ProudMarineMom

I'm not sure about a heated wire, but I use a cheese slicer. I still don't get uniform bars but at least they are neatly cut. This is what I have.

http://www.amazon.com/Prodyne-MW-805-Metal-Cheese-Slicer/dp/B000VXQG7M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354053798&sr=8-1&keywords=cheese+slicer+wood+and+metal

I think the tank and some of the other soap cutters actually use something like guitar wires. So, your heated wire might work just fine. Have you tried it without heating? CP is pretty soft and fairly easy to cut early on.

Pretty soapies!!

Kitn, I started off using the full fat Greek Yogurt. But, I think I got a creamier bar with the regular full fat yogurts. YMMV. I would be interested in your results.

Quiet, what you are wanting are the milk fats that are in the full fat yogurts. You can find these at Walmart generally, Great Value Plain Yogurt (Walmart's brand), Dannon All Natural Plain Yogurt, Stoneyfield Organic Plain Yogurt (a bit pricey) and Oikos Plain Greek Yogurt. None of the containers will have the words low-fat or no-fat on them. You might have to do a little digging to find them.

Like Janet said, the low-fat yogurts may have other ingredients in them that you might not want in your soap. Or, cause it to misbehave.

Janet, I wish I could find a local dairy to get some of the good stuff like that. I know there is a large Farmers Market a bit south the city but I don't know what they have. I'm sure there is something in the area, just need to find them!

Quiet, yogurt is wonderful in CP. One of my favorite additives along with beer. I was very surprised how nice beer, or even tea, can make the bar feel on your skin. Carrot puree is also nice. But, I use the baby food version of that so keeps on the shelf just fine.

Janet, good point on the sealer. Probably not a good thing to use the vac with that. I've never seen one in action so don't know how strong the suction is. Do you think the vacuum is worth it on a sealer. Been looking at the FoodSavers and none of them have glowing reviews. People either like them or they don't so the ratings are right in the middle.

Forgot to ask, is yours a vacuum sealer?

I may have to break down and get a Kitchen Saver Sealer. I think the food will keep nicer than just in a ziploc bag. I do soap more often but sometimes don't get a batch in before the yogurt or what have you expires. Think I would save more money if I portion it out first then just pull what I need.

I don't have any other tips. But, thank you for sharing yours.

Ravens,

Tradewinds-Select Shades is now open again. They had some restart issues but seem to be doing alright now. If you are talking about the Hawaiian Sandalwood, they do have it. I don't know if it is the same as previously, but it's very nice. I know I can recommend the Blackberry Fig. Very nice fragrance.

J

http://www.tradewindsfragrance.net/

Any issues with accelerating? Or just heats up?

Sorry, I meant Brambleberry for the molds, not Peaks...

I guess I wasn't necessarily looking to use soy, more some of the Silk flavors that sound interesting. I didn't realize they had Coconut Milk. I really like the soaps I have made with that. Yogurt is my other favorite. Saw the Almond Milk, wondered how that might do. I don't even remember what the Chocolate Mint was, just liked the flavor.

I'm with you, I prefer the divided liquid method and add the dairy to my oils. I did make a Buttermilk and Honey soap with the liquid as full buttermilk. That was a bugger to keep from curdling while the lye melted. Very nice soap, not sure if it's worth the trouble. I can make a bar that feels just as nice by using a 40% lye solution and using milks, beer, tea, what have you as the liquid mixed in the oils to bring it down to a 33-35% lye solution (if that makes sense).

Thanks for the info! If you try the Almond, let me know how it goes.

Where you be girl, somewhere around Samson? Used to live in Enterprise years ago. With the lovely Boll Weevil Monument. Rivals anything in DC I tell ya! :rolleyes2

eta: I mean no offense to anyone who might be from E'prise....

I am loving my Woodfields molds. I picked up two of the 12-bar size. Very easy to assemble/disassemble and the silicone releases very easily. Easy to clean, too.

http://www.woodfieldswood.com/

Bebe's Collection also has a couple the some people like, but I haven't tried them.

http://bebecollection.com/index.php?route=common/home

And, Peaks has some nice looking ones as well.

The embed soaps are adorable. Great job!

She said you can just put the flaked chips in any container, stick a wick in and light!!! Voila for the perfect candle!

Is that all it takes?? Gee, maybe I shouldn't have given up on making candles.

I have to admit when I first started I didn't fully realize the amount of work that it takes to make a good, safe, consistent candle. I have a deep appreciation and admiration for those of you who have conquered the wax, wick, FO conundrum. I'll just stick with melts, soap and B&B, I like the hair on my head.

She obviously thought she knew your craft better than you. Can't cure stupid.

Thanks Deb! Soap turned out great and I think the color is just right.

Candybee, I know several months back you were going to try some of the Silk Soy Milk as the liquid in your soap. Did you every try any? How did it work out for you? Notice any difference between the Silk and just cream, goat milk or yogurt?

I saw a carton of Silk Chocolate Mint at the store the other day and thought that might make an interesting soap.

J

So what does Sea Witch smell like?

debratant, thank you!!

Very pretty!

Apple/Mint, sounds like a great combo. Did you mix yourself? Nice soap!!

I always thought those round wraps were very nice. Great display!

Also look to the right, scroll down a bit, and find the link to Preservatives. She covers those in detail as well. Excellent blog.

Thank you! Will just have to make a batch, see how it does.

Do you like it? I was thinking of making a batch for the male side of the family in Wisconsin. Think it would appeal to farmer types? I always think of Suede as tan, so the color works.

Thanks Isbennis and Faithful!! It was nice in my warmer, now I need to put it in soap.