Recent content by Marianne

Thanks for the information. I will have to try it.

I had a friend who restores saddles ask me if I could make a homemade saddle soap. Has anyone ever done that. What would the properties be. Is it a soap or truly a leather cream?

I am having trouble with essential oils loosing their scent after 3-6 months, depending on the oil. I remember this being a problem for others on the forum a couple of months back. I don't think anyone ever came up with a natural or organic scent fixative. If I wait until the bars have cured...

Ian, I have always tried to be well informed. I have an organic farm and have been all natural/ then organic since the early 80's with my children. I am on an organic growers forum and have read books like " The Omnivores Dilema" explaining where our food comes from and the government and big...

I did not realize that. I will have to check to see where mine comes from. Marianne

Why would you substitute crisco for palm oil? I think it lathers better than Crisco and has no additives like Crisco. The place I get mine, it is cheaper than Crisco. Is there another reason? Marianne

I have a couple old books from soapmaking in the 1970's. They list some of the botanicals that hold their color. Some things completely change color due to the lye, so it is nice to know which ones will stay the same before hand especially when selling product. I have enough seconds to supply my...

Last year I ordered flavor oils from a site I usually don't do business with. I am sure they are diluted and depending on what they are using to dilute the product, the base could cause major problems. It was months later that I saw a show on television showing how common it is to get diluted...

I have even had a problem with storing the cigar wrapped CP soaps in an airtight container. It sweats and leaves marks on the soap. I also allow my soaps to sit in open air for 6 weeks before I sell them, so I don't think that's the problem. I am not sure how long they continue to loose water...

Barb, Thank you. Your display is lovely. Orgqanized and pretty at the same time. Did you purchase the display wooden boxes or make them? Marianne

Thank you for the detailed understandable explanation. Being new here, I have a learning curve and I did not have to do a search or look anything up to understand what you were talking about. I have been wrapping my soap in artisan made papers, cigar wrapper style. I think they are beautiful...

Hi, I'm new at the forum too. I have used many different oils and fats for soapmaking and found that strange oil smells have come from Tallow or Lard. I now use only vegetable oils. I do sometimes add in some crisco but it is usually one of 3 or 4 oils and I have never experienced a smell from...

I have made little bags for my fancy molded soaps. Some were muslin and some were just scraps from old sewing projects. I even used the bottom of an old prom dress. Stitch up the sides and draw string on top. If you have something that has a hem already in it it's easy. I even used a pendelton...

evolution is right! If you could have only seen me: Covered from head to toe, turtleneck (in Florida), chemical gloves huge goggles, hat and boots. Every inch of my kitchen covered with newspaper or drop cloths. Inevitably the batch not saponifying and crying. Scales weren't as good...

Thank you, I really appreciate the feedback. I am getting really good results right now. I will probably try RTCP to see if I can carry it off but I have a great product as is. I did try mixing at 100 degrees today instead of 95-98 and it worked great. Better I think than at lower temps. I...