Recent content by wabeeman

My soap recipes use beeswax (I'm pretty sure it's obligatory for a beekeeper) which, when mixed with other base oils will start to turn opaque at 120d F. I've read lots on this forum where many of you soap at way lower temps. I have one soap recipe that has some trace accelerating ingredients...

I use one of my long stem, stainless steel thermometers.

Not knowing about this forum when I started soap making (or if it even existed) I used what I had on hand which was some of that corrugated plastic sign board. Cut and creased to fit inside my wood form. Once soap is set it slides out of the form and peels off. Some of the stickier soaps I use a...

Uploaded with ImageShack.us I'm a beekeeper so naturally I prefer a hex shape. Just cut, the outer will turn brown, the inner will stay cream color. Bars are about 3" across the narrow dimension.

How do you keep the soap off your computer??? :lol:

I was going to suggest Uline as well. What about the clear votive candle boxes? (not Ulines though, theirs are linear, I'm thinking of the 4 or 6 candle rectangular ones from I can't remember where.) Size might be an issue but could you complement or contrast with tissue paper filler? Or...

And that's why I'm wasn't concerned with opinions on price. How much something costs is VERY subjective and the cost/benefit/affordability is something that can only be determined by the end user. Thanks, Hazel, for the input on what qualities Babassu imparts for skin care. DW and I spend a...

Thanks for the replies! I almost added the disclaimer "except for price" when I posed the original question. Chuckling about the answers. Since one thinks babassu is expensive, and one does not, I'll read that as appropriately priced for what it is. :wink: Hazel, if you don't mind I'd be...

Working on a new soap recipe with Babassu oil. Wondering how others like it...pros? cons? For those using Babassu are you using it in soap only or hand creams and lotions too? Some descriptions suggest Babassu is good for dry, itchy skin. True? False? Subjective? All of the above?

Evidently I used a bad analogy as it drew attention away from the real question. Anyway, I figured it out.

I understand (mostly...I think) about superfatting. The calculators are very helpful in that department. BUT, when adding ingredients at trace I'm curious as to opinions on maximum amounts? I'm working on a new recipe that uses jojoba oil and some essential oils added at trace that I'd like to...

ToniD, we have a HE machine and are curious about what brand of machine you have and how long you've been using your own soap in it? We're on our second machine cause the first one wouldn't get the clothes clean. It really hit home when DW hand washed our clothes while camping in ID and they...

I was taught that water is the same weight in ounces as volume in fluid ounces, i.e., 1 Cup is 8oz by both volume and weight. So while ice occupies a greater volume, the weight should be the same. 8)

For those wanting to use beeswax I would suggest checking out your local farmer's market. You'll want to find a beekeeper who sells his/her own honey and is obviously proud of that. Watch out for posers. One dead give away (IMO) is if the honey they're selling is artificially flavored. None of...

After a couple years of soap making I got confident enough to do two batches at a time. Get first batch mixed and cooling, then mix the second batch. By the time the second batch is mixed and cooling the first batch is ready to mix and pour. By the time that's done the second batch is close to...