Mitch23

Stupid question time... Does it matter if you use an oil or a butter? Is one better than the other? Hubs gave me the go ahead and get a few oils to make a better batch of soap, so I'm trying to find some that I can use to make some that will hopefully help him with dry skin (which docs told him it was a mild case of eczema). I've been reading everything for the last three days or so, and found a few I'd like to try. I'm basically asking about Sweet Almond oil vs. the butter, Avocado, shea (which is low on my list, I think ). I know with the butters you can only use 5%, but if I could get half and half oils/betters I could pack more goodies in, right? Also, could I put a little EO to sorta help mask the smell of one of the oils (neem) I'm using? If so, how much? Thanks for any advice or a point in the right direction of more reading... Mitch

I'm testing a pillar (for the 7th time now...), and I thought of something that I wouldn't even know how to search for the answer. OK, I have a few 3" molds, round square, spiral octagon... The last one is what I'm working on now. Was hoping to give one to a very dear friend of mine a few months ago, now I'm shooting for the end of this year... Anyways, my question... once I find the right wick for this mold/wax/fo combo, should the other shapes work with the same wick. Only curious because I'm kinda tired of watching this shape burn for now... (Don't get me wrong, still planning on testing them, just wondering) Ahh, this doesn't make as much sense as it made in my head... Mitch

I'm not exactly sure how long I cooked it. I started everything at around 4:30 yesterday, and that was taken about half an hour after I boxed it up at around 8:30 or so. Now not all that time was cooking it, it also includes measuring everything out, and lining the box (which I WILL find an easier way!). The tongue test? Well, it tastes like a nasty soap. Nothing I'd want to wash my kids mouth out with if I needed to. Smells wonderful though. The white spot is where it was cooling faster. I didn't leave enough on the sides to completely cover it up. Thought I did, but ... I think the color of the rest of it is from the scent I put in. At least, that's when it showed up. the clear brownish orange color. Figured if I messed up my first batch I'd mess it up good. If it turned out, I'd have plenty time before I had to do it again. Also found out this morn I didn't need to cover it after I put it in the box. Ahh, well, what's waiting another hour for the middle to cool... Mitch

I got my first batch of CPHP under my belt now! Just waiting to see if the experience was a good one. Got a little worried because mine strayed away from the tute in some spots, but as soon as I put it in the mold, I came and checked but saw I'm not the only one that happened to. How long will it take for me to know if it's good or not? Seems like it's getting a little ash in the middle where it's not covered too close, or it could possibly be that that is where it's cooling. I dunno... I tried playing with some of the left over stuff in the pot. After I finished I thought I had better wash my hands, just in case. Well, before I could put any soap I had bubbles! Rinsed, dried, and tried again with a little chunk. Yup, definately got some soap (even though I don't know how good it'll be). Now, it's not super bubbly, but I'm just chunked at it!*getdown* If you want to try this, but are scared because of the lye... go for it. Be careful, but go for it! I can't believe I let that stuff keep me from doing this for so long... Hmmm, now what oils do I want to try next... Mitch

ok, I figured out which box I'm going to use for my mold. I'll need 4.25 lbs to fill it. When I ran my numbers through the soap calc, this is basically what it says... Olive 17.01 (I put this at 25%) Canola 17.01 (the same 25%) Coconut 10.21 (put this at 15) Crisco 23.81 (35%) Water 25.86 Lye 9.2 Quick question... could I round? Maybe have it as 17, 17, 10.25, 23.75, 25.75 & 9.25 ozs? Will them couple little points hurt terribly? Just kinda scared I'll burn our skin off or something along the lines... Thanks for being so patient with me... Mitch

or so I hope. I took the recipe I had written down with me to the store, where I was able to find all of it, except for the Palm Oil. I got extra virgin olive, canola, coconut, and Crisco. I ran it through each of the calcs, but I noticed something. In the newbies links, there is a post that says more than 15% coconut can dry your skin, but the recipe I have shows it's at 29.27%. Should I drop that down some, and add more Crisco? Oh, I feel so aggravating... sorry about this. Mitch

