the_amber_woods

Yes I did split the beans

Can anyone suggest a better oil? Or could I perhaps add in something to extend the life of the oil?

Not being able to touch your soap, here is my best guess...

Moisture... when my M&P is exposed to a humid environment it forms a sort of crystal looking coating.

Maybe someone else will pop in with another reason that your soap looks that way.

I'm hoping so! I'm not sure how long to infuse them, but I figure a week, then I'll heat it back up a bit and add a few more beans, and let sit for another few weeks! LOL

Sweet Almond Oil infused with vanilla beans sounds awesome. Keep us posted. Gosh, you could make lotion, bath bombs or soap with it as one of your oils and I bet it would be awesome.

I'm testing this out! Anyone else ever do this? What did you do with the oil when it was ready? I'm excited LOL

Oh my! WOW that's beautiful!

www.oilsbynature.com

I ordered 5 pounds of their deoderized cocoa butter. Was shipped super fast! Seems to be good quality product and they had a pretty decent price!

Thank all of you! I'll do some research and see what i can find...

This one is from To Die For Soaps

http://www.todieforsoap.com/emulsions.htm

Basic Lotion Recipe

Ingredients

Citric Acid.......2 grams

Glycerin........45 grams

Stearic Acid....34 grams

E. Wax......34 grams

Oil.......170 grams

Water........760 grams

Germaben II........4 grams

Fragrance Oil.......To preference

Details:

This is a simple basic lotion recipe easy enough to cut your teeth on or basic enough to easily test a new oil combo. You can cut this recipe in half to test a new oil or to make a small batch. You can double it to make about a half gallon lotion base. Instead of buying lotion base, try this and compare the cost.

I use an 8 cup Pyrex Measuring cup to make lotions and creams. Weigh everything! I like grams for lotions and creams because of the small quantities of some of the ingredients. Start by weighing the water and putting it in the measuring cup. Never use tap water. Weigh each ingredient separately. I like to use a Styrofoam bowl or Dixie cups for each item. Add the Citric Acid, Glycerin, Stearic, & E-Wax to the water. The oils can be any combination of oils and butter you want. If you use cocoa butter, Shea or Mango Butters, melt them gently and allow them to come to near room temp and mix with other oils. The total oil component can be mixed together ahead of time. Before adding the oils to the Water Phase, heat the Water mixture in the microwave for 3 minutes. Stir and repeat until it turns white and you are sure all the E-Wax and Stearic have melted well. Then add the oils and stir together. Use a stick blender to mix your lotion together. I like to come back every 10 minutes or so and whip it again and again as it cools to make a light and fluffy lotion. The lotion will be thin as water when it is hot. Don't worry! It will thicken when it cools. Do not add Germaben until the lotion has cooled to about 100 degrees. You may substitute LiquaPar and add at any temp! You can split this up at this point, color it, fragrance it, and pour into containers. I pour my lotion while still warm enough to be thin. Pour into your bottles and put the lids on. Shark or turn the bottles as they cool to check consistency.

You can make your lotion thicker by decreasing the water or increasing the Stearic Acid.

HTH

I've been reading alot about vitamin K and it's effects on dark under eye circles. I'm wanting to formulate something for personal use because BOY do I have circles, which NO amount of sleep will make go away.

I have some questions.

Where would I buy vitamin K

What form would it come in?

Any basic "serum" recipes out there?

Just bumping up! I've had a several people sign up so far!

Thanks! I'll be sure to check BCN out then

My aunts have requested this scent. I personally can't stand the smell myself and have no idea what to look for LOL.

any suggestions?

If you guys don't have the smaller banners, I'm more than glad to create one for you free of charge Give me nice little projects to work on when I don't have enough time to work on bigger things.

*pokes* I don't see em?

Nevermind. Dunce that I am was looking for them in the wrong forum section!

Bumping! Still Plenty of space for more advertisments.

I'm also getting something about a Jamboree 2006????

I get a website advertising ATV riding in AZ when I click on your link.

Has anyone used the Break apart Clamshells to package their Bath Melts? I use Bunny's recipe and was wondering if it worked well in this type of packaging?

I'm currently working on my website, which you can view in it's UN-FINISHED state at www.theamberwoods.net

Since I don't plan on selling my items anytime soon, but plan more on using my site for the mean time as a personal log/information site on my crafting hobbies.

I'd like to offer some space for the smaller Banners, similar to the ones on the right side of Peaks Forum. Anyone of you soapers/candlers/b&b er's out there that would like some free advertising space, just PM me with the heading of your website's name and inside include a link to your banner.

All banners would be stored on my own webspace.

I do reserve the right to decline to put up your add if I should find anything that I think the "public" in general would find offensive or if you website becomes inactive for more than a few months!

I had this exact same experince with them! I have to say though that if that girl could just get it together she'd have one GREAT FO company going for her. She's chosen her Fo's well and they all smell wonderful. VERY VERY VERY poor and slow customer service though...

So far, the only supplier that I had a real problem with was SoapNCandles. I ordered some samples from them and didn't receive my order for almost a month, maybe more.

I sent numerous emails and never received a reply. I also called dozens of times (I would email and call everyday) - I only got voice mail. What a night mare . . . I was so frustrated.

I read on another message board, that many others were having the same problem. Some customers were even complaining to the Better Business Bureau.

Finally, after several weeks, I did receive my samples. I voiwed never to place another order with that company again.

This all happened about 1-2 months ago, maybe things are different now, but I'm I'm not going to chance it. The samples I received were really great, however, the customer service wasn't. I felt really bad about the whole thing, because I would have like to continue doing business with them. I'm really sorry that it didn't work out.

I made those bath cookies once.... PURE MYTH if you ask me... waste of time and good Pink Sugar FO!

Naples are my favorite also! I'm spoiled though...

If you're just looking for any old bottle then you can check the classifieds adds here on candle tech.

Ebay is also a good place to find bottles, but you need to watch out for price hogs...

SKS bottle company is a GREAT place to buy bottles

Wholesalesuppliesplus.com also carries a great variety.

Almost ALL sites that offer Lotion Bases or other B&B supplies will offer some sort of bottle and containers to go along with them.

I'm trying to fomulate a massage oil base. I've decided to keep it pretty simple, one or two base oils, perhaps some Vitamin E.

I was wondering about the following two things.

Cyclomethicone - For those of you who use this in your oils, what ratio do you use? I've read that it makes the massage oils feel "softer" is this true?

Glycerine - Does this mix in well with oils? I know it warms under friction, I thought that this might be a nice addition to a massage oil. Does it leave it tacky? Does anyone use this that could suggest ratios?

I was also wondering what oils you guys use for your base oils? I've read that sweet almond oil is used commonly... any jewels to share?

OHHH... I want one too! If you guys get one be sure to post a review!

Sounds Yummy!

OHHH I love that color! Cute little guest soaps! Hope you had fun!