SassyLady

Hey Ya'll, I'm not dixiemama, but this is a resize calc as well as a lye calc. It's the fifth button on the left. Enter your recipe and hit "enter when done" to calculate lye and water amounts, scroll to bottom of the page and click the shape of your container and enter the inside dimensions. I don't have "formal" molds at this time and use a variety of containers, so this site is invaluable. HTH

My DD is 4 and has been using my HP soap since I began making it about 8 months ago. I started using the "naked" soap on her, but she wanted to try one of everything I make ( you know how girls are! ). She may have more soaps in her bathroom than I have in my shower! She has sensitive skin and has never had a problem with anything I've made, most of which have quite a bit of scent. HTH

It's amazing how much one can come to rely on an internet forum. I do believe this is an amazing community, and I'm glad to be a part of it. So, woooohoooo!!!! Lisa

My DH never asked for my soap, but I've been talking to him about detergents (sulfates) and how bad they are for us and the environment. He was using Dove's sensitive skin body wash. When he ran out I gave him my first attempt, a naked bar. He has since asked for his own stash!!! His skin likes it, so he's ok with it. He does roll his eyes a bit when I'm talking about my "projects" to others when he's around, but if that's the worst I get from him, I'm doing' OK. My sis aldo asked for more stuff after I gifted her soap and B&B for her birthday in November. It's nice being appreciated!! I did give soap, candles, and b&b as gifts this year and have had great responces. I'm working up a brochure listing products and prices, as so many have expressed interest in purchasing my stuff!! I guess this is how it starts. Lisa

I haven't seen it at my Sam's since I've been soaping. Sorry. *faint* It would be great to be able to get it locally. Lisa

Hi and Welcomesanta chee I tried MP one time and didn't like it. CPHP is my love:D Good luck with whatever you choose. Lisa

l have ordered fixed oils and butters from them, no fo's, and they have been super so far. I'm in NE Florida, so shipping is much better than from some other companies. Shipping time was OK, in fact I'm waiting on a shipment from them right now!!! Hope it gets here by Monday. Some day I'm gonna try their EO's and dried herbals, but that's for another day. Happy Christmas to all of you!! Lisa

This is the one I have. It's opaque white, not clear, but if feels nice on the skin. I've used it on my 4 year old dd as well, no dry skin probs. It's hard to make out the ingredients, but you can if you try. HTH Lisa http://www.mcsoywax.com/Bath%20&%20Body.htm

I did M&P once with stuff from JoAnn's. I really didn't like it. It's sitting in a box somewhere around here. I don't want to use it and I sure as heck don't want to give it to someone and have them associate it with me. I researched like crazy, mostly on this site, but also several others before I settled on CPHP as the method I wanted to try. I'm too impatient to wait the required 4 - 6 weeks for CP to cure. If you use proper safety measures, it's much like cooking, in fact it IS cooking!!! ( I like to cook!! ) I like adding my goodies at the end of the cook. I think my goodies have more "punch" when they don't go through saponification, just my opinion. I will probably give CP a try at some point next year, but for now, CPHP is my true love. Also, you mentioned that you don't want to use a crock pot. There are other methods of HP: like oven process, direct heat, double boiler, and even CP that you cure in the oven overnight in order to speed up saponificaton. I would suggest that you do a few searches on here to check out the different methods before you settle on one. Just don't give up on making your own from scratch, it really is very rewarding. A decent scale that weighs in grams is really helpful in correctly measuring your ingredients, whether you do HP or CP. Also, the soapcalc is an amazing way to waste alot of time. I have formulated many recipes on that site, some of which I have actually made!! Don't be afraid of lye, just have the proper respect for it!! Fire is dangerous, but millions of us grill out without a second thought to the danger. Whatever you do, have fun. Lisa

I made 2 batches of soap last night, chocolate and vanilla. I used unrefined cocoa butter and goats milk to sf after the cook, colored with cocoa and the vanilla is sf with shea butter and goats milk. I got home from work and cut my sweet little babies and have been washing my hands for no reason at all except to feel how nice it feels on my skin. It's still soft, so it's gonna have to dry for a while, but boy oh boy, what awesome stuff!!! I've had the butters for awhile, they've just been sitting there begging me to use them, so last night was the night. Thank you to all of you soap masters for the info I have gleaned from this great forum!! You folks rock!!!

