Carrie

If it was mailed parcel post it can take a very long time. Parcel post, I've been told by the PO, is the last to make it on the truck. If the truck is full, your package will sit until there is room. I only ship Parcel Post if it's within 300 miles or if someone is aware of the time frame and isn't in a hurry.

I went to the county fair last year and introduced myself to several people with goats. I have purchased GM from them several times.

I read about having to cut early or you have to use a chisel so I've been using either Kelsei molds or Tony's molds. Both work great. The Tony's molds did stick just a but but I ran them under hot water for a few seconds and the soap just slid right out.

Hey there Holly, thank goodness it's finally warming up, huh? Coconut 76 is a solid (hard) oil at normal room temp. The 76 is the temp that the oil becomes liquid. If your shop was 80* your coconut would be a clear liquid. I'm sure all the B&B'rs know this but thought I'd throw this out there. If you have a Super Wal-Mart you can get coconut 76 oil in the cooking oil section. It comes in a white plastic container with a dark blue top and I think it's Lou Ann brand. It on an upper shelf to the left of the cooking oils in my local store.

Shea and mango are not nearly as hard as cocoa butter. They will stay soft, like playdoh at room temp.

Yes, cocoa butter is pretty hard.

I gave up the palm and just use PKO...LOL I haven't used palm in over a year.

Those oils will build up in the jets and tubing. IMO, just the thought of a bunch of gunk in there while I'm taking a bath gives me the heebie jeebies.

When I've used jar seals, I screw the lid down tight and that makes them seal. They don't come back up when the cap is opened. I got mine at MMS.

I buy mine from www.the-sage.com

Those pour wicks, they seem to have burned down to nothing. I can't see them.

DOS would be my guess.

Yep, you have my curousity piqued. I'd like to know what you're trying to figure out.

You pre-mix your oils, lets say you make a 9lb batch. Then you premix your lye. You'd mix enough for 3 batches. (Or more once you get the hang of it) You have to make sure that you know what percentage you use for your lye solution. If you always use 33% then you know that you use 2oz of water for every oz of lye. If your recipe calls for 3lb of oils, 6.5oz of lye and 13oz of water, then you take your master batch of lye and measure out 19.5oz of solution. That's 13+6.5=19.5. It's just pre-mixed. Then you add that room temp lye to your 3lbs of pre-mixed room temp oils. Stir, add FO, add color and pour into mold. It really is as simple as people say it is. It just seems like it ought to be harder.

Here is a link to a good thread about master batch. http://www.candletech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17017&highlight=master+batch

Yeah, thanks everyone for the help.

I got a question from someone interested in the shea co-op and I am curious also. I've read that the shea can be frozen. Who has frozen their shea and does it change it in any way?

Misty Creek isn't selling molds anymore or just not selling right now? I hadn't heard that.

You asked for help. You were given bad advise so I gave you some good advise. Sorry it wasn't the spoon full of sugar you were looking for.

Shipping isn't expensive for me, I live on the same side of the country. If you buy in bulk, over 200lbs, you get a huge discount. That's why the co-ops can get the shea so much cheaper.

Making soap isn't a game, it's serious. If you are unable or unwilling to learn to use a lye calculator I suggest you stop making soap.

Jami, you could email the company and ask. Most suppliers will get back to you within 2-3 days, usually sooner.

When the co-op starts, you tell me your name, address and paypal id and how much shea you want. Then I bill you, you pay, (along with the 20-40 other people) I order the shea, when it arrives I box it up and mail it out. That's the simplified version. You will not be able to participate in co-ops or classifieds in time for the co-op, you have to be a member for 30 days before you can access that part of the board. Sorry, I just noticed you are very new.

They are usually really good about answering emails. I'd email and ask. EO use for a rinse off product versus a leave on product is hugely different.

medinaonline is the place that sells the glass roller bottles cheap, isn't it. I've ordered from them before, but I've never bought shea from them.