blazerina

I haven't 'officially' tested this theory- I simply don't through enough of it myself and we all know how family can be, lol...but what I seem to notice is that rebatched (melted down once and then remelted a few days later) could possibly be what makes my soaps last so long. I've instructed family to let me know if their bar melts too fast, etc, and they think i'm crazy- they've always lasted a looong time. I'm still learning the basics of it, and have not stuck to one supplier/type. I almost always add extra oils, usually an infusion (sometimes OO, but usually Soy) and sometimes, if I remember, Castor for extra lathering. Also, I only make small batches and almost always add pinches of Steric. I think I do this for hardening ...right? lol. And when a swirl doesn't turn out, or a layer doesn't adhere, etc, I cut it up and melt it back down and try again. Even in the same process of playing with one batch, it might cool off and need to be remelted again (common when working with small amounts)Sometimes weeks may go by before I play with that base again to melt it back down and try again. I know it looses water each time, but i'm hoping the added oils make up for it. My mom wants me to replace one I made for her last Mother's Day. She brought it to me today to show me which one it was to be sure I did it the same. Granted she's been going easy on it, but still using it and leaving it in the shower. I'm guessing up on a high shelf since it's one of those barely-room-to-stand mobile home type showers. The colors have faded and it looks rather... pitiful and truthfully... disgusting! Lol. But hey, it's a BIG sliver STILL. And I don't really know why:confused: Could be the steric. But, like I said, just pinches at a time to make sure it's got some and then the constant reheating. So I wonder... if you melt it down, do nothing to it, with intentions to reheat it again later... if that helps it last that much longer? Or... maybe the steric works REALLY well, lol.

It's the one in the link... real simple. But I'm liking that other one too a lot, lol... hmmm, maybe I need to get an umbrella theme going:D

A strong, almost mustard-y yellow sounds good too... but this is probably because I have a peice of artwork that is a copy of a French Ad I beleive. It says Parapluie-Revel and has 3 people/kids dancing with umbrellas all in a dark shadowy color and the back ground is in that deep yellow - one of my fave prints. I also have it placed in the room I painted 'Jonquil' (yellow) :-) I like green too though for the name. Like a dk mossy/ferny green rather than a grass green.

Just a shot in the dark here, but I would guess that it is because they are using KNOWN materials. However they test the materials before the fragrance company gets a hold of them and how far back that goes, I'm not sure. But if they only 'use' skin safe materials, it goes to reason the resulting FO will be as well. Very untechincal answer I know.

Funny this came up... Last week I took some of my sugar/salt scrub base and put it in an individual bar mold, then poured clear mp base over it... just to see. Well, I did get some oil seepage from the scrub base, but I didn't get a solid facing of soap base on the underneath of the scrub, so there were tiny holes in the top when unmolded. This is where the oil escaped. So I don't know if pouring a bit first, then adding the scrub, then pouring again would have stopped that or not. For me, I didn't/wouldn't mind what it did far as seepage in the shower. But I don't know if it would have or not with a more solid pour... haven't gotten that far. And I won't. I used the bar anyways and while it looks funky- all pot-hole-y and scooped out looking.... it did not scrub me which was the point! Lol. I need scrub! Very disappointing. I may try again with a much less oily base and maybe a coffee and salt type combo. I don't have high hopes for it though. :undecided

Me too, me too.. I looove the White Lilac. Perfect look for the FO. And the Moon is just lovely, I love the depth of the color with the bright white... perfect for the name as well.

I think he tooted and killed the bubbles. Seriously, though that sounds strange. I would then to think it had more to do with something in the bubble base other than the fragrance. There are a lot of chemicals in the bases. But then again, so to the fragrances sometimes, have a large # of components. Doesn't glycerin have a 'warming effect'? Maybe getting up out of the water and then getting back in kicked in that effect, and the soap killed the bubble base bubbles. Tell him to try it again with a different scent of mp and then a cp bar and then a shower gel that doesn't contain glycerin. He'll enjoy all the tingles, lol.

I like B and C as well. For another 'natural' type font, my favorite is Papyrus.

