JCFantasy23

Must be revenge of the postal services as a trade package I sent recently was lost and I was out quite a bit of time and money on that one, and of course didnt get anything in return. (Except the consideration and kindness of the host of the swap) As for this situation, I think I'd go through the roof. UPS would piss me off enormously, but so would Sweet Cakes. I havetn ordered from them due to price, but I certainly have no urge to do so now. A restocking fee when they're sending them straight out? They certainly shouldnt have to ship it out of their funds if they didnt make the mistake to begin with, and should work with you on getting it sent back on your label, but it's ludicrous to charge you for something that wasn't your fault. As for UPS, I'm at a loss. Did you write down their names as you spoke to them? I would complain, complain, complain! Write letters, call, write letters, call, adn just vent to everyone in the area. Usually makes me, an expert complainer, feel better

Well if it is your first batch, I wouldnt recommend milk or honey, as they cause heating up - rising, seperation, etc, in HP. Until you know what to look for and have the technique under control it may be better to try different recipes

Never heard of a scent booster, although some use ground oatmeal (powdered) to help retain scent. You put the fragrance with the powdered oatmeal in a covered container overnight and then use the next day. I havent noticed a huge difference when doing this, but some friends swear by it. (We do HP, not sure on results with CP)

It doesn't depend on your mold. You can always trim, which usually helps, but if the recipe dries out too much before being poured, it's almost impossible to make look pretty, no matter how much you trim. The same goes for it being too dried out from overcooking. I only do HP and these have happened to me more times than I'd like to admit. A super gloopy recipe may take a bit longer to firm up, but if it's not too moist (where it is just squishy), it can look a lot prettier.

I hate that! Oils always spill on my scale. When I keep it in the ziplock bag it doesnt read right half the time, so what I've been doing is covering it with a sheet of wax paper. Sometimes a spill sneaks in but not bad

Depends on the HP method. I'm strictly an HP gal and never had to slave over the stove for an hour (thank God!) Oven HP can mean leaving it in there doing it's thing without much fuss, as can double boiler. I generally use the microwave and it can take 30 min or less, and only stirring between certain minutes. Isn't much work to me. I have never had much problems with slimy HP, but I suppose it depends on the recipe. I've had recipes that are hard fast, so the softest doesn't necessqrily apply, but generally it's better to let harden for a day or so, ESPECIALLY if milk soaps - then can take days! You can do marbling with CP and HP can have swirls, but this takes practice (ugh) But generally you're right there as well. Texturally there are differences, as CP tends to be smoother. With practice in HP you can get about as smooth or just as with CP, but it takes awhile to get the hang of it generally. It's all based on recipe, method, pouring temp, and even molds at times. The only thing I can think of besides the obvious colorant and fragrances if I"ve heard HP tends to later lather better. This may vary by experience however. Both are great methods and very individual!

I just started using it and haven't noticed a difference yet. I'm trying to get a harder bar faster with HP while using 2 oz of milk and 2 oz of yogurt as part of my fluid. I previously used 1 oz for 2 lb so going to up it next time, hoping it doesnt get crumbly. To avoid getting the white specks in my soap I added it at the end of the cook the last batch, but have done it with the lye water before as well, noticing no difference yet.

Sounds great but I'm confused on using soapcalc to tweak the recipe? I thought it only did soap. Otherwise sounds very luxurious!!

I dont know that it's necessarily related to the hardness. I have had soft bars that lather abundantly as they've aged a bit. I find HP generally lathers more if done right, and have heard, but I am sure a lot of CP does just as well. As for aged CP I cant comment on lather as I don't do it, but from my experience with HP, yes, after about 2 days the lather is better than initially.

Just learned on floating soap something that reminded me of this thread. Apparently baking soda will give you that effect over wire whisking or incorporating air, as it builds up oxygene bubbles in your bar. May be something to play around with someday

Maybe I'm being drawn in to much with the numbers. I guess I'm just overly trying perfection here!

Thanks for the advice everyone! I think I will start with trying it at 5%

BEAUTIFUL!!! Wow. I think the green is my favorite, the white swirls really stand out and it almost glows. Great work!

