Teach Soap

Hi!

I'm new at soap and don't want to order a sampler kit, want my own fragrances etc..want to order from Brambleberry and have some questions about their products as well as how to make a few things, if someone can help me, that would be awesome!

RE: SOAP- I'm starting with Melt and Pour Soap:

a) The Basic Melt and Pour Soap recipe here doesn't say how much of each ingredient, except for fragrance oil and colorant. to use. How can I find this out I need to know how much soap base to use, or if there is anything else I need beside the soap base...will 2 lbs. of soap base accomadate a mold that holds 2 lbs. like Brambleberry's rectangular mold: http://www.brambleberry.com/Rectangle-T ... P4198.aspx


b) I'd like to know if I can make a Swirl soap using MP method.. Anyone know how to make it if I can using Melt and Pour? Or do I have to use Cold Process to make this? Like the Marble Swirls, is there a way I can swirl colors into M and P using a dowel or bamboo stick or something like that?

c) Can I put lavender buds/chamomile flowers/etc. into CLEAR MP soap base that BB carries so it looks SUSPENDED throughout the bar of soap, or should I use a different base? I'm thinking that I should use the clear base for this...am I right? Should I add colorant to the base or leave it as is if I can do this? I'm thinking that maybe I'd need a translucent colorant (small amount) to make this look nicer.

d) if you are a re-seller, what are your best selling women's essential oils or fragrances, and what are your best selling EOs or fragrances that MEN like?

e) for samplers and scrub bars (single use) do you have any recommendations on what kind of mold I should use? the "basic square" of BB is not actually square, but in photos I see of these on the web, I see real squares...anyone know where I can get them? Are there any colors that clients seem to prefer?

f) I notice some recipes use Coconut Oil or Olive Oil as ingredient- I loathe these scents, do clients like them much? Can I substitute these oils with others, and if so, which would be ok? Safflower is easiest to get, and I have grapeseed, flax seed and jojoba.

g) in soap-making, can anyone tell me their most popular selling items? (I'm one of those people that feels there's plenty of business to go around, and if I can help you with anything in return that I know or will be learning, I'd be happy to, just fyi)

h) last, where may I ask question re: lotions, lip balms and scrubs, creams, things like that?

Thanks very much to anyone/everyone who can help me!! I need to get this order placed soon, so anyone who has some time as soon as possible would be super appreciated!!!

Namaste~

Lisa
http://www.chakradreams.etsy.com

a) You don't have to add any ingredients to Melt and pour soap, except fragrance & color if you'd like. A 2 lb mold will hold 2 lbs of soap base.

b)You can swirl MP. Here's a good tutorial on it http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body- ... pour-cubes

c) Any flowers, besides calendula will turn brown in soap. You can use clear base or color it slightly to suspend your flowers in, but they'll still be brown. Brown lavender buds end up looking like mouse poop.

d)I'm not a re-seller, but I am a seller. I'm not sure what you mean by reseller. My top 2 best selling women's fo's are White Tea & Ginger and Black Raspberry Vanilla. My top 2 manly fo's are Kentish Rain and Citrus & Sage. But different parts of the country seem to be different for top sellers.

e)I think most people use the brownie squares mold that Wilton carries, or something similar to that. As for colors, I usually try to match it up to the fo.

f) Coconut & Olive oils aren't scents. I think the recipes you are reading are Cold Process recipes. There is no need to add extra oil to MP base. Unless are you talking about adding oils in sugar scrub recipes? I wouldn't use grapeseed for that, since it tends to have a short shelf life. I like Fractionated Coconut Oil in my sugar scrubs.

g) Soap.

h)In the toiletries section

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Genny

Colordreamer, my first suggestion to you would be to start reading on this forum. There is lots of information that could be very beneficial to you. Most of your questions can be answered just by reading. Starting with a sampler would be a good idea, because it may help what type of products you would like to use. As for selling, it takes time & testing. You might want to start googling about the difference between M & P and cold process. People on this forum are more than willing to help but it takes alot of research on your part to be successful.

There is a lot of info here. Read this part of the forum (Melt and Pour soap) and you will find the answers you seek. As far as fragrances, I'm a retailer and wholesaler not a reseller. Lot of fragrances are regional, so what works for me, might not work for you. I sell a lot of citrus based fragrances, lavender and patchouli blends. Fragrances are also seasonal. There is no need to add anything to your MP base except color and fragrance.

Cold process soaps are made with oils and lye, but they are completely different then MP base.

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

Thank you for your answers...I meant retailer, not re-seller. I did read some of the pages, and know I have to read more, but just want to get started on making some items. I appreciate the info you've given to me.

Thank you!