Hello

[LuvOurNewf]

After months of reading and following a lot of posts I figured it was time to join up and say hello.

I may be in the minority here as I am hoping to become a soap "guy". I live in central NY and since I hate the winter I'm always looking for something to keep me occupied for 6 months out of the year besides the tv. Last year I picked up a couple of books on soaping and then happened upon this site. I've learned a lot, actually more from this forum than the books. I have yet to make a single bar but I'm getting ready to make the leap.

I may not contribute much to the conversation but I wanted to say hello and thank all that came before me to make this forum very educating.

 

[Hazel]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Don't worry about feeling like you won't have much to contribute to a conversation. Just jump right in and give us your opinion. It all helps. I'm sure it won't be long before you'll be contributing educational material.

Have you gotten any supplies yet?

 

[LuvOurNewf]

Thanks for the welcome.

I've gotten a few. I tend to over research things before I dive in. This weekend I will be making a mould and picking up some of the items I know i'll need to start.

I noticed that one of the recommended lye suppliers is the Lye Guy. Just so happens he's about 15 miles from me. I went as far as to place an order and hopefully I'll be picking that up this weekend too.

 

[Hazel]

I bought my first order of lye from him. That's great that you can pick up since it saves on shipping.

 

[dieSpinne]

Hello, fellow soap guy!

I am in Buffalo, so I get your need for a winter hobby...

Welcome to the Boards... you will find the experience gathered here invaluable! These people know their stuff and are very helpful.
I am just getting started myself on the practical stuff, but can help with the chemistry side of things if you ever have any questions about that. As for practical stuff, just ask around... lots of smart folks here have decades of experience working with soaping.

 

[LauraHoosier]

Welcome! I agree about needing something over the Winter to keep occupied. I just happen to need something for the hot months as well. Thank God for soapmaking!

 

[soapbuddy]

Welcome!

 

[IrishLass]

Welcome! It's great to see more men-folk getting into the craft.

I've learned a lot, actually more from this forum than the books.

I hear ya and couldn't agree more! I've found that soaping books, while definitely useful, can be somewhat limiting because they are written mostly from only one person's perspective/experience, and sometimes they also contain faulty or outdated info. There are some very good ones out there, but the forums sure are hard to beat for up-to-date (and myth-busting) info due to the vast variety of experienced and talented soapmakers willing to share and help.


IrishLass

 

[Sibi]

Welcome soap guy I learned everything I know about soapmaking online and most of it right here on this forum. You've definitely come to the right place to learn to make soap. Also there are bunches of awesome youtube videos on how to do some of the fancy swirls and such. When you get to that point I'm sure there are lots of folks here that can point you in the right direction. In the meantime read, read, read and soak it all in. You might want to keep a notebook handy also to take notes. But most of all, have fun!