Looks great. Like when the sides are beveled like that, and coffee bars are always goodies

Think it looks great. The light threads are one of my favorite swirl types

Yeah I don't get this. I couldn't do it, that's for sure. I work out of my bedroom for my stuff lol, sometimes the kitchen, and live with other people. All my stuff is kept in a closet turned into a workroom/store room. I dont see how anyone could come and inspect that. It may be a better idea to fly under the radar online only with B&B. Are you they saying they require these ridiculous fees and licenses if you're just making soap?? How can the state claim it's a cosmetic when the FDA doesn't consider it one? Grrr, I hate Florida but am stuck here!!

Great!! Friend was complaining to me the other day I don't have clean cotton. Just never got around to it. Now sampling that and other linen/clothes scents. iammommytwo, I think by the time it's all over, I'll have sampled everybody's Mulberry lol. Up to six now once these come in

Thanks guys, I think I'll purchase some of the other wax just for hurricanes and keep the IGI 1343 around for the rest. I eventually want to work with more soy and containers, please tell me keeping three waxes is the norm around here I think when I try a sample FO order with Peaks I'll get the wicks there, everyone recommends them so highly. I'd be almost tempted just to buy a small amount of another wax just to have Apple Butter smelling candles !!

Didn't realize you got 3 free samples for every 50. Hmmm, trying to remember how much I spent with them lol. Yes, I love Ginger. Gingerlily that is sweet and strong is divine, and I make ginger infused honey where the fresh ginger is cut and infused on low heat in raw honey. It smells like lemon almost, so fresh and mouthwatering!! It has the honey taste a bitter hotter and almost spicey but not overly so (can't stand spicey food in general) Would love to find a straight Ginger like this someday, that's true. Yes, the ex wore the Hugo Boss and it drove my hormones bonkers. Remember buying him a deodorant from them with the fragrance, broke him out into a rash lol. If this smell is true to scent, I think it will be a mandatory toiletry item for every future mate!. Never smelled Chrome.

Firegirl, I didnt order FO's from MMS, just their ice cream pails and some chemicals. Havent tried their fragrances yet!! As for SOS, I will let you know - with their selection, it would be great to find a lot of goldmines in there, although I've ran across my share of stinkers. Decided to just take the plunge and dive in to a bunch and decide once and for all if I like their quality enough to be a supplier I keep checking with or not. xverion, I have a horrible nose anyway lol. I swear I have the worst 'scent' out of anybody, makes it tougher when making soaps and candles and trying to judge what smells strong or good. Charity, I rarely see Brighter Scents mentioned but when I have, the reviews have been positive. And with their prices, who can resist checking them out!?! I will certainly let you know what I think of them when the transaction is all complete. Glad you like their Mulberry, I posted a thread a few weeks ago seeking a scent similar to Brambleberrys. I got the JS one in and it was great but very herbal and not sweet. I believe I've ordered a Mulberry from all 3 suppliers here lol. Since you like the Mulberry, maybe this will be the one!!! It will take me eons to test all this mess - still haven't done all from the Bear and JS orders from this month! But one day.. Will update OOB when they come in at least, until I can get more details.

Yeah, I'm not dissing Columbus, they seem great, but I hate paying over $40 for something that costs a little over 20. Live too far away. Wish I had soaping friends near to split stuff with!!

I know air bubbles are generally bad, but wonder if people prefer floating soap?? LOL

Cindy, Thanks for the answer. I know the further discounted the lye is, the softer sometimes, so would discounting the lye at 6% only help with the conditioning, or am I not understanding right? I know Sodium Lactate helps a lot with fluidity at the end of the cook, but does it help with hardness and getting the bar set up quicker despite the milk? I've opted to leave the Stearic acid out because the bar seems hard enough in #'s before the GM, and I've always just had bad experience with it. If someone thinks it would really help though, I may give it another shot. I may try not adding the extras at the end, but it's hard as that's how I always blend the colorant in - sort of serves 2 purposes there.

Wow, that is beautiful. Looks more to me like some sort of technique rather than just chance, it's too even. I'd say in the mold, possible with seperate dividers? That way each bar looks identical.

Coloring can be one of the trickiest parts to master. If the soap is for personal use some people use crayons, although I never have, and the results are not always dependable. As with food coloring, you can use that, but it will fade and morph with the lye. Blue will turn red, etc. Natural colorants can work well - if you have turmeric you may wish to add it for a yellow, sage for a green, etc. I am not sure what you have on hand to use.