dabbledoya

Definitely get product liability insurance~~peace of mind, girl! Since you make soap, check out soapguild.org. It's a great organization.

Yeh~~don't be embarrassed, lots of helpful people here!

Go for it! It's your choice:) Sorry I cannot help you with the mix, I just use straight 6006. Remember that since you're adding more soy to it, you will probably have to cure longer to get a good throw. Good luck!

The Magnolia and Pepper Birch sound interesting. I've always been tempted to try their FOs but haven't~~I may just do it now:) Plus, I didn't realize they were in NC!

Gotta clean the house too Plus take some pics and add to my website And try another CP recipe w/lard

Faves: Violet Lime Rainwater Honeysuckle Jasmine Caramelized Praline Cinnamon Stick--think Cinnamon toothpicks;) Mimosa and Mandarin Apple Jack and Peel Mistletoe-if you get one FO, get this one. Med Fig Others that I'm sure I'm missing! Agree with Sliver, there's a big 'crapshoot' variable with all the different noses, but hopefully you will get your list down to a manageable size with the recommendations!

Same here, can't speak/read a lick of Italian, but your site is awesome~~congrats!

I agree with the lavender or herbally type scents~~they're nice and fresh smelling. It seems that I've been on a Lavender Apples and Oak kick lately, so I'll recommend that one

For the medical disinfectant how about a pine mixed w/ eucalyptus or mint?

I've got openoffice, and while it works on some excel files, it doesn't work on all of them. Some spreadsheets end up looking 'funky'~~for example words and/or phrases going beyond the cell into another one.

A great mixed one is GL Grapefruit Watermelon--very fresh and juicy smelling.

Figure your cost for everything, right down to the product labels, and even dye (which will be very minute lol). And keep a record of it. That way you will know how much it costs *you* to make it, and also helps with figuring your inventory. Then you can use the multiplier method if you want. I started out with 3-3.5 on my products, and ended up reducing them a bit because of the region I live in. It's all up to you;)

It's the never-ending melt testing for me~~ Today we got CS Very Vanilla going on in the kitchen, GL Grapefruit Watermelon in the LR (ah! summer!!), and NG Beach Bum (aka Butt Naked) in the master BR.

Thanks for the link--definitely got it bookmarked. I was thinking it was yeast/mold/bacteria or something :lipsrseal

What exactly are the orange spots and why do they occur?

Wow! Nah, that's not a big deal, that's a HUGE deal!! Congrats!

Filled some orders yesterday that I got from a sister clinic from where I work at~~woo hoo! New customers!!

HHmmmm..I'll have to re-think the Celtic Moonspice;) I forgot one that is a keeper for me~~ Raspberry Lilac--This is a strong, heavy berry-type fragrance. Can't smell the lilac in it, but you can smell sort of a floral note to it. Hard to describe this one, too, but it is in the same category as CS' Violet Lime--pungent in a positive way.

I believe it's the PVC shrink wrap that has the smell to it. I use POF (Polyolefin), and it doesn't have an odor at all. You can get it from shrinkwrapstore.com~~they're very helpful and have great customer service!

I tested CS' a long time ago and decided not to carry it. It smells okay, but it reminds me of a weak fruit punch or something~~not complex at all. I honestly don't see the huge attraction, either.

Get yourself some Mistletoe to test for next year~~awesome~ Like others have mentioned-- Violet Lime Rainwater Caramelized Praline Honeysuckle Jasmine Mimosa and Mandarin--has 2 leafs, is actually very strong at 8% in my 6006--smells like a fresh pineapple/orange scent Banana Nut Bread--wow!!! Smells like the real thing! Cinnamon Stick--a great, straight cinnamon scent Very Vanilla--very strong, not a buttery vanilla. Plus I didn't have to wick up either?? And their customer service is excellent!

Just chalk this up to a hard lesson learned (unfortunately). I agree with the 'sample box' way to market your products. It's money out of pocket initially (you're in control of the amount), but it's a great way to advertise to folks who are actually willing to pay for something;)

Wow! Just checked out her etsy store--gorgeous products and pics!

All tested using 6006 at 8%. All had great H and C throw unless otherwise specified~~ RE Lavender Apples and Oak-Outstanding herbal/very clean scent! Awesome in candles, as well as cream and MP soap--a new favorite. Tapestry-Hard to describe scent-fruits with subtle earthy, spice, and floral notes. This is *not* just for fall or Christmas--it's excellent for year round! Perfect in candles and MP soap--trying in cream next. A second new favorite:) Dreamcatcher--Very strong, beautiful fragrance. Perfume w/ subtle powdery undertones. Another keeper. Could easily go down to 7%. Strawberry Musk--The scent name says it all--the strawberry is not sweet or tart, just a fresh strawberry scent. The musk is definitely there, but not super heavy or overpowering. Very romantic fragrance. Had to wick up 2 sizes for this one. Celtic Moonspice--Only got as far as the first burn w/ this one. Too sweet for me! Smells like a super sweet cinnamon and sugar concoction. I guess I was expecting more of an exotic spice blend by the name and description. Pink Hydrangea--Was dissappointed w/ the OOB smell, it had sort of a stale odor. But once it cured out and I lit it--wow! Beautiful floral fragrance, not heavy or powdery, but a fresh floral. Forget Me Not--Reminds me of a really green Gardenia scent. Very nice, but not a keeper for me, as I already have a green floral. Roobios--Awesome--the whole reason I tried RE to begin with. Strong tea scent subtle fruit/grapefruit undertones. Smells just the one KY used to have. Red Currant and Thyme--Debated on wether or not to even review this, as I didn't try it in a candle. Very weak OOB. Used .75% in a jar of cream, and could barely smell anything. Maybe a 'bum' sample??? I won't be ordering anymore to find out lol. Cherry Mist--Soft, sweet cherry aroma. Still doesn't float my boat. Don't think I'll ever find a cherry scent I like! NG Monkey Farts--Nice banana scent w/ fruit notes and a hint of creaminess. I like it, friends/family loves it, so it's a keeper. Butt Naked--Another new favorite--very rich fragrance--tropical fruit, coconut and vanilla--awesome;) Downy Magnolia and Orange Blossom--Heavy on the orange, light on the floral. Smells great--on the shelf for possible future addition. Downy Cashmere and Lace--Perfumey floral scent, not heavy. Nothing extraordinary to be honest. Watercress and Aloe--Great cold throw, not a good hot throw at all--so dissappointed! Very clean, slightly green/floral fragrance. Awesome in cream, and will definitely be putting it in some MP soap.

Don't know if it matters, but I tip it upside down 4 or 5 times before pouring it~~I think it's just a habit for me, too.