be by seafreight due to weight.
only way to keep the costing down.

Righto - sending off an enquiry right now to them re bringing in some stock and seeing how far can twist their arms on discounts and wholesale pricing...

they do lots of other goodies too, but their HDPE Log Mold design isn't that good, it's the same as mine and makes it difficult to get soap out if it is a bit soft.

cool -  oh - are soapers looking for things like cinamon sticks, dried fruit slices, celophane wrap, jute twine and raffia twine, wood or bamboo soap holders etc as part of the packaging range - or is that stuff all easy to get anyways?

For some accessories it might be worth remembering that you will be in competition with some of the big guys - specialist packaging sounds good though

okay  peeps..   going to take the cat out for it's evening game of chasing earthworms and make a cup of coffee - will check in again soon with updates and ideas!

Thanks so much to all of you for the warm welcome and contributions so far!
Don't stop!

sleep well all of U.

I just thought of something - PVC downpipes from the US...lol...sounds funny, but they seem to have all sorts of funky designs and shapes for them, not just plain old round....and they do them in several different sizes.

Goodness, what a whirlwind!

I was looking before for squeezy tubes, the sort you use for handcream - soft plastic.  

For something like a soap cutter, it might be better value to commission a local carpenter to make them to order - then you're supporting local business too.  

Welcome btw!

okay - adding pvc pipes to the list of to try find!  Ta MP

Hiya honey,  squeeze tubes added to the list as well !!

You'd need a hot crimper to seal the ends.

EJ, do those things for shrink wrap work ? Or a GHD?

No - a hot crimper is hotter/tougher than the heat sealer you'd use for shrinkwrap, not sure what you mean by a GHD though.

That is a great idea, maybe have a chat with  Eire also about molds also.

Oh my goodness, your on full throttle, love your style, so enthusiastic, love it :buttrf: I can't wait to see what you get to look at too, do you ever sleep? your head must be in a whirl.  I wish you good luck :buttrf:  Oh and were's the spell check on here, I can't find it, certainly need it too? :mwaha:

Shell

 :hhijjack:

Thers a spel Check??!!! Where?

Wow this is a bit speed of sound. Good luck  :buttrf:

morning peeps.  spell check - when i type and make a booboo  it underlines in red or green -  green is syntax or compose error, and red is spelling error...
This thing is using american spelling - dont like mould compared to mold...  hee hee..

Mind U - i always thought the u spelling was for the stuff that keeps trying to invade my bathroom and the one without was what we use for our concoctions !

Hi Shell - normal going to bed time is around midnight - but then only rise and shine around 9am anyway.  Well that is if my cats leave me alone long enough.  they are waking up at 6am now and demanding feeding and outdoors to pee, so i stagger downstairs, do the thing and fumble upstairs again and fall straight back into bed!

Still running my current business, so this one is a new addition to the other one - running two business side by side is gonna be a challenge I think, but hey!
Gotta give it a try eh...

Oh my word....I am shattered reading all this......
Hello Scribe and welcome.....cant wait to see what happens.... :buttrf:

me too, completely exhausted trying to keep up !!

I think your enthusiasm is contagious, I am now itching to get home from work to make some fizzing bath melts!

hello and welcome, woweeeee, I hope your not too overcome with all the ideas and suggestions!
Packaging is such a big issue for us small time soapers!

I would love more recycled stuff, like recycled lip balm tubes, which they seem to have in the US but not over here! And also natural packaging for gift sets.

Wow, I've just read from the beginning and I feel as though I've been hit by a whirlwind......a good one though!!   :)   Can't wait to see what goodies I'll be able to buy from you.

I wish I had half your energy, your brain must be on overload, so exciting!!!!

Good luck   :buttrf:

Okay, I can reply properly now that I'm at a proper computer, and not trying to reply with my phone!
Loving this thread, it's making me want to go home and do some more swirly soap and bath things. I bought some lovely squeezy lip gloss tubes from that lovely French site a while ago.. now to try and formulate a recipe for a sticky gloss.. damn, why do I have to be at work? Plus my internet at home still isn't working  :'(

yep - brain on full steam - just wait - my battery will go on empty soon!  Mind you, already sources a supply of wood to make some molds as a trial on an idea a fellow member gave me - so gonna dig out my drill and stuff on Monday after collecting it!

