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Thanks so much for the feedback! One day I'll get gutsy enough to post a link to it with a "Tell me what you think" tag... I think I'm afraid of what I'd hear back!!! :lol:
 
NEW HERE

Hello, I am new here and I did not make any soap yet, I am just getting my supplies in. I hope to make my first batch next weekend. I can't wait.
I also want to make lotions for myself and my family. Exciting!!!!!
 
Hello My name is Cheryl

New to site .. and I'm really liking this forum !! I have done about 30 CP batches and 2 HP .. thanks ALL for being so helpful
 
Hi

:D Hi , I am new to this site and to soap making...my husband and I thought we would try it because every thing you read says that once youve used homemade soap , you never go back .
 
How true!!!
It's definitely an addiction, as well. I made a batch in college, and haven't stopped. :)

Welcome!
 
newbie

hi my name is Erin and I literally started making soap 5 minutes ago. Found 100 % lye at Lowes and am starting with a basic olive oil recipe.looking for all the tips a newbie could use. I have been thinking about starting this as a busines for a year and have been researching this whole time.
 
hey

Hi Everyone,

My name is Tarrin. I've been making soap on and off for almost 3 years now and am completely hooked. I finally decided to register to the forum..instead of just browsing :lol:
 
Hi

I guess I should have come here first before asking all of my questions! :oops:

I just started making soap about 2 weeks ago. I just finished my 4th batch! I am happy to have found a place with such helpful, kind people!

I hope to sell my soaps someday. I am having a lot of fun making soap - I just can't stop!
 
New to soaping in WV

Hi! My name is, Debbie. I'm from West Virginia. I'm new to soapmaking (about a month) & I'm already addicted. I've made soap using the cp, hp and liquid methods. I can't wait to start playing with color!!
 
Hello, my name is...

Hi! My name is Sara! I just (barely) started making soap, and I LOVE it!
I have an Etsy to sell my soaps (hopefully), and we'll see how it goes :D
 
Another Newbie

Hi! My name is Michelle and I have been making soap for about 5 months.
 
Hello

I've been reading and reading and I'm getting ready to make me some soap soon.
I'm trying to figure out a recipe with ingrediants that are easy to get, not expensive and make the most fab soap ever.
Not too much to ask is it?!!
 
Re: hey

doin_me said:
Hi Everyone,

My name is Tarrin. I've been making soap on and off for almost 3 years now and am completely hooked. I finally decided to register to the forum..instead of just browsing :lol:

hehe me too i have been making soap 1 year now! and i never had been in a forum like this :lol: is cool that we can share ideas like this :wink:
 
Hi, I'm Chris; found your forum :p

I'm the soapmaker for our shop: cold proc; veg; essential oils, emols.

We have our veg oil blend, precise mix.
Lye in dense water solution, mix must be kept very precise, by weight from solid.
Manual mixing of tanks
Load the top. Dispense each through valves at base, easier.
Lye tank and fittings best if from a corrosion-products specialist.
Preheat in plain tank, manually transfer oils, and keep heat and precise temps in a 2nd water-jaket tank.
Most important to use a precise weighing floor scale. Must be zero set capable. Easy to read up close or over your shoulder. Quick to settle down, and clearly reproducible of each measurements. Use a scale-supply company and make sure they'll exchange it right away if there's a tech problem (rare).
Precision weight measure for lye solution for me is +/- 1 part in 292. (.34%)
Precision weight measure for oils for me is +/- 1 part in 601 (.17%).
Build a wheeled trolley for the lye tank for area cleaning.
I'll charge the lye tank bag-by-bag with lye solid, verify the weight of each to find out the over/under for the particular pallet-batch (it does vary), and adjust the water quantity to make and exactly known concentrate solution. Yes water aways first, dispense by hose. Bulk lye 2nd (measure each exactly); supplemental water 3rd. Record tank-chargings on paper.
Manually stir lye with a corrosion proof rod. Use both arms. (too thick for a paddle)
Need to use an elevated platform to stand and pour from.
Stand on the 'windward side' of the tank when mixing, you must begin the mixing in short order.
Have a powerful-enough electric air-exhaust fan to vent the building to the exterior during lye mixing. A hood would be over kill. You can turn it off after you cap the tank so you don't waste all of your air conditioning.
A large tank of lye from dry lye undergoing dissolution will release all of its heat of dissolution in just a few minutes, and become quite hot, frothy, and 'vaporous'. Heat is lost through surface area of the tank, which ratio drops with volume. So okay to go hot, but never go boiling!
Wear chemical goggles, N95 mask, Thick, long apron, rubber boots, and forearm rubber gloves (but usually I just wear the blue nitrile short gloves, better dexterity. So once in a while I do get a forearm burn or two.) You can wear a face-shield over your goggles to double up if you want.
Work near a rinse sink in case you are burned. Put white vinegar in a spray bottle too, to neutralize lye on skin if needed in a hurry. Keep the bottle within reach in the same place always, where you can find it literally with both eyes closed.
Vinegar neutralizing a lye burn hurts more, like iodine/alcohol on a cut; what did you expect?:D
I can run two cycles, batches of soap in a week
This week one batch, for me 11 x block molds at 55 lbs =~ 605 lbs. 1815 bars 330 ends
A big mass will keep its heat more easily for the saponification.
Manual cutting. It'll take more than a day to cut this much.
Drying rack full would be a tad over 8000 bars, ~1.3 tons (moist).
Making soap is great.
8)
 
hello everyone :3

My name is Ali or Mau Mau and i decided to join since im interested in making things like lotions and body sprays (which might seem unrelated XD) but i wanted a place to discuss favorite scents and scent mixing ideas from people who really knew what they were talking about ;3

either way i hope i have a great time here getting to make new friends ^_^
 
Hi there!
My name is Karen. I am owner and Aromatics Art Designer of the brand new business, Wick's End.
I am very wet behind the ears and have a lot to learn, so some of my thoughts and questions may seem very novice to those who are veterans in the soap an candle making.
My experience is limited, but will be expanding, so I can use all the help I can get. I have just accomplished my 1st 2 tone M&P using a wonderful silicone mold from Chase called Girl with horse. It is colored as a cameo would be. Mica is beautiful for soaps!
I flopped on my endeavors with a 40 pound pillar candle I was attempting for a lady. That was a painful attempt!
I love making candles and soaps and hoping this will become supplemental income. I am looking forward to making CP and whipped soap!
My iPhone isn't working well for this forum as it is typing outside the box, but hoping it works anyways.
I have been frequenting another forum of nice people but somebut I am searching for an expansion to suppliment their small, friendly community.
Looking forward to many visits and learning expeditions with you all!
 
Hi, I`m soapdelights.New in soap making, looking for new recipes and oils mixing.Please be patient , English is not my first language
 
Pink Spruce

Hi Everyone, I'm so looking forward to getting to know all of you, learning what really happens when soap is made (as opposed to the Idiot's Guide book I've read) and probably having some laughs along the way.

After two successful first CP batches, I started to get cocky and today, of course, I had that big humbling experience. My 'Siberian fir and spruce' soap made with soapmaking blue colorant turned my CP PINK at full trace. Hmmm. Pink Spruce? Too bad it's not still Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Was it the essential oils? Too much eo? Looks like I might have to rebatch....ha.

Merry and bright soaping!

Babette
 
Hi what is the chance of getting an "australian" page on this forum, not just for the Aussies to chat ....but for the Aussies to post places they have been able to source products from here in Australia, as we have some products here that you dont and vice versa ?? It would be a great info source for us .
 
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