bells4shells

I haven't tried in awhile, but I was never able to get my stamp to work properly on MP. CP was soft enough that I could do it, but MP would make a slight imprint, but it was too slick and moved and the soap was too hard to get a good stamp on it. Maybe I was doing it wrong? lol Anyhow, I haven't tried since the one time.

I think it's pretty dead on.

That, I have no idea Sandra. haha! Though, I do recall seeing some talks about it possibly working before.. don't know if it was in this forum or not?

Antonia - you can find a decent priced impulse sealer on harbor freight's website. Unfortunately for me I cannot get one locally, but I'll be getting one of those eventually. Still deciding if I'm going to go the shrinkwrapping route.

Do you have a pic of what these look like? I had no idea Walmart sold them. Just curious if I'm thinking the same thing you are...

I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'healing', but I love the consistency. Really smooth and doesn't feel heavy on the lips. Good coverage and makes my lips feel fabulous.

I'm sad cause they seem to have taken the balm base off their website. I'm in the process of trying to create something on my own. I'll really miss the convenience as well as the wonderful product. But, I have to do something to get more balm - so on to formulating one of my own!

My first thought in answer to your ? was - EVERYTHING! haha

But, I really think you can't go wrong with fruits, flowers, herby scents. It's one of those universal mixers I think.

I've tried it in soap and didn't get any cotton candy notes...??? I can't even tell you what I think it smells like cause I didn't smell anything to be quite honest.

I'm making the switch to labeling everything I have with their proper INCI labels. I'd recommend you keep the same format you got from WSP just to be on the safe side.

However, I've seen some products labeled where you can find ingredient listing on a website. I think it's better to have it on the actual product, but if you're worried about length, then maybe the website would be an option in this case?

I found one on AH/RE that I'm gonna try. I'll update with what I think after I get it.

Are any of these suggestions single note blackberry? I know the marmalade isn't. I've been looking for one for a mixer... glad to see this thread already started.

I JUST ordered a sniffy of this and got it in today. I love the smell in the vial. Smells like blackberry and chocolate. I didn't get much (if any) of a coffee scent.

I didn't get enough to try it out in a candle, but will be keeping my eye on this cause I really liked the fragrance and wanted to use it in candles too.

I think it looks good. You've made a really nice use of the frames and don't have all kinds of different sliders to move here or there like I've seen on some sites. It's really easy to navigate and I like the neutral colors.

My only critique? If you're going to have the option to click on images to make them 'larger' - they need to be larger when I click on them.

Otherwise, glad to see you're up and running again!

Would love to jump in on this with you gals if that's what's a brewin'.

Thanks everyone!

Our puppy is very cute. And a little on the naughty side (aren't they all?) haha

Thanks for the compliments on the cake too. I love to bake! In fact, cupcakes are in the oven right now. Mmm!

It's been awhile since I've shared. Just uploaded these to my flickr, so I'll redirect you to those images instead of taking up bandwidth here. Had fun with these. Wanted to try some different swirling/coloring techniques... and play with my new camera.

http://flickr.com/photos/jadewicks/

Nope, sure haven't.... really bummed about it.

Hmmm, yeah - read over the corrosives part and was happy til I read where dry ingredients can't have more than 10% corrosive material... bummer.

Alright, looks like I may still do the other stuff then if there's enough interest. Off to find out! Thanks for the responses everyone!

I don't do anything product wise without weighing it. So I have no clue what a teaspoon 'weighs' in product. I know it wouldn't be much, but as I never use anything but a scale...

anything less than 1% by weight can be listed in any order. But if the ingredients in the ls (and I don't use the doctor's...) combine with the ingredients previously used, it could change the order. See what I mean? I guess you could go 'may contain up to 3% liquid soap' and then list the liquid soap ingredients. But wow, that works in quite a label, doesn't it?

Maybe I'm the only person who worries about such, LOL.

Yeah, I think the most easiest way to do it is to add the ls as 'one' ingredient but in parenthesis you can list what's in that. I've seen things labeled like that before and it doesn't stop me from buying it. What's actually inside does, but not the amount of ingredients. But I totally get where you're coming from about how much to fit on that label.

If you make your own ls, I'm sure you could make something simple that makes large bubbles and have it be less ingredients too.

Anyhow, never tried adding ls to mp. Interesting idea! I am going to have to try it!!!

I recently had to do a rebatch (my original batch didn't keep any of the natural aromas I was hoping it would). I shredded it and then cooked it down. I added extra oils and just a little more water while it cooked down. I then put it in a log mold and didn't realize til after I cut it that not all the shreds melted. It created a really cool textured look to the soap that I think gave it more character (in a good way). So sometimes rebatching in itself can give you great unexpected results.

I've seen some talk about putting it in a sealed boilable bag and put it in hot water for hours to melt and then it can look like cp! I think it was eugenia who did it. Maybe search the BB gallery for rebatch soap. Sorry I don't remember where exactly I saw it. Good luck with it!

Thanks VERY much for the insight. I wonder if double bagging and also some tape along the opening of the bags would be sufficient?

The lye I can get would be about $.89/lb. I would have to get them in 50 lb increments.

I'm not sure about putting it through USPS - I might have to check out their website in regards to that. But that would be wonderful if that's something that would work.

I'm not really good at finding packaging at a decent price so if anyone has any suggestions for tubs or decent priced bottles to put the lye in, please pipe in. If I can locate packaging that is cost effective so it's still cheaper to do it through this coop than say AAA, then I'd love to get it started. I'm still in favor of bags if there is double bagging and extra tape involved to ensure they don't open...but I'm also open to more opinions on the matter.

Alright-- I know most sites that sell lye usually tack on a hazmat fee for items ranging in the 25-55lb container range, but not for the 2lb no matter how many of them you order.

My question?

I'm thinking of doing a coop as I've found a place locally that has it for pretty darn cheap, but I'm curious as to what others think as far as doing this legally and safely. Can I really ship as much lye to someone as long as it's packaged in two pound increments? I'm not finding many answers other than seeing this to be the case on several websites that sell lye.

Also not sure if it would be okay to package in bags vs me buying containers to hold everything and keeping participating costs down. Thoughts anyone? I know with Lowe's taking lye off the shelves it's making it hard for some of you to find lye for a decent price...but maybe not?

That's so strange! I wonder why it has taken so long on priority mailings??? I really wish their tracking system was better than it is as well. In any case, point taken. Thanks so much for letting me know your experiences and thoughts.

I weigh everything in weight, not volume. Much more easier on my sanity that way... and accurate. So in answer to your question, a scale would be best.

Yeah, I think my stuff might be going through TX. I ordered from AZ. Was your package priority also? I talked to one of the postal workers and he just couldn't understand why it would take that long... and he told me from what he could see, it says picked up, but it doesn't mean anything. Anyone could have picked it up... real assuring isn't it?

Anyhow, I'm trying to give this company the benefit of the doubt as the person I've been dealing with has been pretty helpful. I also realize I get kinda antsy about things, so I'm sure I'm not helping stress levels at all! haha In any case, thanks for the mention of the paypal issue too. My boyfriend told me the same thing, but for some reason, I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. Will pry hold out til the end of the week...