TallTayl

Here's a blog post I did about a triple log mold made for about $5 that has paid for itself many, many times over.

http://doingisbelieving.blogspot.com/2010/12/diy-reusable-liner-soap-molds.html

Sure sounds like evaporation combined with cutting thickness/thinness. Do you use full liquid for your lye solution?

Mine are all in little "really useful boxes". It's so much easier to find and use them this way.

I agree with others about the regional rate boxes. They have saved my customers a good chunk of change. The sizes are decent for most things.

Also check Uline for boxes. They stock hundreds - if not thousands - of sizes. I have a mix of Uline and USPS depending on the items being shipped and the amount of extra security the items require for safe transit.

ITA that shipping is the most difficult part. My shopping cart usually overestimates shipping charges.My policy is to refund overages of more than $1.

I've never had to gel in the oven. it gets pretty hot all by itself once the salt is added. If you're not sure, a blanket may help give peace of mind. I have to cut within about 4 hours of pouring into the mold.

What type of salt did you use? Coarse Sea Salt works well. You'll want to avoid epsom salts.

I am swooning over AH/RE's Falling Leaves right now. It doesn't smell like the fruits your OP describes though. I've blended it with Mediterranean Fig from Elements and sit huffing it shamelessly.

Oy! That's a LOT of suppliers. I've pared down to about 10 regular suppliers, only three or four regulars for fragrances. The supplier had to have some pretty stellar stuff to make the list. It was hard choosing which to drop, but in the end it saves a lot of time and $.

Have you checked Soapers Choice? It's been the most reasonable at $80.50 per 50lb pail (aside from restaurant supply stores). I asked about drum pricing since I live within 60 miles of them and learned it wouldn't save anything. Add freight on to the drum pricing, then co-op fees and shipping and you're higher on per lb prices.

This would be a big "YES" for me. Treat it as a marketing event with an opportunity to recoup your table fee.

Indicators show the wealthy are spending, we just don't see many of those buyers at the typical craft events. They spend at places they are comfortable - like the high priced luxury stores. Go to their club where they are comfortable and you have access to an entirely new group of customers.

I've done events like this that cost $350+ for the same number of hours and picked up nice corporate accounts and wedding and baby shower custom orders.

Sending Good Luck wishes your way.

The Scent Works has the most complex version IMO. Love it in CP, Shampoo, Conditioner, Lotion... I remember trying it in votives a while back and it was pretty darned nice.

I'm not too far from you two - Woodstock. before their move to WI, Nu-Scents was in my backyard. Since I didn't have to pay shipping I tried a number of fragrances and EO's from them. I feel badly that I didn't like any of them. The prices were/are on the high side.

I'm using 4633 ATM and loving it. I'd consider splitting an order and possibly even testing C3 if the price was right per lb.

How about blending a few FO's to create your own? CS's lime cooler is tart and sweet (and STRONG). Maybe add a little graham cracker (possibly even CS Hansel & Gretel's House assuming this is for candles and not B&. It may need a little lightening up with a few drops of straight lime.

ETA - I just made a cotton ball sample of this at 1:1:1 CS Lime Cooler:CS Hansel&Gretel:NG Lime Cilantro - Yummmmmmm. I'm going to put this into some 4633 and see how it goes. Thanks for the inspiration!

The lady who cuts my hair used SquareUp the last time I was there and said she loved it. In researching it I've read testimonials of several people who complained of not receiving their money from SU for months. Has anyone here experienced any slow pay issues with them?

The only times I've heard of this problem is when someone has not properly completed the initial setup process tying their square account with their bank acct.

Hard to tell from the pic, but it kind of looks like raffia that you get on the rolls at craft stores.

Lebermuth. Occasionally Camden. The Scent Works. Co-ops (lots of co-ops)

Hi Al,

I tried the Candlescience recommendations once. The ECO12 in the 464 was way too big in the tins. THe flame was really tall and the entire tin was liquified in less than 30 minutes. To say it was hot was an understatement. I would wick way down in tins and watch them very carefully while burning.

I stopped playing with tins for a while - so I've not found a wick yet that I like in the tins with just 464. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Yep. I've been using it in place of ProPay for months. Love it. So much simpler and the transaction fees are more reasonable.

Thank goodness Patch is still favored around here I have stockpiled Dark patch.

I've tried many sandalwoods - for CP BB's sensuous sandalwood is getting my vote. Soft, not sharp like may can be. I'm loving the sandalwood blends too (vanilla and rose are making me happy.)

Now there seems to be a big focus on Sandalwood.

You're so right about this one. People are asking for it in soap too - first time for me in years (well ever actually). I make it because I love it and never thought anyone else did

Peak has a few that may fit the bill: Mountain Lake and Mountain Pine. Add to that Wild Mountain Honey (smells a lot like Agilex Honey L'Occitane) and you have a fantastic start. Honey blends really well with a lot of fragrances in my stash. They're having a <edited to remove specifics of sale> sale on fragrances until the 27th <same thing, edited to remove specifics of sale.>

Inspired by this thread I pulled out a couple of pumpkins from my stash. Picking Pumpkins and Butternut (both from AH/RE) smelled remarkably good with all of my different lavenders.

Thanks so much for the suggestion

My regular formula uses 7% of the non-deodorized CB. No scent comes through but the CB adds a wonderful quality to the lather. As for coloring with cocoa, watch out for dirty looking lather... Used very sparingly it provides a nice deep chocolate color, but my friends get skeeved out about the brown suds.

I have used PVC pipe without any lining and got impatient with unmolding. Even greased my formula is just sticky and took a trip to the freezer before coming loose. Your HP may be AOK without any special treatment (just watch that it doesn't get so hot in the pipe that it causes distortion - boy is that hard to get out!)

I've had really good luck with PVC lined with various things: A tube of freezer paper or a sheet of thin craft foam have been favorites. Some soaping friends of mine use plastic sleeves similar to what newspapers are delivered in in the pipe. Have fun!

I leave heavy, durable items there, and transport everything else that I would mind being stolen or tampered with. (I do mostly B& Last year a tornado blew through a 3-day fair one night. Most tents were twisted messes. The EZ-UP made it through unscathed. I was so happy to have had my stock safely away from there though!