I beleive it's possible- yes. But I think it's one of those things like bath bombs, every single factor has to be just right and there is way more science to it when speaking of true 'swirls'. Also I think it helps to attempt swirls in a larger mold like is used in CP soap making. That's what I tend to see the most success in. Let me see if I can dig up a pic of my very first loaf mold of M&P. Don't ask how I did it because I thought I knew - but now over a year later, I have not been able to reproduce it! But then - I usually make smaller batches or singles. I'm sure it had a lot to do with my base(s) and just the right additives. (no, of course I did not take notes!:rolleyes2 ) I tossed in a pic of another somewhat success. It was done in a metal flower mold tube. Maybe that's part of the trick? Maybe it has to be a metal mold to keep it from cooling too fast and being able to take your time? Half of this last one didn't come out as it did mix too much, but I got a great design in the middle and lower parts.

Thank you Violet for the offer. I've gotten a great response and I would love to pick your brain. That is exactly why I decided to do this. I've learned that you have to put it out there even if you have to GIVE it away, at least at first. Now, because I have had such a great response...and I promised bizzy that I would not get over my head... I'm going to do what I told Bizzy I would do if I got too busy. Here goes. Hi every one. The introductory offer is now closed. I am a professional copy writer now and my services are very expensive. Please get in line and have your check book ready. Seriously, thank you everyone for your response and offers. I'm going to be very busy for a while and i'm very happy for it. But at this time I really can not accept anymore work. I'm doing quite a few brochures and print material for some of you and that will take the most time. If I have replied to your pm's, rest assured i'm still working with you. You guys are wonderful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. -Laura

Thats kind of a hard question to answer I think because most body glitters you see recipies for are really basic and as you mentioned, aloe gel and glitter. I wouldn't 'cook' it down just because I'd be afraid of killing anything that's in the gel already, preservative or healthy stuff. I'm not even clear just WHAT preservative is in the aloe it's self. I've seen the big jugs of it at stores and there are a few different concentrations, most of them say 'pure' aloe and don't list a preservative. But then, what is the other 1% if it's 99% pure??!! Water and no preservative? Generally, adding glitter to aloe gel would not require additional preservative. But you still have to realize it's a natural product that won't last forever so handle it with care. If on the other hand you find an additive that will thicken it, I would then think you would be diluting the original preservative and would thus need to add more. I HAVE seen an Aloe Gel that comes in thicker form, more concentrated... I think on either Brambleberry or MMS... i'm really not sure. But they have a regular and a thick. I think they also have a powder form that you can make thick simply by not adding as much liquid. Not sure if you need to add a preservative to that or not. But if you go this route, it might not be very economical given that it is usually younger girls that buy glitter gels. But if you want to market it to a more adult but fun loving kind of crowd, I would emphasize the 'good for your skin' part it might go over well if you put it out there as an upscale product. But check out those sites, i'm sure you will find it. Or just try to do a search for 'Thick Aloe Gel'. Good luck.

Sounds like it would be great. If you could find a word that starts with C it could also double as the Initials of the product name. For instance... you have the overlapped LC up in the corner or somewhere... then the product written out... Lip Chill (for instance, lol, or Lip Chocolate, Choice, etc) And the L and the C in the product name would have the same distinct font and color as the overlapped initials of the company. And or somewhere at the end of the ingredients maybe, if there is room you can then write out Little Creek, but it can be really small since it's not the featured part of the label... yet... it's there. If any of that makes sense. I'm not sure what program you would use to make the label. But you should be able to just off set the C over the L and make the C box transparent. Then use your 'nudge' option to adjust it so that the top of the C rests just above the bottom of the L so that it's clear and obvious they are two letters. Have fun with it!

Nut House ok, just kidding. Kind of. I like Hazelnut Latte suggestion by Grama, if you like straight forward names. If the cappuccino is not a strong part of it then i'd drop the Latte part and go with the Sweet part. Or maybe Warm/Cozy Hazelnut-( because I think the Chestnut probably gives it a wamer kind of scent I imagine, but yet is not strong or featured enough to be an important part of the name, KWIM? ), Morning Hazelnut, Hazelnut Horizons, Hazelnut Heaven/Haven (or for that matter Heavenly Hazelnut) Fireside Hazelnut.... or for a winter/holiday name 'Nut Cracker'. :smiley2:

Wow, already some really great ones... ( I vote for Heavens Halo ) But I'm going to toss my hat in the ring too... Sun Dew Bamboo Blossom Golden Kisses Precious Petal Golden Orchid i'm partial to Precious Petal because its kind of a play on Precious Metal... cuz it's sparkly.. and shiny...and you know what I mean, right??????! Anyhoo, lol.

