Somebody help me pick my jaw up off the floor!  

Thanks. I keep saying "Oh they're nothing special", but I guess I've just been doing this stuff and learning so long I think everybody should know all about it. When they contact me for more info. I'm struttin' like a peacock!

Yes, it is scary. For a long time I really hesitated about doing much of anything on the internet. I know it opens you up to all kinds of possibilities, negative and positive.

I hope this is possitive for you.

Yes, if you don't want to be found stay off the internet!

Yes, as thebeaddoodler there are lots of references, but my real name and SilverMist Garden, my soap business, not so much.

I didn't even know you had a soap business.

Sorry I just left you hanging after I started the discussion. I got distracted by real life. . .not nearly as much fun as mylot but more necessary.
My soap and natural skin care products can be found here. http://silvermistgarden.com/default.aspx

Don't be too disheartened. It's taken my 10 years to get here simply because I didn't know how to network and some of these marvelous networking sites weren't even available when I started.

Thanks Like I told Louise, it's taken me 10 years, simply because I didn't know how. I'm still learning, so hopefully I'll get more recognition eventually, might even make a few sales.

I hope you really like your laundry detergent. I've found that even if you have to buy the soap bar that it's a lot cheaper than the commercial stuff. I made some from one of my soaps that didn't hold the scent, so had been put in the "orphan" box. Even drying my clothes in the dryer they still have that nice fresh clean scent I remember from childhood when we hung the clothes on the line.

I actually like it really well. It works as good as or better than the bought ones and doesn't seem to break my son out either.

Are you sure you're ready for this? You must first do some reading and make sure you understand the soap making process and take all precautions to protect yourself. Here are some links for starters.

http://soapnuts.com/indexsoap.html
This is a wonderful place to explore a lot of different aspects of soapmaking.
http://www.saratogascents...
Please note that in most areas Red Devil lye is no longer available in grocery stores. I have to order mine. If you're still interested after doing some research, let me know and I'll send you some sources. A glass thermometer has the temps painted on the outside and the lye/water solution will eat it off. I use a stainless steel meat thermometer (probe type).

Here's my basic recipe. You can find it in the soapnuts library. The personal note was to a specific person who had asked for the recipe. http://soapnuts.com/index.shtml in the recipe nook. This is a wonderful place to explore a lot of different aspects of soapmaking.

Here's the best recipe I ever had and it is so versatile you can adjust
in in many ways after you get used to making soap.
Jennie's Best Soap Recipe
9 oz olive oil
5 oz coconut oil
2 oz palm oil
2.4 oz lye
5.2 oz water
.7 oz your choice of essential oils at trace
keep temps between 100 and 115 degrees.
You said you'd read books, so I'm asuming you have access to basic soap
making instructions and safty instructions.
Happy soapin'
O Yes, I pour this into a 6 " section of downspout and it makes 6 bars
about 1" thick
You can use anything you choose for a mold as long as it won't react with
lye, or be destroyed by high heat.
Jennie
SilverMist Garden
http://silvermistgarden.com/default.aspx
Exploring lost arts of living naturally