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Thanks everyone! I guessed I asked because I have had alot of people telling me this year at my craft fairs that they like the "smaller" bar, which I've never offered. I was just telling them they could cut it half once they got home. lol

I currently am selling 4 oz. bars, however I have a huge 2 day show coming up and was thinking of offering 2.5 - 3 oz for that "cheap price hook", and extra large bars 5 - 5.5 oz. Not sure though if it would be too confusing to the buyer. What is your usual or best selling sized bar of soap?

You can (usually) apply online for a sales tax ID at your states website (I was able to), and I got my DBA from my county clerks office, I simply filled out the form and paid $10. Do seek out a CPA for taxes, there are a couple of ways you can claim your "business" taxes and expenses, and a CPA with first hand experience with small business will know what will work best in your situation.

Gorgeous Soap! Did you ever get around to soaping the tomato and basil recipe posted on here a while back?

I just looked at those the other day on Nashville Wrap's website..... let me see if I can find the link.

http://www.nashvillewraps.com/ShowType.ww?Class=012

Is this what you mean?

Those look great! My hubby did the same thing ( I only make soap) with our leftover Pergo flooring but its a light blonde color. He also made me one that instead of shelves it has one angled board that has a lip at the bottom to display full soap logs. Both are open in the back to hold stock too.

Well, after 3 days the soap still has issues, I chopped up one 7lb batch, discarded the lye heavy spots, and rebatched the rest. I am now thinking it was maybe the FO - I used Fudge Brownie from fragrancesandflavors, a division of WSP a scent I have never used before. It had seperation issues, more than just the holes. Live and learn I guess. lol

I voted yes, for personal preference and the reason I started doing this, but I agree most people do go by scent, etc, before the ingredients. I do have a few people though, like me that cannot tolerate anything synthetic so.. for me its about offering both. I only make soap, although I tried buying a "natural" base for lotions and between the 4 I did, it was something in them that was irritating. Robinor states the paraben thing, but that preservative is mild compared to the preservatives (the germall line) that are formaldyhyde releasing. Its research basically.

Can you tell I'm on? I'm answering as soon as replies are posted, lmbo. This soap I did not color because it was Fudge Brownie scented and will turn dark on its own, so I took my time (especially with this much soap, lol) and let it come to medium trace, turning off the stickblender and just stirring in between, so I dont think I had false trace. I dropped in a few handfuls of chunked up cocoa soap, and poured it, it looked/behaved beautifully. I am sooo confused. The first 2 batches with this mold I had multiple colors, swirls, and additives and did not have this happen.

Carebear: Do you mean all the liquids that gushed out? All that ended up on my kitchen floor, and I have 3 year twins ( I cut this during the day) I had to scream to Do Not Come In Here - I was more concerned for them than the soap, so I mopped it up asap.

I am almost positive that my measurements were accurate, this size mold is new to me, so I know I checked everything twice. The only thing I can think of is that the lye was new from a chemical supplier locally, but I also made 6lbs more that night with that same lye and that soap is fine. I guess if I could rebatch it, I need to know how much more oils to add to make it not lye heavy. Any one have any clues on that? I've had zappy soap before, but not gushing lye water soap lol. (tossing this soap would cost me $34.00! EEK!)

The remote sales tax (use tax) applies to purchases when sales tax is not charged. Use tax is due on the total price (including shipping and handling charges) of all taxable items brought into your state, purchases by mail from out-of-state retailers, and purchases made on the Internet. It applies to purchases made in foreign countries as well as other states. Use tax can be paid on your states Income Tax Return. Its a companion tax to sales tax. You need to either find out for yourself what your state requires or consult a CPA. hth Sandy

My hubby made me a 14lb soap mold, and on my 3rd batch with it I left the soap in there for 48 hours, due to unmolding the first 2 at 24 hours they were pretty soft still. Ok, so this one looks great, pull it out cut it in half so it will fit on my curing rack, as I'm walking over I feel/see this gush of water and turn the soap over and it has a huge hole in it... lye pocket... major lye pocket - instantly had to set down the soap and run for the vinegar, my hands were burning. Anyway, both 7lb logs have this in one spot, I would rebatch, but I'm concerned at the lye concentration, but bummed to think about throwing away that much soap.... anyone have this happen? Is it possibly the longer time in the mold? Your opinions?

Is it a tube mold? Could it be lined with freezer paper - like make a tube with the freezer paper and insert into the mold and then pour?

They look gorgeous! Cute idea - and the cocoa ones look like brownies to me.

Clean cotton is a big request, and spicy scents - which make me gag to make lol, like Apple Jack and Peel.

I take a few tablespoons of oil from my batch and premix the dry colors and then add the soap. I got my colors from brambleberry also - love them. Not sure on premixing the whole jar of color at once.

I'm not sure how they attach, I just saw them the last time I ordered. I thought about getting one because I ordered 2 50lb pails and a 35lb pail, but didnt because the two bigger pails are hard oils anyway. The 35lbs of castor oil did come with a spigot that just attached to the opening and I can lay that on its side to use.

Soapmaker Man, what are the liners made of? Are they reusable, easy to clean? Thanks, Sandy

I dont know what they are called, I know Columbus Foods sells them for their pails, but you can buy a "spigot" that attaches to a pail.

Thanks Robin! Anyone have any experience selling logs?

Plastic garbage bags work too.

Hey everyone, I'm going to be doing my 1st craft fair and I only make soap. I have a pricing system for friends and family and they usually buy 5 bars for $20. My question is, if I have a bar price should I have a price for every combo ( exp. 2/for, 3/for, 4/for etc.) or just offer a price break at 3 and 5? Also, I asked this before but no one answered lol, do soap logs sell? I plan on selling 2 lb logs (half wrapped as presents) instead of doing baskets. Thanks, Sandy

I just got my sales tax ID so HTH - If you go to the michigan website and fill out the form online to get your sales tax id, you'll need to get a FEIN to do it online. When you get to the part where it says to check yes if your a new business to fill out the UIA form you need to actually click no (even though it says to click yes) - unless you DO have employees. On the next page you submit the application. I was confused on the UIA part of the application, and just called them last week. It only took 5 days to get my number after I submitted it online - if you do it by mail it takes longer. I believe the consessioners form is for people who sell at only 1 or 2 places a year.

ETA: I'm not an accountant, my sister is though, and all I did was follow her advice - you do need to consult one at some point, but probably not fill out your sales tax id form - its very simple. Good luck.

There are two types of Titanium Dioxide - water dispersible or oil dispersible - find out which one yours is - mine is water and I add it to the water before I mix in the lye.... I've found that if I use about 1 tablespoon for a 3 pound batch that it comes out looking white, without being chalky. There is a certain amount to use ppo, but I cannot remember the amount, maybe someone else can chime in?

I bought SH about a year ago and they gave me offshore stuff - made in China - and my water was dirty brown/grey and full of debris. Since then, I make sure I'm buying SH made in the US.

And I prefer the pellets, too. I think they're easier to handle than the flakes.

Yes! That seems to be my problem... its full of hard black "rocks" and all the pellets are grey...hmm..I'm just ordering it from my local hardware store by the case - time to try somewhere else.