rachelb5499

Thanks! I'm thinking I might go ahead and check out the Conservatorie's mica samples, but since I've never bought micas before this will ALL be a test. LOL

Heard back from sheetlabels.....no go there....they said it would be a $250 fee to setup a "special cut" like that so uhhhhh, no thanks. Not worth it for me. heh heh

So...on another forum everyone is talking about The Conservatorie's micas. Anyone have any input on theirs? Any test results, etc.? Also, I've NEVER used micas so if you're familiar with the Conservatorie.....and I just want to use these in MP...not in CP, do you know if there's a way for me to find out if they're "stable" or not....or are "all micas" stable/non bleeding, etc. etc. with MP since it doesn't go through the same chemical transitions, etc. as CP? Ummmm, I mean, I don't see that kind of thing listed on their site. I know how to look for that in the description. LOL Then again, I read somewhere that TKB has a category (which I've seen) that says soap stable and some of them haven't been for other users.

Thanks for responding, Georgia! I know what you mean. I actually have "special ordered" sized cello bags for some of my bar soaps (to protect them from dust, etc.) that I also use for things like bath salts, AND I HAVE put the little guys in there which works well and is fairly easy to do with a header, etc., BUT you can't smell them so I'm still debating. Currently, I'm testing out different SFIC bases...once I kind of see which ones I like (without real additives per say), I'll probably start tweaking it here and there with shea butter, goat's milk, etc. As far as lather, (if that's what you were going for with the glycerin and liquid soap) I've heard a lot of people just add a bit of "shaving" base to their regular base to pump up the lather. When you say you wrap 3 at a time....can you expand on that? I'm having a hard time picturing what you mean. I agree with inexpensive packaging to price products more economically. Funny, how there's that fine line though between getting more sales based on your packaging too though. I currently have 3-4 different soaps made of different bases in my bathroom that I'm trying....and about 6 kinds of soaps sitting out exposed to see what happens as time goes. I even have two with some vanilla in them. It's still early, but NO browning after a week so that's curious....I read somewhere though that people said it can happen even MONTHS later so I'm curious.

Cool! My pleasure. They "won't" be changing their cut. (Got an email back from them.) But I may just have to order and cut 'em. LOL I HATE cutting and cut almost everything to size so have been working on getting away from as much cutting as possible, but I HATE dragging out the heat gun all the time too so it's a toss up, really....and at least this is one "cut" per 3 labels vs. cutting out each and every label. Make sense? I DID write sheetlabels and haven't heard anything yet, but it's only been like 12 hours. LOL

Cool. I've never tried micas....just decided the other day that I'd buy TKB's pop micas because I've read on every post known to man on every forum I'm a part of that they are "the ones" and then of course, found out they were discontinued.

Ah, I have a tendency not to look at dates....thanks for pointing that out, bravo. LOL As far as online labels, I ordered some "samples" to begin with so since it was one sheet, I just cut it with scissors, BUT I'll be cutting them with a paper cutter in the future if I can't find some pre-cut with shorter tabs. As far as the template, online labels, gives you "specs"/details as far as margins, etc. for all of their labels. I don't use MS publisher....and have never been able to get the "templates" to download from online labels SO........I use Corel Draw which is complicated to learn, but much more "precise" when creating labels so I was able to just input all of the different figures...didn't take very long at all. I have MS publisher, but never tried to do labels with it so I'm not sure if they have a section for you to "customize" a label and just enter in particular figures. Of course, when you DO make a template and print....you'll have to know your printer to pay attention on how to load it with the perforation depending on how you want your label to work. I'd LOVE to get smaller tabs so I emailed onlinelabels about this today (probably will get a standard shutdown response but you never know.) I may ALSO email sheetlabels. . .maybe if they got enough interest/ requests. I've never used sheetlabels, but I have to say onlinelabels has a LOT of different label mediums, lots of different pre-cut sizes, fast shipping, good customer service, AND their labels STICK well to items. I do lotions....and my biggest aggravation with other companies' label adhesive is the sides of the label peel up...even after being pressed down 10x!

