B@BlissStreet

:laugh2:Out of all the places I would have guessed about where they got the heart embed mold from.... I gotta say...... I was not expecting "Avon" to be the answer !!! LOL Love it!

I know, right? I actually have 4 heavy duty silicon molds from them; all were reasonably priced and very durable.

Thanks to everyone for the advice...I'll make sure to pour faster next time. I was afraid to have the embeds sink, so I let the white layer set up completely.

Lovely! Your photo set up is great. Thanks for sharing!

Do you mind me asking where you got your heart embed mold from ?? I'd love to have a really thick one like that!

Avon. It's a 12 cavity mold; hearts, chrysanthemums, roses, and butterflies. I use one for tarts and one for soapies.

Thanks, everyone, for the kind words. Here is a pic of one of the cut bars that separated...anyone have any tips to avoid this? Scoring the bottom layer? More alcohol spritzing? I had so much fun making this, and plan to do more layered practice loafs, so I would love some input! TIA

P.S. I cut a couple bars with a straight edge knife, and several with my wavy cutter. Had one of each separate; the striaght one was an end cut, the other with a wavy...does this affect adhesion? Is one better than the other, or is it purely aesthetic choice?

And I forgot , I LOVE how they look. On the hearts , are those individuals you placed in, or are they from a heart "tube" mold ?

I've seen tutorials that score the layers with a fork for adhesion. I'm still super new also, so I was hoping someone with some experience will chime in about it. The glycerine hearts were just embeds; I don't have any tube molds...yet! hahahaha

Ok, stoopid newbie question... " I didn't score the white layer" ... I am so new to this its not funny, but in all the books I've read ( 3 ) and all the videos I've watched on YouTube, and all the posts on here and BC I've read... I haven't ever heard of score the first layer ( I suppose to create a better adhersion ).. Do you mind elaborating please ??

Tried out the new Brambleberry loaf mold from the co-op with my first ever layered/embed loaf. I didn't score the white layer, and had two slices that separated from the pink layer. Not sure if I didn't get enough alcohol spritzed in or if the scoring would have cured that. The heart embeds are glycerine m/p tinted with Raspberry Pop mica. The white and pink layers are a creamy shea butter soap, again the pink tinted with Raspberry Pop. All are scented Baby Soft (Love's type).

I wonder if these would fit...has anyone tried them? They say for the flared jar, but the grooves look consistent with the smooth cubes.

http://anchorhocking.com/prodd_4556_cat_96_flared_square_acetate.html

Scrub Your Troubles Away Kit....complete spa soap and pouf to generate oodles of spa style bubbles for your bathing pleasure!

Do you mean the blocks look brittle? Because yes, I did notice that also. However, as soon as I added some goodies and FO, it becomes a very soft bar. The appearance of the soap completely changes. Before melting and adding the nourishing ingredients it looked a bit dry and brittle, but it never crumbled or anything like that. I even found a brick I didn't wrap tightly, and it was just fine when I melted it. HTH

I hope to see some good free knowledge on this topic. I was gifted a nearly full set of the TKB mica's that I guard with my life~ hate to mix before I get some solid information on what measurements to use these precious powders at? I'll be watching...

Wow! I love those boxes! Do they hold the CT for a long time? Where can I find those? I'm not using the Libbey Cube right now, but I love the way they look, very classy!

I bought them on the classifieds here; they are from Mr.TakeOutBags.com. They have a cupcake insert that I invert to give the box more stability. They also worked great for jumbo cupcakes I baked for a fundraiser!

No offense intended, but did you try Candybee's recipe? I am a newbie with the M/P...I've only been playing with it for a year. I plan to try Annie's recipe when we get this soap co op off the ground, but I have to recommend Candybee's recipes for a soothing omh soap.

I use the brown 4"x4"x4" bakery boxes with the window. I use the Libbey square jar (holds 12 oz. liquid measure) that Dollar Tree carries. HTH!

This is the cheese container that came free with Velveeta at one point. Not sure, but I think I've had it for about two years...

I know this isn't a great pic, but here is a bar of Candybee's OMH soap recipe made exactly to the recipe specs using low-sweat white SFIC base. Please keep in mind that I have hideously hard cruddy water (we only drink/cook with bottled H20). I get a nice creamy lather despite the hard water. When my sister uses this at her home with softened water, she gets oodles of creamy suds. HTH!

And thanks again, Candybee, for the recipes! I'm heading out today to buy some coconut oil and coconut milk to try that recipe tonight.

I'm tossing around the idea of a co-op on the 1 lb. wrapped blocks...it takes 7 cases of 36 lb. blocks (mix/match). I'd like to purchase a three full cases...if anyone thinks they might be interested, please pm me.

Brambleberry has a nice $20 silicone one on sale for 40% off right now. HTH! Now to just find a co-op on soap base! Use coupon code FLEXMOLD. Coupon valid through 1/31/12.

http://www.sficcorp.com/

HTH! I love their bases in low sweat white and low sweat clear. Wishing someone would host a co-op!

Glad to help. Happy New Year!

I use EL Millennium. I'm pretty open about stuff. What's the issue? I use color, have minimal frosting, and get smooth tops upon a proper pour with heavy dye and full FO load at between 95-110*F. Minimal wet spots on flat sided jars; rare on the square masons. Rich/heavy spicy scents with dark dye seem to show more frosting...hard to tell on a dye free candle/melt. Anything else I can help with? Lorrie sells this stuff, and is a major information anthology on the EL products, as well as all my other crazy crafty/science questions. I highly recommend her as a mentor and as one of the most dependable suppliers around.

I have some of the 4 oz Boston clears I'm not planning to use. PM me if you are interested.

Yes, they are electric bulb warmers. I didn't check the wattage.

Walgreens is advertising these at 33% off this week. I may have to get one. All I have is several little ones that you use a tea light in the bottom, but these look larger and more elegant. I have not seen them in person yet, so these are the electric ones, right?

Agree about the vinegar, and vodka also works.

WSP has some...

http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/ProductDetail.aspx?CatalogID=9&GroupID=766&CategoryID=1684&ProductID=3602&ProductName=Crafters+Choice%E2%84%A2+Break-A-Way+Clamshell

Your soaps look great, and your photography is AMAZING!