Chunky Or Bar? PLEASE VOTE

[craftykelly]

I can't decide if I want to make chunky soap (think Lush) or standard bar soap. Can I please have your votes? I personally don't mind either and quite like the chunky look as it looks 'organic' but I don't want to make something that no one will buy iykwim.

 

[IanT]

it depends on the type of bar i think and what it has in it as to which one id choose

 

[craftykelly]

Yeah, that is true. I am thinking at this stage goatmilk and olive base with EO and herbs/additives. Sort of the rustic natural organic type if that makes sense?

 

[IanT]

thats the kind i usually go for... my logic is i dont want to buy a soap that looks like its too commercial... thats why i got into the natural soap thing... to get away from all the chemicals and such... Its mostly personal preference, like i said i think its on a soap by soap basis... some people will also cut it with crinkle-cut edges or similar, so you might want to explore those options as well!

 

[AshleyR]

Personally, I like the chunky soaps... I love rustic looking handmade soap!

I have found that a lot of other people prefer the straight, rectangle bar though. I have given my "chunky, rustic" soaps to friends and family and they seem to think that because they look more "homemade", that I must be making them out of flour and whatever other ingredients I can find in my kitchen.

I find when I cut them nice and "professional looking", I get better reactions to them.

 

[pepperi27]

I like chunky bars LOL yes a mix of both!

 

[carebear]

I think chunky bars LOOK cool, but they never feel comfortable in my hands and I just will no longer make or buy them. Bars, with mitered or rounded edges, are my preference.

 

[Lindy]

I like both, I make both and I sell both. With my rectangle bars my boxes are very earthy in that they are unbleached cardboard.

Cheers
Lindy

 

[kellistarr]

I like them both. Even if it's a square, rectangle shape, I don't like it looking too commercial. I really don't like my soap looking too square and boring. That Lush soap is expensive and it hardly looks commercial, yet people don't have a problem paying for it.

I think some people are so into those manufactured soaps, it's all they've known. I don't expose too many of the ingredients that I add to my soaps. I don't want my family and friends to associate my soap with baking, (thinking that I add everything but the kitchen sink). So I focus on the Shea butter and Cocoa butter, not the eggs or cornstarch that I might add.

 

[Lindy]

Because I am selling to the general public I have to list all of my ingredients. People are thrilled with what goes into the soap and love the fact that a lot of what is in there is from my kitchen. When you're not selling then you don't have to disclose what's in them though... 8)

 

[AshleyR]

I don't want my family and friends to associate my soap with baking, (thinking that I add everything but the kitchen sink).

That's what happens to me! People around here are so not used to nice handmade soap. They assume that I slapped my soap together with things from my baking cupboard, and that they're going to go bad or something. I try to explain how I make the soap to most people, and then I get the :shock: look when I tell them there is LYE in the soap.

Sigh, like a PP said, most people are so used to commercial soap, they're uninformed and unwilling to really learn about handmade soap (because why? Commercial soap is cheaper, that's all a lot of people seem to care about!) If they only new how much better handmade soap is!

 

[kellistarr]

I don't want my family and friends to associate my soap with baking, (thinking that I add everything but the kitchen sink).

That's what happens to me! People around here are so not used to nice handmade soap. They assume that I slapped my soap together with things from my baking cupboard, and that they're going to go bad or something. I try to explain how I make the soap to most people, and then I get the :shock: look when I tell them there is LYE in the soap.

Sigh, like a PP said, most people are so used to commercial soap, they're uninformed and unwilling to really learn about handmade soap (because why? Commercial soap is cheaper, that's all a lot of people seem to care about!) If they only new how much better handmade soap is!

For Xmas, I gave my Dad a few bars of soap to try. My Dad didn't quiz me on the ingredients (though, I don't mind when people do. Dad didn't even seem phased that I was making soap), he just accepted the soap and went home and used it. Today, he commented on the soap by telling me that he has noticed a change in his facial complexion; for the better.

He still didn't need to know what was in the soap but requested that I make him another batch ASAP! Yes, people are stunned when I tell them about the Lye :wink: More than anything else, they are looking for scent, though I'm sure when they are in the grocer they aren't smelling the boxes! Yes, most people are uninformed, but I am happy to educate those who really want to know.

 

[jcandleattic]

I voted standard bar, because that's mostly what I like to use - however, I LOVE the look of chunky bars... So I guess it boils down to, what do YOU want to make?

Looks like the votes are leaning towards chunky.

 

[MikeInPdx]

I voted chunky but I'm with carebear as far as the feel in my hands. So....I use oddball "found" molds and bevel the resulting bars. Best of both worlds, and they're unique.

 

[craftykelly]

I am thinking I might go chunky for my standard range and for special soaps like holidays etc I might go standard in my log mold for swirls and pretty toppings etc. Thanks for the advice and voting

 

[xyxoxy]

If you can't decide why not just do both?
No such thing as too much soap... at least you won't get anyone HERE to say that.