Soap Makers Help!

[smom1976]

Quote:
I thought of mardi gras too thats why my brain went to "party" LOL

 

[cockadoodlemom]

MP~that chocolate soap is beautiful!!! and I think I want a wavy cutter now

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Quote:
Welcome to the thread rkhyland! Let us know when you get started. If you do some reading like you are, it only seems intimidating. It's surprisingly easy to do. Can't wait for your first batch!

 

[cockadoodlemom]

Here's the buttermilk lavanilla I made for the swap

 

[NanaKat]

I've been reading this thread and got to page 38 then skipped to the last 6 pages...I will go back and read the middle later.

I'm thrilled to find other ladies who enjoy soaping and who like to share information!!

I've been soaping three years after talking with my mil about how she used to make soap when butchering a hog on their farm.

My first batch of soap was actually made with rendered lard and lye the old fashioned way.

I trade soap the the local butcher for beef fat and pork fat. I spend several days rendering the fat into lard and tallow. It can be frozen or chilled in the extra fridge in the barn in recycled ice cream buckets.

Nowadays I also use lots of different oils in recipes I've worked thru the lye calculator...jojoba, coconut, grapeseed, olive, safflower, walnut, shea butter, avacado, cocoa butter, palm kernal oil, etc.

For liquids I have used Goats milk, whole milk, Aloe vera juice, Coconut milk and orange juice.

I purchase a lot of my supplies from SoapCrafters.com.
A local healthfood store has a great supply of EO and FO. I experiment with natural herbs too.

My first year I made 600+ bars in 11 different "flavors" for Christmas and family. It was a trip trying to find places to put the soap to cure.
I ended up using plant trays lined with newspaper and paper towels slid under the beds. The rooms smelled great for weeks.

Favorites among my family are: Citrus Honey Oatmeal, Rosemary Spearmint.
Orange Swirl, Tea Tree Poison Ivy bar, Vanilla Almond, Spiced Apple, Tropical Cooler.

For an easy abrasive additive, I found that the fine white sand used in cigarette butt cans in theaters is great. I buy it at the hardware store in a 25 pound bag. The butcher and the men in the family love it. It has the texture of the old Lava soap. And used in a face bar with lots of luxury oils it makes a great exfoliator..the girls love this!

I ramble on...but I will share recipes and scent combinations and info on molds and tools I've adapted.

I don't sell my soaps but have made soap for people for the cost of supplies. I just like making it.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

600+ in the first year! My kids already are telling me that I think about soap to much. DH won't get me any soaping supplies as gifts. But they love my soaps and my kids think I'm cool for making it. lol I asked DH what he was getting me for my birthday and he hadn't decided yet. Then he came home yesterday with my presents. lol I got two new fishing poles

I can't wait to be able to be making soap so much that I have to start storing it in strange places.
Oh, and MLF,
I already want to get another mold

When I took my soap out earlier it was easier to get the dividers out. Once I got the bars away from eachother they didn't look AS bad lol. My kids think they look really neat. Back to work tomorrow lol

 

[chiknwhisperer]

NanaKat!

 

[cockadoodlemom]

NanaKat

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Welcome to the thread and to BYC NanaKat! It's great to have another experienced soaper along for the ride.

As you've probably figured out in your reading, we're a mixed group - some like you who are experienced and others like myself who're fairly new at this.

It'll be great to read your thoughts and ideas. Be sure that you post some pictures from time to time. We love that here on this thread.

Feel free to ramble anytime you want!

 

[smom1976]

welcome.. Nanakat...

I so love that people find there way here... it is great!! the more the merrier.. If you would like .. we planned for an extra person to join the swap late if you can spare 15-16 bars of any kind of soap.. Just PM me ...