New Soaper,Need Experienced Opinions

[missybee]

I have not made a single batch yet,and I have a stack of educational books on the way,but I'd like to hear as many opinions as possible.So here we go:

- Is there any particular method that has a lower rate of failure? I've heard of Cold process,room temperature method,cold process then oven method,crock pot method,etc. What is recommended for the beginner?Which are more risky?

- What design limitations are there with the different methods? For instance, can I do swirling into a crock pot hot process soap effectively?

-Do you feel the outcome of the same recipe can change with the size of the batch? I was wanting to do "mini batches" for the sake of experimentation,but fear I will need different temperature measures for different sized soap logs.

-I want to start off with simple fragrances before moving on to "designer scents",which are good to start off with? Which are most popular?I do plan on using FO,not EO.

-What are some basic mica/oxide colorants for the beginner that have a lower chance of changing color?

-Alcohol/saran wrap for preventing ashy tops? I've only ever heard of spraying your soap with alcohol today on these forums,while usually I see people just using the saran wrap. What do you find most effective?

-I live in western Washington.There's plenty of moisture in the air here! Any added tips and tricks to keep my lye safe besides a sealed container?How much will the weather here affect my soaping?

I realize that I will make plenty of boo-boos down the road,but I'd like them to be redeemable boo-boos. Throwing away failed attempts is something I'd very much dislike.So any information that would help me "play it safe" is welcomed.

The main reason I am interested in soaping is mainly a hobby,but I do want to eventually sell. I think if soaping could just even pay for the groceries I'd be a happy camper. Do you feel this is a very difficult business to get into,with so many people doing it? What are some good starting points for the beginning soap merchant?

 

[krissy]

I have not made a single batch yet,and I have a stack of educational books on the way,but I'd like to hear as many opinions as possible.So here we go:

- Is there any particular method that has a lower rate of failure? I've heard of Cold process,room temperature method,cold process then oven method,crock pot method,etc. What is recommended for the beginner?Which are more risky?

i started off with melt and pour, then moved up to HP and then CP. for me HP and CP both have their own difficulties and things that are "easier". it differs between people. what i find easy may be a big PIA to some one else. personally, i liked HP as a beginner.

- What design limitations are there with the different methods? For instance, can I do swirling into a crock pot hot process soap effectively?

you can do a blobby type swirl with HP or a more intricate swirl with CP. they both take practice. i recommend starting off with a solid color.

-Do you feel the outcome of the same recipe can change with the size of the batch? I was wanting to do "mini batches" for the sake of experimentation,but fear I will need different temperature measures for different sized soap logs.
i wouldn't go under 1#, i prefer to stay around 2#'s.


-I want to start off with simple fragrances before moving on to "designer scents",which are good to start off with? Which are most popular?I do plan on using FO,not EO.

stay away from florals, they tend to be troublesome, otherwise... find something that sounds nice to you and try it.

-What are some basic mica/oxide colorants for the beginner that have a lower chance of changing color?

i love celestial colors. others love pop micas...

-Alcohol/saran wrap for preventing ashy tops? I've only ever heard of spraying your soap with alcohol today on these forums,while usually I see people just using the saran wrap. What do you find most effective?

i prefer alcohol. you can make more intricate tops with out squishing them.

-I live in western Washington.There's plenty of moisture in the air here! Any added tips and tricks to keep my lye safe besides a sealed container?How much will the weather here affect my soaping?
i have no idea.

I realize that I will make plenty of boo-boos down the road,but I'd like them to be redeemable boo-boos. Throwing away failed attempts is something I'd very much dislike.So any information that would help me "play it safe" is welcomed.

The main reason I am interested in soaping is mainly a hobby,but I do want to eventually sell. I think if soaping could just even pay for the groceries I'd be a happy camper. you and every other soaper!
Do you feel this is a very difficult business to get into,with so many people doing it? you should never approach a new hobby that you have never done before thinking you can make a business out of it. it is way more involved than you ever think. check out this link... http://www.soapmakingforum.com/forum/vi ... hp?t=17621

What are some good starting points for the beginning soap merchant? having years worth of experience and testing and knowledge. nothing takes the place of doing the work and putting in the time that it takes to really learn this craft.

:wink:

 

[dagmar88]

The main reason I am interested in soaping is mainly a hobby,but I do want to eventually sell. I think if soaping could just even pay for the groceries I'd be a happy camper. you and every other soaper!
Do you feel this is a very difficult business to get into,with so many people doing it? you should never approach a new hobby that you have never done before thinking you can make a business out of it. it is way more involved than you ever think. check out this link... http://www.soapmakingforum.com/forum/vi ... hp?t=17621

What are some good starting points for the beginning soap merchant? having years worth of experience and testing and knowledge. nothing takes the place of doing the work and putting in the time that it takes to really learn this craft.