I've got to tell you, I have only ever done cphp, so I can't comment on cp or the other hp methods. I really enjoy the cooking process, it's really cool to watch the stages the goop goes through to become soap. Someone posted that if you like to cook, you will probably like making soap and B&B. Well, I really like to cook, so cooking my soap is great. I've never used fruit, but I have made Oatmeal, Milk & Honey. I cooked the whole mess and it turned out good. I've since learned you can add your "goodies" at the end of the cook, so after the cook I added goat's milk and cocoa butter to a batch of chocolate soap and goat's milk and shea butter to my vanilla soap. I just made these two batches tonight, but so far they both feel wonderful. I think that whatever process you choose to try, just know that you do get better at this craft as you get more experience under your belt! I haven't made a bad batch yet...hope I didn't just jinx myself silly!?! Anyway, good luck...and don't worry about the lye, just be careful and use safety precautions. Lisa

hi I make a nice bar with: Crisco (or lard) 35% from what I understand, they are interchangeable Olive oil 30% Coconut 30% Castor 5% Actually, this is the first soap I tried...no scent or color. My husband has sensitive skin and he loves it. HTH Lisa

Soap calc has crisco listed...I use it all the time! Good luck with your soap. Lisa

Being in Ft. Lauderdale, have you checked out Camden Gray? http://www.camdengrey.com/ They are in Miami, just a quick drive away, also on the net. I don't know how competitive their pricing is on herbs, but I have bought oils from them to cut down on shipping ( I'm in Jacksonville ) and their service was super. They are primarily a supplier of herbs and eo's, I think. HTH Lisa

[quote name= www.millcreek.com (soy) This is the one I use, feels great going on, sinks in, holds scent well. Nice ingredients. hth Lisa

I lifted this from the recipe section under "Henry's Owie Keem Eczema Balm" by Daniedb. HTH:D Eczema Balm 30 g unrefined shea butter 10 g avocado butter 15 g wheat germ oil 15 g emu oil 10 g borage oil 10 g evening primrose oil 30 g soy wax flakes 3 g Vitamin E Melt butters and wax together until liquid. Heat oils to approximately 110*. Add oils and butter/wax mixture together between 100-110*. Mix together thoroughly. Add Vitamin E and mix again. I use a mixer to whip it as it cools, as if it were whipped shea, but keep in mind that it's intended to be balm consistency, so it won't whip high. If you prefer b/w, add sub it for the soy by 1/2 amount: 15 g for this amount. I package it in 2 oz containers to sell, but I have it in an 8 ounce container for Henry at home, a little goes a loooooong way.

Hi Penny, I found the oil cleansing method in a thread here on CT maybe six months ago. The link given led to thelonghaircommunity.com (I hope that it's OK to post this - if not feel free to remove) and they have a HUGE thread on this topic. For cleanser, I personally use grapeseed oil as the base, maybe 60% with the balance caster oil 25% and EVOO 15%. I started out with straight EVOO and also tried coconut oil. My skin seems to like my current mix, which I've used for 5 months or so. For moisturizer, I use a blend of mostly jojoba with a splash of rose hip oil and a drop or two of tea tree. Good luck in finding what works for you. Lisa

I made a basic milk bath recipe and added citric acid and baking soda, scented lavender. My 4 year old DD loves this madly!! This stuff is lots of fun. Lisa

Sweet...I can feel Christmas coming. Lisa

Since "soap porn" is the term for pics, I gotta tell you that this one is rated XXX! I'm completely head over heels in lust with your Karma!! You sure do know how to kick it up a notch...no, really about a million notches!!! Thanks for sharing. Lisa

Ain't it a grand feeling!!! Congrats on your first successful soap. May you have many more. Lisa

Wooohoooo!!! Good save, EarthScents:highfive: It does feel good, yes?!? Lisa

Congrats on your first cphp:yay: It's totally addicting, yes?!? This is my preferred method of soaping. Have fun, fun, fun! Lisa

Welcome Gina:yay: I lurked for about a year before "coming out of the soaping closet"LOL Ain't soapin' grand!!! Lisa ps I, too, love CT!!!

Hi Earthscents Congrats on your first hp:cool2: I love cphp, I'm too impatient to wait for cp...:whistle: Just in case you are interested, I bought my digital scale at wally world for $30 - weighs in pounds/ounces and grams. I now do my measurements in grams since I work with small batches...usually around 3 lbs. Using grams to measure is much more accurate. I haven't had a bad batch yet, though I've only made 5 batches to date. Also, my stuff doesn't go into the mold if it's still zapping. Dont' be discouraged. Hopefully this batch can be resurrected:D Lisa