soapmom25

have you emailed Ginger to ask if she would do a "custom" mold for you out of softer silicone? She's awesome to work with!

I switched from WSP to Nature's Bouquet a long time ago. Nicer people, accurate shipping (they'll adjust if the cart overcharges!), and super quick.

I would just make a layered soap of black, white, and purple. In a cool shape though ~ a bubble dome, a hexagon, something like that. I use the black oxide from WSP, but I've never layered with it. Seems like Brambleberry has non-bleeding oxides and/or dyes, so you might take a peek there.

oh, and to answer your question about the paint ... mine will stay on even after getting wet, but typically my testers (aka my children) like to scrape it off, so it doesn't actually last past the first use in this house!

I melt 20 pounds at a time in my "double boiler method" using 2 nesting stock pots. Works perfectly! After it's melted, I color it and then I'm guaranteed "matched batched" which is a big, big deal to me

To cut the blocks ... I have a HUGE knife. I just hack it into big slices, and then cut the slices into chunks and fill the pot. As it melts, I add the rest till I know it's full. Takes maybe 30 minutes to melt the entire block.

I used heavy/thick pyrex and melt in the m/w. For a full pyrex (melts down to about 24 oz) I will put it in for 3-4 minutes. I do not have the patience to go in 30 sec. bursts and stir each time. I also use smaller pyrex (16 oz when totally full/melted) and those can zap for 1.5 - 2 min. I never have a problem. The soap doesn't boil, scorch, etc. I also do not add dye or scent until it's liquid though. I've been doing this method for nearly 10 years now. I tried the presto and it was just too messy and awkward for me. I know it works great for others, so you should definitely try it and find what works best for you

I use the "double boiler" method when I'm doing a large batch of all one color/scent. I bought nesting stock pots and put water in the bigger one and put the soap chunks in the med. sized one. I can melt down 20 lb. using that method and it's wonderful because I end up with perfectly matched color batches! When that's melted and colored (I add dye right in the pot) I pour that into a large plastic tub. I let that cool and then chunk it up to remelt in the pyrex (m/w) to pour into the molds. Again, I don't have problems with sweating or anything. The soap is never "over heated"

we bought 2 of those green $4 blankets at Walmart on black Friday and I said "these look like grinch color" Perfect design for that color!

not sure about the pricing, but when I used to buy it alot I bought it from a company called "Design Originals". Sorry that I don't have the website, but I'm sure it's still in business, so should pop right up on a search engine.

if she paid you with her checking account, just issue her a check. Deduct any fees you paid, and deduct the cost of postage and be done with it. You'll have additional "proof" of the transaction that way, because she'll endorse the check.

Other than that, just wait for FedEx to handle it and boldly tell her that is how it works because FedEx insurance their packages and she basically is filing an insurance claim like she would with any other company.

I am also disappointed in the discoloration of this base.

You'll freak out if/when you order clear base from them then! I did at least! I'm used to getting CLEAR base, and what I got from them was very, very blue/gray. When I questioned them on it, they sent me their "other" clear base, and it was very yellow. Very strange. They said for future orders to specify "which" clear base I wanted because I complained the blue did slightly weird things with some of my dye. I haven't bothered. What I get from Nature's Bouquet has a very slight tint to it, but nothing remotely to the degree of EBC.

Three 20 lb white M&P blocks = $90

Postage to VA = $29.55

Its $9.85 per 20 lb block shipped in a Flat Rate USPS Priority Mailing box. I had mine delivered in 3 seperate boxes. If you do order be sure to read all the instructions for ordering and put in the check out comments box that you want the flat rate priority mail as its not an option during checkout. They recalculate the postage but only if you add that info in the comments section.

thanks! that's comparable to what I'm paying now. I tried their base and didn't find it to be any better than any others, so for a great deal I would have bought there again.

for 60 lbs. of what I get now to IN is $116.65

do you mind posting what your total was (with shipping) for the 60 lbs.? I would like to compare it to what I'm paying now from a different supplier.

I use the liquid pigment from WSP and can get a coal black soap. I've never tried clay or charcoal.

ok, I need to break down a buy a camera so I can take pictures and post on line here. Can anyone recomend any? I haven't brought a new one in 20 years and need something that will be simple for me to understand and not use up the bateries so fast.