:wink:

Right now, I have to save on groceries to be able to buy my soap making ingredients
Realisticly it takes years to be able to start off in the right way and even after that it takes years before your soap making business will play even or become profitable.

Yes, I do feel it's extremely difficult to start a business with soap; not just because of the saturation of the market (that's not a problem over here) but because of the amount of time and money you have to be spend before starting.
I think I've spend about 6000 hours doing research, soaping, creating a business plan and I'm nowhere near ready yet.
Also, I think it would be very hard to have a profitable business with just soap; right now I'm develloping a full product range and I can tell you that consumes even more time and money

@Krissy, I did stumble upon soap making when I got the idea of starting a business, so that has always been my focus.
With my illness it's just not an option to work as an emloyee; altough I'm doing an unpayed job (10 tot 20 hours a week) for one of my friends to slowly get back to working again.
But when I just started I really thought I'd be there in a year or so... Make that 4 :wink:

Like Krissy said, to be able to start selling you need a looooot of batches under your belt. Without having years of experience and knowledge of how your soap is going to behave over time I'd never feel comfortable selling to people.
You want them to buy a 100% perfect (good looking/smelling safe) product!
And even then, selling your own soap means you have to be a business woman (do go to courses for that!!!) artist and scientist at the same time No easy way to bring in the $$$

 

[missybee]

Oh,yeah,definitely not rushing the business thing LOL!

I plan on doing a few months of research before I even do my first batch.

Right now I'm a bored housewife,but I'd like to remain a contributing member of the household down the road when my children don't need "Mommying". Making soap would be a cool way to do that.

I do have a few members of my family who are business owners,one of whom sells at craft fairs. So hopefully I can at least make enough profit (years into the future) to pay for materials.I've already got a few hobbies that don't pay for themselves. I'm sure my hubby loves me for it.

 

[honor435]

I started with hp, then moved onto cp, neither is more difficult, just different methods, I still do both. I didnt use any color at first. Who are you going to buy fos through? I like peakcandles.com( make sure to look at the body safe section) and natures garden. Much practice! failed batches and good ones, fun addiction though, good luck.

 

[American Valkyrie]

I think if soaping could just even pay for the groceries I'd be a happy camper. you and every other soaper!
Do you feel this is a very difficult business to get into,with so many people doing it? you should never approach a new hobby that you have never done before thinking you can make a business out of it. it is way more involved than you ever think. check out this link... http://www.soapmakingforum.com/forum/vi ... hp?t=17621

What are some good starting points for the beginning soap merchant? having years worth of experience and testing and knowledge. nothing takes the place of doing the work and putting in the time that it takes to really learn this craft.

:wink:

Krissy, thanks for the thread link. That is awesome!

When I first started making soap (not very long ago at all!) I did the same thing that you did... I researched a LOT before I tried my first batch. I asked a lot of questions on this site. Everyone answered them willingly, but one time I made a comment that I would like to stamp by business logo on the soap. I am planning on selling my soap someday... and I have a tendency to get really excited about things. I tend to have a positive outlook that, with enough effort, things WILL work out. Somebody made the comment that, if I haven't even started making soap, I have more things to worry about than stamping my business logo. I was kind of taken aback. Obviously I wasn't too offended because I don't even remember who said that. But the thing is... he/she was right! Once I made that first batch I realized I thought I knew what I was doing... I didn't! Trying to get the amount of scent right, dealing with the peculiarities of each fragrance oil, and even getting an attractive swirl was going to take some practice. Developing a unique line, that will compete with all the other successful soapers, was going to take more. It gave me a lot more appreciation for the soaper friend whose product I had been purchasing for about 5 years.

My first batch of soap is now in my shower, 6 weeks after being made. I like it... but I feel I could improve on it to get something really spectacular. I can't wait to try out the batches that are sitting on the curing rack. But I know I can't recommend a product to someone unless I know it's superior... I have the same feeling about referring other businesses or practitioners to my clientele. So I know I'm not ready to sell. Right now, the soap I'm making is going for Christmas, to friends/family who know me as a hobbyist and a DIY-er. We'll go from there.

Don't put down the dream... I haven't! I've just set it back a few years. I think it's awesome that you're considering the possibility of selling it. When I started school, I wouldn't have gone through the training if I didn't plan on making a career of it someday.

