cryptic

Yup, taken domains are EXPENSIVE...if you want to see some real money, check out some basic names like cars.com or something simple like that on Ebay. Thousands and millions of dollars worth! Unbelieveable, but I guess they can put whatever price they want on it...as long as they "own" it.

How do you measure the jar's temperature?

Yahoo sucks for hosting. I have had problems with their hosting ever since I made one of my sites and put it on there. My site would occasionally go down. I have used www.interserver.net and their support is great (phone, email, and several instant messengers). Since then, I have my own web server now (because I own several websites) and use www.powervps.com Finding a web host is difficult because there are so many out there. Be careful with signing up with a host because you never know if it's just a bunch of kids doing hosting from their bedroom using their DSL, lol, with a nice-looking website. I would see how fast they respond by sending an email to their support, or calling. Ask them every question there is, etc. I have since stuck with the hosts I am familiar with or try out "known" companies for hosting. For me, it was always trial-and-error.

What is meant by not "letting it gel"? With or without gel? Thanks

Do lotion bars need a preservative? What exactly does a lotion bar look like? Is it like soap?

I agree...I guess I will just try Essential Wholesale's all natural lotion just for me, but I won't sell lotions. I will revert back to candlemaking, sopamaking, lip balms, and the other stuff. Are lotions the only B&B product that requires a preservative? What other B&B prodcuts need this? Thank you all for your input...it's great to learn new things and to read your opinions!

Yes, I have been reading here and there about prabens and other preservatives. These seem to be the most common even in my current household products, which has increased my concern. Below is an email I sent to a company that uses parabens in their lotions, just to see what they would say. -------------------- MY EMAIL: ...I feel uneasy about the "parabens" used in the lotion. I understand parabens are used as a preservative, but I've read that they also have health risks associated to them, including breast cancer and more dominant side effects to those who suffer from asthma, etc. Is there information that you can provide me about the parabens preservatives you use in your lotion? Information would be greatly appreciated. -------------------- RESPONSE: The parabens we use in our formulations are used in trace amount. When we challenge test our formulations we use only enough to preserve the base for 2 years. We have also found that the are the only preservatives that produce a safe base, I think that is why almost 100 % of all commercially available products use parabens to insure product stability. In fact, most insurance companies will not provide product insurance unless it is preserved correctly. We found that most of the natural methods of preserving bases produce a base that is unstable with the risks outweighing the benefits. Both of the preservatives we use are not synthetically formulated as many believe, they are both derived from natural sources and considered to be amongst the gentlest preservatives. Methyl Paraben is a fine, white methyl-compound (containing no alcohol) which is extracted from blueberries. Propyl paraben is derived from the cherry bark, raspberries, tea, anise and cassia bark. Propyl Paraben and methyl paraben are neutral, nontoxic, safe to use, nonirritating, nonsensitizing and nonpoisonous. It is one of the most commonly used preservatives in cosmetics since it is stable in most pH levels, broad spectrum and water-soluble. -------------------- What do you think?

Purple Lilac is da bomb!

I REALLY like that they are using all natural ingredients in the Honey lotion. I have been searching for a lotion that has the least, if any, chemicals/extras, etc. I have got to try them out just to see. Their Goat Milk lotion seems to use only "a bit" of the paraben preservative, which makes me feel a little better. Essentials by Catalina has a lotion that seems to be natural-like with the exception of their "parabens" preservative. This was going to be my second choice. I'm just ansy about the parabens preservatives and the effects it has on the body. I do realize that most comercial body products, facial cleansers, shampoos, etc. have parabens in them. But I am trying not to get too paranoid about it; it's just that I've read more negative things about it than positive. Does anyone have any input on this?

So, by using oils & butters, you don't need a preservative? (Still learning how to make lotion).

Thanks! I didn't even look a the prices, lol.

Hi: While searching for a good lotion base that contains the LEAST amount of chemicals, I came across Essential Wholesale's "All Natural Honey Body Lotion" http://www.essentialwholesale.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=1097 Has anyone used it yet? If so, what did you think about it? What about their Goat Milk Lotion? What about their Hemp Lotion? What about their Jojoba Lotion? What about their Massage Body Lotion? and any other lotions they have Thanks!

