Jola

I've used Crisco too and the soap seemed to turn out fine (it's still curing so I haven't actually used it yet). I can't remember what soap calculator I used, but it actually had Crisco listed as an oil. I also just bought liquid crisco that says soybean oil as the ingredients.

Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it! Just make sure to follow all the safety measures... gloves, goggles, long sleeves, pants, no kids or animals around. You'll do fine! Go do it!

Super, I didn't order any of those! lol

If it were me, I would revamp my scent line to include oils I could find elsewhere. That's horrible customer service and your customers and you shouldn't have to deal with the headache or not being able to find the products they want because of this third party.

Love them! How in the world did you do the purple and white!? I have trouble pouring ONE color at a time! lol good job!

All good points! Thanks! And isn't it olives that have to be treated with lye BEFORE they are safe to eat? Maybe I'll just start using the other name sodium blah blah or whatever!

my oils and tube containers are coming tomorrow. I can't wait to make some of these!

I was at a party the other night and something came out about my latest hobby, soap making. Someone asked how exactly do you make soap. I go on to tell them that you mix oils and lye together. Immediately a couple of my friends are telling me, you aren't going to give that to us as gifts or use it yourself are you? Won't it like melt off your skin?! :rolleyes2 I tried to tell them a chemical reaction occurs and the lye is no longer lye. I also compared it to eating bread. You eat bread but most of us would never eat an egg and flour and salt and yeast mixed together raw. They weren't getting it. I'm scared now that if I do give gifts people won't use them. Anyone else ever have this situation? Suggestions on what I should say without boring them to death with the scientific part of it?

I would love if more people had some things available all year at craft fairs ect. I have a friend that is obsessed with Halloween but her b-day is in July. Almost every year she says "I wish I could get some Halloween stuff for my birthday". On the plus side, if I can find it it's usually super cheap because it's from last years supply

It has to be able to be done since you can buy it pre ground. I would maybe try to find a mini food processor on sale or pick one up cheap at a yard sale or thrift store so you don't ruin your good one.

yep, magazine page strips... they take forever! But I'm really bad at sitting still so it's a good mindless activity for me to be able to make it through a movie!

I obviously need to work on my picture taking skills, or I guess I should say my "sets". All of your pics put me to shame!

True, I'm one of those people! haha! I think I'm going this week to get the molds so I'll let you know if I come up with anything new to line them with.

I looked all over and can't figure it out... what is fbb?

I had some trouble getting it out of the molds (about 2 in dia pvc pipe, I was thinking "guest soap") but a little while in the freezer and a tinker toy later, it popped right out. It's still on the drying racks, I'm trying to be good and let it cure the whole time but I'm about to cave and give it a try. I'm surprised at how white it is. I've made two batches since. Now just waiting on some FO's and base oils to arrive in the mail.

lmao, glad I could dub a new soap making term so early in my soaping adventures

I'm not sure of the website but I'd be a bit leery of buying from her. What is it she's trying to hide? Kinda freaks me out!

lol, sorry just had to comment that I found it hilarious that it smells like a BANDAID! Sorry, I don't have any advice for you though

That chart is awesome! Makes me think of mixing jelly belly flavors!

plain old freezer paper won't work in them?

HP has a faster cure time (2-3 weeks) or check this out (I found the link on another site) http://www.rivercitysoaps.com/dwcp/dwcp.pdf

I know. Some people are like those are so cool, and other are like OMG!! What are you doing? I'll attempt to redeem myself by saying that the records I use for these projects I got from free and if I hadn't taken them they would have ended up in landfills. So really, it's a good thing that I'm doing

hahah! It cracks me up how many grammatical and spelling errors I have now. I worked in editing for over 4 years. Ever since I was laid off I've slacked off considerably! lol

I personally would never purchase makeup that was scented with essential oil. The makeup goes on your face and the fragrance could easily become overpowering. Also, I wouldn't want to be putting essential oils on my face. I have sensitive skin and it makes me cringe just thinking about it. Just my personal opinion. But I would try to get the colors right before you add any scents

I let a friend borrow my The Natural Soap Book and I can't get a hold of her. I need to know the correct amount of coconut oil for the shampoo bar. Does anyone know? Can someone please help. Thanks! I found the recipe online but this is what I got (2 versions of the same recipe): Tropical Shampoo Bar 3 lb cold, Distilled Water 500 grams Sodium Hydroxide 2 lb Olive Oil (25%) 1 lb 8 oz Castor Oil (19%) 8 oz Sweet Almond Oil (6%) 4 oz Jojoba Oil (3%) 4 oz Kukui Oil (3%) 2 lb Coconut Oil (25%) 1 lb 8 oz Palm Oil (19%) 3 pounds distilled water 500 grams sodium hydroxide 2 pounds olive oil 1 pound 8 ounces castor oil 8 ounces sweet almond oil 4 ounces jojoba oil 4 ounces kukui nut oil 2 ounces coconut oil 1 pound 8 ounces palm oil 45- 50 grams pure essential oil This formula calls for more sodium hydroxide than the sap value charts suggesst because of the castor oil.