Introduction

[adonudo]

Hi, my name is John and I am joining this site help those new to soap making. I was introduced to soap making when I was 13 looking to rid myself of my poison ivy problem. I was always skilled with herbal medicine, and knew Jewelweed was the perfect herb to get rid of poison ivy, but I never knew the best way to apply it. I used a spray, but they were messy and didn't smell very good. Plus, jewelweed sap has to be refrigerated, so in general I needed a solution. Thus, my first melt and pour soaps, poured into yogurt cups with jewelweed added in.

This was pretty much the extent of it while I focused my herbalist research on the chemistry aspect, and learned MUCH in regards to chemistry. About a year ago, a local herb shop needed something good for poison ivy, and knowing my skills, came to me for help. It sold like wildfire. So I decided to make melt and pour soaps for other uses, relaxation and energy to be exact. These sold fairly well, and I decided to use my chemistry background for something a bit more useful. Lye soap. I am now quite skilled at the making of lye soap, and have expanded my soap base to Relaxation, Energy, Bug Repellant, and Healing and run a fairly successful local company.

The whole transition period between melt and pour to cold process was a very difficult one, and without boards like this my company (AdoNudo Natural Products) would not have taken the first step out the door. To repay the kharma, if you guys need ANY advice, I am here. I will be posting tips and ideas regularly and hope to become a strong member of this community.

-John, Owner of AduNudo Natural Products

 

[Hazel]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[carebear]

watch out. you are selling items about which you are making drug claims and the FDA frowns up that. you certainly don't want them finding out...

it's nice of you to want to support the soapers who helped you so much - which forum was that?

oh, and good luck with your brand new business! it's always a challenge to get the word out - marketing is very time consuming and often expensive.

 

[EnchantedSoaps]

hi~

Actually there's a weed called Sheeps Nose (the leaf looks like it has a big sheep nose with 2 little "ears" on top) that is much better than what you are using! My pawpaw used to pick it and grind it up and put it directly on poison ivy and it was gone almost instantly.