Dana Mae

I am so sad to hear this.....I was going to order some. I am not loving their Very Vanilla (but I do LOVE CS!) Bummer dana

It's sooooooooo much fun! You're gonna love it! I'm up to my eyeballs in curing soap..........i.........can't...........stop........! I like making candles.....but soap....wow. I'm totally hooked. I've been using an 8x8 baking pan for 2 years, lol........waiting for my first "real" mold, should be here in a few weeks! Can't wait to hear about your first soap! Dana

For all you veteran soapers out there....how did you know, or decide on, your "main" recipe? I have tried some fabulous soaps....I've found some good recipes...experimented a little.....but my testers just don't give me feedback as liking one better than another. After 2 years of soaping I'm ready to "settle down" and experiment more with colors, EO's etc....but I don't know how to choose which recipe that I have is the "best"....know what I mean? :rolleyes2 I want to stick to one base recipe and develop around it...as opposed to being the soaping maniac that I have been, trying this, that and the other. I have no consistency to judge my results! Thanks to all the great advice shared here, I've had few disasters and many good bars of soap. It's probably a stupid question....but maybe those of you who have had that "aha" moment can share how you got there...or when you knew you where there! I'm sure the experiments and tweaks never end.....it's so addicting making soap....but I gotta narrow it down a bit! Thanks! Dana

Thanks! For those of you who DO babassu........what percentages do you like to start out with in a recipe?

I have some babassu.....not sure why I bought it...... but I'd like to use it up....I've tried to search on it but not sure if I should use it as a replacement for a certain oil in my CP or if it stands on it's own merits... Suggestions? Thanks! Dana

I ordered my first Logan Bear Mold a week or two ago......can't wait until it arrives!!! :yay: dana

Thanks so much!!

I know the silk will dissolve in hot lye solution... I was curious, since I usually masterbatch a 50/50 lye solution ( I soap RT) will the silk dissolve at RT or do I need to add it when I make my masterbatch? If so, I wasn't sure how much silk to add, or if the silk would keep any beneficial properties long term in the lye solution.... Curious as to what others do? Thanks for the help! Dana

That's the only thing I can think of also .....not quite what I was picturing, especially with a cut out box the label will be off center......hmmmm I don't even know how to design a cigar band. I was hoping to avoid that! Thanks! Dana

After 2 years of soapmaking, I think my soaps are almost box-worthy! Like most, I have been agonizing over label making. Anyhow, here is my question. When making my last purchase from SW, I got some of her rectangular soap boxes (standard size with leaf cutout) and the labels to go with them that "require no cutting!" I guess I had a different idea in mind......these labels are 5 to a sheet.....2" wide and 8" long. What am I supposed to do with them, seeing they are supposed to fit the box perfectly? I am very confused.... Thanks, Dana

Thanks for the CO hints everyone! Dana

Ok stupid question......how much pumice to add? I haven't a clue....???? Thanks Dana

Awesome thread.....learned something new (again!) Thanks everyone for sharing all this important info! dana

Awesome, thanks for the tip.....I wouldn't have known to make it a hard bar like that! Dana

Lava is like sandpaper.....it's def pumice heavy......think of a heavy mechanics type of scrubby...... It will be interesting! Not something I would want to use, but a fun new experiment to try!

I make salt bars......I don't feel they're scrubby at all.......or at least mine aren't? Anyhow......yeah......he wants lava-sandpaper scratchy. Didn't it have pumice in it or something? Anyone? Thanks bunches, Dana edited to add, just found pumice at Brambleberry...not sure how much to add tho!

Hi Everyone, I need some suggestions on what to use in scrubby soap. Here's the catch...it's for my Dad......who is a life time fan of Lava soap (remember that?) If I remember right......it was pretty scrubby!...and that's how he wants it. He won't use "my" soap....but will if I can make it as scratchy as Lava, lol Suggestions on appropriate additives? I've never done a scrubby soap before. Much appreciated, Dana

I'm so glad my shea butter came as a big slab in a bag! Boo on the CO though.... It's the only thing I could think of to do as well...cut the top off the bottle. I guess that is what everyone does. I've never ordered from them before, but since I'm making so much more soap now, and I've moved so close, can't hardly afford not to order through them! Super fast shipping! Wow and great prices. dana

I haven't posted on here in a while......still raeding, still testing, playing, going between candles and soap... But I'm so excited, I just ordered my first "real" mold....a 12 bar slab from Jeff, I'm so excited!!! Just had to share Now if anyone can tell me how I'm supposed to get my bulk co from Columbus out of a JUG I'd be an even happier camper! Dana

I absolutely LOVE CS's Lilac Haven't tried the other though! HTH, D Dana

Yes....all the input does help! Thank you!!! Dana

agreed

Yes most of my FO are from CS...... but buying a bit more from LoneStar lately! hth Dana~

I have those jars too....and 464. I will be interested to see how your burn goes...IMO I've not at much luck using the CS guide (although it is where I started)...I've had more accurate luck using the guide at LoneStar. Not that you asked of course ...I know a ECO 8 is too big for my 6oz tins which are larger in diameter...myself I'm going to start with an ECO 4 when I pour the 4oz jj. You do use a higher fragrance load than I am trying, maybe that is the difference. Keep us posted on how they burn....I always learn from what other people are doing! dana

Interesting......these are just too ugly ... at least I know it's not just my error! Thanks for the tips and the suggestions! dana