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Go for it, Dennis! I would love to see some pics. I have been one fail after another but feel like I'm learning a lot. I tried the zap test and I didn't get a zap but the tip of my tongue tasted a bit more foul than usual. Very strong taste. Another interesting thing I read was that...

I think you're right and it was soda ash, but even when I cut it, it had kind of uneven color throughout. I never did the zap test but when I was scrunching some discarded parts (I had cut off the crumbly edges) into a ball under water, I tested the lather w/ a ph strip. I don't know when...

Thanks! I'm trying to get there.... Also, I wanted to tell you those NDA essential oils and fragrances that faded out to nothing...well, I used one of those bars for the first time b/c they just finished their 4 week cure and it turns out once the bar suds up, i can smell the fragrance. It's...

Hi guys, Thanks for your thoughts. When I was getting a full gel w/ these trays the weather was much warmer. It did cool down almost 20 degrees this last batch, so I think that's the main reason it didn't get the edges. A heating pad is a good idea. It turns out the silicone loaf mold I...

Oh boy! So the batch from last night didn't end up gelling completely, only partially! When I saw that it looked like it might not reach the edges, I actually put a jacket on top of it. But this morning when I looked, there was a ring. This is the first time I've ever gotten a...

I've just made the new batch w/ the simpler recipe. I didn't see the message regarding the cornstarch in time, but I'll try it next time if this batch comes out. I did 4 lbs for 2 2lb molds. Everything so far was okay - I just peeped on the molds under the towelsand it looks like it's just...

Okay, my lye just came today so I was going to attempt another batch tonight. Cornstarch? In what ratio/quantity and when? That's a new one I've never heard - interesting. Thanks again!

OMG! Just got on the site and I could literally spend all day on here - it's amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this forum!

Oh, thank you! I was able to sign up for the site w/ my school email address - just waiting to be approved now. This sounds so helpful. I like light citrus-y scents and I had heard those do not stick as easily, so most likely I'll have to add more. I'll keep you posted once I try the recipe...

Wow, thank you so much for those links - the flickr one is amazing - so many neat ideas for packaging!

Thank you so much - I am going to try that recipe. I didn't realize the one I was whipping up was more advanced - I found it on a site as a "basic" recipe and thought it sounded nice! It has definitely been daunting for me though.... I get most of my fragrance and essential oils from New...

The recipe is 45% olive, 22% coconut, 12% palm kernel, 12% palm, 5% castor, 4% mango butter, 7.26 oz distilled water, 3.14 oz lye. I've tried making this same recipe 5 different times - the only thing I've changed is the fragrance, the temp (anywhere from 100 to 120) at mixing, adding the...

Thanks, guys! So I tried to cut the bars at 48 hours and it's just a mess. Still super soft and gooey dough-like and the outside turned white, almost like it's been spray-painted. I tried the zap test and it seemed fine. But I cannot get a good batch for the life of me! What I mean by...

Thanks so much for the response! Oh gosh, I was hoping it was salvageable, but does it always remain crumbly? It's so moist too, so I was hoping if it dried out a bit more I could perhaps attempt cutting it. I used the recommended sodium lactate of 1 T per lb of oil - I was so excited to have...

Hi there, I'm very new to soap making and finally got a batch that unmolded cleanly (thank you so much irish for recommending the sodium lactate - that's the only reason this must have come out without sticking!). I unmolded after 24 hours and tried to cut the slab in half to separate the...

Wow! Thank you guys so much! You have given me hope to try a 4th batch! I am going to look into sodium lactate and mineral oil. Anything that will help make these molds work. The reviews had been very good so I purchased way too many in various shapes and sizes to toss them all! Although I...

Hi there, I am new to soap making and this was my third try w/ CP. The first one went well but stuck to a pvc 8 bar mold (from new directions - the kind that's a block and you cut into bars) in the center. The second one wrinkled all along the backside. This is the third one I have photo'ed...