emilyspoppy

I don't believe that I'm actually typing this, but I guess it needs to be cleared up for the benefit of members who are searching for M&P bases to work with. The two clear bases that Candy compared are not marketed as the same. One (C&S) is marketed as "Ultra Clear" while CW's is marketed as "Clear". The ingredients on these bases between the companies are not the same. I agree with Candy there. It's been my experience that several companies stock different versions of clear "types" in their own inventories. The ingredients do vary among them. I really can't offer any other advice on a clear-type soap base other than to state I had no issues with CW's Clear Soap Base for myself or reports from testers. It is a bit more "cloudy" than I'd prefer, however. I checked on the following from websites which CS & CW both stock. The Ingredients are identical both in name and in order between both suppliers. I also compared labels on those bases that I acquired from CW that I currently have on hand. They are the same as those they have listed on their website. These soaps are sold by both companies. The ingredients are identical on both websites. Any member so inclined can check them out for themselves; Cocoa Butter White Base Olive Oil Hemp Oil Honey Goats Milk Mango Butter Soy Milk CW also stocks; (C&S does not show these in their catalog.) Coconut Oil & Oatmeal ; The basic ingredients on these are the same as their other soap bases with only the principal additive varying. C&S also Stocks; (CW does not show these in their catalog.) Green Tea I remain convinced that the bases sold by both companies are the same. NOTE; C&S lists 24 SKU's of M&P Soap Bases. Currently 8 are out of stock. Several show a "back in stock" due date of 7/16/14. Today is 9/16/14 !! 1/3 OUT OF STOCK !! For how long? Is a crafter who resells product able to endure this situation and remain in the business of making and selling soap if they buy from this company? I'm not! PRICES; C&W $4.40 / 2 lbs. - $20.40 / 10 lbs. (All types) (Volume discount available) C&S $5.40 to 5.60 / 2 lbs. - $24.00 to $28.00 / 10 lbs. (Varies by Type) (Volume discount available) I have a ton of respect for Candy both as a crafter and a friend. I know she is a master soaper/chandler and very experienced with M&P. Actually much of what I know about M&P soap was gleaned from her postings on this board. I'm aware that CW used to sell another M&P soap base. I managed to get some and was very disappointed in the quality. If that was the soap base she tested, I can understand why she would be reluctant to purchase base from CW. I'm not trying to convince her or anyone that I know better. I don't. I will never be as talented as her in the world of B&B marketing. I am however, stating that I was a bit luckier than her WHEN I tested CW's soap bases. Love to you all! Dave

Dear Candy; Candlewic did change their M&P line. They used to sell a base that was a proprietary label for them. I think it was called "Expressions". The base they now sell is identical in every way including label and packaging as C&S. I tried to edit my previous post and spent a half hour typing only to lose it when I was advised that I was not permitted to edit when I went to enter it. DANG!!! I don't feel like retyping it right now, but I would like to add that I'm not trying to impress anyone that I am "Soap Smart". To the contrary! I continue to maintain that I am "Soap Stupid". My best wishes to all of those making choices in the quest for great soap! I'm off to make some candles! The leaves are beginning to fall! YIKES !!! Dave

In defense of M&P; Nearly all of my adult life I struggled with dandruff and itchy scalp. I also have been cursed with sensitive facial skin. I've even had to get treatment twice at our local hospital's emergency ward after using nationally branded male cosmetic products. I now use M&P soap from head to toe. The lather is so dense and creamy when I use it on my head (I'm blessed with thick hair.) that I use it to shave with. I've had NO scalp or facial issues since I started working with M&P. If I were to end selling it today, I would continue making M&P soap for myself and family. It's that good and so easy once you master the basics. JMO/HTH Dave

Send me a PM with your mailing address and I'll mail you a slice (bar) from a five pound block I bought from Candlewic. The Hemp Oil base makes great lather, too. The Goat's Milk is a best seller. There is a market actually for all of their bases, I've found. Dave

Candlewic, for sure, and Natures Garden, I'm fairly sure, sell the same Canadian M&P bases that Candles & Supplies sell. As Candy mentions C&S have a real issue with inventory. The last time I checked C&S had a 20% out-of-stock rate on M&P bases. That is unacceptable to me. I'm unaware of any M&P soap bases that I did not test while looking for bases for our business. I have tested dozens of brands and styles. The Canadian bases excelled over all of the ones I tested for producing a rich and creamy lather. All of me testers agreed. The Coconut Oil type produced the best lather, but nearly all of the styles performed well. I agree with Candy that these bases are very adaptable and additive friendly. Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles & Soaps

http://www.craftserver.com/topic/105041-new-magic-wax/ Dave

I agree.

