MamaVSoap

They should be more like damp chalk when they're dry.

I make my paste in 6# batches (in the crock pot) and then double bag it in 16 oz portions. I keep those in the soap fridge and dilute as needed.

http://www.axelkraft.com/us/catalog_category.asp?ProductSubcategoryID=111

I had this link saved. I've never used them.

I have the SunnyB mold from TOG on Etsy. It took 3 months to get it but I really like it. I forgot to account for the divider volume and made 50 bars my first batch out.

FWIW: I ordered a Kelsei back in November 2009. My credit card was never charged. They were moving and then there was a string of health issues. I'm still waiting.

Same time as Sally: after the cook. While it's still pretty hot.

I used 2 oz per pound of oil and it was scrubby but not scratchy. DH said it wasn't scrubby enough.

It's a nice blend. I use vanilla FO from Southern Soapers and cedarwood EO...Camden Grey, I think.

50/50 blend. Yummmm.

YES!!! They call my toll free number all the time. They never leave a message. I did the same thing - Googled them. Never spoke to them.

LaVida - Iron on the image first. Otherwise, you burn your scent off. I tried it both ways.

The steps I used:

1) punch hole in top with a mega hole puncher

2) iron on image

3) paint on FO (I used a kid's paintbrush from my daughter's assortment)

4) Let scent soak in for a bit

5) package

You can use inkjet image transfer paper. The paper they use to make Tshirts.

If your image has text, you need to reverse it. I made that mistake.

Print your image, trim around the edges, and iron it on.

Like here:

Sorry if this has been mentioned but Kangaroo Blue has the Aroma Art brand.

ALSO - you can get iron on transfer paper and put your own logo on to decorate using your regular printer and an iron.

I had the same problem. Now, I heat the LS and the scent (with or without glycerine) before stirring in scent.

I have a jar of LS mixed with CKB that looks like smelly jellies. I successfully used that scent when I heated both the soap and the FO.

That is adorable! Nice work.

I've had the best luck dissolving the paste when I use really hot, boiling water to start the dilution.

I use canning jars to dilute a pound at a time in a makeshift double boiler. It takes around 3-4 hours for dilution that way.

When I don't use boiling water, it takes a day or two.

I use a silicone mold that makes round mini-cakes. But yes, duck soaps are really fun and easy. I've used a dab of melt and pour to anchor the duck, too. If I want it to sit a little lower.

I had an issue with them. I ordered items that were listed as in stock. They delayed my entire order waiting on this one color that was really out of stock. They did eventually send the bags but it took over a month.

PapaV works in a warehouse and gets rather grungy. He loves pumice at 2 TBSP per pound of oil. But it's REALLY scrubby.

I've had this happen. Now, I warm my FO before adding it to hot soap.

For this batch, can you get it out of the foamers and into a mason jar?

I've been able to reclaim around 75% of a batch after it seized by putting the mason jar in a pot of water, bringing it to a boil, covering loosely with foil, and letting it cook for a couple hours.

Make sure the level of water is just above the level of soap.

After a few hours (2-4), screw the lid on your mason jar and blend the soap. You can put it in a cooler so it cools slowly. There's still going to be goo on top, but there will also be liquid soap on the bottom.

I'm so sorry it happened!!

If you're sure it's all blended and isn't separating, my vote is for covering, insulating, and putting it into a cooler for 24-48 hours.

You can discount wth CPHP. Just watch it when it cooks because it's more prone to overheating.

I use a 35% solution on soapcalc.

How about Babassu?

I only make bath bombs for my daughter. I don't sell them. That being said, she loves glitter, confetti, and little surprises in her bath bombs. The glitter isn't too bad. It's cosmetic, microfine glitter and washes down the drain. The other stuff? Messy.

DH and I were having this conversation on Sunday. I make one for him. He was complaining that he can't find the "old brown gardener's soap" anymore.

He's convinced it needs pine tar in it...

He got pumice and tea tree.

I'm pretty new to liquid soap. But it's really cool. It's a little more labor intensive than CP or HP.

Making the paste was the easy part.

Diluting the paste still mystifies me. Each one does something different.

Right now, I'm reheating 2 of 3 recent batches because they separated when I fragranced. 1 is an EO, 1 is FO.

The good news is that even "failed" batches can be salvaged with enough heat and time.