Dana Mae

i have nothing to add except that i am immensely enjoying this thread! I just love this forum ...you peeps are marvelous! dana

These look beautiful! Makes me wanna drag out my bag o' gg and give it another whirl! dana

Ok! Thanks for the tips! dana

Ok, I'm totally embarrassed to ask these but you all have been so kind to me here Before I made soap, I was never a bar soap kind of person. It was liquid soap with a net poof thingy. Never had issues. Now that I make my own, I am using bar soap obviously, so here are my two questions: 1. How to best make the soap last? I have heard references to soap savers (no idea what those are) etc. I have no idea how to best use/care for my soap bars to get the most out of them and have them last the longest. 2. Ugh. I hate the squeeky-clean feeling my skin has after I use my soap. Let me preface this by saying my skin is not sensitive, nor does it feel dry, tight, itchy, etc. after using my soap. I even use it on my face with no issues. But I don't like the squeeky clean feeling my skin has after a shower. Now I have heard ppl say "soap is to clean not to moisturize" and I do use moisturizer. But when I was using commercial LS I never had this (to me, yukky) feeling skin. I have not tried making up my own recipes so have used ones found on this forum, miller soap, etc. But no matter what recipe I try I get the same feeling as far as the squeek factor goes. Is it my soap, or is it just a bar soap thing and I need to get over it? I must add that I have not tried my castile type soaps as they still have a ways to go, cure-wise. Ok. Any help or suggestions I'm all ears! :embarasse Thanks, Dana

I was hoping to order some but they are not rated for b&b. Or at least the ones I was most interested in weren't. Of her regular FO that I have tried that were candle AND b&b, they have all been awesome. dana

Well, I did a lot of planning first And I make really small batches of *everything* lol. I haven't made anything since, (cept some soap and candles) but this weekend I hope to try a few more recipes or tweak the onces I tried. Thanks all for being so supportive dana

Just started testing last night, only have 1 burn but so far, doing better. This weekend will be the real test lol~ dana

These look really pretty! I love the colors. Very energetic and lively. I am anxious to get the sampler to try out. My soaps are so homely :embarasse dana

mmm... I figured as much Well hopefully my supplies (minus the ls) will be here this weekend. I'll let you know how it turns out! dana

Jbren: Thanks for explaining! Sometimes it is hard to interpret tone/intention. Thanks for your input and help in answering my questions. dana

Yep it helps I poured a few more testers yesterday. Thanks! Dana

What is it, jbren? What is the comment ":lipsrseal" supposed to mean? On the dish, where I mistakenly posted, you just made an emoticon with "nevermind". Why would you do that ? I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to say that might be helpful here? I'm learning a lot from the questions I ask, maybe other people who read here might learn from them too. Perhaps too, I am misreading your "comments". I'd like to think so. dana

They all look great! dana

Thanks for input also I have a few more singles to try before I start testing double wicks. Not sure if my jars are libby....they don't say they are. Anyhoo.....thanks for letting me know what is working for you! dana

Thanks for the clarification and explanation Top! I will make sure I find the proper container. Mine is OK for mixing I think but I'm not sure about long-term storage. Thanks, Dana

Thank you! dana

well that's good to know, thank you So the lid on your pitcher is tight enough to discourage any evaporation? Thanks! dana

Yes I was just reading on another forum that it needs to be in HDPE (or something like that) with a tight fitting cap. Not sure what that is, but I'm sure my Sterlite pitcher doesn't qualify. Can anyone explain this better? I am assuming the tight fitting lid would be to prevent evaporation, which would not be good. I guess a gallon milk jug would not be heavy enough to store the cooled solution? Help please Thanks dana

Anything to use in place of liquid soap? dana

I'm full of questions lately! I've heard that people use aloe vera juice in lieu of water in their soaping. Sounds like a great idea, but as other things, I am wondering if any special properties survive in the end product. I'll make 2 batches (substituting aloe vera juice for water in one) to compare, but would like to hear your opinions/experiences. Thanks as always! Dana

I heard this is a good idea to help extend shelf life. What is the rate of usage? Thanks dana

Ok, I wasn't sure if there was some specific type of container it had to be stored in.....ty! dana

I'm going to try to masterbatch some 50/50 lye solution. I understand you need to store it in a certain type of container. Can someone tell me what to use (and where to get one?) Thanks! dana

I overspend on everything. I live alone, and have more soap and candles than I know what to do with! My ex (or soon to be ex husband, ) said he could smell my candles burning outside my apt! I am in a major soap mode, I have no idea what to do with all this soap I am learning to make! POP, select shades.........what about all the marvelous pearls etc. in micas? Anyone read the dish thread on micas? :drool::drool: I am way too hooked on this!!!! :highfive: dana

Thanks! dana