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but while I was searching for soy lotions online and on this site, I was surprised to find certain ingredients in pre-made lotions in general. I did not realize that just because people made their lotions (by using premade lotions and adding fragrance), it did not mean that they were considered "all natural." I thought that people made their own because they wanted to avoid using the "commercial-type" lotions that contain harmful/synthetic ingredients. I learn something new every day. This site is full of info, thanks! Is an "all natural" lotion even possible?

Which recipe was it?!

LOL! Thanks all for the heads up!

Hello: Since I am new to candlemaking, I was wondering where can I find the pretty decorations or the pretty packaging for candles that I see others make? Like the small little tags that dangle, or the tie-on bows, etc. Do you use your creative ideas and put something together, or is there a company out there that provides themes and candle packaging materials for you? Just wondering because some of the decorations and packaging on the candles you all have made in the candle gallery are simply amazing. They look so professional. Awesome. Thank you very much

Is the MMS buttercream also in the recipe along with all the above? Just needed some clarification to see how it works. So just melt all the ingredients, do you know what temperature more or less? Then pour into a lip balm tube, how do you pour it in the little tube without spilling? How long you have to wait for it to harden? New at all this. Thanks.

I'm looking to make my own soap, but can't decide which process to go with. Any suggestions?

Awesome! Thank you very much for the explanation. Now it makes more sense!

Ahh, and is lye a required ingredient? Is there an alternate to this ingredient? Is it possible to make soap with more "natural" ingredients, or do you need certain ingredients in order for it to act like and be soap?

What does M&P stand for? Thanks!

Those jars do look very cute, but wouldn't more heat be retained towards the bottom once the wax melted around that level? Wouldn't it crack the glass? I am assuming that the candle would not burn correctly...am I incorrect?

Not interested in that product, even if I did see it on TV. If I wanted soy lotion, I'd buy LOTION; if I wanted a candle, I'd buy it or make my own.

I don't think so because I don't get ANY reaction to the soy ones while it's burning or not. I noticed here you mention "MY" candles. I am assuming you just use paraffin and nothing else, so maybe they don't get that reaction. From my reactions I described above, I purchased them from stores, none were "handmade" - so maybe it's a chemical or something that big companies or whatever add in their candles? Maybe it's the type of wick they are using? I do get the same reactions I described above if someone is smoking next to me. Do cigarettes contain paraffin, or metal, or a similar chemical that they put in candles? Or maybe it's the smoke. Who knows, I just know if I smell it, the feeling I get is like inhaling smoke, :lipsrseal. That's just me.

I suggest anyone who wants the ease of updating their site (frameless) to use Server Side Includes (SSI) or PHP. SSI is best for smaller sites with a couple of pages, no hassle. If you have a large site with many pages, then the easier route is with PHP, in my opinion. I have a handy little script somewhere around here (I have to look for it) if your host has PHP installed on the server. You could also do a search online...but it's a little tricky if you are not familiar with it or don't know what you are loooking for. Basically, the idea behind the PHP script I use (there are zillion ways of doing it) is that you only need to create one page (index.php). This would be the page that describes the "layout" (where your nav bar is, your header, your footer, etc.) The rest of the pages you create are your "content" pages (page1.html, page2.html, etc) These content pages only have the text and images you want. By clicking on a link in the navigation bar, you stay on the main page, and only the content that changes shows up on the screen... it's pretty cool. Comparing to SSI, SSI requires a certain server include tag on each page and also has to reload the entire page when a page link is clicked on, having to reload all the text and images of the header, footer, etc. every time. (IMO, you use more bandwidth this way). As far as the URL of the main page is concerned, it's an ugly URL with "?page" or similar in it so it's not earch-engine friendly if you are concerned about URL display, however, I never had a problem with it since I use meta tags and descriptions and my websites have always shown up in Google with no problems. Just wanted to share info. PM me if you are interested in trying the little PHP script for fun to see if that would make your life easier The alternative is to use SSI, let Dreamweaver build it for you (it creates it's own linking system), or use a Content Management System (CMS). You can find many here: http://www.opensourcecms.com/ - Blogs are my favorite to use, like Movable Type, Weblog, and Mambo at times. The catch is that you would have to mess with some code to "customize" your website. (I'm just throwing this out there, sorry if I sound too technical).