I guess I should explain what a swap involves before sign ups....here goes:
Swaps are a lot of fun and interesting as well. Everybody puts their best effort into the product they make and send in. It is a great time to sample new recipes and scents that you may not have used in the past, or may not make yourself. A lot of groups have swaps. Some are Soap only, some are Lotions only...some have specific themes and the product is left up to you. (like baby products, or winter scents) We have a theme...Summer - anything goes - (soaps, lotions, bath products that are of a summer theme) Each person in the swap makes enough of the same full size product for each person in the swap - we limit out swaps to 20 - and sends it to the swap mom along with money/or stamps to cover the return postage. We suggest bulk rate shipping. It is the best value. The swap mom makes the return packages with one of each products and you get Christmas when your box arrives. Some people send a little goodie for the swap mom(not required but always nice) and when I mom a swap I give a special early bird prize to the first 3 people to get theirs in.
I do request that all ingredients are listed so that noone has a nasty allergic reaction to anything, but you do not need to include the recipe.
I think I have done 5 swaps on the list, so I am not new or unknown to the list.
Hey, Tara! I was waiting around to see what kind of response there was on this, but I was a bit intimidated by the limit of 20! That just seemed like a lot of product to get made up - but maybe that's just me. That was the first thing I thought of, Gee - what can I make, that I can make 20 of the same thing without breaking the bank?
If there are others interested, I think that this forum is still pretty small right now, since it was just revamped, so if we thought about doing a smaller limit, like 10 instead of 20, maybe there would be more folks wanting to participate.
I'm putting this out there - what does everyone think?
I may also be interested in doing a soap swap. I have been making soaps for about 3 months so you may be disappointed when you get your monthly soap from me. But I would love to learn new techniques and see what creative things can be done with soaps and lotions (esp. packaging). I don't have any fabulous original recipes but maybe it could stimulate my growth in the hobby.
Though, I think I could only participate if the group was small. I have 3 kids and a husband to take of and they are a lot of work. So If you will have me just let me know.
Thanks so much and Happy Fourth of July! Catherine Carter
I am a newbie too at soap making (and I am hopping to try my hand at lotion making soon), but I would be interested in participating to a swap if the group wasn't too big and if beginner talent are welcome. I also live in Canada. I don't know if that matter for shipping?
Tara, could you give me an idea what a full size product would be in terms of soap or lotion? I know it is a silly question, but since you have participated in other swap you may have a better idea.
Julie, I've seen some really awesome soaps made by beginners - and the whole reason anyone makes soap from scratch is that it's far, FAR better than the commercial stuff that's mostly not even REAL soap!
It's not just the prettiness of the bar, or the fancy packaging, but it's about experiencing new things: a different type of oil or additive (maybe silk, or clay...) or it could be an essential oil that you've never smelled before...or a combination of EO's that makes something new and different. Doing a swap is GREAT for beginners and old-timers alike: it's making new discoveries, and getting outside of our little boxes, and learning what's new, too!
Personally, I don't like artificial ingredients, especially fragrance oils - but a friend and I did a Christmas craft fair together last year, and we wanted to swap some things, so would you believe that out of all of my friend's goat milk soaps, I picked the only one that was a FO! Just goes to show you, sometimes new things aren't what you expect...
I say, let's not worry about whether you are a beginner or more experienced - let's just have FUN! Think about what you like the best, or what sells the best, and sign up. Then we get to sample a whole bunch of new things and expand our horizons! Celebrate difference - and learn!
When would it start? The reason I ask is because soap has to cure for at least 2-4 weeks (at least that is what I do). I wouldn't mind joining the swap.
I was thinking about a September 1 due date. Any full size item (soap is considered full size at 4oz or larger, lotion would be 4 oz as well - No single lipbalms, or guest size items-sorr) with a summer theme.
Here's a thought - by September, summer's just about over, so would an autumn theme be more appropriate? If swap items are due Sept. 1st, everyone would still get their packages a week or so after that... We could do Back to School, Autumn Colors, Pick of the Harvest, or even Indian Summer....
If the September 1st deadline is to submit swap items, is there a deadline for signing up for the swap? I guess everyone would need to know how many of each thing to make, wouldn't we?
One more question (sorry, I've never done a swap before!) - will this be limited to soaps, creams and lotions, or could we also do sugar scrubs, liquid soaps, or powders?
As long as the items are packaged securely to prevent leaks while in transit, I imagine Tara wouldn't limit to specific items since this is a theme swap.
Well...you know...Fall is a better idea. Let's do that. And Andee is right, I wouldnt count any of those out. They would be perfect as long as they dont leak!!
Oh, Catherine! - I know you have some great stuff, too! I haven't decided yet what I'll make, but you know soap doesn't have to be fancy to be incredibly wonderful. The first time I used real, honest-to-goodness soap I was hooked!
