I need to rant!

[SoapAddict415]

Why is it so hard for some people to understand that making soap is a wonderful & for some, a profitable hobby? Whenever I say that I make soap as a hobby, people laugh like "you can't be serious!" I just got off the phone with a close family friend. My kid sister & I call her our big sister & she calls our parents mom & dad. She sells insurance for a living and is very successful. She called to see if I needed any insurance or if I'd be interested in learning to sell insurance too. Her company offers several certification programs. I told her about my soaping obsession, how I'd like to one day sell my soaps and that I was considering becoming a Crafters Choice distributor. She laughed, talked for a few minutes about how she tried working for a lot of companies like Avon, Mary Kay, SMC, Amway, etc. and said that if I ever decided to do something with long term results, then to give her a call & she would get me started in one of the insurance programs! Who's to say that I won't be successful in the handcrafters industry? Who knows, I may be the next Debbie May! Maybe I could do for handcrafted soap what Ray Kroc and Dave Thomas did for the hamburger! Just because something is not your thing, there's no reason to put it down! Ok, I'm done ranting. Thank you for listening.

 

[2lilboots]

Don't feel bad. When I told my mom I made homemade soap she starting her tsk tsk tsking. I am doing this for fun right now.

Did it ever occur to your sister that selling insurance isn't your thing? I have 3 sisters.....none of us have the same job. We are all different and must pursue what makes us happy. It is our lives. Just as it is your life and you should feel free to pursue what makes you happy. Don't worry that your sister doesn't support your decision. Remember it is your decision to make not hers. Be you and do your thing!

 

[Hazel]

You need to do up a gift basket and give her some of your soaps. If people haven't used handmade soap, then they don't have any appreciation of how lovely it is compared to store bought.

But I do know what you mean about how some people think it's a joke. Hang in there! It's taken almost 3 years for my family and friends to learn to appreciate the soap I make. (Although, there are a couple of relatives that I stopped giving soap to since I found out they weren't even trying them.) I'm now getting requests for soap instead of having to shove it off on them when they come to visit.

 

[Seifenblasen]

I'm now getting requests for soap instead of having to shove it off on them when they come to visit.

Sometimes you have to use a bit of reverse psychology, too. It seems that the more I horde my soap, the more people want them. In less than a year I have a "distribution network" in 4 countries! :twisted:

 

[2lilboots]

You need to do up a gift basket and give her some of your soaps. If people haven't used handmade soap, then they don't have any appreciation of how lovely it is compared to store bought.

But I do know what you mean about how some people think it's a joke. Hang in there! It's taken almost 3 years for my family and friends to learn to appreciate the soap I make. (Although, there are a couple of relatives that I stopped giving soap to since I found out they weren't even trying them.) I'm now getting requests for soap instead of having to shove it off on them when they come to visit.

OMG Hazel why wouldn't they even try the soap?

 

[SoapAddict415]

Thanks for the encouraging words & suggestions. I was making little gift boxes with soap and/or lotion to give to relatives for Christmas, maybe I will send her 1 too!
See Seifenblasen, THAT'S what I'm talking about! I don't know enough people to have a network like yours, but I wanna be like you when I grow up! Seeing that I'm in my 40's, it may be a while before I grow up!

 

[2lilboots]

Thanks for the encouraging words & suggestions. I was making little gift boxes with soap and/or lotion to give to relatives for Christmas, maybe I will send her 1 too!

What type of hobby does your sister have? Perhaps you can get her to relate in some way?

 

[sugarnik]

I had something like this happen too. I ran into someone at the store I hadn't seen in a while. "I had said I gotta go, I'm making a batch of soap!" and he looked at me and said "what?! you know there's soap a couple isles over right?". I tried explaining handmade soaps to him and he called me a "damn hippie"!
What the heck! I was upset so I just turned and left. some people are just rude.

 

[Hazel]

OMG Hazel why wouldn't they even try the soap?

I don't know. Probably because they think it's another one of my stupid hobbies. They never liked the beadwork, appliqued/painted shirts, cross-stitch, stained glass or sewing I did as gifts, either. Now I just buy something from a store or give them gift cards for Christmas or their birthdays. I've learned there are some people who don't think handmade items are nice gifts. If it isn't from a store, it isn't a "gift" and doesn't have any value. :wink:

 

[SoapAddict415]

As far as I know, she doesn't have time for a hobby! Between her insurance business with her husband, recruiting new agents, church, her grandson and her side transportation business, I often wonder when she even finds the time to sleep!
You're right Sugarnik! Some people are just plain rude! A friend of my mom had a habit of "putting her foot in her mouth". She once joked that she needed a tiny stop light on the tip of her nose so that she would know when it was ok to say something and when to stop and just be quiet! I can think of several people who would benefit from something like that!

 

[Maythorn]

Maybe your sis could offer you a really good rate for liability insurance if you want to sell? I never had to justify my making soap except that all my worrying over it made people wonder if I should pursue something that seemed so iffy and involves waste when things inevitably don't work out every single time a person tries.

