mountainmadness

My website (after 6 months) of building a light box, taking hundreds of digital pictures, writing narratives and descriptions, and building up my stock etc. It is FINALLY done! I have been wanting one for so long but just didn't set it as a goal for whatever reason. I worked with May May at Digital Northwest Design. She does the website for Brambleberry. She was amazing and is great at what she does! We will adding some pics of the show that we just did last weekend tonight. I had to share it with my CT friends! Thanks for looking. Jennifer www.mountainmadnesssoap.com

Beautiful soap! I am loving the very square bars! They are very unique. I am in love with the Blackberry Sage. Looking good! :highfive: Jennifer

I just googled for you and found a company named 'Saket'. I have never used them before but they carry the size that you are looking for. They are $12.47 for 100. HTH. Jennifer

I have looked at the Microsoft templates before for gift cert. and they are really cute.

Visit the SBA (Small Business Admin) in your area. They will have someone available to answer your questions and they will often have classes on how to write a business plan. The best advise that I can give you is to take it slow and make sure that everything is in place and done properly before you start selling. HTH. Jennifer

Two of my favorites are: 1) Annatto seeds or powder- A beautiful orange... I infuse annatto seeds in my olive oil but if you are using M&P you might want to buy it in powder form and just add it to the soap base. 2) Madder Root Powder- A beautiful cranberry color. Just add a bit to your soap base. It will float to the top of your soap and almost look like it is sprinkled. It is just beautiful! Jennifer

I am going to make a batch as soon as my pine tar comes in... www.summerbeemeadow.com has a lye calculator that has pine tar listed. HTH. Jennifer

I love your shaving soap idea. Very cute. You guys did a good job! :highfive:

I love Brambleberry's. It also turns the soap a perfect tan color once cured.

If you have them available, check your local bakery supplier. I can order Pomace olive oil really cheap. About half the price of Sam's Club.

Try www.pvsoap.com They have a recipe for bubble bars... I think they call it solid bubble bath. HTH. Jennifer

Now you just need to post a picture! I am glad that it worked for you. Jennifer

A lot of it depends on oils used and water used... My standard recipe is about 4 weeks. I think that 4 weeks is a good rule of thumb. If you soap with a water discount it is more like 2 weeks. I think that knowing comes with practice. The soap should not be squishy but firm. The older they are the harder they are because water is constantly evaporating. Until you know for sure with your own recipe(s) I would say 4 weeks is a good ballpark amount of time. My fresh soap go right on the stainless steel drying racks that I have. Jennifer

I have three children, 9,7 and 5. Plus our dog. I normally soap when the kids are in bed but sometimes I have a lot to do and will start earlier. I have told the kids how dangerous lye is... I even showed them the picture on the internet of the poor little boy that dumped a lye bucket over his head... I know that it is my responsibility to keep it up and them safe but kids will be kids sometimes and I wanted them to know how serious it is. They are not allowed in the kitchen when I am soaping, period. They know the rule. There are household cleaners that you use that are as dangerous as lye.. like Iron Out and some shower cleaners that burn on contact. Just be aware that it is a powerful substance and follow the precautions and you will be fine. Don't fear it just respect it. HTH. Jennifer

IMO- unless you make candles, which I don't, those 1-2oz. of FO are totally worthless. I will normally order 8 oz. if it is a new one for me to try. Towards the end of the year I will not order more FO untill I have used all of my stock. It cleans out for the following year and offers a lot of different scents for the Christmas shows. I always give my FO freebie samples to my 7 yr old daughter. She does M&P while I am soaping and has all of her supplies in a rubbermaid.... After reading this thread maybe I am creating a monster. Jennifer

It sounds like you really over did it or you are actually allergic to a FO. Baby Powder FO gives me an instant headache. It always has. Also, if you were making carpet powder did you inhale baking soda or cornstarch? The particulates are very small, especially with corn starch and it could be giving you a headache. The most important thing when using FO is to have good ventilation. Between you smelling the FO, making the carpet powder, and I am assuming using the carpet powder you are on a FO overload. I hope that you feel better soon. Jennifer

Everyone has their own opinions on what they think are "best". My advise to you is to do a lot of research... order samples and see what you like best.

If you cannot find one you can always do your own blend... there are a lot of good orange and spicy FO out there.

I love Sweetcakes Peony Petals. I made a batch of soap about 8 weeks ago with it and it is wonderful! Jennifer

Looks great... like usual Brenda. Spring break soaping? Jennifer

You do not need a preservative in bar soap. Good luck. Jennifer

It is your business but I just want you to think about something.... You sell wax-dipped petals on your website for $1.50. Say, for instance, that everything including wax, petals, colorant, FO, bags, labels & ribbon cost you .50. Now say, start to finish, it takes you 30 min. to make a batch. You are actually "making" $2.00 per hour. That does not figure in your electricity to melt the wax, any cost for your website and everything else that you pay for. It is your business and I am not telling you how to run it I just wanted you to see the big picture. I wish you success. Jennifer

I agree with what was stated above. I do not know how you are possibly making any profit with your prices as low as they are. You do not want to over price but under pricing is just as bad. Once you establish a customer base it will be very difficult for you to ever raise your prices. You need to factor in not only the cost of your supplies but also your time, your website to host each month... taxes, etc. I even figure in my electric bill and all of the costs associated with the production of the items that I make. I even have an hourly rate that I pay myself for making the products... Your website looks nice and clean. Jennifer

Just beautiful Michi! I love your sugar scrub with the colored sugar.... it really adds to it.:highfive: Jennifer

I mix my lye in the kitchen. Just make sure that you are wearing all of your safety gear... especially safety glasses. Some will turn on the vent fan over the stove to help with the fumes... it will make you cough if you get a wiff of it. Also, make sure that you measure the water first and use COLD water, then add the lye and mix. And the #1 rule... Make sure that you take a picture and post it in the gallery section. Best of luck and have fun! Jennifer