emilyspoppy

Actually I told her when she got home. She just laughed and walked away mumbling something that sounded like; "What doesn't get up, doesn't get out!" I'm not sure what she meant by it, but I'm certain it wasn't flattering. Today hasn't been one of my better days. First her cat takes a dump in my bed and then she insults my manhood. I feel like Rodney Dangerfield. I get no respect! No respect at all. See if I make her anymore soap! I'm buying the silicone mold and custom frame, too!

Nah! I enjoy "combat"!

I feel spoiled now. Now I just want wood molds with liner. Can you tell I hate lining wood molds?!! Nearly all of my "gal pal" soapers virtually say the same thing about "wallpapering" wooden molds. I'll just take their advice and never personally "enjoy" the experience. My B-Day is this September. I may just start hinting to my DW that; "Candy really has a sweet box mold!" I wonder what her reaction will be? Dave (Poster's note; The question is rhetorical!)

Thanks a bunch, Shannon! It's very reassuring to buy from a supplier(s) that you know very talented crafters endorse. Have a super day today and a better one tomorrow! Dave

I'm sure I'm in a minority group when I say this, but I no longer add special holiday fragrances to my line other than a few Christmas offerings. I've found it's not profitable to pour unique fragrances for the lesser holidays. I can't sometimes help wondering if customers aren't a bit wacko by thinking a holiday item is past it's prime or out-right spoiled the day after the holiday. Just look at the huge sales nearly all mass marketers hold on their holiday items the "day-after". I do, however, re-label some of my regular line that I can return to my normal stock after the "event" passes with a simple label change. Halloween; Country Pumpkin; Jack-O-Lantern Spiced Cider; Witch's Brew Fresh Mown Hay; Halloween Hay Ride Pomegranate; Vampire's Kiss Your choices are really numerous and a little fun to do. JMO/HTH Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles ETA: When I composed this I was the first to reply. Some other member's posts made it in before mine. All are quite interesting and may be better suggestions for your personal circumstances. Good luck with your decision. Dave

That's a very good looking set-up, Candy. I bought several heavy silicone molds from Brambleberry . The sides are reinforced so a wood frame isn't required, but in my opinion it's a little bit of a project to achieve release even with M&P. I might be full of hooey, but that's my impression. It's also my impression from looking at the photos you posted that the lid sits nicely on the frame rather than sliding into a groove. It looks like I may be adding yet more items to my ever-growing shopping list. Does anyone know where I might be able to sell a kidney? I went to the sperm bank at a reproductive services facility, but the receptionist just broke into hysterical laughter when she looked down at me in my wheelchair. Boy! Talk about having your feelings hurt. I never even got the chance to show her a photo of my daughter and grandchildren! Dave

Thank you VERY much for the advice, friends. I checked SC out and was very impressed with them even though their raw Shea Butter was out of stock. I'm not an experience soaper, but my guess is that if they don't have the ingredient that you want to soap with you don't actually need it. Something I've noticed, however. There must be a lot of dirty people with dry skin in the Midwest. There are so many suppliers based there. (lol) Dave

I would appreciate any advice on where would be my best (value) source for raw and processed butters and suggested retail pricing and marketing ideas. All advice is welcome. Thanks! Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

Peaks "Wild Mountain Honey" ended a decade-long search for a true/strong honey fragrance that I remember from working with my beekeeper dad while servicing his hives and extracting the golden nectar. A little of "WMH" goes a long way especially in B&B. JMO/HTH

Update on shaving soap; It appears that I was wrong again. The shaving melt and pour ranges from one and a half to about twice the price of the soap bases I have chosen to use. Some of the sources it can be found at; http://www.brambleberry.com/Shaving-Melt-And-Pour-Base-P4384.aspx http://www.bulkapothecary.com/soap-making/melt-and-pour-soap-bases/shaving-sfic-all-natural-glycerin-melt-and-pour-soap-base/ http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/StoreCategory.aspx?CatalogID=1&GroupID=1&CategoryID=2380&CategoryName=Shave+Soap+Base Dave ETA; I just read the addition to Candy's post. I'm a firm believer of the three strikes and you're out ruling so I'm shutting down and heading back to bed! Geez! How did I forget to post a link to the Peak site? Sorry, Alan!

