Teercreations

Girl you crack me up.....I know you need Phenolphthalein to make sure the soap is no too akaline and is neutral enough to use. I want to say the ph strips will work later on to see if the soap has relaxed enough....Don't really worry about feeling stupid because there is not alot of info on making cream soap. Its not like cold process soap making in that as long as you get some kind of trace the soap will be soap. I think the reason cream soap making is so much of a try and try again method is that you are using two different kinds of lye and depending on how much of each you use will determine how liquid and how thick your soap becomes......plus with each new ingredient makes the soap something else (where you would have to factor in their properties of course to make it really very confusing). I have now about 2 years under my belt and I still get confused....especiallly trying to figure out what made this batch so special but this here batch is just ok. Sorry I know I am not much help......but I was right where you are when I jumped in headfirst! Pam

geez seven posts in one day on one of my threads....wowzers. Ok Bun Bun everytime I do a snowdrift farm recipe it never ever comes out like it says it should. I don't know if my method and their method is totally different or what.....My last batch after I cooked it and let it sit a month....which actually was this batch ....it was liquid after a week (after I learned I should have left it alone and didnt add as much water after the cook and let it relax more). It made a great pump liquid soap and a good facial soap for when I take my makeup off in the mornings and night. The thing is that cream soap is so different for everyone...just because of the different methods everyone uses. You can double pot on the stove (double boiler), large and small crockpots (which everyone has different capacities and heat temps). I dont feel comfortable with the snowdrift farm method and packaging right away. I usually let me soap rest and relax for at least a week. I may use it before then but I dont sell it at all until I know the Ph level of the soap and made sure its a nice whipped soap. As I said I have never been able to get a snowdrift farm recipe to work to my liking. I may just be picky though for what I want. I prefer the soulgazersundries.com cream soap calculator....its more in line with Catherine Failors method of cream soaping IMHO. If you want to learn more about Cream soaps....Join the yahoo forum on creamsoaping and read some of the posts there. That is what I did and have asked Q after Q just to figure some of this out....plus shipping out my results to get peoples opinions on what I actually made. I dont know if this actually answers your question or if it just adds to it. Let me know and I will figure something out. Pam

Thanks for those that responded. I figured it out with some PM's and a small nap. Its amazing how you think after a nap and how less your eyes hurt. Anyway what I was talking about looks like this (well crap I dont know how you posted the image in there prairieannie -- but I cant do that either! ) ok imagine a circle around the text to simulate a sticker. Ingredients: Distilled water, Grapeseed oil, Shea Butter, Emulsifying Wax, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Phenonip and Fragrance Made by Pamela Teer Birmingham, Al Thanks again Jean Pam

ok I got my templates set up and all that.....my question is how do I get text to print within a circle...ya know word wrap it or do I have to manually hit enter at every line? Basically I want to make ingredients and votive labels but on a circle sticker. I cant get avery's font smaller than an 8 --- anyone have any idea's on getting it smaller. I was using Arial but willing to change it anyone knows a font that goes smaller and is readable. Thanks Pam

oh that one is great and it soaps soooooo well. I got it in the shower right now. Its hard to sell that one I want it all for myself! Pam

I buy a lot of their B & B dupes and they are great and usually soap very well. I havent had one yet that has riced or turned some funky color. I like em alot shipping is reasonable and it gets here quickly. Pam

i agree Angie! Thats ok I shall bug elizabeth later....maybe I will trade some cream soap later for it (if she will take it that is!!!!) Thats what I get for only getting on here about once a day! Pam

gene I have some also that thins in cold and thickens in heat also....I have never had a batch go rancid. Must be the oils or something that you used or the person used. I have some from a year ago still that is great stuff for shaving my legs. I make a batch about every 2 months/usually sell half and then keep the rest for myself! This stuff is great makeup remover that does not leave your skin dry and tight. Just have to have patience with the stuff and lots of time. I let my last batch sit there and (rot) for 3 weeks before I remembered that I needed to whip it up and add the silk/and extra aloe. That batch was a dream.....need to get that recipe out and try it again see if I can duplicate it. Don't worry you'll get it with lots of patience though! Pam

Another resource is cream soap making by Catherine Failor. Most swear by this book and I particularly love a few of the recipes in it. You can search and see some of my pictures of the cream soap I made a little bit ago in the B&B Gallery. What problems are you having with the soap to be exact? Pam

