Veganically grown botanicals & natural colourants

[pumpkinska]

Hi all

Just thought I'd pick a few brains over something. I am growing a fair few botanicals (100% veganic system, small scale) & am just wondering if anyone out there would be interested in using organically grown dyes, leaves, flowers etc in their soaps?

I've had a good response from people I know, but that's not really a good gauge! I use them myself already in paper making and herbal preps, but am hoping to sell soon.

Market research is quite time consuming! I must go research me some vegan soap recipes...

ps - this is not an advert for my business, or me trying to sell stuff, it's just a bit of market research. Please feel free to comment. x

 

[younglivingmargo]

Hi all

Just thought I'd pick a few brains over something. I am growing a fair few botanicals (100% veganic system, small scale) & am just wondering if anyone out there would be interested in using organically grown dyes, leaves, flowers etc in their soaps?

I've had a good response from people I know, but that's not really a good gauge! I use them myself already in paper making and herbal preps, but am hoping to sell soon.

Market research is quite time consuming! I must go research me some vegan soap recipes...

ps - this is not an advert for my business, or me trying to sell stuff, it's just a bit of market research. Please feel free to comment. x

I would love to use your wonderful natural colours but I'm afraid i live to far away.
But its a great idea and good luck to you.
BTW, I don't mind at all if your selling something, I thinks its great. There should be more of it. I kind of feel very preveledged when I get the
opportunity to buy something handmade with love that I know only a small number of people in the world have access to. thats one of the many
benefits of joining groups like this one.
Best wishes to you and good luck with your venture. I would be keen to see yr final product. Who knows I may be able to import it into Australia in
the future, we have many soapers down this way and I'm sure you could use yr natural dyes for other things too.
good luck
Margo

 

[Hazel]

I know I'd like to use more botanicals but this doesn't help you since I live in the US. You may have to be a bit patient for answers from other UK members.

Margo made a good suggestion about using the dyes for other things than soap. I wonder if people would be interested in using organic dyes for fabric and yarn. I met a woman years ago who used to card wool and spin it. I remember her talking about using onion skins for a yellow dye (I think it was onion skins, it's been a long time.)

 

[pumpkinska]

Hey

Thanks for your comments, it means a lot to me.

Yes, the dyes and leaves / flowers were originally destined to be used with yarn and paper, so mainly decoratively, but I really want the 'beneficial to health' constituents of some of the botanicals to be utilised, its seems a shame for them to go unused! Using them in soaps, lotions etc seems to cover both the creative AND the pharmacological bases.

I've still a heap of market research to do, but next year I have a big horticultural / contemporary art residency coming up, (fingers crossed against hexes), and the launch of this business will coincide with that.

There's no reason why small amounts cant be sent to US or AU! WE could even do swaps! There are Australian clays which are way too expensive over here (although they may weigh a bit too much to post to UK at a decent budget), & I know there are US herbs which I have trouble growing here.

Thanks again for your feedback, very helpful.

 

[Seventeen Soaps]

I am pretty sure that you can't import plant matter into Australia... and I don't think you can send any out either without a permit. I remember being told about it years back which is why when I send gifts to friends overseas that I make sure their is no herbs or flowers in it. Just something you may have check up on!

 

[LadyM]

Sounds so wonderful!

 

[pumpkinska]

I am pretty sure that you can't import plant matter into Australia... and I don't think you can send any out either without a permit. I remember being told about it years back which is why when I send gifts to friends overseas that I make sure their is no herbs or flowers in it. Just something you may have check up on!

ah rats.

 

[pumpkinska]

Sounds so wonderful!

thank you

 

[Lindy]

It is definitely a wall you will run into sending botanical products into other countries. That barrier may not exist if you are selling into other EU countries. Check with your safety assessor - they will know.

 

[anya]

I live in the UK and would be interested in knowing more about your colourants and botanicals when you are ready to get your business started. Using natural ingredients is a great idea and should appeal to a lot of people. Good luck.

 

[pumpkinska]

It is definitely a wall you will run into sending botanical products into other countries. That barrier may not exist if you are selling into other EU countries. Check with your safety assessor - they will know.

i will do. thanks

 

[pumpkinska]

I live in the UK and would be interested in knowing more about your colourants and botanicals when you are ready to get your business started. Using natural ingredients is a great idea and should appeal to a lot of people. Good luck.

I will let you know,

thank you!

 

[Relle]

I've just been on the Australian Quarantine site and this is what I've come up with -

The following is not a complete list of items that you must declare on arrival. In many cases, items you declare will be returned to you after inspection. Some may be allowed in if accompanied by an import permit (issued by DAFF Biosecurity prior to arrival), or with treatment in Australia to make them safe (fees and charges apply). Alternatively, you can drop them in quarantine bins at the airport.

Food commercially prepared, cooked and raw food and ingredients
•dried fruit and vegetables*
•instant noodles and rice*
•packaged meals*
•herbs and spices*
•herbal and traditional medicines, remedies, tonics and herbal teas*
•snack foods*
•biscuits, cakes and confectionery*
•black tea, coffee and other beverages
•infant formula (must be accompanying a child)
•airline food/snacks.

As you can see it says food commercially prepared, so if you are packaging from home unless you can get an import permit as stated above I'd say no. We are very strict with what is and is not allowed into Australia. Also having goods sprayed gets expensive. So if you send something like botanicals through the post its likely to get returned at your expense or destroyed. Dh has delt with Quarantine quite a lot in the past and documentation is the key. So cross Australia off the list .