Wax choice can be highly subjective and personal. Each has it's own traits and benefits. MOST experienced (and HONEST - LOL) chandlers will concede, however, that pure soy waxes can be harder to coax a throw from than paraffin or para-soy blends. JUST MY OPINION, though! I've already stated enough OPINIONS myself to get myself in trouble here! (LOL)

Yes! Some of the fragrance notes, especially the top notes will be affected/reduced. Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles & Soaps

IGI-6006 and/or CBL-130 are my secondary container waxes and primary tart waxes. They are in my opinion interchangeable. My primary container wax is IGI-4630 and/or CBL-125. I'm convinced that they are also the same formula. I have spoken will Bill Binder, owner of Candlewic, a number of times about his waxes and without actually going as far as admitting they are the very same formula he has pretty much convinced me of that. He did tell me he buys large quantities of "primary" wax from IGI. The primary difference between the two companies wax blends is that CW's waxes can be more consistent than IGI's, IN MY OPINION. I always hold my breath whenever I get in a batch of IGI wax. I test it before going into production with it because I sometimes find the formula is "off". The primary issue is the amount of petrolatum in the wax. It's fixable, but a PITA to do so. I've never had variations in CW's waxes yet. Perhaps I've just been lucky, though. The last cases of CW waxes that I received are exactly the same as the samples that Bill Binder sent me years ago. My biggest concern with switching over to only using CWs waxes is the cost of the wax as delivered to me. I'll only buy it when CW runs a shipping discount sale. Enough said, I hope. When it comes to evaluating throw, I never rely on my own nose. I always seek out opinions from people I use as testers. That's a whole other issue, too. Again, enough said, I hope. I'm not trying to persuade you are anyone else on the board to change their waxes, but I am trying to assist you with your question. Both CBL-130 and IGI-6000 have a tendency to have sink holes in containers. especially containers that are a bit narrower than tall. This might be relieved some by changing your container style, making sure the wax cools more slowly or simply resign yourself to using a heat gun. I actually prefer an embossing gun. It has good heat with less airflow which means less splatter. Neither of the these waxes are true one-pour waxes despite claims, in my opinion. They do, however, hold a large amount of FO and throw well with most fragrances. The fact that the wax does contract some, holds fragrance well and throws strongly makes it a good candidate for tart melts. I know that quite a few members are gritting their teeth as they read this, but as I stated; I'm not trying to get anyone to switch the waxes they are using or blending on their own. Good luck! JMO/HTH Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles & Soaps

ALL OF THE ABOVE IS GOOD ADVICE, IMO. I NOW REFUSE TO DO CONSIGNMENT, OFFER TERMS OR MAKE "SPECIAL/CUSTOM" PRODUCTS WITHOUT A 50% NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT. THE ONLY EXCEPTION HAS BEEN MY SISTER-IN-LAW. SHE'S ALWAYS BROKE, BUT PAYS TIMELY AND HAS SOLD A LOT OF PRODUCTS. DAVE @ CHARLOTTE HALL COUNTRY CANDLES & SOAPS

OOPS! I FORGOT TO MENTION; I DO M&P. IT'S NICE & STRONG @ 5% (.8 oz./lb.) DAVE

I'll go out on a limb with a chain saw and offer; If I only had ONE (1) soap fragrance it would be; ELEMENTS'. - "JUNIPER & ALOE" I have many more that I stock and I have sampled/tested hundreds more, but this one is way out in front of the pack in how it behaves, performs and sells. IT'S PERFECT !!! JMO/HTH Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles & Soaps

A decent camera, in my opinion, is a "should have", too. Not only can you capture images of your own set-up for your personal and business usage, a camera would be useful for getting some good ideas of what others are doing. Make sure you notice which venders seem to be the most sucessful and try to determine why. Be careful, though, not to offend or give any impression that you are trying to move-in on their businesses.Crafters can be quite competative at times. We all have our own stories. Good luck! Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles & Soaps

