AnnieD

Thanks, Candybee. I'll just check them in a few months. If anything, I tend to go light on the fragrances as I don't like heavy scent myself.

I have several soaps that are wrapped in saran wrap and then in cello bags with ties. How long will the retain their scent? I got overly ambitious with Halloween soaps and don't want them to go to waste.:smiley2: Thanks!

Thanks to you all for your input and encouragement. I was feeling pretty down when I started this thread. I feel like I'm full of questions here, but I'll go ahead and ask. If I do try selling at a craft fair or similar, I'm not sure where to start. I would probably only do cash sales to start, but do I charge tax and claim my income from those sales? I want to be on the up-and-up. I've been reading here and other places on how to start, but am a bit confused about some of it. I'll keep researching!

Thanks, Jaime. I didn't label by scent or "name" the soaps. I did put out a sign that said "Soap"...and the price. First time trying to sell for me, so I don't have ingredient labels or anything like that worked up yet. I had hoped to get input or reviews or opinions on my soaps before I invest time/money into getting all that together. This is all still a "maybe" thing for me. The selling/business anyway. I love making them. I need to do lots of research on selling them legitimately and shoot for a small spring crafts fair.

Thanks, PAgirl!

I cannot tell ya'll how encouraging your replies are to me. Thank you so much!! I'm going to regroup and keep playing and practicing and research local, small craft shows for spring 2012. I don't think I have time to come up with enough soaps, etc. for a Christmas show. Now to read about how to do that! Thanks again, everyone. P.S. The Scentsy books, etc. get passed around here, too. For the record, I have never bought from them....their name annoys me for some reason.

I did that on my last batch, Candybee, and it seemed to work real well. Thanks!

Thank you, Linda! Right now I would just like to be able to justify the time and effort to make them. I am LOVING this more than any other hobby or craft I've ever done. I'll take a deep breath and give it thought.

Thanks for the input, Noodle. I see your point about selling to friends. If I decided to try a small craft show, would I need to get a tax ID, insurance, etc.?? I really want to get an idea of how my soaps will be received before I commit big-time. Thanks again.

I am still learning to do melt-and-pour but feel some of the Halloween soaps I have been making are darling. I packaged up a bunch of those and some pretty rose soaps I made and took them to work to see if anyone would buy. I will put photos at the bottom of this page. I priced them at $3 each or 2 for $5. They are full size bars and bags of 5 small soaps. Did I really overprice them? Not one person bought any. Not even any of the folks I consider "friends" who might just get one to make me feel good, LOL. I had given samples to several people a few weeks ago and they said they really liked them. I'm really sad because I love doing this and had hoped I could make some money doing it. At least I know before going to the trouble of getting a tax ID, insurance, etc. and trying craft shows or online selling. I still want to make soaps, but I have a very small family/friends circle. We can only use so much soap. How can I justify buying supplies and making soaps if I can't sell them? Thanks for any input.

Thanks! I might try rubbing it with the soft cloth idea. Last night I made some more and just basically used my finger to color it (I have a stencil brush I use dry, but it seems like it might mar the finish on the soap and take away some of the detail). On advice of another, I spritzed with alcohol afterward. I used one of the soaps this morning and of course the mica washed off, but it looked pretty all wrapped up!

I have started experimenting with dry brushing mica dust on top of some of my soaps. Here is an example of what I did the other night. I had read one method of doing this was to spritz the top of the soap with hairspray, then apply the mica dust, then spritz with hairspray again. This seemed to work okay, and I know the mica will wash off with the first wash or two. But on one of my soaps (it had a less detailed design), I could see the dried hairspray. Anyone know a better method to dry brush and fix the mica dust on the soap? Thanks!

Thanks everyone!

Thank you!!

If I were to sell my melt and pour soaps, am I required to include ingredients (soap base, fragrance oil, soap dye) on the label? I will be making no claims such as moisturizing, healing, etc. Just plain soap. I couldn't find a recent thread about this. Thanks

First of all let me say, I know nothing about making candles. I'm still a newbie melt-and-pour soaper and am just browsing the threads. BUT, I love purchasing candles and love good scents. I agree that a different scent would be expected with the colors you've chosen, but again, it is a personal choice for each person. I have to say, when I saw the candle on the right, the first thing I thought of was a harlequin pattern fabric. Well done!

You aren't putting them in the dishwasher are you? That might degrade the molds.

Exactly. I was worried to use it in my soap. I did have luck using cocoa powder mixed in a tiny bit of water. It turned out a very dark brown. With the natural scent of the cocoa and the vanilla FO I added, it turned out really nice.

I got some at the pet store and tried to grind it. Didn't work.

I am still learning here and want to make a clear, black tinted soap. Will activated charcoal do the trick, and if so, where can I get it at a good price. Walgreen's has it, but it's $20 a bottle! I know I can order black iron oxide, but of course I'm in a rush to make these Halloween soaps. Thanks!

Well, thanks for the replies!! I like the idea of blending colors and scents! Just don't know that I have enough friends/relatives to give all the soap to!

Any ideas??

New to the world of soaping here. What is the best way to experiment with color and/or fragrance without wasting soap base?? Would mixing in an equal amount of water give me a good idea or maybe mixing it in mineral oil??? I don't want to waste soap. Thanks!

Well, here is a link to the actual recipe in the book! After reading more closely, it looks as if the Vitamin E oil and citric acid act as preservatives. I'm very intrigued by this recipe and hope to try it as I learn more about soaping. http://books.google.com/books?id=ow3cd7iJk-QC&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=banana+slice+soap&source=bl&ots=FAxpY0Hoix&sig=8LO9eR6Pb0JJOnTUFAqSeSbsyZ0&hl=en&ei=OZBdTtbBPIjrgQej5PGIAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CEUQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=banana%20slice%20soap&f=false

Thanks, CandyBee, for the link to your thread. I already want to try the Lemon Sugar one!! When using add-ins (like the banana or the strawberry that you mentioned), is there any concern with spoilage or mold, etc?? Thanks!