Hibiscus

I agree. I love round soap and would definitely be interested in a co op. Maybe one of those nice co op queens will see this and become just as interested. These are certainly better than the old pringle can and the plastic bottle experiment because they release so easily. I have difficulty taking the caps off and putting them on, they are just that snug but in one experiment I made a mistake and there was a terrible mess. But then I shouldn't have been doing strange things with my recipe:laugh2:

I joined a cp LS group on yahoo but I never took the time to try it. I know that with the hp method some people bring the soap to trace before placing it in the pot and that seems to help speed it up. I've made my own recipe and the time was cut considerably so it's not so bad and patience is definitley necessary:D

Snug they are!..um unless you're doing something you're not supposed to...

Great link. Thanks for the search. I haven't spoke to their rep yet and honestly outside of B&B products I never noticed it in any other products...:embarasse could be beacause I wasn't working with it then:undecided

One more thing. You don't have to neutralize with the boric acid if you're going to use borax to thicken it or make a gel

In the about recipe there isn't enough water for dilution. I will look up my notes to see how much I used. I know it wasn't a whole lot more than what the recipe called for. I put mine in a ss pot and covered it and sat it on a heating pad overnight. I figured the amount needed to dilute by adding 2 cups of boiling water until most of the soap chunks were diluted and it was still the consitency of honey and then I put it in a container and while it was sequestering the soap chunks dissolved. Tara suggested using a stick blender along with the boiling water and it works very well too!

They look soft and pretty. It's kind of difficult (for me) to get really great swirls with the round molds. I asked if you always covered it because I never used my cover because I was afraid it might pop open so I covered it with press and seal wrap:D

my first attempt took forever and I think it was because it was such a small batch and after getting a feel for making LS i realised I could have diluted it sooner. Next time double the recipe and things should go along faster and although I do recall that some of the stages were not present in the larger batch the soap was still clear and came out very nice. Happy LS Making!

WOW!:highfive: that sure is nice looking soap! it takes color very well too. I also use the commercial grade borax in my LS. I have used my soap right after dilution and it was fine. I have also washed my hair with it and I didn't like the birds nest feel I got from it but I made a nice detangling conditioner and that took care of the tangled birds nest it gave me. Very happy for you and hope you had fun. Also, I used a 6 quart crock pot as well and when I doubled that about recipe it gave me a little over a gallon of soap once diluted. I think that was something like 4 lbs of soap paste. I don't have my notes with me so not sure about that.

Nice mold:D do you always cover it ? It looks pretty and with round soap you always get pleasant surprises at cutting time.

probably not the only one to have a pot boil over. I read that it could do that but it's just never happened to me. I think it might just be something that happens with the double boiler. Based on your description of the paste it sounds like you made soap..lol can't wait to see it diluted..good luck:D

never seen it in toothpaste or any similar products. usually see it in b&b products which isn't surprising. I can see how it would be possible that once mixed with all those other chemicals it could be come something else and if that is the case I wonder if because it is used at less than 1% if it could be avoided altogether...I will call their consumer line to get exact info on it I would sure love to know how it works in their formula.

I finally purchased shelving and cabinets to organize my soap and b&b supplies. I keep all that in a spare bedroom. I store my carrier oils and wax in the basement. I keep my jewelry and beaded flower supplies in another spare bedroom. It's so much easier now but sometimes the kitchen does get a little cluttered when I'm super busy:o but because everything has a place it's easy to clean up. I have a table in the soap/b&b room where I have set up my crock for LS and cp so i won't use the kitchen as much. I haven't had time to make anything lately and I am really going through serious withdrawals.

I haven't contacted Enfamil yet to ask them why it's used in their formula but it is listed as under 1% and that may be a small amount but when did it become edible? Has anyone else seen this? Am I reading something incorrectly?:undecided

aw man so it's not soap yet?*faint* what are the dilution problems?

I've made quite a few gallons of LS and never had a pot come close to boiling over. I didn't use the double boiler I used a crock pot so maybe that's the difference or the recipe:undecided mind sharing your recipe or method?

http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/liquidsoap/ss/basicliquidsoap_10.htm?terms=making+liquid%20soap if ayone is interested in the other tutorial.

Yep, they are kids and that might be why it is suggested that children use this kit with adult supervision. Which I think means that you will be certain that the child is protected and that you will basically guide them every step of the way. I am certain that a responsible adult wouldn't allow the child to handle lye alone. I know I wouldn't. I am sticking with my previous post and when my nephew is ready I will post a step by step accident free adult supervised soaping session! Look for it in the gallery:D I know my nephew very well and I trust in my own ability to supervise him safely and correctly. Again, it's not complicated nor is it dangerous if you know wth your doing.

thank you, thank you. BTW-I've seen your LS in the gallery and I hope mine turns out half as good as yours. Thanks but..shhhh are you allowed to say that? oh I know yours will turn out just fine. Oh and I also got my directions for balloon candles/orbs from that site as well as a few beaded jewelry patterns...I use that site for a TON of things as well. Happy Liquid Soaping!

always nice to see another possible LS addict in the making:yay: I got my instructions from about.com and they were VERY easy to follow. I think it's easier than cp soaping.:highfive:

I don't know folks but I have a 12 year old nephew that has always expressed an interest in everything that I make. He has made jewelry for his mom as well as a tiny bunch of beaded forget me nots. I know there are no chemicals involved in jewelry making or beaded flowers but his younger brother of 7 has expressed and interest in learning to make soap and I don't see any reason not to teach him at 12 years of age. It's not complicated and these guys are fast learners, very attentive and follows instructions very well.. I know I could have made soap at 12 as I am sure that is true for everyone on this board. The only reason we didn't is because we weren't exposed to it. It's usually pretty easy to tell if a child is truly interested or if it's just one of a million things they show interest in. I have learned from working with my nephews that they are patient, attentive and dedicated while working on a project that they really enjoy. So, I will be the odd one and say...Yes, I wouldn't have any problem instructing a 12 year old in soap making or cosmetics:D If there is a newbie soap challenge this year, now the newbies know where to get everything all in on place! that's pretty neat:D

Make holiday or other kinds of wreaths. My brother used to make beautiful Christmas wreaths with hangers, plastic, glue, spray paint and other decorative items.

I PM'd you. Red as in a Ruby or lab created Ruby? What are your daughters birthstones and what size stones are you thinking of? The photo posted is a very simple design and should be easy to make.

I agree those beads are too chunky and also kind of busy with all the colors. I like the idea and would probably use 2mm or 3mm beads for that design. It could also be done with a a few bugle beads spaced thoughout. Basically make it lay flat against the skin almost like a fringe.