Soap Makers Help!

[Morgaine]

Cyndi, Those look beautiful! Love the Marti Gras one. I really hope that maybe this lay off will open up doors for you that let you live out your dreams. I've added you to my prayers too. God has a plan!

I have never soaped LOV before, have you had that reaction before? I think a lof of suppliers are having to change their fragrance formulas because of new regulations. I wonder if that is why that happened?

I did the Bellville Market Day Saturday and even though it was in the 20's!!! in the morning, I ended up doing AWESOME!!! I sold out of Lavender, Lemongrass, and Saucy Wench. So now I gotta restock those because my already curing batches won't be ready for another 2 weeks. My SIL came with me and she did pretty good with her lipsticks.

I have one more event, it's this Saturday a little bazarr at the renfest. Then it's just farmer's market till Feb 27th. January I'll start stocking up for that.

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

I had a great day at Farmer's Market last Saturday ... a LOT of soap flew off the shelves and a goodly part of my hand-spun, handknits & crochet did also!

This LOV came from MMS ... I used to get it from Tony's (now Southern Soapers), or was it Brambleberry? The previous FO was always clear, but MMS's was an orangish-brown.

I'm living my dreams at the farm, but my paycheck & insurancemade that happen. We've already had to sell the draft horse team and put both steers in the freezer (instead of just one), so we wouldn't have to feed them over winter.

We'll be okay, just some very financially tight times in our future. If we can keep the farm, we'll be okay.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

I'm so sorry to read of your troubles, Cyndi.

Is it possible to find freelance work in your field or start your own company? I know your area of IL fairly well as my grandmother was born about 30 miles south of you. Back in those days, my g-grandfather had a great paying job with less than a HS education and managed to own several properties. Most of the good paying jobs left their town about 25 years ago and unfortunately it really shows as you drive through what used to be a vibrant downtown. It breaks my heart. smom1976 is moving into a growing field, one that cannot be shipped overseas. Congrats smom!

Your soaps are awesome! Beautiful job!

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

BYB,
I'm in the IT profession. Most of our jobs started going off-shore 10 years ago. I'd be able to pick up contract jobs that last from 6-24 months and moving all over the country. Real hard to do with livestock.

Something will show itself to me. I have until the end of the year until I'm off payroll.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

That's too bad, Cyndi. I do hope you find something that'll work for you. I know you will! It may be something different and unexpected but hopefully whatever it is, it'll bless you in this new phase of your life.

With all of your techie skills, maybe it's time to create the next hot iphone app.

 

[valmom]

OK, I haven't been able to read all 157 pages of this thread, but it sounds like you guys have all the answers! I ordered lye from AAA chemicals and ran the fats through the calcualtor at soapcalc. One question, though. It sounds like you buy liquid lye? What I have is granulated. Are the ounces given in soapcalc in solid or liquid lye?? I am really worried that they are in liquid lye (at a certain concentration you buy it at) and my solid ounces are going to give me a horribly strong solution. Any help? I have today off work and I really want to try this!

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

Valmom, The lye from AAA is what you want. Very few folks use the liquid lye.

When we talk about lye solution, we mean after WE combine the lye and the liquid.

The lye amount on SoapCalc is what you need to add to the amount of liquid recommended.

 

[Morgaine]

No, what you have is right. You mix the dry Sodium hydroxide with water to make the lye that you add to the oils. When you plug your recipe into the calculator, it will tell you how much water to use.

You weigh out your lye and and water, (in grams if you can) and then add the LYE to the WATER, never never add water to lye. This will heat up to around 170 depending on how much you are making. Let this cool to around 100 degrees. This is what you add slowly to your melted oils (which should also be about 100 degrees) and blend together with your stick blender until it reaches a light trace (that is when it can keep a little line on top before sinking back in.) Then you add your scent, mix and pour into your mold.

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

RE: comment from Morgaine about oil temp. If you're using a solid oil or wax that has a melting point of over 100*, be sure your oils are at least that temperature so you don't get false trace.

When I started soaping 10 years ago, the recommended oil & lye temp was between 120*-130*

If you're making a milk soap and wanting to use all milk in your lye solution, get all your oils ready & cooled first. Then work with frozen milk in about 1" chunks. pour your lye on top and stir well, then add to waiting oils.

 

[Morgaine]

True, you need to know your oils. For me, I don't soap over 105 if I want to swirl or the fo moves fast, one time I soaped my normal recipe at 120, wow, that sucker moved so fast with a normally well behaved scent. Beeswax is one of those you need higher temps.