kestagano04

This is the process I use to line my 3 lb log mold. I never have any issues with wrinkling.

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=Jbm6tXKuZsI

No need to have a crock pot if your doing your oils in a SS pot. If you come across a bad batch, put the oven on 200* and throw it in there.

Still like a crazy person about every 15 mins until it turns to a mashed potato consistency...then you have soap to mold. <3

Thank you for the advice, Oceangazer1.

Kestagano, did you throw it into a crock pot and cook/stir it there? When I have had those sorts of ugly events, the crock pot has saved the day for me...

No, I don't have one. I probably should purchase one though. I'm making CP more often now and would like to save the batch if that were to happen again.

How did the cranberry marmalade behave for you? Your soap looks good. I tried soaping the same scent (same supplier) yesterday, and had my first failed batch ever (I've been soaping CP periodically for about 21 months now). I added the fragrance at light trace, the batch thinned out to no trace at all after I mixed it in, and then I had separation and just couldn't get it to blend back together again. It ended up an oily mess of rice sized chunks. Ricing?

I love the scent and was bummed because I would love it in soap, but I'm afraid to try it again.

I purchase from this company (soap dishes, bags), and have always been satisfied...

http://www.soapania.com/soaps/Loofah%20Products/Loofah%20Products/Loofah%20Sponge%205.html

ETA... Minimum order is $75 at soapania. Wholesale Supplies Plus sells them too.

Thanks for everyones help. I just did a farmer's market this weekend with my new prices. I sold them at $3 or 2 for $5. Nobody batted an eyelash at that price and most preferred the 2 for deal. So I will continue with that price this fall and see how it goes.

That's good to hear. I hope I see the same results at my craft shows this fall.

I'll be selling lip balm for the first time at craft shows this coming fall, and I plan on pricing them at $3.00 per tube, or 2 for $5.00.

Both have morphed for me.

Same here.

Has anybody soaped Fresh Squeezed Orange from Nature's Garden in CP? Does this orange scent stick?

You could have killed people with those bars!

Lol! As I read that I could totally picture in my head somebody giving chase with a bar of soap in hand. I literally laughed out loud.

I can't speak for everyone, but I have some bars that I made 2 years ago (even a couple that are 3 years old), and they are fine (scent and color). I shrink wrap my bars. Hope that helps somewhat.

I like the idea of the chunk soap. I'm sure it would look really pretty!

Definitely embeds.

The first half of this video shows how you can make your own mold out of waxed freezer paper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd2-vhxav_0

You can then pour a thin enough layer of soap that you'll be able to manipulate into similar shapes. You have to shape your ribbons before the soap sets completely, when it is still very flexible. I think she used a loaf mold, placed the ribbons how she wanted, and then did an overpour.

kestagano04,

Did you get your soap dishes from soapania.com yet? I was looking at getting about 48 for Christmas gifts (soap dish with soaps). I was wondering if they are as nice as they look on line? Thanks

Yes, they are definitely as nice as they look online. I am very happy with my purchase. Quick shipping too!

The different style dishes do vary a little bit in size, make sure you check out the dimensions in the descriptions.

Thumbs up!

I've poured a little too hot and had the chunks just look like they had undefined edges, kind of like spots. I make my chunk soap with clear colored chunks because you can get a darker color with clear, and overpour with white. You would have to pour REALLY hot for the chunks to completely melt and blend. It would also probably depend on the size of the chunks you cut.

Yes, you do spritz the chunks with alcohol too.

When I make chunk soap I pour a bit of the melted soap, spritz some chunks, place them in. Pour a bit more of the melted soap, spritz some more chunks, place them in, etc... Be careful that your soap is not too hot because it could melt your chunks.

My order will be here some time today

Mine too!

http://www.soapania.com/soaps/Wooden%20Soap%20Dishes/Wooden%20Soap%20Dishes.html

Soapania has some nice wooden soap dishes. There is a min order of $75.

I put in an order for some dishes and soap sacks a couple of days ago from here. I thought that around $1.50 per dish was a great price, especially for how nice they are.

Just ordered with their $.99 sale!

I ordered the Pumpkin Pie, Christmas Hearth, Gingerbread, and Apple Harvest, along with a couple of others I wanted to try.

Can't wait till they get here!

Right now I'm using a bar scented Oakmoss Sandalwood that I purchased from another soapmaker. It smells REALLY nice.

I gotta soap this tomorrow to see how it plays. I really like this scent.

Just curious... how did Meadow behave for you, SYR?

Thanks!

Chunks and layers are a lot of fun in melt and pour too! Those may be easier to start off with than swirling if you want to try something new.

Good luck! Post pics if you can :smiley2:

Thanks, rcrafty!

With the lemon soap I used a clear and opaque base. It's kind of a lumpy swirl. I melt and prepare them at the same time, and then I wait for them to cool down quite a bit before pouring. If they're too warm they'll fade into each other. I pour one at a time, switching it up, kind of like layering. I spritz with alchohol after each pour.

For thinner swirls I pour one color warmer than the other. With the soap in this picture I poured all of the opaque base into the mold first at a cooler temp, and then the blue clear base at a warmer temp. I held the pitcher up higher while pouring the blue so that it would penetrate deeper into the opaque. I then dragged a butter knife through a couple of times.

I hope that helps!