ktaggard

My website has been up for a few months now. I used Big Commerce. It was easy to use, for the most part. I did have to use photoshop a few times to get logo and crop photos how I liked them. I would recommend them. They cost about $25 - $30 a month for the basic package. This comes with web hosting and an e-commerce store. That is about the going rate for a website with store/cart. My new website: Http://ellascents.com - if you want to take a look. I just used one of the free templates.

I just broke down and ordered,as well. Christmas tree, cedar garland, nutmeg ginger, iced lemon biscotti, pumpkin spice chutney, and citrus spruce. Hope I like them!!

Ok. Going to go look at Cajun again. I know a tried a few FOs from them a few years ago, but never reordered. Here I go.

We'll, went to look for you on Save On Scents because they have lots of dupes. I did not find that particular dupe, but ended up buying 6 new samples. Thanks a lot!!!!

Thanks! ED = Essential Depot?? Just making sure.

Along with the above recommendations and the zap test. I like to take a dabble of soap in my rubber gloved hands, run it under water, rub my hands together and see if soapy bubbles occur. If it does, soap is sponified enough to put in molds. If soap slides around and does not bubble, more cook time is needed. This helped me a lot when first starting HPing.

I am looking for a good holiday orange type fragrance. Spicy and/ or piney! But open to anything. Just want something orangey and holidayish. Any recommendations? Thanks all.

Making me laugh. It's not just wicks.

It's the same for wax and FOs. Someone posts and asks "what wax is the best??" "Which supplier has best fragrance of this or that??" We all respond that this wax is awesome and this FO rocks. Or the opposite - didn't like this one or.... In the next post someone says that the FOs we don't like is the best they ever used. On and on.

We all know the answer -- just order samples and get testing. Probably going to order them all anyway.

How about longevity? How long does your birthday cake last? I can't seem to find a sugar cookie or b cake that last more than 4-6 hours. In tarts, that is!

I don't see why not. Give it a try and see.

Any updates on this??? I like 3022, but have never got wicking right yet! Going to give it another go. Are you still using 3022, AZsunset and Chuck (Cheve).

This thread is making me laugh. I'm guilty too. When I first started, 4 years ago, I would set my timer and stir and stir. Now I just stir until I think it looks good. I mostly make melts in clamshells, so I wait until it cools to somewhere between 150-160 - give a quick stir and pour. Works great!

I too remember the time when I was scared to post anything. Scared of being yelled at.

I remember one post where a guy posted that he was going to start selling his candles. He posted pictures of his candles. The wicks were going in all kinds of direction, not even secured. Colors were awful. Wax was all bumpy and with great big wholes in it. People attacked him and told him he was going to blow up houses and how dare he.... I got on and said that this had to be a joke and that it was making me laugh. Man I thought I was going to get lynched. Wooh - lesson learned there.

Thank you - to all in this forum now. It might not be as active as it once was, but I really like the vibe here. And we still have people that really know there stuff!!

Many soapers successfully make coconut oil soap with a high super fat. I tried it once and did not like it for my skin, but I have made it for laundry soap - but used a very low sf. I think one of the exciting things about soaping is the experimenting. I love trying things that are not "suppose" to work or not commonly used... I guess I am a " have to see for myself" type person. I tend to learn the most from that.

Keep us updated. I would love to hear how it turns out and if you like it.

Thanks, Shar. Those are the ones I was looking at. I'll probably give them a try.

I make a peppermint lip balm using peppermint EO. It is my favorite!! Adds a a little tingle and freshness that flavors can't. Just be very careful with % of use. I never go over 1% - most of the time much lower.

Has anyone tried EOs from them? Some of their prices seem almost too cheap.

I like Christmas Hearth from CS, Winter wonderland from the former MW, and spiced Gingerbread from MMS.

I think we salvaged it. I was able to trim off the fluffy, gummi stuff - and now It doesn't look too bad.

Does any one have a favorite peppermint fo or blend (i.e.Jack Frost) that they love in wax?  I use a parasoy blend and mostly make tarts. I want HT to have strength and longevity. Thank you so much! 

I know this is an old thread, but had to mention that Rosemary Mint from Soapalooza is awesome. Very Herbal with a touch of mint.  Also, lasts for days in my tarts. Haven't cp'd it yet, but will soon.

This is what happens when your 12 daughter decides to make cookies while your soap is gelling in the oven. I discovered soap does not like 350 degree ovens. My soap blew up like a marshmellow and busted a side of my mold. My daughter felt so bad -- but not her fault. I always put a little sticky over the oven controls- except for today.

Beautiful and cute. I would love to see your pumpkin honey lager cut!!!

Found mine on craigslist for $50 - brand new in the box. Love it. It has made my wax life way easier!!!

Suzy, you might want to try different FOs and EOs.. I have found that some FOs and EOs combine with bath bomb ingredients to give wired smells. Sometimes they get chemically or chalky smelling. Wish this wasn't true, but it just takes testing and trial and error to find the right combos. I'm sure you've never heard that before.

Looks great!! Good luck on your contest.