A couple of years ago I made candles - now I'm starting a dead easy SOAP thread

[LaurieFairyCake]

melt and pour bases make this the easiest thing ever. I've got normal which is clear and goats milk which is a lovely milky base.

The ones I'm doing now in silicone cupcake cases are lavender - tiny bit of pale blue dye, lots of lavender flowers from the garden, and good lavender essential oil.

The second batch is oat and honey - actual honey, tiny bit of lemon dye and some rolled oats.

Once done I'm going to let them dry in the silicone cases and then just tie up each one individually with those silly bits of ribbon I collect from inside clothes or scraps.

The bases I'm using are from here, ordered Wednesday, turned up an hour ago (friday) so nice and quick turnaround

I got both the clear and the goats milk bases from them.

Pictures to follow once done.

cynner - sure, but I'd go for edible glitter as then it won't scratch - I get irritated by the Lush stuff as their glitter scratches my bits

I've just used the honey/oat soap and it's pretty nice.

I agree it's not really soap making when its this easy DameFanny - it would be lovely if you posted your recipe and talked us through it, I'd love to give the proper stuff a go

However, these easy ones are pretty good for kids to decorate for teachers, you can dye and layer them incredibly easy (I'm going for a Jubilee red/White\ blue for fun. And ive read a lovely idea on one of the sites about hiding a wee toy in the soap to encourage kids to wash their hands - what a great gift it would be for children to give to their friends.

I made one for my no-handwashing-I'm-a-boy eldest with goldfish in knowing he would wash his hands to get at the fish. Instead he used my tweezers to chisel the fish out and is still a germ vector.

I love the melt and pour bases too - they are ridiculously easy! You can get bases, moulds, colours, glitter and scents here and the ones I have had from them have been really good. If you are thinking of selling at craft fairs your entire recipe needs to be certified which is an expensive process (apparently - I am parroting websites and feel honour-bound to point this out in case I sound like I actually know anything about it!) but some places will sell you complete kits which are already certified ready for you to make up and sell.

These snow globe soaps are very festive!

Laurie I sometimes read your candle thread even when I have no intention of making candles any time soon just because it is so lovely and makes me smile!

Thanks for the festive suggestions everyone, and those snowglobe soaps look like so much fun! - I will certainly have to give some a try :D

I had no idea you had to have your ingredients/process certified for selling! (not that I'm going to, but it's one of those niggles I may explore one day). Interesting stuff :]

what a great thread! my soap making supplies arrived today; I've been reading and googling for weeks now. I've opted for the cold process method. Since there seem to be some experienced soapmakers on this thread, can you please tell me where you source your essential oils? I'm looking for a Lemon Tea Tree oil for a recipe in the book I'm using. I have found it but it is rather expensive. Is there a substitute? It's is being used with sweet orange oil.