While doing research prior to making soaps (M&P) I read many articles on the safety factor of fragrance additives, both synthetic and natural. Some of those articles were quite detailed and a bit difficult to absorb (pun imtended). I chose to include that particular link because the article was not overly burdoned with jargon and scientific data, fairly to the point and an easy read for most crafters (IMO). As a guy who shaves his face more than most members on the board (I hope! . . . LOL) I have personally experienced irritation from soaps that I have been testing, that I made myself. These same soaps have presented no issues except for when I use their rich and creamy lather to shave with. When I change or eliminate the fragrance from the base, the problem usually goes away. I'm pretty sure that shaving would be an excellent test for most soaps. I've read that some fragrances can irritate the genital area of women so I cannot offer a personal opinion on this, but my brother told me that one of my early "testers" made the head of his "charlie" itch! My guess is that scraping your face with a metal blade while it is slathered in the testing compound should be a good indication of how gentle that compound is on your skin. Just my opinion though! (Charlies excluded !!! ) I really didn't want to give any impression that I have anything to offer the members of the board on producing B&B products. My crafting experience has been primarily as a chandler. Before joing Craft Server, I would have never have even considered making and selling B&B products. As I have stated more than a few times; "I'm soap stupid." I really do consider quite a few members of the board as highly skilled technicians in the art of making products in the bath and body world. I've read many posts on this board and have been able to advance to the position that I decided to try it myself. I don't recall, however, mention of photo-sensitivity to citrus essential oils on the board. There may be references. I'm just not aware of any. My first encounter with this concern occurred when I spoke with Dr. Chang regarding the safety of his products for soap use. He carries an extensive line of essential oils. I had been buying his FO's and additives for years for candle production, but his site was a bit vaque about skin safety so I called him. We've had a number of phone conversations for a number of years. I like the guy. Initially I was planning on going-all-out on a totally all-natural line of soaps including shaving soap. My brothers and I all use shaving soaps with brushes in the mugs to shave with. I've found that many of the commercially available canned shaving foams can leave my face feeling itchy and tight. I was using mass-marketed bars, but was excited that I would soon be making my own. I really like citrusy scents, but when I went to order Chang's EO's, he offerred his concern that I may want to really consider switching-out some of the EO's for FO's. He went on to explain the concerns about photo-hyper-sensitivity. He even told me that he has an employee who is fairly allergic to his lemon and bergamot EO's, but is able to use his "synthetic" lemon without issue. He wasn't trying to discourage me from using EO's. He was only offering some (I believe) sound advice on testing. Personally, I am testing citrusy FO's for making shaving and hand & bath soap. I'm on a mission to only use FO's that are IFRA rated, which really narrows the field of suppliers to choose from, but I feel I'm close to getting one that I like in terms of fragrance and safety. I doubt that anything I can make will be as nice as the the shaving soap that Candy was so kind to send me to sample. I'm not offerring false praise when I write that she is a very talented soaper. Some time ago I decided that I wasn't going to post anymore "opinions' or advice on this or any other board. I do enjoy swapping stories (usually funny) with my pals here, but I know I have very little to offer especially when it comes to making soaps and lotions. Check out my avatar. A picture is worth how many words? I'm sorry if my posts have been a distraction in anyway. Back to the world of wax! I'm encouraged for a change. Candle sales are picking-up. Enjoy the fall! Dave

Shows your experience and talent. I open someday to have just a bit of your soaping skills. I hope you had a nice holiday. Dave

http://www.za-beauty.com/articles/photosensitive-phototoxic-essential-and-citrus-essential/

Dear Candy & Pals; While doing research for making shaving soaps from M&P base, I contacted Dr. Robin Chang, PHD, owner, of Gemlite Fragrances. His company offers an extensive line of EO's and a good line of FO's for candle and soap production. Robin advised me to proceed carefully when using citrus-type EO's. He explained that reports of photo-sensitivity issues are common with them. He went on to tell me that sometimes synthetic (FO) fragrances may be a bit safer to use than the natural ones. You might want to check on this. HTH Dave

It sounds like a "knock-off" of IGI-6006 or a similar parasoy wax, only in pastille form and at a much better price. I hope this link works; http://www.candlesandsupplies.net/Candle-Making/Hybrid-Candle-Wax

Is anyone wiling to comment on the supposedly new "HYBRID" wax being marketed by Candles & Supplies, Quakerstown, PA. Dave

"CRAPPED OUT" !!! (LOL)

