JulianaLeo Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Hi - I'm new at making cold process - and have been setting up my 'workshop' to begin soapmaking. Any last minute things I should know?I have read several books on the steps, and at the moment, awaiting toget my order from Snowdrift Farms. I would like to purchase Lye closer to home - anyone know of places that I can get this stuff closer to home?I am just doing this to keep my head busy until I figure out what I wantto do in life...haha....and until I get a permanent home. Maybe in a year I will know for sure where my life will take me.My long term goal is to have a small business - but for now -this is about as far as I can take it. I used to have a smallcandle business for local sales only - and that was fun.And that is about how I want to keep it - FUN!!!Please say hello and let me know your story and how you got started. :highfive:thanksJulescleo_associates@yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Crap, deleted my reply. Ah well. I started off in my basement making crockpot soap but quickly migrated up to the kitchen with CT (or RTCP), where I still am. I like the kitchen better. Would *love* a soap workshop, but... just not that fortunate. The one thing I'd caution (besides bracing yourself for a new addiction ) is remember the gloves, goggles and mask for the lye. Have fun!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1_AJ Posted August 29, 2006 Share Posted August 29, 2006 My last-minute advice on soaping.1. Read and research your brains out. Make sure you have a good, basic understanding of the soapmaking process. You've probably already done that part. But remember that much of the fine-tuning and many of the little details we learn about soaping are best gleaned from EXPERIENCE. So reading is great, but eventually you've just got to jump in and DO it. 2. Choose a tried & true recipe that is nicely balanced between oils that are good for conditioning, such as olive; oils that are good for lather, such as pko, castor, or coconut; and oils that are good for bar hardness, such as palm. I've posted a simple beginner recipe on this forum if it might be of help to you. I usually shoot for 40-60% hard oils (coconut, palm, pko, etc.) and 40-60% soft oils (olive, castor, soy -- whatever is generally liquid at cool room temp). My beginner recipe is 50-50.3. Soap when you are well rested and free from distractions. No pets or little kids running underfoot. Ignore the phone. As long as you are careful, you'll do just fine!HAPPY SOAPING -- IT'S FUN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted August 29, 2006 Share Posted August 29, 2006 Let me add that aside from all of this, soap doesn't understand cussing ... ha ha ... and make sure you have everything ready to go before you start mixing this with that etc. Oh and don't breathe the lye fumes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann M Posted August 29, 2006 Share Posted August 29, 2006 I was able to get lye from Lowes. It is in the plumbing section and called Roebic. It is good for when you only need a little bit.Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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