Felix, whether it's "true" or not, I CANNOT comment, but have you tried BCN's Plumeria? (I've got a TON of rave reviews from my testers and customers.) As far as honeysuckle, I like Bert's Heaven Scents (but she doesn't have any IN right now...because of her supplier issues, but she SHOULD get it back in.) and AAA Candle's is pretty good too. I haven't tried Sweetcakes so can't comment there. Also, I'm not a Chandler so I can just comment on SCENT...

Okay, I SO wish you could "edit" your own posts! LOL I just re-read the beginning of the thread and it looks like sheetlabels' proposed lip balm label would only have 1/16th of an inch of "seal," that almost seems like TOO little. When I cut down the online label version, I ended up with an 1/8" whereas, their label (without my tweaking has 3/8th of an inch of overlap for the seal.) Depending on HOW sticky the sheetslabel was a 16th might work, but it would have to really stick/be solid, and the perforation would have to be really good so it would tear perfectly. I'd be TOTALLY interested though depending on price and label mediums available!

My shrink wrap comes off more than just where it's perforated too....even when I try to be "careful," it doesn't tear evenly so it's NOT just you! And I figure if that happens when I'M being careful, what about my customers where they just rip at it like normal?! So I went ahead and printed lip balm labels (from onlinelabels). It's easier to put them on straight then I thought, and I still love the idea, BUT the "tab" that would be ripped off is bigger than I'd like.....I used colored lip balm lids to distinguish flavors and the "tab" covers almost 1/2 of the lid....it just kind of "looks funny." I don't know how to post pics on here...plus, I have "bad internet" so can't really view pics, upload them, etc. I did a test and cut one of the labels so that it had less of that perforated tab, and it looked a LOT better to me. I did a search on online labels to see if they offered any other "cuts," but they don't....so I don't know if the other company proposed here would take that under consideration? Depending on price, label mediums, and the cut, I'd be interested....not sure I want to order from onlinelabels and cut every pre-cut label. LOL Might as well shrink wrap, I think. Ideally, (I THINK) it would be better to have the "tab" not be a solid piece that wraps all the way around....but maybe more like two oval shaped tabs that would end up on either side of the lip balm cap... But at the very least....a SHORTER tab....like this example is great.....Hmmm, not sure I can set up my label this way, but I love the "professional" balms that say things on the tab like this picture shows: "twist cap to open" http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/lips-lip-care/res-q-lip-balm-spf-15.html I was actually drawn to this type of label over shrink wrapping because honestly, from all that I could think of in my experience, all the "big guys" label their balms this way so it's more "expected" by the average consumer. Now...I don't strive to be like the big guys.....BUT, packaging.....marketing....come on, you know they've done tons of research, etc. to get that down so why not follow their lead on THAT? just my thoughts!

I don't really have any other helpful advice than what's already been said. It's a hard road! I've been soaping (not a chandler), etc. for 4 years and have had a website almost all that time. I'm on facebook and created a page for my business there too. I have over 169 "friends" on my personal page. I try at least once a week to say SOMETHING about what I'm doing like: "Made a batch of lavender soap today....making the little shapes was so much fun!" Even with this, plus ALL of the other techniques people have mentioned above, I still hear from FRIENDS, FAMILY, etc. almost weekly...."Oh, you make soap?" "Wow, I didn't know you made scrubs?!" Point being, ALL of the advertising you see on tv...the catchy or really annoying commercials.......that stupid commercial where you really wonder what they were on when they created it.....and the fact that you see them over and over and over again until you know every bit of what's going to happen?????? Well, it TAKES that kind of "in your face" over and over again approach to get people to really notice you and recognize you. Just takes a LOT of time, dedication, and realistic goals, I think...unless, you've got big bucks to hire marketing pros. Let's face it, most of us do NOT fit in that category! LOL I wish you MUCH success though!

Okay, so I've been testing different M&P bases and continue to do so. I'm also testing new scents, coloring, etc. There's things I've thought of that I WILL try but also curious what others have tried and what their personal conclusions were/are. *****Also, I'm asking a TON of questions/expressing a lot of thoughts. Why? Because I like polling. I find it interesting to see common themes/conclusions, and you can learn some of the most amazing ideas, techniques, etc. on forums when you ASK and READ so this isn't just "for me" or because I'm "lazy." To me, I'm asking for everyone interested in melt & pour at different stages in their experience to have a "discussion" and learn from each other. Answer what you want or just read and don't answer at all. It's all good with me! 1.) Have you just laid out a chunk of each base to see if it sweats on its on before melting, adding things to it, etc.? IF you're in an area where sweating is a problem, did you get accurate results by doing this testing method? 1a.) Did you wash your hands with JUST plain base before playing with colors, fragrances, etc. to see how JUST the base affected your skin/how it felt? (considering FO's could change the drying effects, etc.) 2.) M&P seems more drying than my CP, not matter whose it is, BUT I'm also washing my hands a lot more because I'm so curious. heh heh So......I've had a slight, slight "burning "sensation" on my knuckles throughout the day lately. I used to get this sensation when washing my hands so many times at work (I work with food, etc.) Is this something you've experienced? Did the sensation go away as you skin adjusted to the new kind of soap? Or did you kick "that base" to the curb? 3.) Packaging: I've read a bunch of people use stretch wrap like from Costco. I've tried this, and I like the look. I like that you can still smell the soap too. BUT.......right now (and I want to in the future), I'm doing little 1/2 oz size, fun shaped soaps SO when you pull some wrap out of the roll, of course it wants to stick to itself, it's way too big for the itty bitty soap, etc. This is a PITA. If that's what it is, that's what it is, BUT people with way more experience........have you come up with some great solution to making this easier? I've also seen several people recommend using a heat gun to help the stretch wrap "shrink up" just a bit if it gets loose, etc. I've seen others say heat guns are just for "shrink wrap." What is YOUR experience? 4.) For those of you who go "all out" when packaging soaps, what kind of fun decorative touches do you do? IF you tie bows, etc. around bars, bags the soap is in, etc. What medium do you use? Meaning, what have you found easiest to work with but effective for YOUR look: twine, raffia, twist ties, ribbon, etc.? 5.) Is there anything you learned with packaging that: (if so, what?) a.) You just HATED b.) Just did NOT work (became slimy, a mess, fell apart, etc. down the road.) c.) For those of you who sell at markets, etc., was there a particular packaging that won out for you due to customers handling soaps many times over, that worked for you to display them in a bucket or bin without looking "beat up" later, etc? d.) Did one kind of packaging (for you) just KILL sales or INCREASE sales? 7.) Did you try packaging in muslin bags? Wrapped in material? Was this just a nightmare due to sweating, etc. (This is what a lot of people do with CP, but that IS a whole different animal!) If you do small 1/2 oz shaped soaps like I'm mentioning....did you attempt to "label" them with such a small surface area to work with? (Depending on your packaging of course.) If you DID label them......HOW? and what information did YOU feel was most important to include? Phew, I'm just I have more conversation/topic starters in my head, but most of you will probably think this is WAY too much already. That's me, alright! WAY too much! I look forward to your responses and opinions!

Any more news, substitution suggestions, etc?

Okay, my nephew is in 6th grade and has 4th grade friends as well. "Gross" names would be good like Monkey Farts....or something Star Wars related....(there's a star wars cartoon that's very popular with boys from 4th-6th grade...so it's not just the movies.) My nephew thinks shapes, etc. are cool, but in all honesty, if it has a fun name and a good smell, he's all over it. Surprisingly, he also really likes "confetti" soap...which is the same as just M&P with embeds really (although I do white CP with shreds/chunks in it.). What about "camo" colored soap? Or what about some kind of funky named and labeled lip balm? (That'd be "cheap.") Most that age are still into legos too...you don't have one of those lego block molds, do you? I know time is of the essence. One of my nephew's favorite scents is also vanilla mint...and vanilla sandalwood.

LOL yep, thus my internal "dilemma/point." Thanks though!

