Teach Soap

Yes, I'm new and of course have bunches of questions.

This is my first attempt at making soap and it's because of some absolutely wonderful stuff I bought at a crafts fair in the Fall! I know it's not M&P, it has to be the long process but it's so soft and feels yummy on the skin. Lathers lots and feels just marvelous. Even my hubby (who usually could care less) loves it. Alas, I failed to get the lady's name (dumb me). But then I didn't know we'd love it so much.

So I decided to try making some for myself and hope maybe I can luck up and find something close. Not interested in selling soap, just make some for family and friends.
I've tried to read thru the posts here, all very helpful I might add. So far, this is what I've learned, please correct me if I'm wrong!
1. Be careful with M&P, don't get it too hot when melting.
2. I can add approx 1/2 to 1 ounce of fragrance per pound.
3. Might can add 1 teaspoon of good-quality olive oil?

And a couple of questions, you knew there would be some!
I found BB by following links on the Web and will be ordering from them. Which of the BB M&P bases have the most lather and feel the best on your skin?
And is there a list of the top 5 best selling fragrances? I see the sample pack on the website but there are so many!
I'm sure this is a trial-and-error process to find what you love the most but I'm hoping for a starting point.

Thanks in advance for any help. All your creations are lovely, I'm impressed. Maybe one day I'll have something to share.

Welcome!
Yes, you can add 1 tsp. of olive oil to 1 lb. of base. Any more than that and it can get soft and you will loose some of the lather.

I like the organic base from BrambleBerry.

As far as fragrances, I like herbals, spicy or florals. I don't care for sweet or bakery type of scents. It depends what you like.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

_________________
dragoness__1
The busy housewife
Having fun with Soap

_________________
Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie
blog: www.soap-queen.blogspot.com
supplies: www.brambleberry.com

_________________
Not So Plain Jane Jewelry
Silver City, NM

Welcome to the forum!

If you look at BB's website again, you'll see that they have a Best of Brambleberry Fragrance sampler with their 12 top-selling FOs. You get 1/2 ounce of each fragrance to help you decide which one you like best (I like all of them!) and you have fun trying them all out.

As for the bases, I like BB's cold process-low sweat bases in clear and white the best because of the humidity here in Hawaii and I can do embeds and layering. BB's olive oil base though provides a nice bubbly lather with that slight EVOO smell that isn't noticeable after you add FO/EO. BB also sells a M&P base sampler with 7 of their most popular bases, although their olive oil and organic bases are not included. I guess it all depends on the type of soaps that you plan on crafting and selling. HTH!

_________________
Armi