WildflowerMama

Summer Harvest Apple Basket Apple of my Eye Apple Grove Country Apple

Well, I'll tell you a secret. You can use CP as soon as you cut it. It's soap. I wouldn't sell it until it's cured for at least a few weeks but for personal use, I use it straight away. The longer it cures, the harder and more mild it becomes but once it's soap, it's soap and I personally have never been able to wait to try a new batch so as soon as it's hard enough to cut, I slice myself a sliver and enjoy

I totally agree - your first batch could turn out perfect! And I hope it does but, if it doesn't, it would stink to have wasted all those expensive ingredients. Also, I think starting out with just a few ingredients helps you understand what properties those ingredients bring to soap so as you get more and more experienced, you can start substituting or adding other oils to get just the perfect bar. Happy soaping!

Personally, if this is your first batch, I'd save the expensive luxury oils for when you feel more experienced. I'd make a couple batches with simpler, less expensive ingredients until you get the hang of soapmaking. There is nothing worse than throwing away soap that doesn't turn out - especially when you've used really expensive ingredients. That's also a pretty big batch for a first timer. I would start with a smaller batch and use simpler ingredients. Expensive ingredients don't necessarily mean a more luxurious soap. It's the combo of oils that makes for a luscious soap. How about doing a search of some tried and true recipes and practice with those before jumping in with a big batch using really expensive oils?

Still hoping to find someone to make a custom necklace If it helps, I'm looking for something along the lines of this: http://www.jewelrycentral.com/product.asp?pID=3380&cID=69&c=121014 I'd like to have a red stone center and my daughter's birthstones on each side. I'm also open to suggestions for other styles - I'm just hoping to find something simple that I can wear every day. Thanks!

I love it! So creative

I love the bright colors!

I totally agree! The clear is pretty but I love the "cloudy" ones.

I want a very simple necklace made with my 2 dd's birthstones but I'm having a really hard time finding what I want so I thought I'd try going the custom route. Does anyone make custom pieces with actual stones rather than crystals?

Those are so cute!

I've tried the VCO from www.vitasavers.com of all places! It's really good Tropicaltraditions.com is another popular place but they are more expensive.

I use the Walmart brand of "pre-creamed" shortening or meat shortening. I know some use it in place of lard, others use it in place of tallow. Because the company won't tell you exactly what's in it, you can't know exactly how to calculate it. I personally use the tallow calculation for it with no issues.

I use coconut milk powder in my lotion. I rehydrate it in the water phase and haven't ever had a problem. I've used liquid Germall Plus and Liquipar with no issues.