Thanks to everyone who responded to this. I read quite a bit yesterday and thought a lot and really........do I really (as a bath and body maker) want to buy MORE stuff just to use up some FO's for personal use? Hmmmmm, and let's think about who I am....I LOVE scents which is why I buy scented candles, but..............after like an hour, I get a headache and sick to my stomach so.....do I REALLY want to make and burn tarts/wax melts? LOL I've decided I'll just make room/linen sprays with my "home fragrance" type FO's and maybe come up with some nifty new "home fragrance" invention that gives long lasting scent but isn't "constant..." more intermittent.....like the air fresheners on tv that give a fresh "puff" of fragrance so often or the central air filter fragrance sheets or or or or. SO.....with that in mind, anyone have any cool, new home fragrance ideas? The things I don't like about previous products.......you have things that can spill, make a mess, or have to be "out" in the open for everyone to see......or if you set it down without thinking the oil will ruin something.....other things require electricity or fire and are "constant" or for however long you keep em' plugged in/lit....but can be a bit toooooo strong. Wow...this makes it sound like I DON'T like home fragrance scents! LOL I guess I'd like something like "hidden" aroma beads, potpourri, cardboard ornies, or something like a wax melt that is gentler in its constant scent and doesn't have to be unplugged/watched.

What part of Cali, Pirateswench? I'm in Northern, northern, northern CA! LOL

Thanks, Everyone so far. Yes, scent shop, the search function is a little tweaked right now. Ravens, thanks for listing some of your thought/issues. "People generally think any and every item is "easy" to make until you really jump in so I always like to ask what others who have done it really thought. Sliver, yes, I had done a search before I ever posted....just sometimes people have great bookmarks to certain threads on here...which makes it so you don't have to wade through every "tart" mention to find helpful information to just getting started. I really don't think I want to learn to make and sell these, just thinking I might enjoy making some to use up my fragrance oils for personal use. I've been wading through threads by doing a google search for this forum before and since I posted this question.

Taylored Concepts is great....you dilute so you use very little of the base so you save on shipping.....it's about 1/2 way down on their "bath and body" bases list....I use the "linen spray" base (there's more than one listed.) I've gotten great reviews about it's staying power. I've never used any others though so can't comment on how it is in comparison to KY's or WSP's.

So I'm a total Bath and Body girl. I've never done ANYTHING with wax as far as tarts, clamshells, candles, etc. BUT I have scents that I really think would make better home fragrance scents than bath and body scents. I already make a room/linen spray, but I'd like something that slowly but continuously emits one amazing scent or another. I, personally, have done the oil warmer thing and though, I've enjoyed it.....I HATE the thought of possibly spilling oils which is why I hate the reed air freshener idea too. ANYWAY, I'm curious about making tarts. What's involved? What's needed? How hard is it? What waxes would you recommend? Do you know of particular links to other threads on here that would already point me in the right direction? (I tried to do a search.) Where would you recommend that I buy wax for a tart adventure? What about colorants? Any issues there? Anything specific I should know about what kind of colorants to use? How long do you wait to "unmold?" I'll show how uneducated I am. What is the "definition" of a tart? (I've never used one.) Is it as simple as what I'm thinking? Melted Wax, fragrance, color, and poured into a fun shaped mold...then placed in an oil warmer/tart warmer to release fragrance aka "hot throw?" And ANYTHING else you can think of that I haven't asked. Thanks, Everyone!

Thanks, CareBear. My internet is HORRIBLE so I can't watch videos but someone on another forum was asking about getting oval labels straight so I was able to pass the link on that you posted, and she was THRILLED with whatever the link's solution was!

I requested/received samples from onlinelabels.com actually. They are really cool, and I love the idea.....BUT I haven't applied any to tubes yet. LOL MY only concern/what I'm worried about is getting them on there PERFECTLY straight which of course I try to do already, but I'm worried about "what if you don't line up the perf just right? Then again, if you look at "pro" lip balms like Burt's, Blistex, etc. they all seem to do about the same as the perf label vs. shrink wrap as "protection."

Gotta Love "technology!" I knew what you meant. heh heh

With Mal's, you mean? I actually use the FREE cart with Mal's, but then pay $5/month for a separate shipping calculator that works with Mal's. Looked like even paying yearly, if you just paid Mal's for it all it was $8/month? Or were you talking about Paypal's cart options?

Note to self: don't EVERY "buy" a domain through Vistaprint. I honestly don't know how they can even legally do that! Geez! Still, you just saved yourself so much money that I'm sure you're beyond stoked! I now don't pay for hosting because I worked a deal with another website owner, but just remember, if you want a real good "live time shipping calculated" calculator....remember, mal's cart for free and then you can add a shipping calculator for $5/month so $60/yr. I can give you the links again, etc. From what I could figure out, paypal charges for carts if you want a real cart and not just "buy it now" buttons? Someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong!