Soap Makers Help!

[cheeptrick]

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I been debating about packaging for mine, decided on the shrinkbands with a label on it. I really like the linen bags, but my gf who has been doing this longer than I says the shrink bands(dans bands)really sell well. Our first craft fair(That I participated in) is next month and I have over 150 bars curing in my bedroom so I hope they sell.

The Shrinkwrap is VERY inexpensive!! Gotta LOVE that!!

ALSO...I've been researching compostable plastic made from corn....its all BUNK. Still takes just as LONG to compost as traditional plastic in landfills.
BUT....*sigh* these folks up here in New England are VERY trash conscious and made RECYCLING the LAW. And at every show for a year I tested the market here...one side of the table was "green" packaging and other side was shrink wrap...the GREEN side always sold out...plastic sat LONELY in the containers.

I'm excited about the coffee tin tie bags...they have windows in them...so you can SEE the soap. I'll set these UP behind the crates one with each flavor in it 3/$10 type of thing...still cannot smell them though. BUT with the muslin wrapped individual bars in front the customers can get a whiff of them first...you can smell thru them very nice.

BIGGEST Pet Peeve at outdoor shows...someone who smokes next to the soap table. GRRRR...also....letting your kids touch EVERY single bar in the naked bar bin. It kind of bugs me too...when folks sniff the soap and SNIFF and SNIFF every bar...I know its important...but some folks just cannot stop. After one show your packaging can be all MUSSED Up just from all the fondling..and THAT includes shrink warp!!

I set up a BUBBLE MAKER for OUTDOOR shows....under the table for the kids. It keeps the kids busy while Mom shops!!

 

[Backyard Buddies]

After lots of work, I'm nearly done with the soap for the festival in October. I'll do one or two last batches tomorrow and then I'm going to take a much needed break. I will have made between 660 - 700 bars for the 3 day festival. I have no idea whether that will be too much or too little. I'm not really worried about selling them, though. I think we've sold out all but 10 or so of the bars I had made before and many requests are coming in for more. So, there's a good chance that not all of the 660+ bars will even make it to the festival.

 

[Morgaine]

I like the muslin bags because it lets the soap breath and people can still smell the soaps. I always have one naked bar in front of the packaged ones so people can see and smell the soap, though it's true a lot of them still pick up the packaged ones to sniff.

I haven't been to a lot of shows yet but the bags have held up really well at the market. I also tell people what they can do with bags, use it for potpourri, bath teas, as a wash cloth. A lot of people bring the bags back to me too.

I don't know what happened to my winter cucumber but I'm going to have to rebatch it. It kinda looks like it seperated, but it's solid. I have these little bits that are almost transparent! It's not lye heavy, there is no zap, but it's really really soft too. As in tooth paste thickness in the middle. I don't know what happened. Do you think the natural glycerine seperated?

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

Quote:
MLF---you said you loved my packaging!!

I GOT you with Marketing without even seeing the soap inside!! It works!!

I DO love your packaging!!

I just don't feel the love when I have to do the packaging! KWIM?

I find packaging my soaps to be monotonous. I love to design the package, but having to wrap and label ... ick ...

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

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Hmm. My first thought from the picture (without reading the text) is air bubbles that came to the top.

I'd let it sit for a few days to a week & see what it does before I'd make a call about rebatching

 

[Morgaine]

No not ait bubbles, it's something. This is my usual recipe, nothing new. I had a 200 grams cucumber puree added, but I've done this with 6 other batches and they were fine. The puree is the stuff I used in the other batches. It weird.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Could the cucumber have clumped in the recipe?

Is there any difference in the heat at your house? I had a bugger of a time with a milk based soap the other day with this awful heat we're having. Just couldn't get it to cool down at all.

 

[Morgaine]

It 200 grams of cucumber puree in 9.5 pounds of oils. It's everywhere in the block so I don't think it is that, though it could be. Very odd. Smells really good though! I'm happy with that.

 

[cheeptrick]

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Did you insulate? Hmmm...I only have used cucumber once...and I seived it...so it only used the juice.

Good rule of thumb is to NOT soap on full moon days or nearer full moon.

to the soaping god's also. And I think another old wives tale is to only stir soap in figure eights!! LOL

I'm thinking the spearmint...personally...was it an eo?

 

[Morgaine]

Yes it was spearmint eo. Is it a trouble eo? I've never had any problem with peppermint.

I'm thinking maybe it has to be the cucumber. Darnit!