I have been making melt and pour soap for quite a while now. A couple of years, at least. I really enjoy making it and giving it away.
Some time ago, I decided that in order to sustain this hobby, I need to start selling some of my soap creations. I make more than we can use and, as much as I would like to just give it away, it is really not economically feasible.
The problem is that I have done little to nothing to promote my online shop. I don’t even have a link to it on this blog.
I am just not good at selling. It is not that I do not think that I have a quality product, it’s just that I can’t believe people would pay $4.00 + shipping for soap. The whole reason I started making my own soap bars is that I am too cheap to buy glycerin soap in the stores.
Anyway, I am kind of getting off topic. Actually, this post was supposed to be about the fact that I am going to start sharing some of my techniques and recipes on this blog. I love soap making and I think you will, too. If you already soap, I hope that my ideas will inspire you in some way.
For you newbies out there, here are a couple of basic melt and pour tutorials.
The first is from About.com: Candle & Soap Making. It has lots of good photos and a video option, too.
The second is from Teach Soap, a website and forum from Bramble Berry Soap Supplies, where I buy my stuff from.
I don’t own a microwave, so I used to melt my soap base in a double boiler (actually a bowl over a pot of water). Now I use my little 1.5 quart slow cooker. It was free with the 8 quart one I got for Christmas. I just cut up my soap chunks, put them in, turn the cooker on low, and leave it for a while.
It works very well for me, especially since things tend to come up that interrupt me and the slow cooker will keep the soap warm, if needed.
I look forward to sharing my first tutorial with you. In the meantime, you can see a few of my soap creations at charityt.etsy.com.
Charity,
I too, have been making glycerin soaps for a couple of years now. I was making for some of the same reasons you were. I find it hard to believe that anyone would spend a few good dollors on a bar of soap. But, I’m trying anyway! I have so much soap I don’t know what to do with it all! Visit my blog to see my pictures. Happy soaping!