Soap Makers Help!

[Morgaine]

Does that include scent and packaging? I'm going by the general rule of 1$ per ounce, most of my bars are 4.5-5 ounces, so I charge $4.50, tax included. With scent and packaging, it costs less than a $1 per bar. Buying in bulk has really helped to cut my costs down.

The number one reason a person buys a bar is because of scent in my (limited) experience. See what sells and keep those and ditch what doesn't sell.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

No that didn't include packaging. I've been doing the dollar an ounce as well though.

 

[Morgaine]

Do you have a bunch of bars that are different sized? I have standard bars, 1/2 bars in sampler packs, and the small sample size.

 

[insiderart]

We need to live closer together so we can share orders...

Maybe when my head gets better I'll start gathering up stuff. I did find the coconut oil at walmart.. as well as some lard...

Now pan, EO, lye, stick blender... baby steps...

And I agree smell sells first, packaging second.... People like trendy packaging.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Quote:
I have full size bars and those platic sample bags that I orderd. Should I cut some of the bars and make sample packs? Have you gotten good feedback on them?

 

[NanaKat]

TM Chickens:
I buy aloe vera juice from Walgreens or Walmart in a one gallon jug. This has a greenish yellow tint to it.
If I want it to be clear aloe vera juice for a white bar, I order it by the quart from Soapcrafters.com.

Morgaine and Chickenwhisper, sounds like the Farmer's markets are going great!

Insiderart, coconut oil and lard at Walmart.....that's a good intermediate step.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Morgaine How did your DH rig a umbrella thing for the hitch on your car? I remember you sach said something like that. I just realized that if I get a 10x10 or a 9x9 tent then I won't be able to park my van over there. I am wondering if I can attach something to the hitch for shade.

Insiderat, I was buying the coconut oil and the lard from Walmart and now I just buy the coconut and olive oil. I order pork fat at .50 a pound and render it lol DH hates the smell but puts up with it anyway.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Quote:
Thanks! Yes, the green is still holding true but that may be more to do with the comfrey/rosemary infusion than the parsley powder. I *think* I may have explained this in a PM (or not, considering that I've been running from one thing to the next these past couple weeks

And yes, I still have to reply to your PM ) that what I did was to do the comfrey infusion, a separate fresh rosemary infusion, and then mixed the two together. Then I soaped with it as the OO, adding a little more to bring it up to the correct amount.

I had read about the problems with parsley powder in achieving a brown rather than a green, so I was doubtful about using it. I didn't purchase parsley powder, but rather blended up some dried parsley in the coffee grinder that I use for herbs. Being cautious, I only used probably 1.5 T in my 125 oz. oils batch. I added it at trace, right before adding my fragrance.

What I achieved was a darker green than with the singular comfrey infusion. That *could* be due to the rosemary, but I've never gotten a ton of green out of a rosemary infusion, tho I did it in the mini crockpot this time.

 

[breconbcs]

insiderart: keep an eye out at garage sales for a stick blender. I picked up one on Saturday for $2. I didn't really need it, I have 2 already but I just want to make sure I have lots of back.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. It was a long weekend for us so I took Sunday and yesterday "off" from making soap. That was hard! The oils were calling to me. lol I maded soap everyday last week so the rack is starting to look filled in. I'm trying hard to make sure I have a selection of soaps to take to the FM on June 20. It's the first day I will be able to go.
Right now I have an apple soap in the mold (my house smells sooo good!). When I unmold it I'll take pictures of it.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

I'm an idiot

The reason for a 10x10 tent is becasue the space is 10x10. I was going to park my full size van there with me when it dawned on me that I would have no room to do that. And I just talked to my DH and my van is 16 feet long. So that is more then a little over but it might be okay. Anyway I'm wondering if it would just be better to unload and go park the van. Although I'm not sure if I like tha idea very much.