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coconut

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Posts posted by coconut

    Newbie advice? FDA vs. CPSC

    in General Soap Making

    Posted

    On 9/20/2017 at 3:52 PM, TallTayl said:

    Ok, as Jc mentioned above, start with Marie Gale. She wrote a book about soap labeling, and another about Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). 

     

    If you are on facebook, Modern Soapmaking, a group run by a friend of mine Kenna Cote, has many pages of how to and similar articles about starting a soaping business.

     

    the Handmade Soap And Cosmetics Guild is another fabulous resource for insurance, legal considerations, how to's, etc. and finally Indie Business Network (IBN) also handles soap maker business insurance guiding the small business owner through the ropes. 

     

    When selling just soap with absolutely zero claims you do not have to register with the FDA or worry about the FDA knocking on your door. You are not even legally required to label the soap. When you do consider labels, refer to Marie Gale's books for the specific requirements. 

     

    The second you make any claim or reference to XYZ ingredient smelling medicinal, or alluding to what an ingredient can do you are now a classified as drug maker by the FDA and can open yourself to a visit. If you decide to use melt and pour, or surfactants like SLS or SLSa to name but two,  that is considered a cosmetic and is also governed by the FDA. Cosmetics have specific labeling requirements also. 

     

    It seems like a lot to take in at first, but tackle it one step at a time and it gets easier. 

     

    Before considering selling soap, please check the laws in your state and county for registering your small business and insuring. Product liability insurance and general liability insurance (offered at both IBN and HSMG) are a good idea to budget for before selling. 

     

    Lots of things to budget for when starting a business. It seems overwhelming, but it is all just a cost of doing business. 

    TT, would soap from a cold process rebatch base be regulated like the melt and pour? Thanks.

    Does anyone sell crafts other than candles, soap, and B&B?

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    22 hours ago, Jcandleattic said:

     

    I sell a handfull of unscented soaps every year, (not many but enough to make a batch a year to sell) but I have never ever sold an unscented candle, HOWEVER, I don't work with beeswax, and I bet those WOULD actually sell well. They are long lasting, burn clean, and do offer a slight 'honey' scent cold throw. 

     

     

    I may have to give it a try...thanks!

    Does anyone sell crafts other than candles, soap, and B&B?

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    14 hours ago, Crafty1_AJ said:

    I sell a lot of unscented candles, so yes.  I think you could try a whole line of unscented goods.  Soap, lip balm, lotion, scrubs, jar candles, pillars, votives, etc.  Lots of people are becoming increasingly sensitive to fragrance.

     

    I also sell cotton knitted dishcloths, but those are something I like to make anyway.  You don't get a lot for your labor.  But I'm hyper and it wears off some energy if I have to just sit, such as on a long car ride.  LOL

    That's interesting. Fragrance seems to be everywhere now, so I am not surprised more people are becoming sensitive. I also like to crochet or knit while watching TV. I used to make rugs but no money in that, I don't think. I have to wake up my creative juices....☺

    Does anyone sell crafts other than candles, soap, and B&B?

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    Wow, these are all really great ideas. I did wonder if there is any market for unscented products like beeswax or soap as I really liked making candles and tarts. I may look into the bags. I think I could do that. My sewing machine is an old White treadle machine so no fancy embroidery, but I can do all the basics. I don't think I will buy 500,000 soap saver bags....I have good crochet skills but I never saw anyone make any money with crochet. I am in Florida but not in a tourist area. However I will be within a reasonable drive of the Mouse. And beaches too. I do not know if this is a craft but I like old lamps and lighting and maybe I can do something with that. I have sold lamps on eBay with good results. Thanks, everyone!

    Does anyone sell crafts other than candles, soap, and B&B?

    in Business Side of Things

    Posted

    I need to find a new hobby since I can no longer make scented products. It would be nice if I could make a little money on them down the road. I don't want to steal any secrets or creative ideas from members, but if you have seen anything at craft shows that seem to sell well and would be willing to share that information it would be greatly appreciated. I am not a great seamstress but do have some sewing skills. Thanks!

    Essential Depot 50% off Hurricane sale

    in Weekly Sales

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Jcandleattic said:

    Yes, it was ED. They had lye that was testing at lest than 60% potency but lied about it, said it was not the lye, that the soapers had to be doing something wrong (they were saying this to soapers who had been soaping for YEARS on a regular basis) and as TT said, they deleted any bad reviews for it, and after a few months when everything settled down, they acted as if it never happened. No apology, no trying to make it right, nothing. 

    I bought from them often (love my silicone molds with the wire baskets from them), but after that and just the shady way they dealt with it, I'm gun-shy from them and haven't purchased since. 

    Wow, that is just terrible.  I did not know about this. Thank you both for bringing it up!

    • Like 1

    Essential Depot 50% off Hurricane sale

    in Weekly Sales

    Posted

    9 hours ago, TallTayl said:

    Essential depot had that questionable soaping lye a few years back. Belittled experienced soapers, lied and did a crappy job of making it right. No way I'd support them again. 

    @TallTayl, are you sure it is the same company? I have no experience with them but when I search Craft server, all the reviews are good. I know some members buy from them, hence my sharing the information. If they are not a good company, I do apologize. 

    Flame Height

    in General Candle Making Discussions

    Posted

    20 minutes ago, CHB said:

    I am using 11 oz libbey tumblers with IGI 6006 wax, 7% fragrance oil and LX wicks. I am really happy with the lighter fragrance oils but I'm still working on some of the heavier ones. They are safe burning and throw great but the flame is a little weak. 

    I had the same experience. In one case I had to cut my fo percentage down to 4.5% and that worked. Throw was still good enough. On others I switched to J50 and premier wicks and that worked. Some I gave up on because I never could get them to wick properly.

    Flame Height

    in General Candle Making Discussions

    Posted

    When I was still making candles, my goal was to get a perfect burn without ever trimming. I actually succeeded with several scents. Mostly I used htp wicks and 4630 paraffin. Never succeeded with Eco wicks. I also had some success with Peak's cottons and with lx wicks. Premier wicks worked for me too. I like a flame between 1\2 and 1 " tall. I used jelly jars about 2 1\2" in diameter.

    Cotton core wicks from Peak

    in General Candle Making Discussions

    Posted

    19 hours ago, Jeana said:

    I figured that was a typo. Lx 10  makes a lot more sense. It gives an idea for size comparisons with other wick types but I still don't understand which wick a c-40 is in the cotton core chart. Those numbers are read like 51-18-32.

    I do not think Peak's cotton core is the same as other cotton core wicks. I used to think they were like Premier wicks but I could never figure out the closest ssiz. Premier 715 possibly? I will have to find my notes.

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