swamp_deb

You know what? I still have trouble with the amount of soap that ends up in the mold when I do a multi color swirl, I don't see how that much is left in the containers that I color the soap in but it must be there cause it sure doesn't make it to the mold. Just for that reason I try to make those batches in larger portions to compensate. It does seem like cphp shrinks more before it's poured into the mold.

As for the juices, have fun with them.........the scent it makes when lye hits it is not what it will end up so don't be scared. I like to soap with teas too, don't know if anything good is actually in the finished soap but it's fun to experiment.

If I think it, I try soaping it................sometimes I win, sometimes I fail but I always learn.

Everyone has their own way of doing things so I'll tell you what works for me.

If I use GMP - I stick blend into the oils before I add lye solution.

If I use liquid milk - I freeze the milk add the lye and continously stir till dissolved, add to oils (that are ready before lye is added to milk) then proceed as usual.

I gel all my soaps and 99% are milk soaps. No freezer or fridge for me to worry with.

Naw - it's in the trash. Lye pockets. And it didn't smell good enough to rebatch...

It's my own darned fault - I did all the things I tell new soapers NOT to do!

Don't be too hard on yourself, we all have those moments.

I was using 8663 for my lip balm labels, twenty labels per sheet, but switched to waterproof for that same reason you described. I loved the look but the icky factor after handling made me switch. If you want to try a few waterproof without having to buy lots, Tammy at http://www.elementsbathandbody.com/Inkjet-Waterproof-Labels-c-120.html has them for a good price per sheet. She's a fast shipper too.

Here's another option for you, same type of mold http://www.freewebs.com/duanesworkshop/soapmolds.htm

I couldn't find my link but someone posted it on another forum.

Try http://www.emistycreek.com/catalog.htm they have a contact page so you can email or call them.

So far I've used it in soap but after seeing this thread I may try it in some other things too.

I've only made a couple of batches but didn't have a problem with the fo seizing. I also used a recipe with shortening because I don't use palm. Did you use about half the amount of fo that you would normally use?

You can try going to his website and emailing him, he's a nice guy.

Kangaroo Blue made the one I have and love. http://www.kangarooblue.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=91

And they ship to Canada.

That's the same one I have and love using it, the planer comes in handy too.

TAS you are much smarter that I am, I wouldn't have thought of saving my recipes that way. I use soapmaker program http://soapmaker.ca/ there is a thirty day free trial and I thought it worth the price to be able to calculate the costs of each recipe. I do still check out some recipes in soapcalc, I just don't save them there. The spreadsheet, I haven't tried at all and I'm sure that I would be totally lost.

Sorry, just seeing this. I have had lye solution in a jug with the lid on and kept it for a few weeks before I made soap with no problem. As soon as the jug gets low, I make another batch. It really makes my life easier to have the lye solution pre-made and ready when I get a chance to make soap.

Did you make your yet?

Don't feel bad I might have asked the same question. Because I don't have metal pipes, I have PVC pipes. I heard lye was not good for them. And would eat through them, don't know if it's true or not.

As long as it's diluted and you run your water for a little while to flush it through it shouldn't be a problem. Remember lots of people use pvc for round soaps with no problems and the lye is still present when poured.

TOG's surgery was before the Etsy store was ever put on line so that one doesn't wash with me. I am a firm believer that truth will win out in the end. I had rather be told in the beginning if something is in stock or being made to order, then I know how to plan accordingly. If someone tells me to expect shipping on the 10th and it's not shipped but a lame excuse is given then that's the end of my trust in this supplier.

When I ordered my first Kelsei, I didn't read the home page that clearly stated that they were on vacation, I emailed Rita and asked when I didn't hear back in a couple of days and boy did I ever feel stupid. She did give me an estimated ship date and it was actually shipped a couple of days early. That is the kind of service along with great product that keeps me ordering from any supplier.

Thanks Donna for use of the soap box, now I will turn it over to someone else.

I just bought one off the classies...it is just a small slab.one..but that will give me a good idea of how well I like them...and when I am ready..I can go on to the bigger ones...and maybe even a log...So many of you mention that you really like the log ones better...is there a reason for this?

I can't cut straight worth a flip so I love my Kelsei slab molds, they are wonderful for consistent size bars and you can swirl beautifully in them. I do put sam's wrap in the bottom of the mold to help with the release but I don't consider that lining because it's easier than wrapping a piece of cake. I love my upland logs for the easy release of the soap log when I do hp and for some special effects that you can't get in a slab mold (layers comes to mind). Now that does make cutting a challenge for me so I had my fil build a log slicer that works pretty good. But my favorite size bar is still the Kelsei bars. If I need to make a lot of logs then I will save up and buy a tank.

Jbren, I love your choices, I'll be waiting to hear what you buy with your hot Christmas cash.

That's fantastic news, I would love to have a couple more log molds.

Thanks for the news Jbren.

I have 2 KA's and they are work-horses. Can't go wrong.

That's what I have and love them.

I love my Kelsei molds, for my hand they make the perfect size bar. I noticed on their site that they will make custom molds for the size bar you want, so that would be good if I wanted another size bar. I sold my 42 bar Kelsei because it was too big and heavy for me to use (shoulder problems). I have no problem unmolding soap and absolutely love it for salt bars.

Pros;

Love not lining

Love the bar size

Easy to clean

Easy to assemble

Easy to make beautiful swirls

Love, Love not having to cut the soap

Cons;

Can't think of any

Jo Ann any recipe can be made with either process, so just pick one and soap away. The biggest difference is that you add your fragrance after the cook and before you pour, after the pour bang the mold on the floor or counter to get rid of air bubbles.....that's it.

Jo Ann, there's a phrase that I learned from mentors when I got started "When in doubt, wait it out"

There are so many variables in soapmaking, the weather, temps, humidity, barometric pressure, if you hold your tongue right, standing on your left foot while singing twinkle twinkle little star.

Patience and persistence along with good notes are your friend.

I do mostly cp but sometimes I just have to make a batch of hp. The hp I do now looks soooo much better than my beginning batches.

That's a great link. Most places that sell lumber will cut the boards the length you want so it shouldn't be too hard to put it together. Good molds don't have to be expensive.

I've used in the past;

dishpan

desk drawer

silicone pans

candy molds

pvc pipes

tupperware

I ordered them because the shipping was cheaper than the gas to go pick them up. They last a long time and shipping is a killer on everything ordered.

Columbus Foods

That's where I get mine too.

There are a couple people on this board who make soap molds. I make an HDPE mold cutomized to your requirements. Soapmaker Man makes some out of wood that have gotten some very good reviews. He also makes a cutter and beveler.

Jeff, I hope you are going to put your molds on your website, they look really good and I've read nothing but good reviews from soap makers who have purchased them. I know that I will be looking for you if I buy another mold.