Soapymomma

Hmmm, that is weird. I just ordered another block of the natural because it was on sale, so we shall see if looks like the one I already have.

Soapymomma

HI, the natural base I got is a yellowish color and more clear than white. You can almost see through it. It is pretty soft too. I am going to play with different additives until I am happy with it. Maybe some coconut oil will harden it up some.

Soapymomma

HI, even when you choose UPS, if they can ship cheaper they will. What you need to do is to put in the comments box that you ONLY want UPS even if it costs a bit more. They will honor your wishes if they know them. I have never ordered clear from them because I want to stay away from SLS and other chemicals, but is there a chance that the base got really cold or froze? I know that can affect the look of soap base. Do you think it will change once it warms up? Try melting some and then letting it set up and see if it clears up some.

I'm sure sorry you had a bad experience. I believe they will do their best to make things right for you. I have always had good CS with them. One thing they did at my request that might be helpful to some of you who order from them, is they cut the huge 20 lbs chunks up into smaller pieces. They said they didn't mind cutting it into four chunks and that really helps me handle it easier.

Please let us know how things go with you.

Soapymomma

Your packaging, labels and photos are completely fantastic! Sorry to be dumb, but what are rituals?

Soapymomma

I just looked at your site. I saw the going green area. OMG! I have been thinking of doing that for a long time. It is a great idea. I have this other site that I bought and have been slowly working on getting it better and I want to offer the products in bags like that for refills too. I have sent out shea butters and bulk lotions and creams like that in the past and it really worked well. Your products look realy nice too. My other site is: www.bodysoulelements.com

Soapymomma

HI Melissa,

Welcome to the board. You will find some really great people here. There is a ton of info too. I am like you, I don't have time to do soaps from scratch, but I appreciate those who do. I love my business just as it is for now. I am the director of an After School Program at a small school and am really busy too. A dog day care sounds like a cool business. We have a mini Doxie that we love like a family member and hate to leave her, but every now and then we have to. Kennels are so cold and impersonal. A doggie day care would be cool.

Anyway, welcome. Hang around and join in the discussions. I think you have to post a certain number of times in other forums before you can post in the Off topic area. I don't know the number though.

Soapymomma

All of these ideas have inspired me to try some new things with the EBC natural base. I buy the natural liquid soap by the barrel from SFIC. It probably isn't as concentrated as the one you are using, but it is really good, so I'm going to try adding it to the base and see what happens. Heck it might improve all of the bases, uh?

Thanks for the great ideas -- I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. :laugh2:

Soapymomma

HI, Your soaps are beautiful! I love that middle green swirled one! Oh man, that is a awesome looking soap!

Soapymomma

Those are danged cool! I love the color combination too! What is the scent like. I'm not familiar with that one.

Soapymomma

I want a soap base that does not contain SLS, that is why I use SFIC, however, EBC has that natural base which sounds completely wonderful, so I ordered 40 lbs and I am determined to find a combination of additives to make a bar that moisturizes and looks good. I am sticking with SFIC for the other bases because EBC bases other than the natural do contain SLES - a sulfate. I spoke to Maria there and she told me that they are working right now on a sulfate free base. She said that the sulfate free white is ok, now, but they are having problems getting the clear base to be really clear, so that is why it is taking so much time. Sulfates must cloud the soap base. Maybe that is why SFIC bases are a little less than completely clear. They do not contain sulfates. Anyway, EBC does not require the huge min. amounts that SFIC does and they will ship in ways other than private carriers, so if they do make a sulfate free base that is as good as their other products, I will be making a big switch. SFIC shipping is crazy high and I am only one state away from them.

EBC has wonderful customer service too, so that is a BIG plus. Can't wait to try the new sulfate free soap base as soon as they get it perfected!

Soapymomma

I use M and P simply because I am too chicken and do not have time to make my own soap from scratch. I might one day if I get a bigger shop space. I have used many, many bars of soap made by different people. Some I loved and others not so much. The same goes for different M and P bases too. One thing I do disagree with is that all M and P bases are detergent laden and are just the same as store bought crappy soap. Here is the ingredient list for SFIC Goat's milk base:

Coconut Oil

Palm Oil

Castor Oil

Safflower Oil

Glycerin (kosher, of vegetable origin)

Goats Milk

Purified Water

Sodium Hydroxide (saponifying agent)

Sorbitol (from berries, moisturizer)

Sorbitan oleate (emulsifier)

Soybean protein (conditioner)

Titanium Dioxide (mineral whitener used in opaque soaps)

Now you have to admit that, that is a pretty nice list of ingredients. It is basic, so as you can read in another thread, any number of wonderful, fun ingredients can be added to the basic bar. Not only that, there is no limit on this earth to the colors, scents, shapes and sizes the base can be used to create. I do agree that in some aspects M and P is a short cut as compared to making CP or some other, from scratch, bar: however, someone else did the work to create the soap in a "real" way. It is sort of like breakfast cereal, we don't go out to the field and harvest the grain, grind it and create cereal out it at home. At least not usually, but if we do buy a ready made natural made with great ingredients and without chemicals cereal, is it not still a "real" product with the benefits of the natural ingredients?