I agree... Vanilla. As boring as it is- it is the all time fave of the majority of people. At least, the all time agreeable, lol. Would it be too much trouble to offer at least one other variation? If so I would offer something that everyone is familiar with so that their 'judging' of it won't be based on straight up dislike of the scent, if they know what to expect. For instance if it was me, I'd probably offer something like an Irish Spring dupe, or a sophisticated but not too fussy fruit scent. As opposed to say, a more unique scent like maybe an Ocean/Marine type. I might judge it according to if I like the scent FIRST then every thing after that will be colored by initial impression, and thats assuming i'm willing to go any further with the sampling. But most fruit scents are tolerable and most brand name soap scent dupes like 'Ivory' are well received. Some say 'Ivory' doesn't smell at all- yet you can buy the fO dupe, lol. And if given the choice i'm going to be more open to one or the other.

Welcome to the board. You will find lots of helpful people here and ever more helpful posts. You will need to ask yourself all kinds of questions about what kind of wax you are interested in using, Soy, Para or blends. From there you can go to the appropriate board (General Candle or Vegetable wax candle making) here on this site. You can just start reading all the great info or use the 'search this forum' tab to type in 'kit for newbie' or something similar.:smiley2: Good luck and here's to many long hours of reading:D

Thanks for the input... much appreciated and I kind of had the suspicion already about the FO. :undecided

Hello all! Well I think I have found my passion. If not my passion, at least my calling. I'm too young to have found my 'passion'. I would so love love love to be a freelance writer/ copy writer. I've been researching this for a little while now, and submitting a few things here and there. What I come up against mostly though is my lack of actual published work. Every one wants examples of this or that and I just don't have it. Then it dawned on me... I am a member of a community of wonderful creative people with many websites, newsletters, and the like. Could perhaps anyone have use for some free copy writing work? This way I can get some experience and have something to start with and show. This is not anything new to me exactly- I currently design/write/edit a 3 pg. paper newsletter that goes out to 40 ladies, as well as periodical flyers and mailings. (My compensation is in product and equals just under $100/mo) And I wrote 90% of my HS year book many many... many years ago. Does that count for anything??? I'm never short for words (as my past posts have shown ) and I have an educated but lively style that I can adapt accordingly. I'm so excited to step into this realm that I am willing to do anything! I just want to get to work! If you have anything to toss my way it would be greatly appreciated and enjoyed. Feel free to pm me or ask here if you have any questions. Thanks so very much! - Laura

Bubblegum and Grape always seem to go over really well with kids. I would switch it up though and give the scent names a kid type of twist. Like... Blast-off Blueberry, Grape-a-licious, Forever Flowers, or Strawberry Sweetie, Hang Ten Coconut, etc. If you put a small label on the baggies they take them home inm that has your business name and # or website, you might still be able to reach some of those parents. As long as the fragrance part is the same quality as the ones you would normally sell them. You'd be surprised how many people buy car air freshners in Strawberry, coconut, yes pine, lol, and some kind of Ocean, rose or floral scent. Very basic scents that they will enjoy as much as the kids. Sounds like a lot of fun actually. Hope it actually is!

Hi Tootie... I'm in Oregon too and have done a search on them here on this board and was able to come up with a conclusion that those who do use them are impressed. I plan on placing an order with them someday when I will be able to pick them up. May I ask if you get your wax from them already? Or perhaps Glory Bee since you mentioned Eugene. The last slab of wax I bought was from GB but it was a while ago and it was the 6004. They sold it to me and did not tell me it was going to be discontinued very soon. So I'm not sure what they have now and their catalogues aren't specific as to the original manufacturer and style #. Any ideas? And have you ever used GB FO? I've not. I'm afraid to, lol. But they are good for many other supplies. TIA

Wow... I smell a BIG rat in that last one... You got 50 guests to a wedding shower and you need freebies? But the kicker was the last part about shipping.... 'Gee, I guess I could pay for the shipping if I really have to.' Pahhleeeze. Even if she is legit she is greedy, lol.

Yep... genius. When I seen the first with the 'button candy' (lol -thought that too Steph) I thought.. 'Now that's a novel idea. Very unique and different.' Then I seen the second ... and my my my you are a clever one! :highfive:

Absolutely adoring the Green Irish Tweed. I think it worked out to be a very sophisticated look. I'd do it again and again that way.

The blue and white colors are really nice together... but that green speckly one... so inviting!

I agree... it isn't ENTIRELY fugly, lol.. but isn't it amazing the transformation from beginning to end?? Always amazes me. Was this because of a Vanilla element in the FO or just a chemical type reaction overall? I think the second one makes up for it though, really I do! It's lovely to me.