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You have the most awesome wife ever!

Can't comment on the FOs, but someone mentioned rose geranium EO. I use it in a Himalayan salt bar I make that's really nice for mature and sensitive skin. Have learned to use it in a very small ratio as it accelerates like crazy. No time to even think about swirling or anything but pouring and...

I've mixed micas with activated charcoal to darken colors a bit, and that's worked fine for me, though maybe theoretically it shouldn't.

For what it's worth, this is my favorite soaping bowl. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ANY6UW/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 It doesn't look like it would be all that steady, but it has a nice gripping bottom and hasn't even tried to tip on me. I microwave all of mine, and after several...

I know, Carolyn, buying it from SFSC is probably ridiculous, but I have chef friends who love to cook with it and the Himalayan, and I always wait for their big sales and buy in bulk, so it lasts forever. Know I could make it myself for soaping, but somehow it's a little luxury that makes me...

Castor oil is usually easy to find in the laxative sections of Walmart or your local drugstore. Ask if it isn't in that section. I also agree about being careful with the camphor and peppermint essential oils usage rates. They can definitely sting the delicate parts. I love eucalyptus in...

I use up to 20% salt to liquid in all my CP batches. Then I refrigerate my liquid of coconut milk/distilled water/salt/clay/sugar/silk before adding the lye, to prevent overheating. I use sea salt with no additives, or extra-fine Himalayan (going to try canning salt next). 'Cuz I have so much...

Totally agree with TEG, you should not even be thinking about selling soap except way down the road. By clientele I hope you mean clientele for your bath and body products, or anything else for which you have experience and know your products are safe. I would suggest you tell your clientele...

Nitrile disposable gloves (find I can reuse them maybe three times unless they get fragile), shoes, I have big glasses so usually don't bother with goggles. I know, I'm a slacker. I always have my sleeves rolled up too, if I get a little lye on an arm it's easy to rinse off, I soap in my kitchen...

Mostly I was frustrated that the OP didn't seem to understand that salt bars are meant to lather in salt water, and that only CO (ETA: also pointed out in this thread babassu and PKO) will do that. Once I understood that she didn't care if it lathered or not, that was a moot point. Of course I...

I REALLY hate that you can buy first-class postage online if you sell something on Etsy but not through USPS direct. Didn't know that news about regional rate, ugh. Considered UPS but they were more expensive for me and I understand rates just went up, though haven't checked for certain. Tried...

penelopejane, have you thought about trying babassu instead of CO? Many of the same properties, but dunno, he might like it. I love it but don't make many salt batches with it because it is spendier than CO. All, thoughts and opinions on babassu in salt bars?

Hey Jessica, I've been considering putting some of mine on a bakers' rack in a small, sunny, well-ventilated bathroom, but worried about fading. Have you noticed any of that?

I've used clear dissolving paper and simply printed inkjet photos on it, then cut to fit cavity molds. I haven't made these in a couple of years, so hope I'm remembering correctly. First step: Trick is to pour a small amount of clear soap in the bottom, carefully place the paper on top making...

I leave mine uncovered on bakers' racks in a room with good air circulation. When I was first starting out I cured in a closed cupboard, and discovered what DOS is. My soaping room is no different from the rest of the house, I keep it about 68 degrees.

I've ordered lovely, detailed silicone molds similar to these from China. Perfectly fine if you don't mind waiting a few weeks for shipping, or at least that's been my experience.

Granted I was in a state last night, worried about the dogs and power, extremely grumpy and took it out on the forum. Inappropriate and wrongheaded. Many apologies. If I don't have anything constructive to say I will henceforth sit on the hands.

I make all my regular CP bars as soleseife, regardless of recipe. It's all in the amount of salt you use -- enough for brine, way less than for a real salt bar. The two are not to be confused.

I'm sorry, but there seems to be a waterfall of misinformation being increasingly spread on this thread. I don't even know where to start to correct the mess, including the last post. Those who don't know what they're talking about really should not sound so confident and know-it-all. Have to...

I've always made my salt bars with close to 100% salt to oils, but intrigued with all the comments about less salt. Gonna try 60% salt with 80% CO, 15% almond or apricot, 5% castor. Had previously used 15% shea butter or avocado, but after taking all the good advice here find I much prefer...