Dana Mae

Mine doesn't have the pockets, thank heavens. Once I wiped the amber oily beads off the top, they never came back, and there are none on the inside. Interestingly enough, I made another batch last night. It is still in the mold, but I see the amber beads this morning on the top of the soap. It must be something in my recipe (shrug)... dana

Great ideas.......thank you for sharing your experience and input! dana

Hi All, Finally, after over 2 years, I have decided on a business name. My name really doesn't say anything about *what* I (will be) selling....it's more a personal thing. My question is, for you sellers, is do you like to do YOUR COMPANY NAME and add Soap and Candle Co. (for example).....whatever you are to be selling behind it? I'll be starting off with soap.....but will be adding candles once I am completely satisfied with the burn (not quite there yet!) I am involved in other things (fine art..drawing/painting, pottery, ceramic sculpture) but thought it might be better to keep that as separate entity, probably using my real name, period...maybe linking to one or another. Thoughts? I'm months and months from going "live".....but undecided if I should use only the business name or having something behind it indicating what the business is..... Thoughts anyone?

Oh No! That is a bummer~ Now it makes me curious about MINE! Once I wiped away the beads on the top.....they never returned. I'm going to have to cut a bar up and see if there are any in the interior of the soap...... Thanks for posting your update, I had thought for sure mine were ok, I better check again... dana ~

Thanks for the input I know I need insurance...domain name is open...will check with MO state.... Not sure if I had to get some type of license, trademark, etc.... Other input Ya'll got me started !!! dana

I've FINALLY decided, after almost 2 years, what I want to name my (future) business~! NOW what do I do??? (off to search as well......) Thanks, Dana

Thanks Billie! dana

Ok let me phrase it this way....are your log molds taller than they are wide? (I think I got a bit "wordy" last night!) :rolleyes2 TIA, dana

I am horrible at names...I'm sorry I have nothing helpful to add. I just wanted to let you know I feel your pain.... (I've been looking for a "name" for almost two years now......) Everyone on here is so creative....I'm anxious to see what they come up with for you! dana

I don't think I could waste a Fat Tire for soap! lol...... One of my faves! I might just have to make a second batch to see if it happens again....but oy, the smell of beer + lye...... I cleaned up the bars earlier today and have not seen them weeping anymore....? Rcrafty lemme know if you figure it out! dana

I really don't think (mine) are lye pockets........the soap is solid...it's almost like how some soaps weep when it gets humid and hot in the house? Kinda like that... just little amber oily beads on the surface. And only on the top...not on any of the sides or bottoms of the bars. If they do it again I'll take a pic......as long as no one laughs at my swirl attempt! dana

I'm so impressed with ALL of the soaps I see here! I've been using a slab "mold" for the past 2 years and just now making pathetic (yes, pathetic!) attempts at swirling. I know some people do layer their slabs, but I'm curious about those of you who are doing it in log molds. I'm not sure what size bar you end up with, the almost seem taller than wide, or square-ish. Curious to the size of bars and mold you use. I'd like to try some. Until my LoganBear slab mold arrives, I use silicon 8.5x8.5 to do my regular bars. I tried a layered soap in my silicon loaf mold (with reinforcements on the outside) and the size/shape of my bars looks ridiculous....(IMO) so I thought I would see what kind of "real" log molds people are using when they make these gorgeous soapies, and what size bars they end up with. Thanks in advance! Dana

I used a dark beer (Guinness Extra Stout...looked like Karo syrup, yuk!) for 100% of my liquid..... Curious as to what rcrafty used....

Interesting that you posted this, I made my first beer soap Saturday night...the top (slab mold) is "sweating" the same amber liquid drops. They feel oily and don't zap......this was my first beer soap so I wondered what I might have done wrong, or if others have had this experience. It is warm and pretty humid, I don't have the a/c on....wondered if it was the environment but it's only these bars so far......... dana

I prefer not to gel as well.........esp with my milk soaps which go in the fridge/freezer... I am letting my cuke/tomato log gel......which is unusual for me! (I'm in experiment mode!) In my limited experience, for the most part it is a matter of preference.........more experienced soapers may have a more educated response! Happy Soaping! dana

Doing my FIRST foodie soaps (other than my usual GM)....I did a log of tomato/carrot .... and now doing cucumber buttermilk. Also hoping to work with some clays and infusions this weekend..maybe even some charcoal. After that......some "plain" soaps to prepare for my testers (whomever they may be!) Hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday weekend! What's in your soap pot this weekend? Or is everyone bbqing? (me thinks one can do both) dana

I feel so silly for "believing the lie" all these years.....lol..... live and learn! dana

Yeah! I am excited about that. I am going to do a few with no scent, color, and no specials (milk, silk, etc) and then as soon as they are about ready. That way I can have my base bar recipe(s) evaluated! Thanks again for the awesome idea... dana

Well, thanks for clearing that up. I was told that by a chemistry teacher and also a cosmetology teacher 100 years or so ago...... my bad...... thanks for setting the record straight! dana

If I remember correctly No More Tears has a numbing agent in it....so they don't feel the burn..... HTH dana

Since there isn't a blind swap going on right now, I think this is a really good idea! Maybe I can recruit a few veteran soapers to evaluate a couple of bars. Thanks!

Yes I just want to use it up.......I don't have a huge amount, and can't even remember what I wanted to make when I ordered it. When I unpacked after I moved, I was like, OH I didn't know I had that!?!? :rolleyes2 Thanks for the tips everyone! dana

WHEN I was still married, my husband was all for it (but didn't know how much I was spending!) :tiptoe: Seriously though, I hated lining molds...although I've always wanted to do a round mold, it seems the bars of soap would be awkward in the hand.....never used one, but I sure love the way they look! Eventually I got some nice silicone bakeware.....still my boring 8x8 pan....I haven't had much luck with the loaf one I got at the same time. Anyhow....ENJOY! And welcome to the addiction dana

That's good to know, I just ran out of PKO. I hope I don't love it, lol.....cha-ching! Thanks for the tips! dana

I think since my OWN soap was the first I ever tried....I've had nothing to compare it with. I've never entered a swap...sounds like fun And smittenheart I do understand about the testers....mine are the same way and they don't understand why I keep making more and more soap, or different kinds of soap.:rolleyes2 thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences I really appreciate it! dana