soapmom25

our biz is not only "my only" source of income, but DH also quit his job in Jan. 2005 to join me. I gave him the choice of me hiring hire, or him quitting, and he chose to quit and join the madness! Our parents about died, but it's been nearly 18 mos. now and although we're far from "rolling in it" ~ we're at least making ends meet. Not spending any money on daycare, work clothes, and eating out lunches helps a bunch! I would encourage everyone to GO FOR IT if you can!

very pretty!! How about "breath of fresh air" or "breath easy"

when I layer stuff it only separates if I made a log and cut it. If I layer within a mold and leave that soap as 1 piece then they don't separate when used. Hence ~ I quit making logs M&P is most "fun" when you use decorative mold IMO. Most of my stuff is bought for the way it looks, not actually to be used LOL.

now see ... THIS is why I'm still too chicken to "soap"!! Still laughing at the verb comment ~ too funny

comes in our Sunday paper ~ right on their ad/flyer. It's nearly every week, and then the coupon is good for a week. (they usually don't have them during a holiday week, and none around Christmas time ~ guess they want every dollar possible when it's a "crafty" time) It's literally on JUST ONE ITEM though, not your entire purchase. One time though I needed 5 tubs of soap, so I bought extra papers ($1.50 for the paper, and the coupon saved you like $15.00) and I went in, then DH went in. My parents went in another day, and in-laws yet another day ~ spread out throughout the week. I rarely have to order in my clear soap Now ... if they would just make the white available in tubs I'd probably live on Michael's door step LOL

what about maybe some pieces of plants like what you'd find in the aquarium aisle at Walmart? Seaweed type stuff. question for ya though ... I noticed your 'base' is clear ~ do you have problems ever with them sweating? I have the worst time working with clear base (with dye added or not, doesn't matter). I know white/opaque soap is supposedly the same stuff only with TD added for white color, but I swear it acts totally different! Just wondering if I've missed a great additive to make the clear easier to work with. oh, and another thought ... if you don't want to add any "thing" to that mermaid bar, what about coloring the base part blue and using some white (whipped) on top like ocean "white caps" ~ can see it in my mind, but hard to put in words LOL

make sure you catch the line where the author states that the soap turns out an amber color, not actually 'clear', and will affect the resulting color of your finished product. Depending on what you're making, this could make the difference! I've often thought about trying to make my own also, but decided the time involved was just too precious when there are so many great suppliers that carry it already made ~ plus I'm not far from a Michael's and can grab a tub with their 40% off coupon! I use 20:1 white to clear though, so that's where my preference comes from ... I don't "need" clear very often.

sounds fun! Definitely a store I would venture in to ~ have a blast!

JP Blossom maybe? For the girls and your original name. What all will you be selling?

if you have a Michael's craft store near you, they carry a clear plastic sheet soap mold that has 4 shapes on it that's great for this ~ the shapes are square, round, etc. ~ shallow enough to be manageable by a child, but still deep enough to accomodate embedding a toy

try your kitchen cabinet! I've often been able to use rubbermaid/tupperware type containers! Those glad throw away containers are great too for "big" molds. One word of caution though ~ a 4 x 4 base is going to be an awfully big & heavy soap. Will be costly to retail (due to amount of soap used) and will be hard to handle, especially if it's intended for a child to use.

I have a small Cinderella (about 2" tall, 1" or side wide, and flat on back), is that close to what princess you're trying to find? If so, try candy making sites ~ that's where I got this. It's been so long ago that I can't remember the exact site, but just try a google search for Cinderella candy mold or Cinderella lollipop mold. I've used several candy molds for cool shapes!! You just have to be careful ( and patient ) and pour really cool or the mold will warp/melt hth

wow, you put ALOT of work into those!! Must be somebody really special I hope they truly appreciate it because I've done stuff like those before and they seem to take forever ... you're look beautiful ~ love the tulle/ribbon/packaging. I would love to get a favor like that from a shower

hmmm ~ have no preference really on what the bombs look like as long as they come with a baby sitting coupon so I can actually take a bath by myself!!!!

how much scent have you added already? some FO are "lighter" than others. I generally use 5 drops per oz., so 40 drops per jar you've described. Stronger FO's require less ~ sometimes only 20-25 drops!

who was the seller? hopefully it's somebody I've heard of!!

oh my, I have searched for MONTHS for construction equip. molds like that! I don't shop on Ebay (can, but haven't in years) ... any particular seller in case they don't have those molds listed right now?? The train is awesome too!

skip the avocado base! if you want to add all that stuff, stick with the plain white or plain clear bases. The avocado should be "left alone" IMO, in other words, don't add FO to it cuz it already has a scent the white base and clear base won't have a smell, so your oatmeal, cocoa, etc., would be great!

you're right, and I should have phrased my reply differently probably!! I know you *can* make M&P in a log, I was just trying to convey that she doesn't *need* a wood mold ~ whereas just about everything I've read on CP style soap is that wood mold are pretty much a "must have". I use a rubbermaid bread container if I want a log! It's rare though, so I haven't done it much. I don't sell 'by the bar' so I don't have the need for a log/slicer

Ginger at Flexible Molds has a "real sized" golf ball mold! Yours look adorable! I too make them and golfers love them Honestly I never though of packaging some with green shred ~ I have some crates that that would be perfect for!!

I know I'm new here, but I think you may have misinterpreted what supplies are needed for M&P soaps. The wood mold & cutter would only be needed for CP (and variations) style soaps (old fashioned, lye & oils, etc.) For M&P (melt and pour) you can use plastic molds, candy molds, rubbermaid type containers, silicone candle molds, etc. .... LOTS of flexibility and possibilities! My first soaps were made with soap base and soap/candy molds from Hobby Lobby, so try looking locally before spending a small fortune on the net!!

assuming you're talking about the dessert soaps, it's just a layered M&P soap. Lots of colors, several layers, etc. You would use a regular cake pan as a mold, make and entire 'wheel' shaped soap and then slice it up like pieces of cake the other soaps ... frog, mini wedding cakes, flowers, etc. just look like regular molds to me. The frog was probably custom made, but the flower and wedding cake are on a few mold maker sites. hth!

what size bottle did you use?? Looks like a "regular" (8 oz) bottle, so perhaps you could cut their cost a little by filling smaller (4 oz) bottles? just a thought! If you're already using the small bottles, then nevermind LOL

that's all I use since I'm still chicken of lye LOL. M&P (melt and pour) is incredibly versatile ~ jump in with both feet, you'll have a blast!