Teach Soap

So my business is coming along as slowly as possible with the legal stuff because why not? and I've decided that I'll start with MP soap, wax tarts and possibly sugar scrubs. Not too sure because I would probably choose to make them emulsified for the sake of easier shipping but I haven't found a recipe yet that I haven't fully tested and approved yet. But soon! Hopefully!


Anyway I'm trying to pick out what fragrance oils to use for my business. Presently BrambleBerry is the cheapest in shipping for me because I'm in Washington but I also use Natures Garden and I will use Rustic Escentuals if they blow me away. I'm trying to decide what fragrances to order for my first year. I want to get pretty much everything for every time of year! I'd love some feedback on great FO for the different months/seasons. It would be even more awesome if it was safe to use for soap and wax tarts (not doing wicked candles yet! Going to try those soon though!). So any suggestions would be amazing and I will bow before your superior opinions!

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The Black Currant- Shipping within the US!

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Everything from BrambleBerry has blown me away. I just received some of the surplus Cherry Almond and I wanted to drink it...seriously. The Christmas sampler is great too, you get about 1/2 oz. of a good selection of holiday scents!

I just ordered from MadOils.com and was excited about the price of shipping for me being in California. They had an okey selection...but I will have to wait until I receive what I ordered before I can recommend.

I love Mad Oils! I've been very pleased with everything gotten (FOs, EOs & micas) from them. They have a dark patchouli EO that is amazing.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

You will probably end up having more than one FO supplier.

Brambleberry -

I like their Surplus Lavender FO
Black raspberry Vanilla
Fresh Bamboo
Pinot Grigio
Woodland Elves
Honey Beeswax
Vanilla Forest

Those are just off the top of my head that I've soaped.

For my the OMH Cybilla smells like Play - dough in CP, but I'm in the minority. Do not like Energy at all - sickly-sweet orange candy. Feliz Navidad - YUCK. Smells like laundry detergent. Applejack & Peel - it's okay, but I much prefer teh one from Southern Garden Scents.

For my fragrances, I use mostly Peak and Bitter Creek. They both have wonderful 1-ounce sample packs that let me choose a bunch to try for very little investment. And I'm in fly-over country so there's that.

I have read online and heard from other soapers I meet when I visit craft fairs and farmer's markets that NG is very hit-and-miss in their scents so I've never even looked at their offerings.

Some of my favorite smells I like better at one time of year than others:
Paris Twilight screams spring to me. (P)
Spring Rain is also wonderful for the spring and sometimes I like to mix it with fresh mown grass for extra green-ness.
Black Current Vanilla for the earlier part of winter (BC)
Blackberry Musk for the coldest part of winter (BC)
Blackberry Sage for the fall (P)
some headier/stronger florals for high summer such as rose and jasmine - usually in a mix, just like my garden

Although my own potted lemon and lime trees bloom in winter, it's almost too strong in the house so I don't really like neroli for the winter but use it in blends for spring and summer.

I also like Ginger Appletini (BC) and Bitterberry Breezer (BC) and any of the beachy-fruity drinks for spring-into-summer while I tend to use Chardonnay and the like more in late summer-into-fall and Wine and Roses (BC) around valentines day.

And it may seem counter-intuitive but I like Jamaica Me Crazy (P) and Emerald Sea (BC) in winter because WINTER ESCAPE VACATION! - even if it just last the length of a good warm soak in the tub.

I also tend to mix a lot of my own scents and the pick-your-own sample pack deals let me play, play, play to my heart's content. I have a few staples such as oakmoss, three different versions of patchouli, vanilla, and single note fruits, spices, flowers and woods along with some EOs. It really is such fun and a tad bit addictive.

There are a few from Brambleberry that I've a strong yen for such as Kentish Rain and Beau Brummel. I was thinking of possibly treating myself at the givember sale but I think this year they went a different way with the 12 days of Christmas thingy. You are very lucky to be in that corner of the country because when shipping costs more than the product, it does give one pause.

I love my BB, their products have always been outstanding, happily I am close enough to make shipping worth it. Recently have found NG and will be making an order... their prices for FO, cannot be beat...and even with the shipping, the price is still a lot cheaper. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE WSP, got the most amazing FO's on sale a few days ago.