rwaromatics

What's the url for Columbus? And FNWL is open, but I know what you mean about their products often being OOS. I used to wonder if they were open for business, as well, but I have ordered fairly recently. Some of their products just sell out fast, I think, or they only have very small supplies, because I've received emails saying a product is back in stock, but within a couple weeks, it's back out of stock. Thanks, everyone. WSP is a favorite, but the shipping is a killer.

Which is your favorite supplier for getting a lot of different types of ingredients all in one place? Specifically, oils, butters, packaging supplies, and emulsifiers/lotion making ingredients (stearic acid, emulsifying wax, etc)? Are there any reasonably priced places that provide this? Or, maybe more importantly, any suppliers with reasonable shipping prices? It seems like in the process of buying the best priced ingredients from various suppliers, you more than make up for the price with shipping!

I would stay away from anything grey. I say this because I used what was supposed to be a silver bomb once and it turned the water grey. It also didn't fizz and just sat there in a pile of grey...stuff...and all I could think of was how much it looked like ashes sitting there on the bottom of my tub. Needless to say, I had to drain the tub and start all over after that lovely thought. Personally, I think anything that colors the water a bright color would be interesting. For instance, I usually see regular greens and blues, but a bright turquoise or deep emerald green might be nice.

THanks, I would have never thought of the Christmas ornament on my own! And the meatballer (called a bathbomb press?) from Kangaroo Blue is what I'm talking about--the large says it makes 2 ounce size bombs, and that's tiny! I'd like something bigger. The pipe method is a great idea, too, though. Especially with the examples I've seen! Thanks

I can't speak for business/cost-wise, but one aspect of a base is that it is already challenge tested. Providing you only add appropriate color and scent, you won't need to send out the product to make sure it's properly preserved. As was also mentioned, it's easier for the beginner. That said, I'm still making my mind up about bases. There are the obvious pros, but some cons are that you can't really tweak it, not without the possibility of ruining the original texture, etc. Another issue I have is that I feel like it's cheating (just my personal opinion). If I say I sell home made products, but am really using a base...well, is that really homemade? As a consumer myself, if someone advertises their products as homemade, then I learn they used a base (this has happened), I feel like a victim of false advertising. When it comes down to it, almost anyone can scent/color a base. This is probably controversial and I don't mean to offend anyone, just my personal opinion that bases do not equal homemade. On that same note, making your own products can be a great selling/advertising points, and possibly a way to stand out from the crowd.

What do you use to make a large round bath bomb? I've seen those presses, but they only make a bomb that's 2 ounces, which seems tiny. Is there anything I can use to make a big round bath bomb? What about other shapes? What kind of molds do you use? I've tried little candy molds, but they were difficult to get them out of the molds. I tried silicone molds too (in the shape of christmas trees) and those were even harder to get them out of. I had to wait until they were dried. Any suggestions on molds or techniques??

Are there any recipes for making a bath whip? I've looked at a couple pre-made bases, and am wondering if anyone has made their own and how hard it is? I know you'd need a surfactant, but what gives it the whipped texture? Here are the ingredients from one pre-made base: Glycerin, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sorbitol, Propylene glycol, Disodium Lauryl sulfosuccinate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Diazolidinyl Urea (and) Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Tetrasodium EDTA. Just thinking out loud here, but I guess you'd need a surfactant for foaming/lather... but what else? Emulsifiers, oils, butters... I'm at a loss as to where to start. Any input appreciated!

What is the best way to sanitize plastic bottles/jars? I assume you can't boil them. Would bleach be best? Or something else?

That bath bomb is amazing! I've never seen anything quite like it. How did you do it, if you don't mind me asking? What is the frosting on top of it made from? Thanks!

I'm looking for suppliers with FOs that aren't pre-blended (such as Apricot Freesia), but just single note FOs. It seems everywhere I look, the majority of FOs are already blended. I'd especially like to find the following: Apricot (All I can find is Apricot Freesia or Apricot and Cream!) Nectarine Lilac Lily (Easter, Stargazer, Madonna, etc) A PLAIN cake or cookie scent Strawberry Any help is greatly appreciated; I can hardly find any non-blended oils, except the usuals (rose, jasmine, etc). Thanks in advance