It's not just a hobby but non-soapmakers live outside of "our world." I think that a passion for making all kinds of neat bars sometimes outweighs consumers' enthusiasm. They're not so wowed as we are over it, don't always care about ingredients and everything we pour over. That's true of any craft I'm learning. Some people will look at whittling for example and be awed and others say, oh, okay.., nice... with no real appreciation of what it takes.

You should keep right on with what drives you and makes you feel happy, and take it as far as it'll go, I say.

 

[SoapAddict415]

Thanks Maythorn. I never considered her for when I'll need liability insurance! I'm used to most people/relatives acting like that. I've always been an odd duck in my family & I fly my freak flag with pride lol! I just never expected that kind of reaction from my play big sister! Oh well, to each their own!

 

[sperry]

Funny. I guess the lesson... as many have pointed out: you do what you do to make you happy. That's what they're doing (unless maybe if they are selling insurance...lol). It probably makes them happy to make you angry. I was the problem when I started... embarrassed to say how it was that I planned on making some extra money. When I finally did, all I got was support! NOT what I expected from my family. Nice, for sure... just not expected. Somehow, this seems related: I LOVE how Martina Navratilova handled an insensitive interviewer once. Are you still a lesbian?" he asked. "Are you still the alternative?" she answered. Not mean... but he probably got the point.

 

[SoapAddict415]

”Are you still the alternative" lol, that's a hoot! I love making soap, I love the creative process and I love that I can come to this forum for help and support!

 

[Maythorn]

What a comeback from Martina. I think that was a ridiculously rude question. What does it have to do with anything? My rant is that I just don't want to hear about celebrities personal lives. I saw today online right next to something about Syria, full mention Brittany's toned abs. The days of glorification of stars and wondering what all they do behind closed doors and every minute of their days are over. :roll: Or should be.

I like your flag, Soapaddict. I think crafters, artists, and writers are some of the most interesting people. Sometimes eccentric but they're the brains behind beautiful things to buy or just admire. Before I was a crafter I had the idea that factory-made stuff must be the best. Not now. I wish I sewed because down at Joannn's I watch gals buying fabrics and patterns and I think what patience they must have. I bet non-soapers think we are super-patient because soap would seem so picky.

 

[Hausfrau007]

I think your family friend/sister is really rude and probably a bit too self involved.

 

[Relle]

OMG Hazel why wouldn't they even try the soap?

I don't know. Probably because they think it's another one of my stupid hobbies. They never liked the beadwork, appliqued/painted shirts, cross-stitch, stained glass or sewing I did as gifts, either. Now I just buy something from a store or give them gift cards for Christmas or their birthdays. I've learned there are some people who don't think handmade items are nice gifts. If it isn't from a store, it isn't a "gift" and doesn't have any value. :wink:

Hazel, none of my family make anything, but they do appreciate what I do and what I've done in the past - like you I've done stained glass, beading, cross-stitich, sewing, cut out my own woodwork peices, screen printing, pottery, fine needlework, machine embroidery etc. My friend who's crafty only give handmade and I do in return. I think most who get my soap are happy.

 

[ClaraSuds]

Well theres a soaper here that likes to rant about other soapers 'doing it different'. It seems tolerance for varying preferences is thin on the ground everywhere, not just your family. Brings to mind this phrase, feel free to use at will...

Who died and made you God?

 

[Stinkydancer]

I have family members that say the same thing about my soap and I also breed and sell tropical fish which they slam as well, like my fish are cheap- well they aren't. On one hand, I always get from them- "Oh your skin is so soft or your skin looks great. What are you using?" What the hell do they think I"m using?? Then I tell them- I just get "Oh"..I use body wash soap is bad for your skin. Ummm Ok? You keep itching then.

Then I get "When are you going back to work?" How's never sound? I'm a nurse technically but I quit when I had my second child and never went back though I still hold my license and do my continuing education requirements to keep the license. But thankfully, I get to stay at home with my kids and run both of my businesses and my husbands side business.
I catch hell for it all the time since my whole family is in the medical field in some capacity. Some people just don't get it with the soap and frankly who are they to tell me or anyone else how to live their life?

So I just say- go about whatever it is that you are doing or want to do and make it happen. People are always going to judge when your life style or whatever doesn't mesh with yours.
When I first started selling soap my husband was thankful that my "hobby" would possibly make me a little cash. Now finally after years of it- he knows and understands it is more than that and can't imagine me not doing it.
There are people who will support you no matter what even if you fail and those are the people you want to stand by you.

I also think if someone receives something handmade there is no real value to them in it. It's really sad that people can't look into themselves and think wow that person made that? How creative or useful or whatever. Instead it's more like "That's it?" :roll:
It makes me mad sometimes but I have learned to ignore it.
Anyway- good luck soap addict!

 

[Maggiewon]

Family members can be the cruelist because they feel free to say anything. I am guilty of that also in my family. But I try to keep my mouth chaperoned! Where do I buy one of those stoplights?
But, really, freely, make your soap. Count me as one of your soap buddies that totally understand how to hang the "freak flag" with pride. Soapmaking is an obsession, a passion and a good way to help others in the process.