I bought a little Samsung at Christmas time for $79 and LOVE it! Rechargeable battery that has a really long life, can add a memory card, can even take short videos. It fits in the palm of my hand, so I bought a "hard" case for it and carry it with me everywhere in my purse. I've been able to take pictures of really awesome stuff ~ pretty sunsets, cute "kodak moments" of the kids, etc. It's VERY easy to get the pictures off of and loaded onto my computer.

I'm not sure how small you're looking for, but I used those years ago for the middle of diaper cakes and I always bought them from Papermart. They're probably calling "mailing tubes". The ones I bought were 36" long and I just cut them to the size I needed with a box knife. They have a big chart with many sizes to choose from, and they go pretty small. I always used like a 2" tube.

just checking on your terminology ... what you mean by "sticky", others here might call "sweaty". Where are you located? I'm in the midwest, and I've had to have the AC going all summer or else my soaps sweat like mad. It's frustrating, because I love a summer breeze, but the finished product just can't take it. If you're anywhere near here, I suspect your soap is sweating.

I've order from just about every supplier out there, and don't recall ever getting a 'sticky' soap. Lots of SOFT ones though that I simply can't use.

If you could post your state and your supplier, we might be able to help you better

I have a bunch of old oils ~ I'll give them to you free, you just pay shipping. Mix them together and I'm sure it would stink to high Heaven

how about Blaze of Glory

I personally hated working with the plastic loaf mold ~ I broke mine, and I'm incredibly gentle with my molds!

The green thing you posted reminds me of a silicone bread loaf pan ~ you could probably find a substitute for that at any kitchen store. Perhaps even Walmart, Target, etc. type stores.

how about "Scrumptious"? that's what it sounds like LOL

"Breakfast in Bed" maybe?

"Made from Scratch"

"The Pixie Palace" .net (the .com is taken) thoughts??

I wouldn't do anything .net if the .com is taken, but again that's more opinion than anything. People will argue both sides ~ that it matters and that it doesn't. I argue that it does, mostly because my computer will let me type in just the url "name" (i.e. "thepixiepalace") and it will automatically go there ~ to the .com ~ without me finishing the complete url. So if other people use that feature and you're the .net, they won't find you at first shot. They'll have to type in the complete name, or have you bookmarked, etc. The other thing is that if the .com owner happens to sell the same things you intend to sell, they could possible C&D you.

"keep thinking" is what I'd say ... add another word other than "the" or something .... Pink Pixie Palace ~ Pixie Palace Lights ~ Pixie Palace Treasures ~ etc.

I like The Pixie Pantry because it could be ANYTHING ~ no matter if you change your mind on products down the road ~ add/delete, go brick & mortar, etc. ... cute & simple, and a good graphic artist would easily custom design your very own pixie

I also love Crazy Daisy, but I'll bet it's taken.

It's just my own personal quirk, but I hate it when words are purposely spelled wrong or use replacement letters, so I would stay away from the Kandle Konfections. If that's what YOU really love though, then go for it ~ as I said, that's just me ...

how about Moonstruck Pixie Treasures with a bunch of sparkles & stars in the logo

I'm afraid with the words you've picked, that about any combination will already be taken.

what about something with Pixie (synonym for fairy and/or sprite)

Pixie Wicks (maybe not since you do baskets & tarts)

Pixie's Treasures

The logo could be something similar to Tinkerbell's wand ~ a spray of pixie dust and/or stars (since you like stars)

Instead of the word FANTASY, you could sub in Utopia ~ Butterfly Utopia maybe, so it could be anything now and down the road, with an easy (but often used) ladybug logo.

In place of STAR you can use Luminary ~ Ladybug Luminaries (again, takes away from the tarts though)

Coming up with a name is hard, and really very personal, but hopefully this helps get your train of thought rolling again

Carrie, you can pay for and print shipping labels through the USPS web site, and then have your carrier pick them up at your door for free. You don't need to use PP shipping for that.

that's not in ALL areas, so everybody needs to check first before they plan on that. In my town we are not able to use the carrier pick-up feature.

LOVE it! I've been infatuated with pink & brown for a couple years now ~ just love, love, love those colors together!!! Adorable tote!