(And I don't discuss any far-away business plans on the site... lol. When the time comes, I will.)

 

[missybee]

Yeah,I have to give a lot of credit to people that can successfully churn out perfect soap logs most of the time and make a nice business out of it. I by no means think it's easy.I used to go with my father to craft fairs and he had quite a few struggling soaper friends.

Heck,I may decide the whole soap-making thing just isn't for me. I do have a tendency to plan far ahead into the future,though. I tend to become very hyper-focussed and a wee bit obsessive.

As for the fragrance oils,I have a few sites bookmarked.Southern Soapers,Sweetcakes,and a few others. I'd actually like to read the reviews for each individual FO in the review section. Seems to be a lot of folks have issues with the FO. I've writing down some tips in a binder I have,pulling information from the boards...but FO's are probably going to be tricky business no matter how much I read on them.

Another question I just thought of is about soap logs. My husband would like to make one himself,and I'm wondering if there is some instruction on how to do so? A log with collapsable sides seems pretty nifty!

 

[honor435]

look at peak , please... its my favorite fo place! also, natures garden, sweetcakes seesm kinda high priced to me.

 

[MrsFusion]

I feel like you and I are in the same boat

I just started on my soaping journey also. So far I have made 12 batches. And let me tell you...it's pure torture waiting for them to cure.... :twisted:

I too would like to sell "some day", but not in the near future!

So far, I have only done CP. My hubby made a mold for me. It makes 16 bars. I quickly found out that I don't want or need 16 bars of any soap at this point. So hubby modified my mold and now I make 1 pound batches, which gives me 6 nice sized bars. He has also made a square mold for me, which produces 4 three inch square bars. And today I'm going to try a Pringles can for a mold. Going to line it with freezer paper and hope for the best. So far I have soaped Coconut Lime Verbena, Sexy Little Thing and Spiced Cranberry from WSP with NO problems. I soaped Sweet Orange Essential Oil...and today, I had to throw it out. Not sure what happened. I've used liquid coloring and fragrances from Micheals without any problems. I've also used fragrances from Hobby Lobby and they SUCK! I would not recommend them at all!!! I do have some Lavender, Lemongrass and Patchouli Essential Oil that I want to use, but, I'm kinda scared to try them...

I have used the pop micas. I've only used them 1 time so far and made swirl design with three colors. They turned out very nice. I would like to try some other options also.

I am still trying to make that perfect batch!!! I've been experimenting with different oil combos and I just haven't found the "ONE" yet

This forum is truly a wealth of information! I have learned so much here!!! And like others said, they are willing to answer your questions...no matter how stupid they may seem to you

I look forward to growing on my soaping journey with the other newbies here!!!

 

[rubyslippers]

Welcome to the forum Missybee and I must say I can tell you have already read quite a bit about making soap because you asked some questions that never even occured to me until I was already a soap addict.

I've made about 100 batches at this point and I can honestly tell you very few of those batches have turned out exactly as I had envisioned. Not that it is not usuable or nice soap...just not what I had in mind (mostly due to too little or too much colorants)

I began with cold process and then added crock pot method. Both have their advantages, as Krissy pointed out. I personally prefer cold process because the soap is more fluid and easier to get more intricate swirls but if I'm in a hurry for some finished bars I will use the crock pot because of less curing time. Also, with the crock pot, you can get by with less FO so if I'm short on a particular scent I may use that option.

TKB Trading offers a sample pack of micas that are stable in high PH and are non-bleeding. It's a nice way to try out different colors without paying out a lot of money.

I don't like to waste soap or costly oils to make soap either so just make sure you run ALL recipes through soapcalc or some similar program to double check the lye/water amounts especially for recipes you may collect from the internet.

If and when you do sell your products, make sure you have liability insurance. This can be quite costly, but more costly if you don't have it and someone has a reaction to one of your products.

Good luck and let the fun began!!!

 

[dubnica]

I started soaping in July and I already made over 30-40 batches. I have like 100 bars of soap at home and I gave away bunch - maybe 60-70 bars.
When I fist started, I had to make soap every night. I just could not stop. I was ordering something every day: oils, butters, FOs, clays, oils, additives, molds....there was no end to it. I spent probably $1,500 so far if not more. These days I limit myself to 1 small batch a week because frankly, I am broke.
But even though this hobby is expensive, it is very satisfying and more useful then if I was collecting something. This way I can give gifts to my family, friends and co-workers and it feels good.
I just love it.

 

[honor435]

the fos from craft stores are for m&p only, thats wht they suck. I have used cheap color, it does work.

