The cutie is Max.
What kind of basic supplies? Do you mean oils? What to mix the ingredients in? Utensils?
I use an old Rubbermaid pitcher or the bottom of my double boiler to mix lye in and the heavy plastic spoons to stir. When I first started soaping, I used a big glass bowl to mix the soap in but it was kind of heavy once everything was added in and I was concerned about it slipping out of my grasp. I switched to using a large plastic bowl. It's great. It has a lip with a covering for improved grip and a "spout" for easy pouring. It looks like a Wilton bowl but without the logo. :wink: I found it at Meijier's on clearance. I've seen similar bowls at other stores. I use a stick blender with 2 speeds to stir the soap. It was an inexpensive one. I think I only paid about $10 for it.
You can find many oils at groceries and other stores - coconut oil, olive oil, lard, tallow, etc. I started out using coconut oil, olive oil, nwe Crisco with palm and castor oil that I found at WalMart. Now I buy oils from Columbus Foods - soaperschoice.com. I purchased lye from lyeguy.com originally. The last time I purchased lye from Essential Depot because they were having a sale. You can find lye in stores. Just make sure it says 100% sodium hydroxide. I think a lot of people use Rooto drain cleaner.
I had a wooden mold which I used to line with freezer paper. I've switched to silicone molds and love them. However, you can use other things for molds - old drawers, wax coated milk cartons, shoe boxes, etc.
I used a battery operated digital kitchen scale (found at Meijiers). I used it for a long time but found it annoying since it would shut off a lot while I was weighing out the ingredients. After I decided I loved making soap and would continue with it, I searched online and bought a digital scale with an AC adapter. I found out later that I could have gone to Staples and bought a postal scale. :roll:
eta: I use old bowls and measuring cups to weigh supplies. I mark everything I use for soap making to ensure they won't get mixed back in with anything I use for food. I found condiment cups at WalMart's (4 in a pack). I use these to weigh out FOs and EOs. They only hold about 1 oz but they work for me because most of my batches are only 2 lb.
HTH