Hibiscus

nah I've seen some soap in the gallery that looked even more delicious that that!..and that's a shame...cause I love cheese cake:smiley2:

I was probably one of the first people to ever speak of the Do Right molds.

For that, I should be whipped with wet spaghetti and thrown into the dumpster. Just like those molds. CRAP. I bought two from eBay and sold them both before I even used them, because of the small bar size. Now I read all about sticking, they don't assemble correctly and all that jazz.

I absolutely LOVE the ease of working with with HDPE, I'd order a mold from Jeff in a second, as his craftsmanship shines through. But I have decided to stick with wood molds, as the do the best job for me personally in my soapmaking adventures. The fast gel and insulation that wood offers in a mold cannot be compared with in my soaping experiences. When I do anything with a plastic mold, the gel is never consistent. It all depends on what type of soaper you are, and what you are expecting in a finished product, IMO.

That being said, I have to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE my TOG mold.

I just got it yesterday. It's a beauty! The sides of this mold are probably at least an inch thick, and it is sanded to perfection. Gorgeous mold, I might even put it in the middle of my dining room table as a centerpiece.

Damn, I've got issues!

This is the mold I just received:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7475923

:laugh2: :laugh2: yeah a wooden soap mold as a centerpiece clearly shows signs of some sort of issue...lol at least place some candles beside it...

Love those swirlies and I love Um's and Micas. Just ordered some to play with. Ummmm chamomile is one of my favorite fragrances. When I brew the tea I just hold the cup and inhale deeply before sipping it. Always reminds me of Christmas:)

My Walmart has started carrying the demarrara sugar. I also use the turbinado and brown. I'm not having a problem with the sugar dissolving in my scrubs.

Yep, that's where I find it too. I also found it at bulkfoods as well.

My wonderful BIL makes my soap molds and he only charges me soap and lotion, what a sweet deal! he's working on three more today because I changed my measurements. Not sure what I'll do with the old molds. The new ones even have handles to make it easier to carry and slam on the counter...and all I have to do is keep him supplied with lotion and soap:yay: did I say it was a SWEEEET deal? He's making me a cutter and he made me the cutest 2lb test mold too:p

sorry to hijack with all the bragging but I am really very happy:yay:

oh and I use the foam for lining and will be using the mylar as well..so no more wax paper!

I was eyeing that co op too and am now very happy I didn't purchase one. I agree with everyone else, contact the manufacturer for a refund or replacment. On the sticking issue, I've read that mineral oil works for that:confused: and to think I was considering this material for my new molds...stayed with wood after all.

I think the three wise men were Jimmy Hendricks, Austin Powers & Peter Frampton...cause those soapies have a serious funkgroove goin on! Those swirls are awesome and the cut soaps look perfect! (singing) do you, YOU! feel like we do :whistle:

Kinda hard to describe the fragrance but spicy is definitely one thing that comes to mind. I'm no to good at describing something other than florals or earthy..hey this one may be earthy too:smiley2: ..very mild and spicy I guess. The black powder seems to behave differently than the oxide which always bleeds on me. This powder was only tested in one other batch and it bled when first cut but then after a day or two, it was fine. I will give this one a few days and report back. Sure would be nice to have a non bleeding black soap.

These are fragranced Black Magic and as you can see the fragrance turned the soap a pumpkin color. The black was done with black sparkle powder and I don't know if it bleeds yet but in a batch prior to this one, it didn't bleed so who knows what will happen....bleeding soap is definitely scary to me:laugh2: Happy Halloween CT!

um I think I may have cut it a little too soon...I was soo anxious..lol

and that's why I hate gel too! but I think that huge wet spot will even out as it cures. It looks fine, I love oatmeal soap:)

I'd love to see a class on wire wrapping gemstones and cabs. I'm not so sure I would be good at instructing...hmmm. And if someone knows of an inexpensive way to cast jewelry that would be really great:)

Thanks for your replies and now I will remember to track what sample I sent to each customer...great idea:smiley2: and I really should have thought of that...I've gotta get some help and soon:confused:

Yes, I know that people will take advantage. I usually include samples with every order and that always brings them back for more. I am not looking for free samples or anything, just have some promotional idea running around in my already crowded head and wondering if anyone else had done it... Well, thanks for the reply.

Just curious as to how many of you offer free samples, and if you are also paying postage on samples that are not included with an order. Have you ever run a free sample /free postage special?

Thanks,

Hmmm a thermometer for soap. I never considered one for anything other than candles and lotion. But then I soap everything at RT:rolleyes2

Vitamin shoppe carries castor and coconut oil. I've found castor in walgreens and in the local grocer, it's usually a small bottle of about 4-6 oz.

HTH someone:D can't wait to see all the new soap!

Thanks for the great vote of confidence.....I remember when I tried to do them for the first time and I did the dip in and dip out technique .....it sucked. I gave up. Then someone on CT told me how to do it and then it worked. Took some practice to get it right but finally I learned. There is usually a better way to do just about anything.

was your first with the dipping method really that bad? I guess because it worked so well for me, I never gave much thought to another method. I used to turn those puppies out like muffins...lol

sigh, but I had to move on to other stuff:D I shall return to that stuff at a later date.

You mean like grate it up and mix it with water? you'd probably end up with a goopy mess.

I think they are wanting to make soap snot and of course to do this you must use the snot making method, Yep, you just grate the bar soap and let it sit in water until it's all dissolved:D and, walla! soap snot

:tiptoe:

Pls tell me or show me what an orb is? I'm a little behind living out here in the country. Carole

http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/candlemakinginstructions/ss/balooncandle.htm?terms=balloon+candles

This is where I got my instructions.

HTH:D

Long sleeves, gloves, goggles and ventilation:D that's basically it. If you mix outside, like the others said, be sure your container has a cap.

There is only one more thing you will need, and that is determination because that will kick fears butt right outta there!

Have Fun!

I've tried the glycerine gel, body frosting, scrub and purchased several of their bottles and jars. All were very nice, but the shipping was way too high for me, so i figured I should learn how to make the stuff...very weird I am...lol

I have an awesome opportunity to get this HUGE wholesale account with a major retailer. I know...sounds too good to be true, but it's not. I really don't know if I can handle this workload--it's literally tens of thousands of products. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, though. It's really what I've been working for all these years and it's scary. I can't even think about where to start. I know I have to come up with costs, but this is much different than working out of my workshop and ordering wax by the case. I'd have to hire people, get a space, etc. Has anyone been through this? I'd really appreciate any advise I could get before I meet with their buyer.

Thanks!

Jodie

When that happens to me (and it will) and if I am not prepared to handle the work (hope I will be) I will find a company that will manufacture the products for me. It will entail a lot of research into whomever I choose and of course lots of legal stuff but that's the way I would go about it. I would NOT let this opportunity pass by. Your child would not have to be in day care all day and you could sit back and have lots of time to come up with more fabulous products:D You've come this far and you will go even further. Congrats, you're awesome!

I clean and steralize all of my jars and bottles..I'm just paranoid like that though.:undecided

Hey, Crafty1 did you know that nashville wraps have gift boxes that would compliment your website and labels very nicely? They are striped and come in three or four colors...just thought I'd share that

When I began making LS, I followed the instructions for using 20 mule team borax and learned shortly after to purchase the cosmetic grade, which I now use. I get it from www.mountainroseherbs.com

Oh how I love my patch and warm vanilla sugar soap...come to think of it I love all the soap I've made with patch, tea tree, pink grapefruit, ornage, litsea,..just love soaping eo's and using them in other B&B products:D