cryptic

Right Thanks everyone for your insight and clarification!

Yeah maybe. In the past, more people had these enormous blocks after they cut their logs. I couldn't find better examples, but I just wanted to ask the question since most of the blocks have a ragged edge on them. The blocks I was used to seeing were about half the size of an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper, which is what I consider huge, and wondered if people use the soap like that, or if the soapmaker, cuts it more to a practical size after taking their pictures.

Ahh, thank you...so it is just for the pics

Examples of huge chucks here: http://www.craftserver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77835 http://www.craftserver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77931

Your size is what I would consider "normal" lol. If you click on the Soap Gallery, you'll see people's soap, when they cut it, they are HUGE rectangles. I understand that you make them in logs, but I was curious to know as to WHY they cut it like that. I am wondering if it is just for display or just for pictures. Then I wonder if they cut them smaller, because how are you supposed to use the big blocks of soap?

Hi, While looking around, I noticed everyone who makes soap displays the soap in HUGE blocks. Are the soap blocks just for the picture? I hope these blocks will be cut much smaller to hand-size for practical use. Right? Just curious. Thanks

Hi, out of all of the shopping carts you've used so far, which one do you like the most? Which one do you think is most useful? I've designed web sites for about 9 years, but just wanted to get an idea of you all use on your sites. Thanks all!

Awesome responses...thanks all! Please keep them coming. I've used osCommerce a few years ago, and I remember it being a headache. Just want to gather some info before getting into that one again. Thanks!

Hello all: I was curious to know all the different types of shopping cart solutions you all use. Please let me know if you are using osCommerce, XCart, Mal's Shopping Cart, PayPal, or any other shopping cart. I would like to make a list and compare all of them to see what would suit my needs, thank you! Dee

How long would this last if it doesn't have a preservative? Isn't it bad to put oil on the face? I am looking for a natural scrub to make as well, but don't know where to find a good easy natural recipe. For me, it's difficult to decipher a recipe when its written in veteran language or written inline within a paragraph, haha. I am still reading, but would appreciate any advice anyone would like to provide.

HAHA...I almost choked on a french fry while reading your post!

Great! Thank you! When pouring the CP soap, what is the best way to make several individual bars using those molds? Do you put many molds in a big container and just pour the soap, or do you meticulously pour soap carefully in each mold? Thanks!

I'm new at this and I'm currently in the researching and reading stage before I make soap. My question is, what do individual soap molds look like? I've seen the shoe box/wooden molds, but I don't want my soap to look like that squared/rectangular shape from those molds. I want the bar to look like oval or rounded on the corners, like store-bought bars, or at least smaller rectangular bars. Is this possible? If so, can someone post a picture or a link to what that type of mold looks like and where I can get them? Thanks!

lolol! ok, I reread it and now THAT makes more sense. Thanks, I'm still in the researching and reading stage before I try my first CP soap.

Do you mean to not cover the soap with the lid when it's curing in the mold? Thanks.

Ahh, I see. Thank you for clarifying that for me

On the Modern Soapmaking Techniques page: http://www.millersoap.com/soapproc.html I guess I don't get it. Are you using your stove to make CP soap? or are you just over the stove? I thought that heating was for HP only?? :embarasse

Are the MODERN instructions of soapmaking on the Miller Soap website considered CP? I was getting confused when she mentiones her stove a couple of times on the site. Thanks.

Here are my suggestions: Metro Men (lol) Handsome Line Handsome Collection King Collection Ben Hur Collection Pimp Daddy Line Indulgence for Men Pampered for Men Empire for Men SPORT for Men - (come up with words to stand for the letters) Hmm..that's all I can think of for now.

I have never used Homestead, nor am familiar with their services. Are you using Homestead's online builder, or are you using some sort of web software? If you are using software, I may be able to look at the code and see what may be causing the problem. Let me know.

Cool thanks for the info and advice! Internet-related stuff, no problem (I did web design for several years, search optimization, online marketing resources, etc.) Business stuff, that's the tricky part for me. I can see why it's so much easier to just hire a CPA and let them do all the accounting stuff for you, less of a headache Thanks! I will check out the books!

I would like to start a small business down the road... The main reason I have been hesitant of starting a business is because of all the "business" details I find overwhelming. In addition to product liability insurance, a DBA name, tax ID, business license, what about these? Do you do your own taxes? Do you hire a CPA to do your taxes? What is considered tax-deductible? (what does it mean?) What is itemized taxes? Inventory? (What do you need to keep track of? how often?) Do you need to report taxes frequently, or just once a year? Is there a book that explains what you have to do or keep track of in your business? Did you create a business plan first before opening for business? How did you learn how to run your business?I have a million other questions, but these will do for now to point me in the right direction. I just find the "business" side of it so tedious and complicated. If someone can help me see it in a more simplified way, I would greatly appreciate it Don't worry, I'm not starting anything until I understand all this stuff. Thanks.

Thank you for your helpful tips Top! I really appreicate it.

Do you mean "straight up" as in a jar that it square with a round top? Or do you mean a perfect cylindrical jar? Don't mean to be so technical, but just need it for clarification, thanks!

Which type of jars are best for soy? Does the thickness matter? Does the type of lid matter, i.e. plastic lid, wooden lid, etc.? I have been reading and will soon order my first soy candle kit. I was just wondering if anyone had any general or specific tips about certain jars and about what type of jars to buy instead of blindly buying the wrong ones. Thanks