Rens - gimme an idea of what you would like on packaging - there are sooo many ideas out there, and what i may think is cool you may  hate!  torn strips of cardboard tied with raffia, dried citrus cuts, canvas baggies/  what....

For recycled things, have you thought of joining freecycle at all.  groups all over the country, and you just need to post our an I want and you will be surprised on what you get offered.

So grateful for all the words of encouragement from all of you.   That is what makes it all worth while.
keep it coming   ;D

Hiya Alphya,  why no internet?   ???   that must be awful.      can you point me in direction of this French site everyone is so happy with, want to check them out for ideas, or just be plain jealouse !

Hi, Scribe - welcome to the forum  :buttrf:
 really curious about the molds you're making - what are the sizes? any other details you can share?

Welcome!
Regarding soap boxes, you might find inspiration on this site. http://www.bayleysboxes.com/soap%20box.html (http://www.bayleysboxes.com/soap%20box.html)I don't think they ship to the UK or I would get some. but a packaging manufacturer over here could probably make someting similar


Just re checked the site, they do now ship internationally and wholesale!

Welcome Scibe!  Sounds like you are going to be busy :).  I''m in the states, and we do have quite a few sites to choose from, but I wish I could find more under one roof also. 

Hi Half ...   no idea on size :(
I am a newbie of  note at soap making so no idea what the standard, or best size is for making a loaf mold.   Any sugestions?

Ebsy, you can get some  nice molds there, but nobody wants to spill the beans and tell me their manufacturer that they import from - understandably of course!  but it would make life sooo much easier if i could twist an arm and get the info.   they have to be coming in from China... only leads i can find so far.  But hey - nice to have you on our board!

Hiya wolf, just had a peek - not exactly on the cheap side, but some pretty nice boxes there!  will shoot off an enquiry to them!  Ta for the link  much appreciated.

As for freecycle, I set up the local one here in Dorset! So am very familiar with that, But it not great for soucing a continuous supply of a product!!

RENS - YOU set up the freecycle - that is some feat - well done you!
Ta for the links, will look at them now and send off some enquiry emails. 
any others welcome as well !

oohhh  -  pretty pretty - LIKE Nashville one!

 My router is broken, Sky thought it was a software fault, so they sent a disc with new software on, which didnt work, so now im waiting for a new router. Im normally a real chatterbox, but using my phone to post isnt easy.

No, you misunderstood, I only set up the local group !!!

Hi Scribe and Welcome  :buttrf:!!! I love mad hatters BTW - I was on a similar whirlwind when started soaping LOL  :mwaha:! Life is too short right?

I think it is a brilliant idea and I can only back up the packaging bit. Soap boxes, pillow boxes, labels, raffia, ribbons etc...


Will be following your updates! Keep whirling  ;D!

Zizi

What is your current business Scribe? Sounds intriguing!  By the way, if no-o ne has mentioned it we demand like photos so if you want to post piccies of the M&P you did that would be great!

Hello Scribe and welcome to the group. Dont forget the candlemakers amongst us also need supplies,again particularly in the packaging department :yipee:

Hmm, a one day wonder, maybe?

Eire

Please keep the forum rules regarding advertising and suppliers in mind with this venture:

http://www.forum.fresholi.co.uk/index.php/topic,7.0.html (http://www.forum.fresholi.co.uk/index.php/topic,7.0.html)

hello all. sorry been frantically sourcing goods since last chatted, and have found so many cool ideas, and then sourcing the leads on the items.  head is aching with all the info.

Sorry about forum rules Kestrel - but in defense trying to get something together for all of us, and the products will not infringe on fresholi lines - promise.

I have decided on a name - The Soap Makers Handbasket - whadayathink peeps?

And will do best to incorporate for candle makers and cosmetic people as well.  Just cannot stock everything in one go - the banks are not lending remember!!!!

Concentrating on moulds, cutters and packaging for now - will let you know when website goes live, and will probably start off with images of goodies and ask for votes on if you like it or not - then i know demand and order qty ideas!

