Wildcrafter

You can also have different text boxes. That way one group of words can have one color background and others have their own colors. You can use the Publisher program for that.

One of my farmers markets starts this Saturday. It's one that I've been in for 13 years and have a really good customer base. This market is well supported by the community. I'll let you all know how it goes. www.bellinghamfarmers.org

What she said!

That's interesting. On one hand, bringing down the booth fee is great. On the other hand.....that could also mean less money for advertising for the show., which could mean less people coming, then less vendors for the next year and so on.

That's true. Well, that's where sitting in front of the TV comes in handy. That way, you can watch something good on TV and get the labeling done without wanting to jump off a cliff! Good help is a wonderful thing. I have apprentices who come to my home and help me fill and label jars, organize, make products, help me harvest wild plants. I love these gals and I know I would never get everything done without them. Or maybe I would, but would end up in a state hospital for the insane.

It may be the time of year. Summer brings out more people.

I don't have time to get bored. I am very diversified with products, so I am constantly making different products and don't get bored with what I do. I also teach herbal medicine and that is my passion. My season starts in March and goes through December. I love my January and February as that is my "down" time which really means, I get organized, get my sales tax stuff to my book keeper, do all the things I don't have time to do in my season and spend some time sitting on my butt. When I'm in overdrive and see I'm about to hit the wall, I will take a break. Sometimes I just hit the wall and then get the break that way! Also, keeping a roof over my head, food on the table and bills paid since this is my day job, is the best motivator I know! I think it's about passion. If you are passionate about what you are doing, boredom or lack of motivation doesn't really enter into the equation.

Iron distilled? That sounds interesting. Tell me about that, please.

ooooooookay. I'm not going to get into some debate or beat my head against anyone's wall. Everyone can find their own answer that they want by experimenting with using cp soap at various time frames, ie....soap up at one week, two weeks, three weeks, and so on, and finding what works best for them. see ya.

I don't agree, but that's fine. It's the science I'm talking about. And the science says it takes a certain amount of time for fat molecules, no matter what fat it is, to connect with lye molecules to make the chains. I talked with a few chemists about this and the information was confirmed. I know that people want to believe otherwise, but the science proves it. I"m not poking at any one person in particular. I'm stating fact.

Thank you. Less water doesn't have anything to do with lye molecules and fat molecules combining to make the strings of molecules which is the definition of saponification. Less water may mean a harder bar quicker, but the time it takes for the lye and fat molecules to combine is static no matter how many novices want to be different. It's one of those things that get passed around forums that just isn't true. Yes, it would be great to be able to sell CP soap after a week, but guess what? There are still lye molecules free floating around at that time which would be very drying to the skin. If the article about water discount is read closely, the person contradicts themselves by saying that letting it "cure" longer will make the soap milder. Yes, that is because more lye molecules are combining with fat molecules and not drying out the skin. ta da. If a person really wants a one week cure soap in order to get the soap out to sell in that time, then consider HP.

I sent them an email with questions. I want to make sure it is strictly EO and not a blend of EO and FO. I do not use FOs at all. I know a company that sells a lavender "EO" that is a blend of EOs and FOs, but they don't say this on the label nor do they tell you unless you ask which is underhanded in my book.

Label

OL175CL They're called crystal clear. I have a laser printer, so these are for laser printers. I don't know if they can be used in ink jet, you'll have to check if you have an ink jet.

onlinelabels.com

I'm wondering if it CAN be ground in food processors, etc., since loofah is so fibrous. I'd like to find out if anyone has done this successfully. I suppose I will try it and see myself. I was looking for a quick answer.

Can I do this myself in my vitamix, food processor or coffee grinder? Does anyone grind their own loofah?

I've been looking up lotion bar recipes since I have no idea what I did with mine and I have noticed most of them have equal parts beeswax/cocoa butter/shea, etc.

I see you make candles and soap. You don't mail your soap in summer? Mailing soap in the heat should be no problem.

I used to insulate. For years, like a sheep, after reading you have to without knowing why. The "books" said I had to or the soap would be ruined. The "books" can sure make soap making harder than it is and can make a person insecure about even trying to make it. Then I decided to make my own decisions and try different things. I don't insulate anymore. Some of the soap gels, some don't. Either way, the soap turns out incredible. I use wooden molds if that make any difference.

You know, that's what I thought. Mine has the lip on it. Off to find a mold. I have leftover little square tins, I might as well use them. Thanks!

I have a question. I think I saw someone mention just pouring the oils in the tins and not doing a mold first. How does a person get them out of the tins then? Is there any shrinkage at all? I used to do lotion bars and then quit. Now I want to do them again this year for my farmers markets and have them correspond with some of my soaps...like chocolate/orange, lavender/lemongrass...my best selling soaps so that the customers can buy a lotion bar to go with the soap. marketing marketing marketing.......

I make a laundry stain stick/laundry soap from lard, lye, water, borax, ammonia, EOs of lemon and orange. The stain sticks get rubbed on stains and that works real well. I'll make a huge batch of the same formula, some get cut into sticks, the rest I put through a salad shooter. That I take about a 1/4 cup and put it in a pot with a half gallon water. I heat that up to just about boiling, turn off the heat and let the soap melt. Then I pour it in an old detergent bottle and let cool. It becomes a gel and works so well at cleaning clothes without synthetic fragrances or chemicals I just don't want in my home.

I can't wait to see the pictures. I like the idea of polka dot soap!

Am I reading correctly that you whipped the butters at room temp? If so, try chilling them in the fridge. Or I put the bowl in a bigger bowl with ice water in the bigger bowl. When the butters get pretty darn cold, try whipping then. The only time I have a problem with my butters not whipping is when they are not cold enough. HTH.