I use both liquid soybean oil and the veg shortening you have pictured. Granted not at the same time though. I use the soapcalc.com calculator and not the sage when I use veg shortening because they have both soybean liquid oil and veg shortening on their lists. I have used the veg shortening in many of my recipes and its great. HTH PAm

I personally love Natures Garden Storm watch.....to me its an exact dupe. Course my nose and your nose may smell two different things ....but I love it. Pam

most liquid soaps are made with percentages of Sodium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide or just Potassium Hydroxide. At least the liquid soaps I make. I know Catherine Failor has a book about liquid soapmaking. Try looking for it in your local library. Pam

I have to agree that is some damn fine soap for a second attempt you should be proud! Two colors also!!!!! You are sooooooo hooked! Keep em coming! Pam

I use the select shades also like E, and I love them more than any other liquid dye, clay, mica, oxide or ultramarine. I dont really have any luck with swirling unless its with a liquid dye and the colors man they are bold! Select shades has charts and if you do your math correctly then there should be no problem -- and really its not that math hard. Its just parts which makes it easier in my book. But really I bought the select shades basic set that is like 1 or 2 oz of each color and its now time two years later to buy more. You really dont need much to color alot and I mean alot of soap! Check out select shades before you buy any other liquid dyes! Pam

its because most people dont cover their soap in a slab mold because it messes up the top. Especially if you put scrubbies just on the top of it. OR if they have an amazing beautiful swirl that you dont want to screw up. Thats why they can see the ash forming and put the alcohol on soap. Pam

Yep you are definately gellin! Sometimes when I use room temp lye water the whole soap log does not gel just the middle. It still makes soap so no problem there but you will notice a darker or brighter circle in the middle. That is what actually gelled. In order for the soap to reach full gel (to the outer edges of the mold) you might have to towel layer the mold to insulate it or as someone said earlier put it in the oven at a really low heat for a little while. Either way it will still be soap! Congrats on your second batch and cant wait to see it cut!!!! Pam

they do have end caps and are great way to keep the mess down....believe me. Dont try to transport it (the mold) after its filled unless the cap is really tight. Pam

Does anyone hate designing labels of a circular format in Microsoft Word....because I am about to throw this computer through the window! I hate hate hate hate hate circles! Can nothing in this business just come easy? See the problem comes from buying labels in bulk....or trying too and using the manufactures template WHICH ARE ALL FREAKING BOXES! Not circles but but ugly squares! I think I am going to loose my mind. I have been sitting here for hours on end trying to match up all these freaking circles in those damn boxes so they print right. Does it ever get easier?

Looks great Julie!! Now on to your second batch! Is your mold a slab or a log? I have found that my soap in my log molds come out more swirled if I swirl in the pot. If I use a slab mold I pour from up high with the color and then swirl with a knife or something. ok thats my tip for the day...cant wait to see your next batch! Pam

Damn those blue and purple ones are awesome.....wish I could get a marble like that! Pam

Congrats Scented! I knew you could do it. Now I bet you'll be showing all yer stuff and amazing us all with all your creative talent. I wouldnt wash a thing until tomorrow unless ya need to cook! But hey order out and celebrate instead! Cut that soap tomorrow and then your on your way! I cant wait to see it cut! Believe me now that you have the bug you will be making more soap than you can wash with.....but baths become more fun! Congrats again! Now tell us everything you did so we can give you more pointers on what might help next time. Pam

I made my own spread sheet in excel for all the products I make and my cost for bubble bars (I use the same basic recipe - with some tweaking) is 31 cents to 32 cents per 1 ounce bar. I sell em for 1.50 per bar. HTH Pam

Waiting patiently.......

Come on Julie! I want to see some pics..... if your scared it will go too fast just dont stick blend a whole lot. Just stir with the stickblender and goose it every minute or so. We want to see pics....we are all staying up to get the latest! I have faith in you... Pam

I have the four quadrant soap mold and hobby grade cutter from craftsake and let me tell you that is the best money I have ever spent. I also use a home made beveler that my hubby made. There are directions on the net to make one and for the life of me I cant remeber where I got em....but google em and you'll find them. I have used the potato peeler and the cheese slicer before and yes its very inconsistent and you have to have a steady, slow hand to make them really nice. I mainly use the cheese slicer to even up my tops of soap so they dont slice me in the shower. (but I only use them on soaps I plan on using) I use the homemade beveler for the soaps I sell to make them more uniform and consistent. Sorry for the long run on thoughts.....getting tired here at the end of the day. Pam