Wick'n'Wax

So, I tried to do swirls again, last one I did the pour from opposite ends method, this time I tried pouring in layers and then swirling. However, didn't work as the soap had set up too fast and I literally had to drag the skewer through the soap to swirl, bit of a marble really. Fragranced with Tea Rose: I then tried a different swirl/roll one. Not even sure what this is called lol, but really enjoyed making it. I need to roll it better next time. Fragranced in Violet: I've only been making soaps a couple of weeks now, but already its an addiction!

yep, goats milk mp. Thanks for the compliments Going to try a different swirl tomorrow, did this one pouring at the same time from opposite ends, gonna try pouring it in layers before swirling next time

another addiction! These are a few of the ones I've made over the last couple of weeks: My 1st swirl, fragranced in Dewberry. Not brill, but I'm learning Some body butter bars, made with cocoa butter: Some cool water for men, with blue poppy seeds: A variety of Mango (orange), cucumber (green), Thai Coconut (pink oval), other 2 pink are Lotus Blossum, all Goats Milk base Hope you like them

thanks, ok dumb question, if solid coconut oil is melted, doesn't that make it fractionated?

Hi Kimberly, I have some coconut oil coming tomorrow, although not sure if its fractionate or not (makes not to self, find out what the difference is ) It's only for me and a couple of family testers so far. I'm new to soaps and b&b and have to get everything certified. It's just a whipped body cream type 'thingy' was one of the things I definately wanted to try. Yep, your expertise has made it over to the other side of the pond willl let you know how it goes. I've been told that corn starch is actually corn flour in the uk, hope thats right lol. Off to scour these recipes for more things to make. thanks xx

thanks for that, found the thread and will be making some tomorrow xx

What a great thread, shall be trying this tomorrow. I don't have everything needed for the recipe, but shall use shea butter sweet almond oil mmmmm pink sugar or ambrosia fo and cornstarch is it ok to put it in candle tins when finished? I haven't got as far as ordering any pots or tubs yet thanks Kimberly

now that sounds sooooo much nicer I'm wondering whether I can/should add an fo to it. I'm in the middle of ordering some bits, so I'll add the emulsifying wax to it, but will look for a whipped body butter recipe. thanks xx

So, very new to soaps (mp) and want to try a couple of other bits. One thing I want to make is a whipped body lotion. I've found a recipe but it calls for emulsifying wax which I don't have. So far I have cocoa butter shea butter avocado oil sweet almond oil coconut oil citric acid sodium bicarb witch hazel can I make one with those ingredients? I wish there was a database where you could put in what ingredients you have and it brings up suggested recipes for things anyone help, pretty please? thanks

they are beautiful

this weekend will be mainly a soaping weekend for me, just started making them and hooked already, so loads of practice Also, got a double heart candle to do in pink sugar, some opium melts and votives.......... then depends if this snow turns up we've been promised, if it does, I'm afraid everythings gotta wait while I go out and play

being a complete soaping newbie (as in poured my first soaps 1 hour ago), I just love that browny swirl one. I'd love to do a swirl loaf. Can I ask what GM is, and can anyone point me in the direction of a tutorial for a swirl loaf? please, pretty please, take pity xx

thanks for all your help. I have some white cloth, although I think it may be in the loft never to be seen again I'm going to try my camera, with white background, and as much lighting as I can muster. I then have to figure if I can do the background stuff in adobe photoshop cs2

I have adobe photoshop cs2 (although no idea how to use it ). Most of my pictures I did on a dark gold background and wondered if I could change/remove the background on these photos.

I'm seen pictures of products that are just the product, the background is completely white, so all you see is the product. Is it by using a white background and lightbox, or is it some kind of photo/picture software trickery?

omg! mine looked nothing like that lol think my double heart will just be a double heart candle

I find paraffin much more versatile. I always use paraffin for pillars etc, wouldn't be without it. I use soy cb135 for my tumblers. I did try soy pilllar blend for pillars a while back and it was just too difficult for me. I use a para/soy blend for melts. So, both are good for me, but if its pillar talk then I have to go with paraffin

thanks folks, I checked through all of those, and found one I really like, in fact its on quite a few sites, so had a look at the profile and they have some lovely ones. Decided which site I'd want more from and I've gone for one called luckyoliver.com thanks again

I tried it with the chunks, and it was pants!! took me ages to cut out the inside and doesn't look very nice (will take a piccie later). I tried making a template with a plastic milk carton, some bendy cardboard, and they just wouldn't hold the shape. I'm going to try later making from cardboard from a cereal box. The problem with using things like cannistors/tins for the insert is that will be the shape of the insert, and I could end up with a tiny space for the t-lite and there won't be enough air circulating. I just had to make one yesterday anyway, just to get the 'must make a cane today' out of my system so made a square one with my normal mold and filled it with rose petals. Came out ok, but you can't actually see the shape of the rose petals, just dark pink bits lol. Will wait until its dark and light it see what it looks like, then post both piccies. I seriously need to get myself a round mold with an insert too. I like the square for piccies etc, but fancy making a round one.

you're welcome

Mark I can highly recommend Donita's tutorial, she does them for lots of different kinds of candles, they are soooooo easy to follow. They are step by step guides with photographs. Have a look at some of the candles on her site, you'll get the picture When you unmould that first picture cane, you're hooked lol

that works for me mark, but can I just say... Donita is the hurricane queen

I use a weight from a weight training bar, about the size of a saucer plate, just plonk it on top, I can see the sides to see when its thick enough

lol, having great fun here, its just like craft class in nursery (kindergarten). Cut up and washed out a large milk carton. Now I've found a single heart mold in plastic that is perfect as an insert, but its a single heart, so I've made up a single heart shape and its currently sitting inside the plastic mold to keep its shape a while, I've now gotta figure out how to make a half heart and attach it. I'm intending trying the chunks first, its already prepped anyway, I'm thinking cut out as much as I can thats soft once sides have set up, then with the aid of the single plastic heart and my heatgun, try and perfect the insides thanks for the other ideas, will bear them in mind if this doesn't work

oooh you beauty, what a brill idea. What kind of container? Looks like a milk container over here in the UK. At the moment, I've put in the petals where I want them and wedged them in tightly with chunks. It's filled to the top with chunks. Tomorrow I'll pour in the cane wax over the top. But.........I'm now wondering, when you make a cane, say a picture one, when it get to the desired thickness, you pierce and pour out the excess, well with this the internal section that I want to pour away, is mostly going to be already set because its chunks. If it melts, problem is the petals will move, if it doesn't how am I going to cut it away. Oh well, suck it and see, as they say. Willl let you know tomorrow night when made and unmoulded, but I'll try making an insert tomorrow out of a milk carton. Sounds like a job for Blue Peter (UK programme for kids that makes stuff lol)