I know where to get it. I'm already working with and testing a bunch of bases, around ten. I'm getting very impressive lather from most of them. I've noticed that the shaving base is quite a bit more expensive than the bases I already have. I was wondering if there really was a significant difference. I've been personally shaving with my test soaps and am quite pleased. I'm getting very rich, firm and creamy lather. The more I "work" it the more it increases in volume and firmness. Very little water is required and it rinses off easily with no greasy or sticky after feel. If you feel that another base that is more than twice the price of the ones I'm using will make a noticeably better soap, I'll add it to my ever-growing shopping list. Thanks! Dave

Kelly; I've never used any WSP FO's. I can only compare BR between NG & BCN. I too, appreciate the post. I may have to go shopping again. I only want the best fragrances available for my M&P soap and lotion line. Candy; Can you make any recommendations for a good M&P shaving soap? Dave

Pour M&P soap directly into the clamshell at less than 140°F. To prevent warping. Easy Peasy Dave

Yep-er-ee! Dave

My guess is that anyone in that shop who is still alive remembers you're adventure to this very day! I may just go ahead and put the sampler of "BS 20's" in some GM M&P and see what happens. Who knows . . . I may just have a "transcentdental" moment. It would make my day! Dave

Chris is very correct. Palm wax makes nice votives, my personal favorites, but you really do need to make sure you've eliminated the persistent air pockets especially if your marketing them. Proper safety labeling for votive candles, including the reference that an approved container is required is also a must, as you probably know. Good luck and happy and safe chandlering. Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

My wife wishes you would shut it down so I would spend more time doing the housework while she is away at her job! Dave

Could be, Candy, could be! I recall the barber, "Joe", used a "booster seat". I also remember he gave me a lollipop at the end of the "ordeal". It was my favorite flavor, orange! My brother recently sent me a newspaper clipping from the "News Journal" of Wilmington, Delaware, which featured "Joe's Barbershop" of Fairfax, Delaware. At 85 years of age, Joe was retiring. His "baby" brother, George, was going to carry-on the business. George is a young eighty year old. He's still cutting my "baby" brother's and son's hair. Joe gave me my very first professional haircut. I recall the experience like it was just last week. I also remember when "Kid George" began his career. I have fond memories of the brothers chatting like magpies as hair fell to the floor. The essence of Lilac Talcum from a white tin shaker can intermingled with the fragrances of "Hop-a-long Cassidy Hair Tonic" from a tall-necked glass bottle and, what time revealed, was "Bay Rum" aftershave still lingers like a friendly, but haunting ghost in the scent receptors of my aging brain. I began a search for that aroma when I began my venture into the world of B&B products. I sampled AH/RE's "1920's Barbershop", but settled on NG's "Bay Rum". BTW; My dad was quite disappointed when Joe's dad, also a barber, retired. Joe, Sr. gave my father his first barbershop haircut. Except during his six year's of military duty during WWII, he never went anywhere else until he was forced by circumstances to go to his son's shop. Joe, Jr. gave my father his last haircut since his dad took a "premature" retirement about the age of 90! It would be a dozen years or so later before "Senior" finally "closed shop" and took his eternal rest. Sorry for the hi-jack. I waited until the thread appeared to have "retired", too. Dave ETA: http://www.superpages.com/bp/Wilmington-DE/Joes-Barber-Shop-L0093453615.htm

The last time I remember a customer asking about wax type was when she approached my register while holding three of my jar candles; Customer; "Are these soy candles?" Me; "No! They're made with paraffin wax." Customer; "Good! I'll take these." (Note: Honest in every detail as I recall it.) HTH Dave @ Charlotte Hall Country Candles

Bay Rum is supposed to appeal to guys. I just noticed that I'm a guy. When I sampled what BCN called Bay Rum I was very unimpressed (FWIW). I remember Bay Rum from my childhood and even though that was over a half-century ago BC's had little in common with it. JMO/HTH Dave

I actually thought my fat fingers had "gotten me the boot"! (lol) Thanks, Alan! Dave

As usual, some very good advice from two very talented candle and soap crafters. JMO Dave

Tyler . . . You'd be better off if you tried to ignore those voices in your head. I mixed up a bit of your "invention". My wife is still mad at me for asking her; "Smell this!" Phweeew !!! Oils were from BCN. Maybe that didn't help any. Dave

OMG! Julie! You have no idea how much effort (and moola) I've been pouring into finding/making a true strong "leather" fragrance. I don't stock one yet, but know it's a must have for me especially since I'm going B&B by the Fall. I'll be watching this thread closely for opinions and recipes. Thank you for your perfectly timed gesture. Dave

You need to get a bigger lawnmower or a shooting-type of defense item before they abolish the 2nd Amendment. What about the coyotes. Don't forget about them!