Soap Makers Help!

[cheeptrick]

This is it on the front of the box...it was the oval hydrangea one.

 

[ametauss]

I like that CT.... For the one on the top, I remember you saying that it was a picture but is that a book stamp like label that you had them make up?

Thanks for the suggestion....

Since I dropped 5 pounds of oil and decided that I couldn't bring myself to throw the whole 10 pounds away, I went ahead and measured what I had gotten into the pot prior to the drop and then added OO to make up the difference... I know it was stupid but experiments can be fun.... I added three tbl of pumpkin and 2 tbl of canned whole cranberry sauce in two different containers to try to do a swirl and as you can guess it didn't set up properly...

I had some oil that didn't saponify but no zap to the soap which was amazing.. but lots of air pockets as it was cooling fast and I was trying to work as fast as I could with the arm hurting...

Now my question: I want to re-batch this stuff... I was thinking of just melting it down and then repouring when I found these really kool looking old fashioned tin? mini-bundt cake molds at a flea market... Eventhough this started out as lye soap, could I use the metal molds when I re-batch?? I know not to do it when I do CP but for MP it works but what about RB- CP?

 

[TammyTX]

Question about adding water....

Does the amount of water added really make a difference in CP soapmaking?

I ask because one recipe I used called for 11.8 oz of water but if I use SoapCalc it says to use 24 oz of water....

The water is used to dissolve the lye but other than that doesn't it just evaporate as the soap cures?

 

[Morgaine]

It really depends on your recipe, fo/eo's, and if you want to do anything like swirls. Soap calc's water is set at the max amount of for cp.

If you have a fast tracing recipe, using full water will give you more play time to do things like swirls and such before it sets up too thick. And some fo/eo's need the full water or else they can cause the soap to seize. I often discount my often using a 45% lye solution with trusted scents. Never use more lye than water though. I would also make sure to use full water when ever you use a new fo or recipe.

 

[TammyTX]

Thanks for the info.

The recipe for the lower water amount was for a swirl recipe.

....I swirled, but not very well (my fault, not the recipe).

I used the Pumpkin Cornbread FO from Backwoods in a spiced pumpkin recipe.

ETA: Smelling good! (Lookin' okay)

Hey, was the Ren Faire that you went to the one in....I can't remember).....Magnolia?

 

[Morgaine]

No it was in Hillsboro. The texas renaissance festival (the big by magnolia) wants $1500 booth fee!

But I'm doing the sherwood forest faire which is in your area-ish(it's between paige and giddenings). Do you know anything about the Hogeye festival? What is it like?

 

[TammyTX]

Funny you should ask!

One of my co-workers and I were just talking about Hogeye this morning.

It has become a very busy festival! My co-workers makes purses out of boots and she said Hogeye was one of her best festivals.

Now, I have seen several soapmakers there. I've never sold anything but I'd like to next year.

My co-worker said one of the ladies with bath/spa products said she did very well especially with "something you put your hands into.." I think she was talking about the paraffin wax hand treatments.

The fee is $100 if you register early and $125 for later and they do limit how many people can sell certain items....this all according to my co-worker.

 

[Morgaine]

Thanks Tammy, I have the application info and I've talked to the lady in charge. I knew there would be according to her, two others who sell B&B including soap. It's good to hear that it is well attended and that others have done well at it. I'm still debating, it's a little longer drive than I like, but really not that bad.

If I decide to do it I'll let you know.

 

[TammyTX]

Great! Hope to see you there.

 

[AussieAcres]

Don't have the time (since I am currently supposed to be working) to read through the entire thread. however, I have wanted to find a good resource on home soap making. Quick question, is this thread based on Lye soaps? I am looking to make soaps that are Glycerin based.