I've decided to go with the Sudsy All-Vegetable recipe. For some reason I don't remember seeing that one before. It calls for Palm oil, but from what I remember, I think I can sub Crisco for that (heh, now that I think more about it, that's what yall advise everyone to start with... ahh the joys of the late night brain!) It is a big one, though. When I ran it through the calc, it seemed to be close (only the few numbers after the decimal point off). It's supposed to be 8.25 lbs! Is anyone going to want some soap when it's finished!! Or does that not make as much as it seems? And just to be sure, I can use my candle scents, right? I'd use maybe 1.5- 2 ozs? Thanks again... gotta go make kids some breakfast... Mitch

I've been trying to work up some nerve to try some soap. I think I've decided to try cp first. Got my lye, but am trying to decide on which oils to try out. I've been reading up on the MillerSoap site, but it seems to confuse me. To make this short, how do you all decide which oils to use? Is there somewhere I'm not looking? Thanks... Mitch

So, should I just ditch this test, dig the wax out, and start over? Cept with all the fun stuff? Oh, I'm sooo not good with all this testing! Does it ever get easier? Seems like every time I try I get more confused... Mitch

Sometime last week I had asked about different wicks. Well, yall convinced me to try sample packs. Got three (Performa, RRD, and paper core). I poured some test jars yesterday, let them cool. Burned them for about two hours last night, after which I saw that I just HAD to change one of them. Burned again for another three hours this morn., went to town while they cooled, then burned for almost another four this eve. They all have a little hang up, which I think should clear up on the next test burn (fingers crossed it will anyways). I'm going to try to attach a pic so I might get some suggestions on which one yall think are doing the best so far. I know which one I'd choose as of right now, but I'd like to get some opinions to see if I'd choose the right one. Oh, btw, these are just wax... no color, no fo, no nothing. I know I'll prolly have to go up a size or two once I put all the good stuff in there, but I'm just looking for a jumping off point for now... TIA for any suggestions. Mitch

I think it looks awesome! That blue would look perfect in my soon-to-be candlemaking room (heh, which I'm SUPPOSED to be getting finished today!)! I don't see how any candle made from any kind of palm wax can be described as anything but gorgeous... Mitch

Thank for the compliments. They are scented Patchouli. I used the icicle wax from CandleSupplyCentral, although I'm not exactly sure which brand it is. I'm gearing up to make some smaller ones to go with these, some 2 by maybe three pillars, scented Sandalwood with a sort of coffee brown color. I absolutely love making my own candles since I can mix color and scent to whatever I want! OK, going play now... Mitch

or at least I hope. I'm so excited about how these came out. Now I just gotta see if I can get the pic on here... crossing fingers. Michelle

Hi, all. I have to start off by saying thank you to everyone here for all the greast info you all share. A wonderful place for people like me to learn! I started making candles about two months ago. So far I seem to be doing ok with 4 oz jars with HTP 83 wicks and C3 soy wax. (Does that sound like an average combination?) Thing is, my husband wants me to go with bigger jars. I bought some 6.5 oz, and have some 10 oz. on the way. In the 6.5's, I'm testing an 83 and a 104 (HTP). I'm not overly happy with how either one is burning. The 104 is doing ok, but it has some hang-up on the sides. Would going up to a 105 make any difference? Also, should the jar be hot? One other thing I'm thinking is to try either Performa, CD, LX, or RRD. Question is, though... what size do I start with? I'm not really wanting to get a sampler kit, because almost all of the ones I've looked at have sizes I don't think I'll need. Am I the only one that gets more confused the more I TRY to learn? Will all of this get easier to understand after I get some experience under my belt? I mean there are times when I feel completely and utterly STUPID for not knowing what is being said... Thanks for any advice any of you can me. Greatly appreciated! Michelle