CandleMama6

Ok Marisa. You have officially challenged me and I accept your challenge!! I went to the library today and checked out about a doz books on soap making and the likes to study up on. They have some really cool ideas and so now I am determined to make a "funky" looking bar of soap. I know that mine will not be comparible to yours since I am still somewhat clueless, but you have inspired me with all your cool designs.

If I can figure out how to post pictures, I will but only if you promise not to laugh....not even a little!!

Sharon,

If I remember right in my reading, straight FO will not work at all. You have to add something to it so it will "travel" up the reeds.

I had always heard that DPG works, but I also have several diffuser bases that I am going to try. Not sure if one diffuser base is better than another or if DPG is the best thing to use though.

I got mine but have been so busy girls and co-op that I have not gotten to them yet. I will be starting them this week-end.

Congratulations!! I remember how it felt when I opened my bank account too.

Much success to you!!!

Sure Any type of loaf style will do..then line it with freezer paper..Also a drawer Plastic Liners are good to pour into as you can just pop it right out..If you have a joann etc round you they are clearanceing out their 4 cavity soap molds for .97!!

I am so glad you added the bit about the freezer paper. I have looked everywhere tonight for a silicone pan and no one carries them anymore. I don't have any shelf paper so I will have to get some of that. But it seems like that would stick since one side has the glue on it or am I thinking of the wrong stuff.

There is a JoAnns about 10 minutes from me. I will have to go and see what molds they have. A nice, inexpensive way to start!!

Ok Marisa, you win. I have an idea although I know not as creative as yours. Question, do I need a loaf pan type thingie to do this??

Cool!! Thanks!!

I gave up on the diffusers because I could not get a throw. I will have to try that ratio and see how it works. I am assuming that you are using the light scents meaning no bakery or heavy oils.

I hand make everything... lotion, body butters, scrubs, liquid soap, whipped soap, bath bombs, lip scrubs, lip butters, solid lotion... because I can control every aspect, but thats not to say there arent fantastic bases out there.. there are!! Its just that you dont really "learn" by using a base.

I make my own "bases" by doing large 5 pound batches of scrub, whipped body butter.. stuff like that, then when someone orders it, I can mix in whatever scent they like right then and there.. same as a base I would order, but cheaper (and no shipping!), and I have the control over exactly whats in it..

bath bombs are certainly not from a base, hehe.. they must be made completely from scratch and can be a PITA to learn.. but once you get it they are really fun. They are my favorite product to make (and one of my best sellers).

M&P soap you can do all kinds of things to the base (M&P is a base you buy.) to customize it! Add butters, oils.. all kinds of things. You can make colors and shapes and designs with M&P that I could never do with CP!!

The best advice I can give you is to keep lurking for awhile.. read the recipes, check out some soap making books from the library, check out lotion making websites, watch lots of youtube tutorials... theres a ton of info out there to help! And dont be afraid to ask questions

IMO there is a difference between handmade (aka, made by hand...) and hand crafted. But there are some awesome bases out there and they are a great place to start!

I beg to differ Kristin. :pOther than I learned I didn't want green Blueberry lotion, it was an easier place for me to start to get familiar with the concept of making say, lotion. I found it a great way to "practice" scenting and dyeing.

With that being said, you can control what you have in your bases like Kristin says if you make your own. But sometimes the list of ingredients and the steps can be overwhelming; and that was what it was for me. There really is not a right or wrong way in my opinion. Do whatever makes you comfortable to start.

Then, once you are at ease with that you can throw in other factors.

When I ventured into lotions and lip balms, I started with a base. For me, it was an easier way to get my feet wet. M&P is also a good way to start soap as I figure I can't screw it up too bad.

A lot of people do lotions, scrubs, balms and such from scratch but I think it is a matter of preferance.

Good luck and have fun with your addiction (or soon to be one)!

The shea and cocoa butters don't need to be melted before adding to your base. You can add them into the melted base or put them in before you melt your base. Whichever you prefer.

You can still make the soap without them. Or sub another butter or oil.

I have officially lost my mind. I read the highlighted statement and the first thing that came to my mind was Challenge Butter!!

Kristin,

Do you have any problems with the FO traveling up at that ratio?? I had always read that anything over 50/50 would clog the reeds.

What if you don't have any shea or cocoa butters?

Also, are the butters melted when you measure them out?

What is the difference in a pre-mixed one vs not pre-mixed?

Hi Morgan,

Bitter Creek has one, Southern Scentsations has one, Indiana Candle Supply also has one.

Those are a few off the top of my head, but as stated in early posts, you are very limited to what you can talk about. The are those sites forums and so talk is usually limited to their products.

Hey, If you publish a book I would buy it. You could dedicate it to Candlemama6. LOL

LOL!! I would buy it too and then I would have her sign my copy......

"To CandleMama6. To help ease the fear I have instilled in you for soap making. Love, M!!"

:laugh2:

Thanks! You guys are funny..I dont have a book i use, but just whacky thoughts and ideas that pop in my head..lol I should probably get one. Color and Visuals are my thing. I just try to make things that would appeal to me, so Im not sure if these will even sell so we will see.. The Round things are ice cube molds that I cut down to size to fill my mold

Tomorrow I need to CP, but since I have no slab mold with inserts (im horrible at cutting) Ill have to try and think of something..CP is not as creative for me!!lol

What kind of soaps are those....not CP??

Kristin,

1 question for you............

WHAT?????

You lost me after the first couple of sentences of directions in the first post. :laugh2: I will have to re-read this when I am not so tired because now I am scared to death to try this!!

eta: But hey, the SLSA came in 3 1/2 gal buckets. Would they be good for soap making?? I only have 10 of the blasted things and was going to toss them.

You know Marisa, I was just thinking of trying some CP and maybe HP soap but you have given me a definate inferiority complex. How in the world did you get all those cool little circles?

Do you have a book or something cause you have some really neat designs.

Seriously...I am a horrible Marketer !! I need to find whoever they hired!!!!LOL

I know the feeling!!

SingleYellowRose- Does it matter what kind of olive oil? I use the Light Virgin cause that is the taste I prefer. But I guess you could use the really cheap brand huh? I thought you were talking about an actual calculator like what the kids use!! :laugh2:I will go to that site and read. Thank you so much for the links.

Dee - If you use a crockpot for the HP, what in the world do you do for CP?

That Much Volume in only 6 yrs?? Did I hear that right? Goodness Ive been making those for over 6 yrs and still havent made my first million!! Whats the secret???!!!!

Marketing

Interesting. I like the new shape of the clamshells though.

By watching her, you would never think their reps could be such Azz's!!

1. Go buy Olive Oil. It's the easiest to soap.

2. Stop at the hardware store and pick up 100% SODIUM HYDROXIDE (lye)

3. Buy a Stickblender.

4. Make at least a 2lb batch for your first one.

5. Run it through a calculator to find the correct lye amount.

6. For your first soap, make a unscented or fruity batch. No florals or spices.

You can use the full amount of water and you will learn that a stickblender is your BESTEST friend.

If you decide to go the route of castille, (all OO)

let us know and we can help you a bit with the

amount of water to use.

1) The same olive oil I eat?

2) What is a lye calculator?

3) What ingredients do I use?

Maybe This is too hard!! Maybe I should stick to M&P.

i dont think you need to buy a kit, all the oils i use i can get right at walmart. maybe a couple extras and those can be bought at any supplier that carries bath and body oils.

i think everyone should try cp at least once i do not care for it at all, i prefer hp. for some reason everytime i make cp soap i can smell the base oils they overpower the FO yet when i hp them they dont.

have fun trying it!

What is the difference between the 2?