SoapDiva

The only way I could see you avoiding PP is to set up a CC biz account and having people fax their CC info, and sig to you. The one major reason I do not take CC orders (even though I have an account) is that if I do not have a signature on file for that cardholder, then I'm out that money. I think that PP is a little more secure in that regard.

Who has the bestest for soap and lotion?

Could it be the dreaded Orange Spots of Death? This is a cinnamon and patchouli. My first batch (eons ago) did not do this. Is this a weird side effect of the cold Canadian climate? Or do I have to turf it?

Woopsie, that should be EO, no FO. Bad me.

I use full sheet labels and cut them to fit. I believe the dimensions I use for the oval tubes is 2.25, and I overlap them because I have issues with them peeling off.

I make a peppermint foot buttah, and it gives people the tingle. I use Peppermint FO. It stimulates blood flow to the surface of the skin, encouraging cell regeneration. I;m thinking of making a soap to match.

Do any of you Canadians use Zen cart? Do you bother with the Canada post shipping module or just use a flat rate or per item rate for shipping? TIA~!

Very hard to see in the pic, but an excellent idea. You can probably improve on it quite a bit really and create something truly unique. Head to Micheals or I think you have Joannes down there in the states, which is similar. Find some heavier gauge (14 maybe) wire along with some pretty beads. I'd do a trial run first as wire can snap when you bend it too much (ie, back and forth or too tight). It looks relatively simple to do, you can thread beads in a pattern, then run more wire back into what will be the handle and repeat. Or, what I would do is create individual beaded strands and wrap the bottom tightly with tape first, then ribbon overtop the tape. Does that help at all? I was a beading junkie before I had my surgery and I couldn't sit at a table for hours at a time anymore creating various beading projects. Then I discovered soaping.

How are you labelling these? I just got my shipment in, and I like the look of the round, however I'm having trouble getting all the "stuff" on my label. How do you set yours up? Thanks for your help!

Well, FO is not cheap, neither are the oils that we use. But for me, my bars at about 4 oz can cost anywhere between 1.12 and 1.55 per bar. Then there is labelling, packaging etc. I personally charge 5 dollars a bar. I was in the retail store that carry my products, and I saw she had some bar soap in there from "Kiss My Face". They were selling it for 4 dollars per bar and it was an 8 oz bar. I was floored. It was a castile made in Italy though. Olive oil is cheap there I bet.

Do you have to use Borax? I don't like the idea of using it, besides I don't think I can get it easily here. Is there something else I can use to neutralize it?

Nutjobs. I wonder what would happen if their server host was contacted and reported for wide span abuse/fraud activities. Cause really, bilking people out of money is a crime.

Hey, thanks Gloworm! He is an obsessed fisherman too, so I will have to look into that!

Ok, silly question dreamview, does the soap have any benefits for the hunter? The husband is a hunter and he seems to think I can make him some soap that will make him less stinky for the deer he is trying to murder. Odd question I know, I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but enlighten me as to what it does please.

I've never done it, but I asked my supplier how she does hers. She adds the water and lye together first, lets it come to room temp, then adds the goats milk. Apparently it dosent react as badly the second time. As I said though, I've never tried it. Getting powder up here can be a challenge.

I did a search a while ago on here trying to find out what your favorite body butter bases are. I did find a little bit of concensus about KY's body whip. I ordered a sample of both the glaze (which I love) and the whip (which could be better, IMO) and have given them a try. I *used* to use a base made by a company in Quebec, I would take their base, melt it down with a mix of oils that I chose (Shea butter, cocoa butter, Sw. Almond oil and in my foot cream I would add hazelnut oil) add water to make it as thick or thin as you want add FO and package. Well, the man who formulated it was dx with terminal cancer, they closed down the factory and I have no idea if it will be offered somewhere else or not. Is anyone aware of a *good* quality base where I can do the same kind of thing? Or even a premade one much like KY's, but with a few more oils and butters in it? I do really like KY's whip, but I find the ingredients to be a bit sparse. See, I LOVE shea butter and would like to be using it more. My only other option is to maybe use the Soywhip for my standard line, and offer a pure shea butter whip.

Well, I'm not sure but I think the batch is a bust, its got a weird mottling color going on. Some yellows, browns and whites. Its a calico. LOL!!

I would HOPE that she includes more in-depth instructions. I've been reading about CP for almost 2 years and have only recently done it myself.

Ok, so now I'm confused. I thought it was standard practice to work with the lye and oils at about 100 degrees. Give or take 10? If I can leave them at room temp then what is the point in going by temps at all??

Hmmm, must be the coconut, my supplier told me that the Dutch Chocolate soaps wonderfully. I've only ever used the coconut in a lotion stick. The FO seems to have soaked back in, in the worst spots, there is a bit on the top on the side. I will keep it molded for a few days and see what happens. At least this is a learning experience. I may learn how to rebatch sooner than I wanted to! ETA: My temps were around the 100 mark when I soaped.

Ok, I peeked because its like an accident.....it looks like the FO is puddling on top?? How do I know if this batch is a bust or not?

So, this is #3, the first two soaped wonderfully, textbook even. This one, did not: Castor 4.53 Coconut 9.08 PK 13.62 Shea 9.08 Grapeseed 9.08 Lye 6.48 Water 16.07 I brought it to trace, took out a spoon of liquid to set aside for a swirl (the FO is Dutch Chocolate and Coconut, I know it will go dark, so I was going to do an unscented swirl). I discovered what "seizing" means. I stopped blending, otherwise risking SB destruction and squashed the soap into the mold. I spread the reserved stuff on top. The mix started to get hot right away and I think what is called "gelling". I was tempted to take the SB and blend right in the mold, reason being is when I was slopping the mix into the mold I noticed some creamy spots that were not going solid. I'm concerned that it did not get mixed properly. Will this set up right do you think? I have it all tucked away now, doing its thang. Thanks for your wisdom!

Wow, what a scary story that was. Being new to soapmaking myself, I've been very very cautious about lye...paranoid even. I store it high on a shelf at the very back, I have a special jug I mix it in and I use disposable cups to measure it out. I throw them out when I'm done with them. I think I will be taking a marker to the jug too, I don't want the husband to accidentially drink it. I wonder what else I can do to make it even safer? Thanks for the reminder.

I don't know enough to comment like CareBear, however I have had several customers tell me that they can tell the difference between using mine and using commercial brands. Perhaps it is simply less harsh than other brands? I *thought* that handmade soap was moisturizing. But that's why I'm here! Learning!

You could also have them make their own M&P soaps, scented bubble bath, body wash, bath jelly (which I think they'd get a kick out of). Also, if its just for that night, you can have fun making food masks out of yogurt or other fun fruits! Heck, even chocolate! I'm sure not much of it would end up on their faces though.