TylerJBaum
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2023
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 23
Hi, my name is Tyler!
Yes, I’m a guy. I’m originally from Idaho but currently live in Utah with my wife and four children. While my older brother can build bathrooms—and the house to go with them—I’m over here making something you use in the bathroom. Not quite the same vibes.
In February 2019, a coworker of mine who was built like Santa Claus introduced me to the art and science of soapmaking. I never asked, but he obliged. I humored him by taking notes, but after I returned home it had piqued my interest enough that I ordered soap supplies. When they came, I armed myself with a sword and shield and shouted, “Leroy Jenkins!” as I threw myself at it—no recipes, only blind experimentation. My binder of batches (every single one I’ve ever made) contains all of my victories as well as complete massacres. I’m definitely better for it, though now I have the sense to read up first.
Even though I’m a technical writer by trade, I love the math and chemistry of soapmaking. I even enjoy calculating the cost-per-bar after they’ve cured! I especially love the creation process and the reward of holding something in my hand I made, and seeing how well it works. What I definitely don’t enjoy is 1) waiting for the bars to cure, 2) waiting for the oils and the lye-water to line up in temperature, and 3) absolutely, unequivocally the cleaning up part. But so you all know, I only ask my wife to help me pour the batter into molds—I clean up absolutely everything alone.
Besides using my bars every day, I’ve dabbled in selling them, but the only repeat customers I’ve ever had are my mother and older sister, and I tend to give away half of my bars anyway. On this forum, I hope to learn what I still don’t know, and maybe reach the point of being able to sell my soaps part-time.
Yes, I’m a guy. I’m originally from Idaho but currently live in Utah with my wife and four children. While my older brother can build bathrooms—and the house to go with them—I’m over here making something you use in the bathroom. Not quite the same vibes.
In February 2019, a coworker of mine who was built like Santa Claus introduced me to the art and science of soapmaking. I never asked, but he obliged. I humored him by taking notes, but after I returned home it had piqued my interest enough that I ordered soap supplies. When they came, I armed myself with a sword and shield and shouted, “Leroy Jenkins!” as I threw myself at it—no recipes, only blind experimentation. My binder of batches (every single one I’ve ever made) contains all of my victories as well as complete massacres. I’m definitely better for it, though now I have the sense to read up first.
Even though I’m a technical writer by trade, I love the math and chemistry of soapmaking. I even enjoy calculating the cost-per-bar after they’ve cured! I especially love the creation process and the reward of holding something in my hand I made, and seeing how well it works. What I definitely don’t enjoy is 1) waiting for the bars to cure, 2) waiting for the oils and the lye-water to line up in temperature, and 3) absolutely, unequivocally the cleaning up part. But so you all know, I only ask my wife to help me pour the batter into molds—I clean up absolutely everything alone.
Besides using my bars every day, I’ve dabbled in selling them, but the only repeat customers I’ve ever had are my mother and older sister, and I tend to give away half of my bars anyway. On this forum, I hope to learn what I still don’t know, and maybe reach the point of being able to sell my soaps part-time.
