vberkesch

Hi all, I need to rebatch a White Tea batch I just made up. I mistakenly added enough lye for my 2# batch and NOT the 4# batch that I was making. Needless to say the batch turned out soft & oily. How do you incorporate lye into a rebatch safely?? Making sure the lye will mix thoroughly into the rebatch? TIA, Vanessa

Hi all, I make solid lotion sticks. Was wondering if any of you could tell me what sells better. Your regular liquid lotion OR Lotion sticks? My sticks are selling ok, but not flying out the doors. I was thinking of getting into regular lotion making, BUT do not want to pay the fees to have each and every batch tested at a lab. TIA, Vanessa

I got my answer...sorry!

Hi all, I make a foot lotion bar with menthol in it at about 4%. At this % the menthol gives a wonderful cooling feeling. I know that some have said that you should not go over 3% - BUT at this % I get the cooling feeling. Is it legal to sell this OR is it a medicine with menthol in it?? Is there a certain % that I cannot go over and it will be considered a medicine?? P.S. Icy Hot has 16% menthol Vanessa

Thanks everybody, it is great to know! Actually, I am mainly a Goat Milk soap maker. At the store I am selling my soaps, lotion sticks, lip balms & some candles.

Hi all, I have all my products in a new store that opened up in town. So far I have averaged making about $500.00 a month. Summer hasnt hit yet and we are a little bit of a touristy town, so I expect it to be a good summer. My question. I am being charged $50.00 rent a month and 5% commission. Does this sound like the going rate to you all?? TIA

Yes!! I agree!

Hi all, Really appreciate your help with my site. I implemented the changes you all talked of ~ Put pics of soaps on home page spelling errors lye included in ingredient list Candle pics still coming Tell me what you think - www.heavenly-scents.org

Tell me how you like my website - your input is appreciated. www.heavenly-scents.org

Hi all, I love the bubbles in my cp recipe BUT 2 of my 5 kids get the itches from it. RECIPE: Co = 30% Ca = 5% OO =32% Lard = 28% Shea = 4% BW = 1% Hardness 42 Cleansing 20 Conditioning 53 Bubbly 25 Creamy 26 Iodine 53 INS 160 Superfat - 5% Every recipe has a 50/50 ratio of water/GM I hear it's the CO that causes the itching. What are your recommendations to prevent the itching in my kids. I just bought PKO to work with. 1.) Can I safely superfat this recipe to 7% and not get DOS?? - there is the GM in every bar, and I love the GM & want to keep it!! And I have only had ONE BAR in my 4 yr. soaping history with DOS. 2.) Should I change the recipe up to (CO - 15% and PKO - 15%???) Any thoughts out there would be greatly appreciated!! P.S. Check my new website out and tell me what you think. www.heavenly-scents.org Vanessa

Thanks all! This is exactly the info i was wanting! You are all GREAT! I was even wondering about going to the site/location and trying out my iphone & making sure there was service ahead of time! Vanessa

so will my ipad touch have service at all the different craft shows?? Is this something i have to worry about when getting the squareup device for accepting credit cards?? Vanessa

Hi all, I have a web site and have a paypal account. Is there a way I can accept credit cards at shows that will be portable and cheep??: TIA, Vanessa

Was planning on trying this for a summer soap. Anyone?? Does it accelerate, or discolor?? TIA, Vanessa

TexasBrat, There were never any pockets. Just a top that ZAPED and was more crumbly. All I know is that it worked this time - I will post a pic as soon as I can and you can all see what I mean. Vanessa

scale is good. I did use td in the upper portion - this could have added to it. But just to let you all know........I made up another PS and made it up the same way, same recipe, BUTTTT I Stick Blended the whole thing for ALOT longer. Definitely a THICK trace. Poured the pink section off to the side. Added the FO to the main section & poured in the mold. Added the Pink colorant and 1/4 tsp TD to the remaining section without FO. Stick Blended some more. Poured on top. Added Pink Sugar sprinkles. AND THIS TIME IT WORKED!! Looks beautiful and NO BRITTLES and NO Zap!!!! Yippeeeeee! Thanks all, hope this thread helps someone else! Vanessa

Carebear, I don't think the cure will help.....as the top is actually brittle. I just made a new batch of PK and I SB like forever. Definitely a thick trace......SB the WHOLE batter B4 i pulled out the unscented PK. Will keep you all posted. Vanessa

I do bring the whole mixture to trace, but maybe I need to bring it to a thicker trace. I do not gel. Vanessa

I consider myself a somewhat experienced soapmaker, but have had a problem that I wonder if any of you could help me with - as I am SICK of rebatching for the same problem!!!!!!! I make pink sugar and pour 1/8th of the batter out AFTER the whole batter comes to med trace. The 1/8th is used for the top and I have NO PK SCENT in this portion as it stays a nice pink on top of the brown bottom this way. I mix the 1/8th more thoroughly so as not to have a problem with brittleness or high lye in that unscented portion. I go on to the remaining 7/8ths. Add the pk scent and mix. Pour in mold. Go back to the 1/8th. Make sure it is at trace and pour over the scented portion. Sprinkle on pink sugar granuals.k Cut next day - WOW is this the most beautiful pk I've ever made. So think I've licked this bugger.....NOPE......the inevitable happens again. Check on it the next day and sure enough the Pink top portion is brittle (especially around the edges) and yep the edges of the pink portion ZAPS my tongue. NOPE can't sell this batch!! This same type of thing has happened to me when I pull out an unscented portion to swirl it back into the scented portion. The unscented (swirled portion) zaps and is brittle. WHAT ...............AM I DOING WRONG!! Words of wisdom anyone!!! Vanessa

LovemyLabs, I soap black canyon from Peaks all the time, in fact just soaped it yesterday again. It soaps well for me, but I am careful with jellin. I get a partial jell easily with BC. I generally do not gell my soaps. I use .5 to .7oz per lb. too strong of a scent for more than that and I renamed it "Monday nite Football". Sells well for me, Vanessa

Hmm that looks real doable!!! Isa.....how do you like the way the caps fit on these??

Hmm was looking for one that was about 2 1/2" in diameter

Quick question for those that put their lotion bar in a tin. I use the twist tube but am now going to offer tins also. I purchased tins for another product and ended up disappointed because the top was impossible to take off. I had to use a knife to pry open the top and had product flying all over!!! I want to avoid purchasing something like this again. What tin do you all purchase where the top goes on and comes off easily - but the top will stay on and not fall off!! TIA - Vanessa

Do I need a paypal premier or paypal business account to have credit cards accepted on my web page?? I am having trouble figuring out from the paypal site JUST how much MORE will it cost me to upgrade to this?? Anyone help...please!! Vanessa

Hi all, Trying to finally get my web page put together and have a question for you all. Been on the paypal site and want to know if I am understanding something right. If I want customers to pay me I can set up paypal on my web site and my customers will be able to pay using Paypal OR they will be able to use their credit card????? Is this the way it works?? Credit card payments can be made on my site through my paypal account?? Thanks much, Vanessa