SFIC, EBC's natural base and maybe some other soap bases do not contain SLS or other nasty chemicals, they are not detergents. That's why I choose to use both of them.

Another great thing about M and P is that if the bar doesn't turn out how you wanted it to, you can chop it up and do it again. You get Do Overs. :yay: I will never say a bad word about CP. It is a fantastic soap usually. I so admire the beautiful soap bars I see in the gallery and on web sites, but for some of us, at least right now, that is not the way we want to go. We do not offer a poor quaility product though if we choose a quality base.

Soapymomma

HI,

I bet that candle smells amazing!

I have never attempted a container candle with real stuff in it even with a votive, so forgive my ignorance---- will the coffee beans hold up over time? It seems like since container wax is a softer wax and there is fragrance oil and the beans are not completely covered either, they might go bad over time. I was thinking that a green tea sort of natural candle might be really cool, but then wondered if I put quite a bit of tea, would it get soggy or mold over time. What do you think?

Soapymomma

Guys with additives!!!! I guess that did sound a bit weird. :tiptoe: LOL! Too funny. Sorry about that. Soaps with additives - for guys. How's that?

Anyway, they were fun to make and they use additives.

Soapymomma

These soaps are just for fun. The car one has oatmeal on top with the car. I thought it looked more old fashion. They are something a little different and do show the use of soap toppers and addivites.

Soapymomma

I do know that sometimes an additive just brings color or texture - like ground rose hips.

Other things bring an exfoliation ability - like oatmeal. Ground luffa is a stronger abrasive, so is good to add for a foot soap for example. People sometimes use thing like lavender buds just for the scent and color. Of course lavender is relaxing too, so some additives have many properties and can be added for any or all of them. Some moisturize, others are better at cleansing. Some are just for fun!

Someone else might have other ideas.

Soapymomma

Cool thread! I have added:

Ground orange peels

Ground rose hips

coffee powder

Once I experminted with a caffine powder because I read that it was supposed to perk up the skin and refresh you. I think it was a dud. LOL

Soapymomma

Are those wax coffee beans? They sure look real!

Soapymomma

I thought that most people should walk before they run, but you are the exception. You took off at a dead run! Those are wonderful soaps and are some that are usually not attempted until a person has more experience. You did a fantastic job. Those are awesome soaps. I love the yellow with the clear. So totally cool! Soapymomma

The blend is awesome in a pillar. It is smooth and clean and perfect. I agree with all the reasons Candlebuddy stated. I offer a pure soy in containers, but had fits with pure soy pillars, becaue it cracked and mottled in not pretty ways, so the blend came about in my shop.

No loss, only the gain of a great pillar candle.

Soapymomma

All melt and pour bases are NOT the same. Most of the stuff you see in craft shops for instance is not so great. Some bigger suppliers make their own bases, so they can vary lots. SFIC is a well known and very dependable base. It is made in a fairly natual way with quality ingredients. Lots of people on this board use it. It is made in Ca. but tons of soap making supply businesses all over the country sell it. I carry it on my site and before I decided which base to offer I did a ton of testing and trial. I felt that SFIC was of the highest quality. Essentials by Catalina also has a really nice base. I use their natural one for many things. You might want to try small amounts of several different bases before you decide with one you would like to claim as your own. Also, there are lots of choices offered by just one company SFIC has a lot of different bases. It has for instance, goat's milk, oatmeal, aloe vera, cocoa butter, shea butter, plain white, clear -- theirs is not all that clear though-- honey base, hemp oil, shaving and a few others too.

It takes a bit of effort and dollars to get your own special thing going and the fun is in the learning. All the best to you. Please post as you go along and feel free to ask any questions.

Soapymomma

My favorite is the Victorian one. I like the frilly, pretty stuff too.

Soapymomma

All of them are so pretty. I love soaps like those. It takes skill to pour the flowers and leaves like you did too. Beautiful.

Soapymomma

I have to agree. Those are awesome soaps. The colors are wonderful. Please post more pics.

Soapymomma

Hey, that soap looks great. That does not look like an easy one to start with either. I bet it smells great too. It is fun isn't it?

Good job!

Soapymomma

Often you can find good molds and good deals on Ebay too.

Soapymomma