Soap Makers Help!

[ninjapoodles]

Quote:
This was the only recipe that ever went "kablooey" on me! But I used a LOT of cocoa butter, plus I don't even remember what all now, but it was a hot, hot batch! Made me cry to throw it out, it smelled so wonderful, but it was beyond saving. I hope yours does you proud!

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Quote:
This was the only recipe that ever went "kablooey" on me! But I used a LOT of cocoa butter, plus I don't even remember what all now, but it was a hot, hot batch! Made me cry to throw it out, it smelled so wonderful, but it was beyond saving. I hope yours does you proud!

So far, so good. It's in full gel right now and isn't particularly hot. In fact, the lavender batch from 2 days ago was hotter at the same point. I have just over 8% cocoa butter in there, plus 8 other oils.

 

[Morgaine]

I soaped again today. I made Almond Joy - an almond scented soap with cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, plus some silk fibers. I attempted to do the chocolate swirl but I have my doubts about how it'll come out in the log mold. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Sounds yummy! Can'y wait to see a picture (hint hint)

I want to convert my Florida room into a craft room and it is far from the kitchen so I thought about searching around for an old hot plate like I used in College before the advent of microwaves....

I now put my oven on pre-heat and put my pot with oils in there to melt. It has been working really well! I take it out when there are still some chunks, stick blend em in, and my temps are almost always right at 100. I then tun the oven off, soap, and then put the mold in the oven and leaveit. This way has really been working for me with my recipe.

I didn't soap at all this weekend, but I 'm going to later today after lunch. I have been accepted into the local farmer's market

I'm really looking forward to that.​

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Quote:
Sounds yummy! Can'y wait to see a picture (hint hint)

Will do. I just turned the soap out of the mold and am letting it dry out a bit before cutting. It's interesting. As I was alternating pouring in the chocolate layer with the plain layer, I ended up with a bit more chocolate than I wanted at the end so the top of the bar appears to be more chocolaty than the other parts. But, what's odd is that it picked up a bit of a caramel color from the swirling action I did at the top. Thus, it isn't two toned but three toned!

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Quote:

Congratulations!!!!! That's so exciting!

What are you going to make?

 

[Morgaine]

Will do. I just turned the soap out of the mold and am letting it dry out a bit before cutting. It's interesting. As I was alternating pouring in the chocolate layer with the plain layer, I ended up with a bit more chocolate than I wanted at the end so the top of the bar appears to be more chocolaty than the other parts. But, what's odd is that it picked up a bit of a caramel color from the swirling action I did at the top. Thus, it isn't two toned but three toned!

Ohh, that sounds really cool! I bet it is going to look really good and smell yummy. Now I want a snickers bar, lol.

I'm going to sell what I have in stock. In 2-3 weeks I'll have more almond and oatmeal, lemon verbena, Oatmeal milk abd honey, Rosemary mint, cucumber melon and lavender and goat's milk. I have almost 200 bars in stock so I think I'll be ok and I'm making my rose geranium mother's day soaps today. I'm going to get those done and then start playing with my FO from SW. I'm debating on getting some micas for color, but I did want to keep my colors natural (plant based) but I might get some. I'm so wishy washy. I mostly want purple to swirl in the black raspberry cream. Although I do have charcole I could use, hmmm.​

 

[Morgaine]

I just put my soapis to bed, lol. I think they turned out good. I did a swirl in the pot, I've had better luck with that method than doing it in my log mold. It smells so good, my dh says I need to make it a permenate scent. Funny enough, it is one of his favorite scents. I hope it doesn't morph. I'll post pics tomorrow.

Does anyone here sell at farmer's markets? Any tips?

 

[cheeptrick]

Quote:
I thought about it for a little while...applied...then sat around on the Tuesdays and Saturdays at the market...and watched the foot traffic. NOT much...surprisingly! Many of the vendors did not sell much and the cost to participate/rent the juried space...was too great and I pulled my application. $500 for the season (3 months here) and then you must commit to the time AND be there 9am - 2pm and it is in the middle of a parking lot with busy traffic (not good for my little ones)...and I bet those folks did not make more than they spent on the fees. It was 10 hours a week...fees were $500 for the season...and you had to commit to at least 12 weeks AND still pay a $10 electricity fee for those days (an extra $80 a month) EVEN if you did not use the electricity.

Hope your Farmers Market are better down there!! Juried events are a serious commitment...applications, meetings, fees/costs/guidelines for HOW your table looks etc. (I had to submit pictures of my setup and products with application) When I went and asked a few of the vendors for testimonials...they all told me to STAY away...it was not worth it.

Sell on etsy!!!

FIND Chickenstocks in your area...go to them...usually not juried either...and no fees...I find plenty of craft fairs and events that are FREE or a very small table rental fee that is better and LESS of a business expense. It is hard here in NE...there are soapers at every turn. I did apply with a craft circuit...but when I got the table/rental expenses SOME $300-$800 PER event...I backed out. I'm sure they were fine fairs...and lot of foot traffic...BUT I better make double the amount to invest that much for a few hours.

Buy a table, tent, and go to the area Chickenswaps...I TELL you...US chicken people LOVE our soaps and chickens! Sell online...etsy etc...and pick up a few craft stores..maybe a farm stand. Keep it small not to overwhelm yourself...it is SO easy to get in the RED with soap...and by keeping it small and booking events around holidays...you might see a profit.

ALSO...be forewarned...your table at craft fairs will be mobbed and there is what I call VENDOR envy!! I always BUY something from the other vendors...to help with the jealousy!

 

[Morgaine]

Wow, my farmer's market is $35 for a year (April 1-March 31) every saturday 8-12 and Monday and wednesday in the summer 4-7. I think I got away pretty good then! We have a lot of festivals here in texas, every city it seems like has one, and a lot of those are juried and cost about $300-400. I'm opting out of those because I don't know that I would make that back and enough to cover my time and supplies. I will have to look into chicken stocks. Although I may have to make hubby come to keep me from buying fluffy butts. He wasn't too happy when I brought the two duckies home.

I looked into the Texas Renassance festival and it cost $2500 for the duration, 6 weeks. Gotta sell A LOT of soap to make that back.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Here's my Almond Joy (although since that name may be copyrighted I may have to come up with another name).

OK Morgaine - Your turn to post pictures!