New to soap making

[warofthemoods]

Hello, my name is Amy. A couple weeks ago I was bored so I went to my local hobby lobby and browsed around to see if I could find anything interesting to do. I went down the candle and soap making aisle. I had never once in my life thought about making soap but this caught my interest immediately. They only had melt and pour kits there and I didn't pick one up right away. I went down other aisles to see if I could find something "better" but the soap making stuck in my head and I had to get a melt and pour kit. When I did it I LOVED it! I began researching soap making and discovered cold process soap making. I now really really want to try this and maybe make a business out of it. It seems great and I, myself, have a hard time finding soap that are good for my skin since I have sensitive and really dry skin. I am really hoping I can make some awesome soap for people like me (or who ever)!

I just need to learn a lot more about CP soap making before I dive in since I know it's a lot of science and chemistry. I'm excited needless to say. =)

Any tips for CP soap making would be greatly appreciated!

 

[onugs]

Welcome warofthemoods!
Read this board...a lot! lol Go on to YouTube and check out some videos and then come back here. Ask lots of questions and don't feel silly. Your gonna love it!!

 

[Hazel]

Hi Amy,

Welcome to the forum! You don't need to know science and chemistry to start making soap. Just take it on faith that you'll get soap when you combine oils with the correct amount of lye.

There is a lot of info on the forum and if you don't know much, you might find it helpful to read through the CP section. There are a couple of links about starting a business which I recommend people to read to get them thinking about planning ahead.

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=16002
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=33144

Also, SoapQueen has some good tutorials on youtube about starting with cold process plus tutorials on her blog.

Here's the link to a CP guide. http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-b...e-beginners-guide-to-soapmaking-cold-process/

Here's the link to episode one and the others will come up as recommended viewing. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR6ttCSrLJI[/ame]

 

[bubble1]

Hi Amy:

Let me tell you're not alone in this adventure of soap making. I am also in this great adventure of learning all I can about it. Just like you, I want to learn the most I can to also make a business out of it. I've been interested in soap making for a couple a years, but have never really wanted to give it a try until now, since I discovered I am gluten intolerant, allergic to soy and eggs even too. For around 3 years I've dived into the organic world and was surprised about all the chemicals they put into store bought soap. Definitely, if you suffer from very dry skin, the best way to go is with CP and control the ingredients you put in your soap. I wish you the best and hope you find it as exciting as I do.

 

[kazmi]

Welcome Amy - to this site and to the addicting club of soapaholics LOL The link given to SoapQueen is a great place to get some 'basic's and come back here to ask lots of questions. Maybe pick up a book or two on soap making too. You could pick up your own ingredients to make your first batch to see if you like it or purchase one of SoapQueen's beginner kits. There's lots to learn about cp but it really is worth it!

 

[My Mountain Soaps]

Hi amy, may i suggest that you read every thing that you can get your hands on about soap making, about each ingredient, everything. You can go to the library and start on your free phd also may i suggest that you find one recipe, and make that one a few times, analyze the different results that you get? believe me, you can make the same recipe a few times, and get a few different results! then once you get comfortable with it, you can tweak it with a soap calculator, different scents, essential oils, colors even. but most of all have fun and enjoy it! be careful with the lye also, its a beazle when you get it on you. ouch! wear protective goggles, gloves and apron! enjoy!

 

[Crazy8]

Hello Amy and welcome to the soaping hobby. I also am very new and can tell you that it is a very fun and creative hobby. I do have to warn you, soaping is like crack. You start spending money on it and you start doing it more and more after every batch. I literally sit here and all of the sudden get bored and think "I wonder if I have the needed ingredients to make this kind of soap?" So yeah it can happen to the best of us. Anyway welcome and congrats on your new addiction, I mean hobby.

 

[warofthemoods]

Wow thanks everyone for the welcomes!! =D I just bought a book so I am reading up on soap making. It's soooo informative. I think I am going to like making soap whether it be just for my family/friends or selling it...I know I will enjoy it!!

 

[Crazy8]

Its very enjoyable even if its only for personal use. I have been making batches and having the family and some of my wife's side of the family to try out my recipes. They make great testers especially if you have kids (old or young) that are getting dirty. I found out my coffee soap is great for taking gunk off your arms after working on auto exhausts all day. My oldest tested that out. Good luck to you and your soaping. I look forward to seeing what kinds of things you come up with.

 

[MaitriBB]

Welcome to the addiction! There's lots of blogging soapmakers out there - I'm one, I have many others bookmarked - that post tutorials and tips for beginners also. Don't worry about a business right now - just learn the basics and then when you have those down pat, you can think about selling. Have fun learning!

 

[Bann51]

This is a blog I love. It's in French, but I use google translator and it translates it to English.
http://sealeha.canalblog.com/
I do a google search and put in soap making blogs and dozens come up. Other blogs I read:
http://thesoapbar.blogspot.com/
www.soapqueen.com
Also, may I suggest some books that are most helpful:
The Everything Soap Making Book by Susan Miller Cavitch
The Soapmakers Companion by Alicia Grosso
and Soap Crafting: Step-by-Step Techniques for Making 31 Unique Cold-Process Soaps by Faiola, Anne-Marie
and
Soap Making Link from Soap Queen: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAADF6209996265D2
Happy soaping!