We have been located in a farmer's market in Southern Maryland since 1997. We have one of the larger and, I feel, nicer shops there. The market over the years has been extremely well attended. It began as a venue for Amish sales of produce and livestock. It is regeistered as a National Historic Site. I began attending flea markets with my father as a very young child. I have sold at many locations on the East Coast from New Jersey to Florida. I can honestly say that I feel experienced enough to provide at least a modestly intelligent response to your question. Thus, you have pulled me from "retirement" as a Craft Server poster to offer this reply; Our market is open two days a week. Wednesday and Saturday. The market is not operating on Sunday, as is usual, due to the fact that Amish folks do not sell on Sundays. Even though the market is no longer primarily an Amish market, serious attempts to establish Sunday sales there have failed. Saturday is by far the best day, but Wednesday wasn't too "shabby" before the economy began to fail. From 1997 through about 2005 we could expect Wednesday sales of about $250 to $500 per week, weather dependant. Our shop is permanent and located within a building, but the market loses attendance in inclimate weather, during some holidays or when major events are held outside of our market but in the neighboring area. For a number of years we could expect Saturday sales as high as $2000 per week. Sales of $1200 were common. I was dissapointed when a Saturday "take" fell below $800. I had retired from my "other" job, but my wife remained employed. I spent the days we were not open devoted to the business. I don't feel the sales reduction we've been experiencing is due to my failure as a businessman or any lack of caring on my part. Beginning about 2005 sales dramatically began to "tank". We didn't notice too much of a loss of attendance, but we did notice more browsing and less purchasing. This was experinced across the market by most if not all venders. slowly, at first, venders began to leave the market. They were quickly replaced by new venders. for years the selling spaces at the market were completely sold out. A waiting list of up to ten years was the rule for a permanent shop . I managed to get the first of our three adjoining shops because I was personally aquainted with the market owner who instructed the manager to offer me the first shop that became available. I acquired two more adjoining shops when "neighbors" threw in the towel for lack of sales or personal issues over the years. Our shops are accesable to us on a 24 hour 7 day a week basis. We can even "stay over" as we have sectioned off an area for our personal use. We have heat/AC, restroom and shower. Kitchen, dining and sleeping areas are present. We have spent a great deal of time "fine-tuning" our operation because it has been convenient for us to devote the time to our business. I did experience some major health issues since opening our shops and I have not been able to be present there as much, but I have continued to work regularly to support the business and provide assistance to my wife who currently manages the shop. We have one employee who serves as a sales clerk. I make all of the candles and soap that we sell. I make or buy all of the jewelry we sell. We do have a small wholesale candle business in addition to our shop, but the store is our primary operation. We sell jewelry, movies, music candles and soaps. We have a bit of an eclectic operation, but because we have three seperate but attached spaces it does make sense. Our operation is not as random as one might think. ALL of our products have been affected by the slow down. Some weeks, however, we do not even sell any soap and/or candles. If it were not for our jewelry operation we would have been forced to shut down by now. We are no longer even opening on Wednesdays because hardly anyone now sell or buy on that day of the week. No customers means no venders and vice versa. As it stands we are now just basically covering our expenses. Without reasonable profits it has become hard to manage to maintain our lifestyle let alone to contimue to develop our business. I am very concerned. Based on my experience I can honestly state that I would not at this time begin a flea market operation that required more than a minimum of committment. I would not consider a lease or expeditures towards infrastructure, fixtures or other things that would require any sort of financial investment. I cannot say that there is no hope of things improving for us, but I honestly do not feel the future will be less than dissapointing or even devastating. I have recently begun considering the disposition of much of our crafting inventory and equipment. eBay appears to be an alternative for a quick resolution for us. I keep hearing my father's voice in my head, however, saying ; "David . . . Remeber . . . You stand a good chance to make money when you buy, but a better chance to lose it when you sell." We may not be typical and thus I am interested in hearing from other experienced flea market dealers. Dave @ Betty's Boutique / Charlotte Hall Country Candles & Soap

BEAUTIFUL! If this creation is even half as nice as your other soaps, I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful bath bar and a big hit with buyers. Have fun on your "snow day". David

Ain't that the dang truth!

CHICKEN! It was sautéed chicken breast with sliced mushrooms, shallots and a Madera wine reduction. It was actually quite tasty. I'm real particular about scrambled eggs myself. No Butter . . . No eggs! (LOL)