Hello! I'm excited to be here!

marmalade · Feb 7, 2009

Hey everyone!

My name is Anita, I'm 29 & reside in New Brunswick, Canada.
I've always been intrigued by homemade soap but am just now
deciding to further look into the art of soap making [why now,
I'm unsure, as I have a 6 month old that takes up most of my
time, hehe!].

I've been reading through the forums today...but still find
myself confused. Which kind of process produces the best
soap? cold process, hot process or hand-milled? or is it
more a matter of different strokes for different folks?

I'm looking to make soap such as the ones in the links
I'm providing:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?li ... d=18480732

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?li ... d=20759138

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?li ... d=20745344

I want to make fun, interesting soaps with a variety of scents.

I don't even know where to begin...like, can I make soap in my
kitchen? Do all recipes call for lye? [isn't lye fairly dangerous?]
Should I try melt & pour first to see if I even enjoy it?
I feel like I have a million questions! hehe!

andreabadgley · Feb 7, 2009

Welcome Marmalade

It looks like the first two etsy soaps you posted are cold process (CP), and the third one is hot process (HP). I have no experience with melt and pour, so I can't speak with any intelligence on that subject, but if you want to make CP or HP soap you will be working with lye. Have you read any books on soap making? Delores Boone has wonderful pictures of the hot process method in her book "Handcrafted Soap," and the book that got me going in CP soaping was Susan Miller Cavitch's "The Soapmakers Companion." One of those, or a similar book, will explain the processes to you and might answer a lot of the questions you have. Good luck and have fun!

Tabitha · Feb 7, 2009

The first 2 look like CP to me, the 3rd looks like M&P but maybe HP.

As for which is best, it's a matter of opinion.

Lindy · Feb 8, 2009

Welcome fellow Canuck!

I have to agree with the everyone - the first 2 look like CP and the 3rd looks like HP to me.

You will love this place - it is filled with amazing people who will share your passion and the addiction, none of us will try to cure you, because, well that would just be nasty - there is no life without soap - JMO..... :lol: