Candybee

I checked the soapies this morning and they seem a little darker but in no way are they dark brown. Will take pics in a week or two for comparison. Just to see if the color is still on track. But the vanilla is really coming out now. Scented, this is the one I mixed with cedar and allspice. At first all you could smell was sweet spice and cedar notes. Now the vanilla has come out and the scent just keeps getting better and better.

I've only used Stephenson's white and goat milk bases. They are known for having the best "clear" base on the market but I haven't tried that one. I like the bases I have tried from them. They seem to be good quality and I have tried a lot of bases out there. But I have not tried the natural shea butter. Is it supposed to be sulfate free? Is that why they call it "natural"?

Glad you decided to join the party. Love your moniker Stinkydancer! I think a lot of people prefer being creative with M&P. Its just that with so many soaping videos on Youtube, the Soap Queen at Brambleberry, etc. CP is starting to catch up. I have seen some gorgeous CP soap I wish I could make! Back to M&P-- if you have the creativity the sky's the limit with M&P. I love how you can do things with embeds in clear soap.

I just started buying soaping oils from Columbus Foods/Soapers Choice. I love them and their prices! The best out there! Luanne; I also buy soap supplies from Essential Depot and Soapmakingresource.com. ED has great prices on lye and I think I have most of the EOs from SMR and some from ED. Occasionally I buy something from Brambleberry. Never bought anything from Aztec so can't help you there.

I think the melt market is so much more diversified today and certainly more popular. Because of companies like Scentsy melts are more of a household item along with traditional candles. Since its so diversified, you can make a whole business selling fluted tarts, clamshells, portion cups, etc. Then theres meltors, wall mount meltors. You could even add on wickless candles, flameless candles, sell the bulbs for flameless candles. Then there's reed difusers. You could easily fill 2-3 tables of product for a craft show and still not have enough room. I find that if you have an attractive table and set up and you are a good sales person you should do very well in that market.

Yes you can use olive oil from the store. I prefer to buy the ones marked "for sauteing and cooking" as they make a great soap. I sometimes use the extra virgin but it is darker and will make a slightly darker cream colored soap. I use the water soluble TD and put it straight into my lye water. I use TD for soaps I want to be white, or whiter, soaps I like to color, or just for more opacity in the soap. Good luck. Tell us how your first soap comes out. Once you knock out that first batch its a lot easier after that.

Those are pretty! I'm sure your customer will love them!

I seemed to have killed this thread. I was only trying to channel Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

Never used anything from the Scent Works. But I can tell you that the AH version is very lemony and strong. Its not a phony fake scent it smells very fresh and clean and super citrusy. I think next time I will use .7 instead of 1oz PPO. Its very strong.

I hate scents morphing in my soap. Did not know that could happen with VS. I just started using TD a lot more over the past month or two. So it will be interesting to see; how well it works as a color stabilizer, and two, how well a scent holds up. Also, I am not 100% certain that TD does not interfere with diminishing lather. Seems I have detected some but it could be my recipe. Sigh. I just need more time for research.

Did you check out Babs Pink Sugar in the gallery? She says she used VS in hers. Would like to know who's VS she uses.

I love those! Nothing like a pretty pink soap!

I started using TD in my soaps for a whiter soap or just a more opaque color. I have since noticed that it is also working pretty good as a stabalizer against FOs that discolor. Case in point, I recently made a soap using French Vanilla FO I know turns my soap dark brown. This time I used 1 tbs TD for a 6 lb batch. I also used a 50/50 blend with the Vanilla and another scent. My soap is a light to medium tan and so far has not turned dark. The vanilla isn't the only FO I have used it on that discolors. In each case I got white soap or a very minimal discoloration using the TD. I am using the water soluble one from TKB. Here is a pic of my vanilla soap using 50% vanilla: Here is the same soap one week later. Normally it would have already turned a very dark tan or dark brown by now. It's now a light tan:

Sigh... I know what you mean.

Thats the same paper that Uline sells. So now you have another source.

I'm going to have to start calling you the Soap Picasso! They turned out lovely! I am liking the way they all came together. It does look like abstract art. The soapies are very artistic looking.

How does this combo compare to CS Honeysuckle Jasmine? Is it similar, just as good, better?

Here's some sandwich/bakery wrap paper from Uline: http://www.uline.com/BL_1968/Bakery-Deli-Tissue?keywords=wrap paper You have to click on the product code for either the Bakery or Deli paper. The larger size is Deli paper and that looks very much like the wrap thats being used on the soap.

If you find out let us know. Thats a really pretty wrap for soap. My concern would be if its oil/grease proof-- like the kind of wrap you use for food, sandwiches, baked goods, deli's, etc. Glasine can be used for that.

Does sound like the lye was past its prime and didn't fully saponify your oils. If I had to pry my lye out of the can I think I would just toss it and get some new lye. I buy my lye now from Essential Depot. They ship fast and have really good prices plus I love their packaging. Keeps the lye protected and fresh longer.

If this helps I found a wonderful honeysuckle at Elements that stick in CP and my customers love it. Its Wild Honeysuckle. I have soapies 6 mos. old and the honeysuckle is still awesome! I have yet to find a good jasmine for CP. Still on the hunt...

I'm thinking butchers paper.

Well at least you didn't drop your cigar and say it was a fragrance "for me to poop on!"

ALL of them?!!!! Seriously! Some people really have a lot of nerve. What was she expecting anyway? I agree, make sure you have a written return policy thats posted in your shop and website. If you don't have either put it somewhere on your purchase order forms. Decide if you will take back returns on FOs, if you are going to charge a restocking fee, etc. For a customer like that I would definitely not send her anymore oils as she apparently does not know what she wants. Do you sell 'sample' vials? This is a good reason to do that. I would think about selling samples and making it a part of your policy not to take back samples.

I hate it when you can't finish your swirl and have to hurry and get the batter in the mold! But it looks wonderful. Loving your color choices and can't wait to see cut pics.