How's that for making you all take part ?   :o

Hi zizi, thanks for the grate words of encouragement.  BB is going to be approached for items to bring out - on the list of to do with phone calls scheduled.  Monday off collecting special wood to make moulds with - will try a sample and have to test it with my own home made efforts first!

Hi Suzanne, currently work in international IT contracting resourcing, my office is in my conservatory, bit cold in winter but magic in summer!  But recruitment is suffering in the int. market now - visa issues so now is the time to spread my wings a bit and add to my portfolio a bit.  I really dont wanna be a full blown recruitment agent - so a sideways step sounds like a plan.

It's either this, or home made wine and jams - anyone fancy elderflower jelly for their morning toast?!!  or some rosehip wine for the evening tipple? 

I think you are missing the meaning of the rules.  They are to prevent suppliers from coming here and selling products.
That means any supplier of materials.  If we wanted advertising, I would just put up rows of adlinks.

okay, this is where I step in. Scribe, please keep in mind that enthusiasm is not a substitute for humility. you are a guest here, as are we all. Dismissing the preferences of your host is rude. As the newest guest you may not realize, but let me assure you, that there are no molds or cutters or packaging lovely enough for any of us to tolerate this. I've said it before. This is Kes and Helen's house. It seems that your enthusiam is welcomed - please keep it in check.

to both  Kestrel and Half.
I am sorry if i have offended either of you, it was by no means my intention.  When asking fellow members for preferences of what they are looking for, I did not realise I was breaking any rules.

I am sure none of us in this post have intentionally advertised any products, and i am certainly not a supplier at this stage of the game - i am simply a new member who has just discovered the joy of soap making and was floating an idea out there that I was hoping was going to be a complimentary thing to all of us.

Half - humility I do have, it was simply a case of misunderstanding on my part of the rules.

Kestrel - again I do apologise and assure you I did not deliberately break any rules of the forum.

Pics - Suzanne can you believe it - i actually did take some pics of the 3 batches I did - and have promptly deleted them when transferring them from camera to pc!  Could not believe i was so dumb...    But will take some more and show you guys..  most proud of the coffee batch to be honest, it just looks the nicest!

Apologies for mentioning brands - edited post accordingly... :angl:

Hello scribe, are you still here? i wanted to say welcome to forum, it's always nice to have a new face around. Like most people have already said, you are too speedy to keep up with, i'm sorry but i jumped 2 or 3 pages to get to the end of the thread. I wish you luck and success with the new business but as you read more and more you would realise i have a bit of a big mouth on me and now i am thinking are you not doing it a little wrong by asking us what we need so you build your business around the one off items we need for the short term?

I might be wrong but it seems like a big flaw in the plan to me because mine and 10 or 20 other soapers  immediate need for a soap cutter now might not justify a container full of cutters i reckon shipped in.
sorry i don't mean to be a soapparty pooper but i was dying to say that.
also personally where packaging is concerned, i would not under any circumstance buy things like a box, jute bag(shout jute bag! they make jute like crazy in scotland -dundee high unemployment) etc from china. For what we make, the majority of the ingredients come in from outside england(and although according to linton kwesi johnson, inglan is bitch) i really dont agree with buying packaging that can be easily sourced from local manufacturers  from china! there are very few things from china i would buy into as one cant get away from it realistically but on a general whole i agree with mp on this
[/b]

and abrit too
, [/b]

you could easily start making your own pretty one off moulds and if demand gets out of hand, there are small manufacturers out here who can  make it for you. I know this cos i watch kirty's home made lala la al(a friend to the small manufacturer)

sorry i hope i haven't put you off, i'm just being friendly,  and welcome again and looking forward to reading more from you because i like your can do spirit. I could do with some of that.  oh and please remember i am only one person so one persons opinions dont matter much.

Sorry Tehwenis there aren't any Jute manufacturers in Dundee any longer, I lived near there for 10 years not so long ago & the last manufacturer closed down in that time. They might make a bit of cloth at the museum when school kids are taken round but I'm not sure even that happens.

Another local industry that died as it became cheaper to manufacture in India / China & import here.

Sally x

Really PP?  at least there is the  museum for the memories :-(