beau's mama

http://www.oregontrailsoaps.com/seeds.html They have Apricot Seed Meal & Shell Powder. 4oz is more than enough to play w/ & it's not too expensive. Soooo, you're stepping to the other side now, huh?

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_comparison.do?storeName=storefronts&landing=printer&category=LaserJet&lanAttr=&subcat1=photo&leftNavIndicator=&PROD_LIST=CB373A%23ABA%7CCC376A%23ABA%7CQ6455A%23ABA%7C&catLevel=2&brand_name=hp&sort_list=Black%2Bspeed%257CColor%2Bspeed%257CBlack%2Bresolution%257CColor%2Bresolution&hide_clear_link=1&a1=Color+printing&v1=Color&compare1=Compare&PROD_IDX=CB373A%23ABA&PROD_IDX=CC376A%23ABA&PROD_IDX=Q6455A%23ABA I'm guessing it's new I'm drooling over laser printers again. What grabbed my attention was that it seems a little shorter than the 1600, does 5,000 more pages monthly AND the cartridges are a little less expensive than the 2600n. One thing I have no clue about is the type of processor it has. How much of a part does the type of processor a printer has play in the grand scheme of things? Any thoughts? TIA

OK, CP noob here Why would you want your soap shiny? Does it add to the look of it? Feel smoother?

Hey tamtam:wave: Where ya' been?

I've never used sea kelp powder. Does it have a smell?

Congrats to you This is so addictive, but soooo much fun!

Are they really open for business LOL? They do have a variety of things, but every time I click on something I may want to order, it's always OOS. That site has a "twilight zone" feeling to me...like the lights are on but nobody's home... ETA: WSP here too...and the Sage...and Oregon Trails...and Elements Bath & Body...and...

Every single minute of my life

I've been using oxides & ultramarines from WSP with no problems, except for when I get a little heavy-handed. Water based colors always bled on me that's why I stopped using them. Many people here use colorants from http://tkbtrading.com/index.php?category=29 They have "non-bleeding" colorants. Maybe someone will chime in and let you know if they bleed or not. HTH a bit

Well, Hun, that'll get 'cha about 500 answers explained 600 different ways LOL. Everyone has a "perfect combination" that works for them. You can make as small as (1) 4oz bar to test combos to keep from wasting ingredients. I've looked at those carving kits at WSP and I had some soap paint somewhere around here. I'm not patient enough or artistic enough to fool with them. I can make shapes/carvings from a stencil, though Hmmm, the hypnotizing swirl...I have a sudden urge to listen to "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"

Yeh, it can be a PITA, especially when you try to do something stupid like make an 8oz batch for testing to "save" on ingredients LOL I make lotion 2 ways: w/ Fusion Magic when I want to use it right away (cold emulsification, no waiting, less measuring) and the ewax/stearic method. I would love a base. I looked for a base, but nothing ever measured up to what I had in mind for my lotion, so I bit the bullet, got a bug up my butt after a year, & just made what I wanted. I'm happy. The only base I've ever used is M&P. Everything else I do is from scratch. But I don't sell to the general public, so making things from scratch is easy right now. I think base vs scratch is a matter of how much time someone has. Scratch is definitely cheaper IMO, but more time consuming.

Hmm, you might change you mind about that if you received personal, hands-on guidance

Oh my, I've been mixing 1 part bleach to 9 parts water . I also do it to sanitize my work area & lotion equip. I somehow always believed if I can't smell the bleach, then it's not working LOL Can too much be too much?

Hey there M&P'ers...they buried us! We can't let that happen Your ideas have been heard, and I've got a feeling there'll be a couple of fun things happening on CT for us While the fun stuff is brewing, here's a chance to have some (experimental) fun while we wait. http://www.craftserver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69599 Old & new, young & old...all are welcome. PM me w/ any questions

Bethany, thanks for posting this. I did a lot of reading, reading, and reading b/4 I made lotion, but never saw this. Quote: "Personally, I think safe is more important than natural. We are all aware of natural products that are very toxic, so we need to stop thinking of natural and safe as being synonyms." So very true. Before I started handcrafting, I always thought "natural" was safest & best. I've learned different in almost 2 years. In some things it may be, but in lotion, unless it's for quick, personal use, it's just not gonna work.

OK, dumb question time: do these actually smell like fruit? I go to GOW's site all the time, but I've never seen these, maybe 'cause I wasn't looking, huh?

DeAnna, those are nice, girl! Do you ever sleep? LOL Are those made w/ the bath bomb tablet maker thingy?

*gasp* CB baaad girl LMAO Been there, done that, time to move on :rolleyes2

Aww SpaceGirl, thank you. I just printed it out. Now, if DH has me committed b/c I'm going around the house measuring every tube I can find, I'm going to point him in your direction!

What? English please & 'splain it to me like I'm a 2 y/o. Better yet, just sign me up for advanced math 101 for really big dummies! I got a headache just reading that

[quote=beau's mama;647533]WOOOOOHOOOO, my little flower! That's why I love you...you love to push beyond normal limits...and you really are a lil' bit nuttier than I am. You go girl. Aww, and you have a cute lil' mold, too. Now, you know if I was off work today I'd be in the "lab" right now weighing out 4oz's of oil while my M&P is melting Well, there's always next week...what can we play "limbo" with next? LMAO! Oh no, Psycho Santa! LOL, you really are not playing fair! I gotta learn how to make LS first b/4 I go making baby batches all willy nilly like! You make it, I'll watch, then you can give it to me to test

WOOOOOHOOOO, my little flower! That's why I love you...you love to push beyond normal limits...and you really are a lil' bit nuttier than I am. You go girl. Aww, and you have a cute lil' mold, too. Now, you know if I was off work today I'd be in the "lab" right now weighing out 4oz's of oil while my M&P is melting Well, there's always next week...what can we play "limbo" with next? LMAO! Oh yeah, you know that I LOVE dares!

Clays are great! I've used Kaolin white & rose, bentonite, & fullers earth. A very sweet person just gave me some red moraccon (sp?) clay so that will be the next thing to play w/ on my list. I haven't dabbled w/ many EO's beyond the usual Tea Tree, lavander, etc. There's a wealth of info all over the net about clays & eo's. Mountain Rose Herbs has great info. You really have to know your stuff regarding the EO's. Some are not good for pg women & people with epilepsy. Some are photosensitizing. Get to Googling woman! Researching can be a pita , but it's worth it ...it'll only make you so much better at your craft!

Thanks everyone for the encouragement! Here is the Floralissima cut. I got 3 bars, but I was so frantic, I stuck a bar in some water just to make sure it would float (it's 100% coconut) and hot damn it did And WOOOOOOOOW! I had to use a teeny, tiny slither just to be sure I actually had soap. That lil' slither bubbled like crazy. I can only imagine what a full bar will do. I did not think I'd like the 100% coconut soap, but it just may become the standard CP in my house!

Wait, hold on! Girl, you went from your first CP, to cream soap, to that beautiful M&P. And dammit, you got real swirls! I am scared of you! Awesome job!