Soapymomma

The lather can be pretty light -- just grey or it can be really dark black that covers the skin with black lather. That is a little strange to be honest. It all depends on how much charcoal is added to the soap.

I find it a little drying too, so we usually add shea butter to it too. It is a really great soap actually.

It seems like these people are asking customers to send jars back so they can be reused. http://www.agreencandlecompany.com/ Yikes. I did not read the entire thing, but what do think about using jars again for candles? I have heard of people doing it, but personally, I would be afraid that there could be a crack or something that I could not see that would break and cause all sorts of terrible problems. The only time I'd even think about reusing a jar would be for my own self. Never to sell or even give away. They could be used for other things like storing things in and I agree 100% with recycling, but not to the point of risking fire or something.

What do you think about this?

Scented candy corn of course

Lots of fun to make.

Aloe and green tea is wonderful

Lavender is an old time favorite

We love all of the clean cotton, white linen type scents

Raspberry violet

Waterblossom Ivy

Vanilla or vanilla mixed with something soft

Rose if you like it

Lots more

Remember most scents can be light if you only add a little bit of scent

Like you, I prefer light scents too.

Soapymomma

Wow, I never noticed that. Guess we better try those with an orange on black and offer them in Oct. LOL! I'll call them haunted charcoal or something. Takes talent to pour something like that don't cha think?

LOL!

Soapymomma

We have worked with Micas, but this one is colorants from Glory Bee. I love them and do not have a problem with bleeding unless the color is very very dark. Thank you.

Soapymomma

Some grocery stores have it in the cake decorating section. You can ask where, but most stores have it. I think Bramble Berry carries it too if you want to buy it online.

Soapymomma

I can't picutre it. Do you have a photo perhaps?

Soapymomma

Sorry about the typo in the title. I can't edit it. Oh well.

It is SFIC melt and pour. It is a little tricky to pour into those tiny spaces, but fun too.

Soapymomma

I have used SFIC since I did all the research at the very beginning of my business. I even sell it on my site because I have always felt it was the very best I have ever tried. I have another web site where I am trying to market more to the natural side of things, so I bought a big box of the natural base from Essentials by Catalina. I love the natural aspect of it, but do find that it does not lather as well and am put off a little by the yellowish color too. However, I have not tried the additives suggested here, so maybe that will make a nice difference. Has anyone added caster oil or glycerin or coconut oil to the EC natural base? If so, what were the results?

Thanks a bunch,

Soapymomma

This is not one of those beautiful swirls I see in the totally from scratch soaps on this board, but is my version of a soap with more that one special additive and more than one color.

Soapymomma

I am working on imporoving these. This is a first try. I want to do some with a dark blue background maybe. Anyway, I think an air brush might be a nice way to color these, but then who knows until we try it. LOL

I have made a charcoal M and P soap and use powered charcoal in it. I learned that charcoal removes toxins and is great for drawing out impurities in the skin. It is actually good for lots of things. A black soap is pretty cool too. Sometimes I swirl it with another color and add an essential oil too.

Don't know if that is odd or not. I'll post a pic.

Soapymomma

HI,

Oh thank you, yes, they are called air brushes. I have seem them used in art. It had never occurred to me to use one on soaps. I saw the prettiest dragonfly soap on Ebay and got to talking to the creator and she told me about the air brush being used when large amounts of soaps are colored at once. I have never used one, but one thing I thought about was I bet it is hard to control the spray to get it in those tiny areas. I'm going to give it a try though (if I can find a small enough one) and was just wondering if anyone else had ever done this and had any advice or suggestions.

I have always prided myself on the ability to pour multiple colors into tiny areas, but that takes a ton of time usually. I can see how a spray of color would be way easier in some cases. (I'll post one of my multi-poured soaps in the gallery when I get a chance.

Suggestions? Comments?

Soapymomma

I think they are called an air gun or air sprayer. They are used for spraying paint. I heard a lady talking about using this to paint large amounts of soaps with beautiful, varied colors. Has anyone ever heard of this or tried it? I do tons of melt and pour type soaps and this just sounded so interesting. I'm sure she used soap safe paints.

Soapymomma

HI Everyone, I haven't posted for a long time. My businesses have been plugging along, but do need a little face lift, so I have a plan! YIKES! I do not want to make CP soaps or any other kind except for melt and pour decorative soaps, but do want to add some CP to my products to offer.

I have a request from a spa for Bamboo charcoal, green tea, and carrot seed oils soap. Is there anyone who makes or would be willing to make these three types to sell wholesale to me? I would want about 25-30 bars at a time at first. I did a bunch of research about the qualities of these additives and found them to each be fantanstic in their own ways. I really want to offer them. Carrot seed oil is really expensive and I don't know where to get bamboo charcoal, so I need help! My email is: soapymomma@yahoo.com, so you can email off this list to talk with me further about this if you want to. Any advice would be welcome for this new venture of adding three new bars. Thanks a bunch,

Soapymomma

I would suggest that you make a candle in one that you think might be thick enough and then while watching it very carefully, burn it all the way down. You might need several lightenings to do that, but it would be very much worth your time to know that a certain style and thickness of glassware is ok. Another thing to watch with buying used glass- I have done that too- is to be very very careful to inspect them with even a magnifying glass to be sure there are no hidden chips or cracks in them. I guess new glass could have the same problems as well. Better to be over carefull, I'd say.

HTH

Soapymoma

I know three different people who have been contacted by Hershey because they were selling candles that looked like the big Hershey Kiss candle. Some were calling it a Kiss candle. I used to sell them too. Hershey is threatening law suits and all sorts of legal action for trademark violations. So if you make or sell these type of candles, I would suggest either removing them entirely or else changing the name or something because these people are not fooling around.

Just thought I 'd let you all know just in case.

Soapymomma

Some higher melt point waxes will yellow a bit because of the high heat. Could that be it? Also, you can add white colorant if you think that might help.

Soapymomma

Hi, Would anyone like to share how you package the solid perfume. I have but them in clear containers like the ones I use for lip balms, but a little bigger.I am not thrilled with that packaging. I want something a little more up scale. I don't like little tins for them either. Suggestions? Pictures?

Soapymomma

HI, Yes, the quality of essential oils can vary and it is important not to let them get too hot. The heat can destroy the valuable properties of the oils.

Citronella does help to discourage bugs. I would not say it totally keeps them away. I use it in my soy container "Bug Off" candles with several other repellent EOs. I think in a small area it sure does help. Several on a deck works pretty darned well.

What a blessing to have free beeswax to use. Wow! I don't have to pay much per pound, but the shipping about kills us when we buy it. Do you mind my asking what state you are in. I am in Or. and buy the beeswax from a guy I met when I used to live in Washington. $$$$$$$ for shipping.

The first candle I ever made was of pure beeswax and it is still my favorite substance. I love it!

Keep us posted about how it is going with your citronella.

Soapymomma

Some customers like pure beeswax because it is completely natural and very beautiful. I make pure beeswax votives for special orders. They turn out great. Some oils do not mix well with it though. I have used lavender essential oil with success, but have not tried citronella. Is it possible that the citronella is not pure and has some water or other liquid in it besides just pure oil? The crackling makes me think that possibily there is moisture somewhere.

Pure beeswax can be used very successfully with some practice. It can be expensive, but if you have a good source can be a fantastic wax for all sorts of molded candles. I get mine very cheaply directly from a bee keeper. We have to strain it some, but it is well worth the effort for a pure natural product.

HTH

Soapymomma

I use Kennedy quite a bit. One thing to keep in mind with them though is that the shipping can be killer and you don't know the cost of it until they ship. At least that was the way it was the last time I ordered. I would suggest emailing them with your order and getting shipping costs before you really place the order. I have done that and it was much better knowing how hard I was going to be hit. LOL

Good luck

Soapymomma

I make and sell embeds too and I can tell ya, they do take a bunch of time to make. There are the molds, the special waxes, the scents, the pouring time and the cleaning and trimmng. That is why they are expensive. Some are a total pain, like blueberries and any really little items, but at the same time they are fun too. It is fun to try to see how realistic you can make them look and smell. I would have to say that the time put into them is why they cost so much.

Soapymomma

would look wonderful with colored gel in them. Those are really great looking containers even for little soaps for a kitchen maybe. Our nearest Dollar store is over 100 miles. I am so jealous of those who have one near and find great deals.

Soapymomma