Teach Soap

Hello,

I don't know if there are any other members from the UK on here. Well, I read all these people talking about the wonderful things they can get from Brambleberry and MMS (Have currently tried to get my American Cousin to help me with trying out the Grape Colour from MMS)... and sometimes find it hard to get the same ingredients here.

So... I thought I would share some of the suppliers I have found, and thought if anyone else has any good UK suppliers, then maybe they could post a link here too.

Magia

Of a Simple Nature
Soap Kitchen
Soap Basics
Just A Soap /index.php?osCsid=55b4ff3310c06afdbe2994f762055c2e
Bathbomb.biz
AromaKits
Denny Craft Moulds

I really liked the soap inclusions sets from Bathbomb.biz, they have some nice selections of petals and scrubby things to go in soaps etc. Soap Kitchen is pretty straight forward and quick delivery. I was really excited recently when I discovered Of a Simple Nature, because they seem to have more in the way of useful ingredients for crafting things like lotion, gels or cream washes. They also have a lot more unusual butters and oils available. The rare oils kit from AromaKits I think is really good value too, considering what some of the oils you can get are often sold for. Please share your UK finds!

_________________
"The question is: does it work on stage? If it works on stage, does it fit the theory? If it works on stage, but doesn't fit the theory; throw out the theory." Bertolt Brecht

Hi,

I'm also from the UK. I will buy the odd occasional mould from over here but otherwise I'll order in bulk from the USA as I find the quality of them to be brilliant. I have found though shops on eBay have started buying the moulds from the USA and doing replicas in sillicone etc and they tend to be very good as well. So with regards to moulds I keep looking around until I find something that's right.

I use www.sensoryperfection.co.uk for most of my fragrance oils and they are very good quality - shipping is pretty fast and you get a discount by how much you spend plus a cool freebie fragrance or other freebies likes micas/glitters if you buy enough of those.

I used to use www.soaposh.co.uk but found I had a few problems. Items missing to be forwarded later...on one occasion I ordered 4 more times reminding them to include this item and after lots of complaining I eventually got it 6 months after I ordered it. Plus they have a telephone number but never answer it. After trying to ring a few times they put a notice on their website stating not to call them and to email instead but that was hit and miss whether you got a reply. Upside is their prices are cheaper but the latest citric acid I bought was very big grains and isn't easy to work with so again, ingredients can be hit and miss. I'd rather spend that bit extra and go to www.justasoap.co.uk - prices maybe more but they will ship for next day if you order before 12pm and their shipping charge is pretty fab if buying in bulk.

Soap Kitchen is very pricey for some things. I try to stay away if I can, but I do have to buy the odd occasional thing from there and it's always good quality.

I tend to stick to the same suppliers if they are reliable and they offer all the MSDS information needed that I need etc. That makes me more happier knowing that legally I am covered and offering the best ingredients possible. Unfortunately I've experienced lack of MSDS with some companies and I stop buying from them immediately as I am unable to sell my items which is a shame, as they are doing themselves out of customers.

Oh there is also www.gracefruit.com - no particular reason I don't buy from them very often. Just other places offer the exact same items for a cheaper price.

Anyway, hope this helps! Always nice to speak to another fellow bath & body maker from the UK

I don't suppose anyone knows if/where vanilla stabiliser can be bought in the UK?

Also, don't you have to pay a lot of extra tax if you order from the US?

P.S. Where in Yorkshire are you? My Cousin lives in Northallerton at the moment, and my Aunty and Uncle have lived in York as long as I can remember! I have fond memories of going sledging on Ilkley Moor (BAR T'AT :- where the ducks play football) when I was about 11.

_________________
"The question is: does it work on stage? If it works on stage, does it fit the theory? If it works on stage, but doesn't fit the theory; throw out the theory." Bertolt Brecht

Hi, Magia and Yummy Mummy! Good to know there are more of us out there! Totally agree with your experiences of Soaposh, YM ... impossible to get hold of, and a web site that's far from easy to use. I've had endless trouble trying to order online, which is a shame because their FOs are lovely. My biggest bugbear is the lack of proper MSDS info on so many of these sites, and stuff coming in without batch numbers. JustaSoap seems to be the most efficient; I tend to use them for the same reason you do, YM. Gracefruit has the best range of allergen-free FOs, though. Annoying when you want one particular item, and can only buy it from one source.

Magia, try using a non-discolouring vanilla. I think I got mine from either Soap Basics or Soap Kitchen.

_________________
Tired? Depressed? Sick of the weather? Talk to your doctor about the benefits of Chardonnay ...

I'll have a look at Soap Kitchen. I really don't like Soap Basics anymore. I've had some really really bad customer service experiences with them, one that nearly jeapodised my stock situation just before a local festival where I had a stall. Grrr! Was not impressed, I really don't need the hassle. Pretty happy with Soap Kitchen though, not had the same kind of issues there. I get my palm-free soap base there now, even though it's £1 or £2 more expensive than Soap Basics.

_________________
"The question is: does it work on stage? If it works on stage, does it fit the theory? If it works on stage, but doesn't fit the theory; throw out the theory." Bertolt Brecht