 

[missybee]

Oh I love TKB trading. I started making my own mineral makeup (strictly person use) and I have a few ultramarines,brick red oxide,black oxide,brown oxide,yellow oxide. They're a great company,and I'll definitely pick up a few basic POP colors next time I place an order with them! They have a 19.50 dollar order minimum so I always throw in extra stuff LOL!

I have this very striking blue ultramarine,I wonder how well it would do in soap?Hmm.

I have a cheap 4 lbs log mold on bookmark if my husband changes his mind about making me one.It's this one if anyone wants to say yay or nay on it: http://www.candlesandwoodcrafts.com/woo ... molds.html
One batch a week sounds reasonable. His side of the family is gigantic,so making soap would sure solve my gifting issues.

 

[nattynoo]

Well said Valkyrie - I remember that post about stamping your logo!! Funny, I cringed when I saw it & felt like saying "duck for cover incoming". hehehehe.
I too was sooooooo excited by the mere thought of soaping & in turn now realise the same thing.... its not as simple as it looks. With practice though u do eventually get it figured & make some good usable soap.

All I can say is just get some oil & have a go.
My birst 3 batched were HP....I didn't like the method & moved onto CP. Its all I do now pretty much. The temp u work at for CP is an important part so just make sure u don't soap too hot cause thats when alot of problems happen.

Goodl uck & let us know how u go.

 

[maryannm]

I say jump in, follow the directions, and make a basic recipe without color or scent . Make a mold out of anything you want - for months I just used a perfectly square cardboard box lined with freezer paper. Don't go off the reservation your first time through the process. Use oils that you can easily get - my first few batches had olive oil, coconut oil, lard and a bit of soybean oil.

Just make soap - then start experimenting with creating your own recipes, adding colors and swirls and scents and methods and whatever. Don't get too far ahead of yourself. Experimenting with different methods once you have a basic understanding of the process is the natural progression of learning.

My vote is cold process - for no reason other than I sat in a class and that is how it was done. I had no idea there were other ways to do it - I sure do now though!

 

[Sunny]

apparently making soap is becoming a really mainstream thing. more than I knew maybe?! I was listening to Hannity today on the radio and for one of his ads that he reads, it was a "make money quickly at home, without having to sell SOAP, makeup, or plasticware"
my jaw dropped and I was thinking to myself, "soap? does he mean SOAP soap?!"

indeed, what did he mean!

 

[missybee]

apparently making soap is becoming a really mainstream thing. more than I knew maybe?! I was listening to Hannity today on the radio and for one of his ads that he reads, it was a "make money quickly at home, without having to sell SOAP, makeup, or plasticware"
my jaw dropped and I was thinking to myself, "soap? does he mean SOAP soap?!"

indeed, what did he mean!

I've lived in Arizona,Washington,Idaho,and Oregon...and I always see a healthy handful of soapers at each and every faire. I'd say it's been mainstream for quite some time now. With the wonderful invention of the internet,anyone can learn how to do something.

 

[American Valkyrie]

apparently making soap is becoming a really mainstream thing. more than I knew maybe?! I was listening to Hannity today on the radio and for one of his ads that he reads, it was a "make money quickly at home, without having to sell SOAP, makeup, or plasticware"
my jaw dropped and I was thinking to myself, "soap? does he mean SOAP soap?!"

indeed, what did he mean!

I have several friends who have sold bath/body products for certain companies. The Body Shop had an at-home sales team for awhile. I hope he's referring to straight sales, not something that takes a handcrafted touch. Of all my at-home mom friends who have done at-home sales (and I know a lot of them!), I haven't met any soapers yet.

 

[Jerry S]

Advice for a new soaper...

I just have to comment on all the good advice that the people on this forum have given you missybee. I was going to add a couple of ideas but after reading all the threads I think that everyone has just about covered it. :wink:
I was thinking that the line of threads on this topic could be saved somewhere so that when the newcomers to soap making want some advice they should review this particular topic. There’s even some nice tips on the best places buy purchase fragrances, colors and the like.
Jerry S

 

[missybee]

Okay,so I got my stack o' books! I bought them before I found this website,and am curious if any of you have any criticism for them.
I got:

-Smart Soapmaking by Anne Watson
-Soapmakers Workshop by Roberts McDaniel
-Soapmakers Companion by Susan Cavitch
-Everything Soapmaking by Alicia Grosso

Any parts of these books you feel are inaccurate or challenged?Maybe there are certain sections you feel are highlights of the book?

And I'm happy so many came into my thread,you're all very helpful! I'm sure I'll be back very soon to ask a bajillion more questions. :wink: