Kimberly

It definitly varries state by state. I write Ins in NY and PA for Allstate. The risks I can write in NY and PA are totally different. Each Insurance company has to petition the State Ins Dept as to which types of Ins they will offer. The state Ins dept has to give them the OK before they can offer that type of Ins.

I cannot write candlemakers in NY or PA but I have heard that in FL Allstate will write them. I dont know for sure because I am not licensed in that state.

Do the sides or ends come off of these molds to remove your soap? Or do you take it out some other way? I know I sound dumb ..... but I have never seen one of these in person.

Here ya go...a link to the 6lb mold

http://cgi.ebay.com/Soap-Making-Supplies-WOOD-WOODEN-LOAF-MOLD-6-POUND-LOG_W0QQitemZ8249837258QQcategoryZ28116QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

OK, so say I use the natural colors? How do I know when and how much to use? Those links have me a bit confused. That would be great. OK, for instance, cocoa powder. Is that the same stuff that you can buy at the store that you mix to make chocolate milk? Do I have to mix that with anything before adding at trace?

Try taking the cocoa powder and mixing it with a little bit of oil..it will make sort of a paste...then you will take a cup or so of your soap (I do it before I add the scent) and pour it into the color and mix it up good. Then you will either swirl in the pot or in the mold.

If you want to try Mica...I would try www.betweenfriendstoo.com

you can order samples of each color and it is the perfect amount to color a 2-3 lb batch.

Hello everyone!

I just joined and this is my first post so please forgive the "stupid questions".

I'm a nurse and have my own malpractice insurance and of course, homeowners, car, health, etc, and I understand what all those cover. I'm considering doing craft fairs, but didn't realize I'd need business insurance.

What does it cover you for? Do the craft fair administrators require it?

You have Malpractice Ins....Being an Insurance Agent I have Errors and Ommissions Ins. Basically you need professional business Ins for all professions. The insurance you need for Crafting is called Product Liability. and yes, most craft shows will require that you have it.

OMG...I havent seen a mug like that in yrs! My dad used to have one ...They used to be gas station give aways.

Nice lookin soap too!

Ya should have told me you were gonna make shavin soap with that Bay Rum...I would have sent ya a shaving brush too.

I have 2 Impulse Sealers from Harbor Freight. My 12" one bit the dust after 3 yrs of use and my 8" one never really has worked properly.

Can anyone suggest a brand other than Harbor Freight? One that does not cost an arm and a leg....maybe just a finger?

Thanks

So does the insurance have to come from the state you live in? I'm in CA and I, like Trish, have gotten much higher quotes than you have.

I was recently asked to start selling at a new farmers market, and unfortunately they require insurance before I can start. (Why? I don't know.) I'm not really ready for insurance but I hate missing out on this. I could handle $182 per year though.

Unfortunatly The company is based in NY and will only take on Upstate NY risks.

My friend and I were just discussing this today. We have only been doing this for about 6 months and are trying to decide if we should start this now, or wait to see how the business goes. Does everyone here that does craft shows have a tax id's and insurance (New York State)? I think we need to talk to an accountant.....any advice?

I dont do craft shows so cant help you there. But if you are in Upstate NY I can help you with Ins.

I carry a 1milliion PL for $182 a yr.

I have wrestled with this very same thing for a long time. If you are from a part of the country to where Kudzu actually grows, you know that there is NO smell to it whatsoever! SO, I was very surprized to see a FO with that name. I sent some back home to KY and they had a great laugh. They all said they wished the Kudzu actually smelled that way!

I used 20% in my first batch of Hemp....It wasnt mush...just too soft for my taste. And being Hemp is an expensive oil, I cut back to 10% and like it much better.

Looks nice!

Definitly let us see that cut. It will be VERY soft. I use 10% hemp in mine and it takes about 2 weeks longer to cure.

The Pink Sugar scent is awesome...holds up nicely.

If I remember correctly Bunny tries Strawberry and it was a no go. I have cp'd Pink Sugar and it is a DEEP DARK brown.

Hey Grump!

I have a STOOPID question....whats all the rave about Salt Bars? I am really wondering ...are they better for the skin? Are they just used for exfoliation? Just asking beacuse I have never used one but see everyone making them! Yours look good!!!!!!!!

I use micas to color 90% of my soaps and like them much better than oxides or ultramarines. For a 2lb batch of soap I use about 1/2 tsp. I take out a couple of tsp of my soaping oils to mix my mica.

ME luvs RF&S from Tristate...and it soaps like a dream!!!!

Price is right but LDPE would be a better choice as you cannot squeeze the product out of the HDPE version. Just my 2 cents.:undecided

Carmen...if ya look the ones I posted are "Soft"...ya can squeeze all ya like!...lol

Price is definitly right with these.

http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/ProductDetail.aspx?Tab=4&CatalogID=9&CatalogTitle=Containers+And+Packaging&ProductID=5041

I also have the 4oz ones. Awesome for FO samples.

Luckily my Huge Fundraiser just fell into my lap. A good friend of mine is the Pres of the PTA and she approached me. And then it sort of snowballed from there. I average doing 8000 candles a yr with all my Fundraisers combined. They are GREAT exposure and AWESOME profit...but A LOT of HARD WORK!!!!!

Some of the ones that I got myself I got by sending a brochure to every Sponsor at the High Schools. Call the school...or ask your kids...Who is the Junior SPonsor (Prom)...National Honor Society?... Cheerleading?...Art Honor Society?...Student Council? Then also ask for some small groups like Key Club, Band Boosters, Drama Club, Photography club. I have found that off the wall groups are great for fundraising...Soroptomist Club, Lioness Club, Independent Basketball & Cheerleading leagues, Dance Studios, Day Cares.

I always make a selling point of "Keeping it local"...groups eat that up! ANd they also like the fact that I let them pick the scents. They also like the fact that we deliver locally....no chance to get lost or damaged during shipping.

Good Luck!

Is it a threaded fitting? If so, did you use pipe tape?

And I would definitly seal it from the outside.

And here I thought you'd whipped up some of that "Holy Grail" scrub lol. Looks great in soap, just the right amount of seeds. Good job Sara.. and a fantastic pic too

You've used Peak's Lemon Pound Cake in soap, haven't you? How would you compare Lemon Curd to it?

I havent tried the Londaon Lemon Curd but I have tried the Lemon Pound Cake from Peak....I really think it is WEAK in CP. SOaps awesome...but the I think the scent fades dramatically.

See I am the opposite. I think Asian Sandalwood is much milder than regualr Sandalwood.

You wont get an email back from Tristate. Call Joe and talk to him. I really doubt they will give you more than the usual off though. Been dealing with them for many yrs now. GREAT oils...great service...but the prices are firm!

Good Luck

I dont carry that scent but I did test it. I use J50 and it was pretty good.

The only reason I didnt carry it was the fact that the Christmas scents just are not selling for me this yr. Last yr I sold a ton of Happy Holidays which we layered green and red...but this yr just the regular scents are selling. So, I didnt waste my time on it.

You should post that question in the Fragrance Discussion section to get a better responce.

Isnt this the Fragrance Discussion section???...Or am I really missing something here? Was this thread moved?...LOL