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I agree that for a first swirl fewer colors are better. Less color work means you are in better control of time as well as keeping your workspace simpler. I was so concerned on my first complicated swirl about getting everything done quickly with all of the swirl cups in front of me that I...

I like to blend Lovespell with rose. I suspect Lovespell would blend well with a lot of traditional florals to give the fruity/floral type. I also do a soap where I use Honeysuckle for half the batter and Peach for the other. It still keeps the honeysuckle but also has that sweeter fresh scent.

Another thought. When you reduce the recipe size to get to the 100g bar you will be changing the height of the bar if using the same mold. Do you want to do that? Would it be better to increase your recipe size and cut 11 bars from the log with the bars having less width but the bar being...

I would first start with reducing some of your water. 12.23 oz water for 5.47 oz lye is a lot of water. A 33% lye solution or 10.94 oz water for this amount of lye I consider average amount of water by most soap makers. Many use a lye solution of up to 40% which would mean 8.2 oz water for...

I use 8%; I use either shea or cocoa in most of my soaps. I find the cocoa butter bar nicer when it is less than 2-3 months old. It just is harder and the lather nice and creamy. Shea gets that way as well but it takes longer in my soaps. I really can't tell the difference in the two in a...

Although the "tingling" sounds like a good thing it can be very painful for some people. I would not recommend a straight peppermint because of it. I also use spearmint in my blends if I want more Mint rather than increase the peppermint EO. Spearmint doesn't tingle but will fade some and...

Although I like EBB I find them like all others, some hits as well as misses but in the past decent prices and fast service. I will be curious to see if there are changes with them being bought by WSP. In the past the reviews didn't have a date on them. It appears that that has changed but I...

Balsam and Citrus - I haven't used for years but it was a strong fragrance and I probably used between .5-.7 oz ppo. I would test if I tried now. I would think 2.75% sounds low, especially for fragrances manufactured in the last 3-5 years. Tuscan Lace - I have a nice following for this...

SC shipping just went up a lot this year for UPS. It all happened when they changed from the 50# containers to the 30# containers which was done because of UPS changes on box weight. My order in May was $.50/pound higher than last year and all due to shipping changes. Although LTL is...

I soap in stainless 3 qt saucepan and 8qt stockpot. I like them because they have handles and I can heat up the oils in the pot. The 3 qt saucepan is my go to for one log of 11 bars (44 oz oils). My stockpot is my go to for a double batch pouring two logs at a time. I can pick up both to...

I mix my fragrance with a few tablespoons of base oils on a lot of accelerating fragrances. I don't know if it helps a lot but it does help some. I think it is because the fragrance temp is closer to the base oil temps and is easier to incorporate. My best idea for ricing fragrances is to...

I have met lots of nice soap makers at fairs. Generally, I think nice soap makers at fairs know their niche, are confident and don't let competition bother them. They tell me at the beginning they are a soap maker and where their booth is located as well as stopping by before the show starts or...

I usually just don't take lotion bars when the weather is hot. I think they just add a heaviness and stickiness when testing in hot weather that isn't appealing. If you do markets on concrete consider purchasing the foam floor square tiles that interlock together. They really help on...

I guess I don't understand the difference in a grainy batter and one ricing. I haven't had a problem with the jasmine but I soap around 90. On most florals, especially if I have never used them I usually add a bit of the base oils to my fragrance oil to warm it up so that when I am...

I thought the Osmanthus from SC was light. I sell at outdoor fairs and really light scents don't sell well for me. So, I didn't reorder. I thought the idea of using it as a floral for blending interesting since it didn't really smell like a floral. With things like sandalwood or green tea...

I have the MMS Jasmine and Honeysuckle. However, both were purchased a couple of years ago so I don't know if the Jasmine has been reformulated. I find it really strong and usually use it in small amounts in blends. What I have needs to be soaped at .5 oz ppo or less. The Honeysuckle I...

Is it just something you do for fun sometimes? Yes, always because I enjoy but also because I sell. Do you just use pots, pans, and utensils you already owned and use for cooking? All plastic, silicone dedicated to soaping, all stainless multiuse. Do you make your soap in your kitchen...

I think you are correct but the reasonings could be slightly different. I think that there are a ton of us who use the soap bar directly on their skin and do not use a washcloth. I do. That is why I like silk in soap and am always noting the glide against my skin. I used to think I was odd...

I am very impressed with what I am seeing in the one-pot wonder threads. I have tried but think I need a better bowl with a handle for this technique. I usually soap in a 3qt saucepan which I like but the bottom is so wide I wasn't impressed when I tried. Also, there is no spout. So, what...