mountainmadness

I have noticed a lot of candle-makers in our area. I thought about purchasing candles wholesale and selling them with my soaps and B&B. After looking at the market I have decided against it because I couldn't offer anything different. I did a total of 6 craft shows this season. At many of the shows I was the only soap-maker. There were at least 4 candle-makers at each show. My only real competition is a soap company that has been in business for 10 years and is 350 miles away but in the same state. There are about 3 other soap-makers here in my city but we all offer very different products. I have gone the mostly vegan route and it is paying off... the other soap-makers use animal by products and it seems that the trend is anti-animal in our area. I think that Robin nailed it. If you are serious about having a business and making money while enjoying what you are doing you need to do your market research. You need to offer something different that stands out and makes you unique and remembered. There are thousands of us home-based soap and candle makers. It seems like there are at least, from the board alone, a couple sites a week that go up... If you are unique and different you will be remembered and do quite well. Just my . Jennifer

It will work just fine. There are many people that save the scraps from CP soap and make a 'confetti' batch. You can either use M&P or a batch of CP and add your scraps, curls, pieces, etc. IMO- it looks really cool and saves soap! I need to do a spring confetti batch myself with all of my scraps and ugly bars! Jennifer

I am one that likes to keep it simple. I charge the same for all of the soaps, including the salt bars. I realize that some types are more expensive to make with certain kinds of oils, FO and EO but it seems to even out and makes it easier for the customer. My standard pricing for a 6 oz. bar of soap, shampoo bars and salt bars is $6.00 or 3/$15.00. HTH. Jennifer

The best banana I have found is Just-Ripe Banana from The Scent Works. It smells just like a real banana and does not discolor like most do. I have tried Brambleberry Lilac. It was really nice and true. As with most florals it will make your soap move quickly so I suggest soaping at a lower temperature. The other two I haven't tried. HTH. Jennifer

They look great! Very creamy and white. There is nothing to laugh at... everyone starts somewhere and you have a lot to be proud of. The ordering never ends... there is always something new and exciting to try. Have fun! Jennifer

Both also. I would never sell anything that I didn't use myself. Jennifer

I think that your products look nice. I too, was not fond of all of the pop-ups. IMO- I would re-word some of your 'claims' about the oils and butters that you use. From your website: 'Jojoba Oil is good for arthritis and rheumatism and has natural antioxident properties.' If you still wanted to note what the benefits are I would state that 'Jojoba Oil is believed to aid in arthritis and rheumatism and has natural antioxident properties.' I personally stay away from claims because it can get you in some legal trouble unless you word it just right. Congrats on getting it up and running! I know how time consuming that it is! Jennifer

Dang that edit button being gone... I had a typo.... 'received' Thanks for the kudos. I am on cloud-nine right now!

I just had to share. I am still shocked. I got home today, opened my email and had recieved a message from Netfirms. My website was picked for the featured site of the week.... on the Netfirms homepage. I am so excited! I hope everyone has a good weekend. Jennifer

It is the best red that I have found.. without turning pink. It is more of a blue red... not what I would call bright. You could always add a bit of orange to it to brighten it up and make it more of a tomato red. Just a thought..... Jennifer

I love my Brick Red from Brambleberry. Jennifer

I think that you have a pretty good selection there... I do have a couple of suggestions for you so you are a bit more well rounded. 1) some kind of citrus 2) some kind of mint 3) lavender or a lavender blend 4) OMH- especially in the winter HTH. Jennifer

The best purple colorant that I have found is from Soapcrafter's. It will be blue when it is first mixed but in 12 hours it turns into a perfect shade of purple. I have tried many and I think it is the best. HTH. Jennifer

Just beautiful! I have the same glasses.... Jennifer

My advise to you is to be patient, try different recipes with different oils until you have what you want. IMO- you should find a recipe that allows you to drop a bath bomb and it stay intact and undamaged... especially if you plan on selling them. They should be like a rock. Bath bombs are a dime a dozen but good bath bombs are hard to find. If you are having trouble with them cracking or not staying together, you need to try a different recipe. Once you have the perfect recipe you can make bath bombs bubble by sub-ing the citric acid with SLS. SLS will make them bubble instead of fizz. HTH. Jennifer

http://www.foreverandalways.com/ProductDetails/unique-wedding-favors/heart-shaped-bottles/170-19- I cannot vouch for the company but this is exactly what you were lookin for. HTH. Jennifer

Hmmm. I have never tried making a batch of bath bombs with no oil except FO.... It is a wonder that they are even staying together. I would try a different recipe. It should have a light oil, an oil that is solid at room temp, some people debate about water but if you do use it make sure that it is distilled and all of the rest of the powder substances that makes it a bath bomb. HTH. Jennifer

I have tried 5 different coconut FO and have not found a straight one that stays true or even holds in CP soap. Blends work well but straight coconut... I am still looking. Jennifer

I have made them a few times and have always used a loaf mold... once they were dry I just cut them into chunks. I have never seen bubble bars in shaped molds. Did you try freezing them to get them out? If it doesn't work for you I would take them out of the molds, put them back in the mixer, add a bit more glycerin and re-shape them. HTH. Jennifer

Citric Acid can be found at health food stores.. it is a lot more expensive but if you are making them for your children it is an option for you instead of ordering. Also, some claim that it is in the canning section of grocery stores labeled as Sour Salt. I have never found it there but maybe you will have more luck. Bath Bombs are a tricky, tricky thing for most. It takes a lot of patience, practice and altering recipes depending on your climate. I wish you bath bomb success! Jennifer

Could be a couple of things: 1) Are you using water? If so, is it distilled? If you are using distilled water you may be adding too much. 2) If it is not a water issue, you are using too much oil. 3) Where are the cracks? In the center where the 2 parts meet or all over the bomb? Sorry for the million questions.... Jennifer

Hello fellow Alaskan!

Janet: M&P soap- this is a base where the soap is already made. You cut it up, melt it, add whatever you want to add, color if you wish, add fragrance oil/ essential oil, pour it, let it dry. Benefits: 1) You can sell it immediately. No drying time. (after testing, of course) 2) You do not have to mess with lye. 3) You usually use less fragrance oil compared to CP soap. 4) It is very user friendly. 5) If you mess up or do not like it you can remelt it. Possible downfalls: 1) The ingredients in the M&P (base) you have no control over. 2) There are chemicals that are added to allow you to melt and pour it. CP Soap- This is soap that is made from scratch. No bases used. You are making soap because you choose your oils, fats, or butters, and find out how much lye and water you need to turn your oils into soap. Benefits: 1) You have complete control of what your soap has in it. 2) You are making something from scratch- a lot of people like the feeling that has. Possible downfalls: 1) Can be very tricky. Since it is a chemical reaction with your lye/water and oils sometimes things go wrong. 2) CP soap needs to cure for 4-6 weeks before you sell it. 3) IMO- there is more testing because there are a lot more factors to ensuring that it is safe. 4) A lot more safety issues with lye and protective gear. 5) Can be difficult for some to find ingredients. 6) Not all body safe fragrance oil can be used. It is basically a preference and you making a decision on what kind of soap that you want to make. If you will be selling at some point look at your market. HTH. Jennifer

Very nice, simple and eye catching. Great job! Jennifer

Good catch! Thank you. When you start to read it over and over again it is easy to miss some of the oops..... Thank you! Jennifer