A soap buddy of mine just sent me a box of "thank you" soaps, I made her some labels and she really liked them. One of the soaps she sent had a hand-written label "Ugly Soap" - but it's the first one I used! It smells incredible...this is the first time I've experienced oakmoss essential oil, and it has a wonderfully fresh, ocean type vibe - hard to describe, but I think it's just awesome. My friend has also just discovered oakmoss, and this bar was part of an experiment...what a great experiment it was!
Part of the swap is to experience new things - and I'm so looking forward to that! Now, who's next????
I been making soap for the past 4 months and have made about 9 small batches. I've been evesdropping on the blogs here and used Andee's recipes during the week of making cold process soaps I want to thank you all for the great advise you've provided. My last batch was a shampoo bar - it's still curing and I can hardly wait to try it. Anyway, I'm interested in the swap and would love to see what you all have made! I however would like to have everyone's recipes.
I would LOVE to take part in a swap! I've been making soaps and other bath stuff for about 11 years. It's always fun to see what other people come up with!
OK, so we now have: 1. Tara 2. Kathy (me) 3. Raquel 4. Catherine 5. Janice 6. Soapybiz (though somehow I doubt that is the name your mother gave you...but I don't see any other name in your post!)
Janice: I think that recipes are given on a voluntary basis, some of us have worked very hard to come up with our own unique recipes and make not want to share it - just as a chef will closely guard his or her own food recipes. It's OK to ask, but the answer might be "no"....hope you are OK with that!
We need 4 more participants to make our limit of 10 - anyone else want to jump in?
I understand if someone doesn't want to give out their recipes. Here's where I'm coming from, I can follow a recipe and have the finished product, but how do I know that I've done it right? If I had a recipe from someone experienced and also had a sample of their finished product, I'd know if my attempt was successful or not.
It's just a bit harder to learn without being able to have an experienced person nearby. Okay, I'm done crying about it.
My mother-in-law asked if I would make her goat's milk soap. I've got a can of the powdered and thought I'd give it a try today. Wish me luck!
Janice, if you mix the GM powder with a small amount of water, then add it to your oils right after adding you lye water, it seems to affect the color less (sometimes the sugar in the GM will carmelize and turn your soap brown.)
Good luck! Let us know how it turns out!
BTW - if my swap item is a published recipe that I found online (right now I haven't decided what I'll make, though!) I don't mind sharing at all...I can't speak for everyone, of course.
I dont mind sharing my recipe, but I am making lotion, so it wont help soap makers :-)
Andee graciously offered to do the rec'ing and the sending of the boxes!! Thank you Andee!! So when we reach the limit, I will post the final instructions with addresses and such!!
Janice, I haven't used sea kelp but I have seen salt soap bars and I'm curious about what these are (I'm assuming soap with added salt?) - what would be the benefits and how much salt do you add? I know sea salt is a great detox for bathing, but wouldn't salt in a soap bar be drying to the skin?
I used sea salt water (filled up a gallon jug when I was at the coast) as my liquid for a batch of lye soap. It wasn't drying at all. I think it would depend more on what oils you used. I used palm oil, palm kernel oil, olive oil and castor oil. This is what I'm planning to use for the swap, by the way.
The new baby is swaddled and resting quietly in the kitchen. Does anyone else feel that way? I love each new batch I make. Here's the scoop: I began with Andee's Cold Process Day 1 recipe. Multiplied x3 for a 3 lb. batch. Mixed the lye into 6 oz. water and the balance of liquid made into goat's milk. I did as Kathy suggested and added the goat's milk after the lye mix was added into oils. Was slow to trace - I think because of the lye/water mix got cooled down a little (I heated my oils on the stove top and umm, forgot it for a minute. Had to cool that down with a fan and some quick stirring action). Was worried about trace, unsure because of some weird bubbles on top, so I added an oz. of Jojoba to help speed things up. I used about half an ounce of Honey Almond Fragrance and split the mix in two. To one I added some dried, chopped Calendula petals and ground apricot seeds and a good teaspoon of tumeric. Got a little more color than I bargined for but then swirled the two lightly. It was firming up nicely as I stirred it. I can hardly wait to see it and cut it!
Thanks again Kathy for great advise on using the goat's milk.
Janice, you are very welcome! I'm glad the baby is resting quietly now - sounds like this is quite an exquisite creation! I also love to use turmeric as a colorant, it's such a beautiful golden yellow, and can be made as intense as you like.
Did you also know that turmeric is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine? It's taken internally, but also used externally on the skin for its beneficial properties for treating acne, oily skin, eczema, and removal of dark spots, wrinkles and scars. You can make a paste of turmeric and milk or yogurt and apply as a mask to the face and it will noticeably soften and freshen the skin. It also has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.
Doesn't that sound like something just marvelous for your face?
Sounds like you know a lot about herbs...I have a horticulture background and am trying to incorporate using native plants into my soaps. Either infusing them into the oil mix or into the liquids and using them as a natural colorants - such as the turmeric. I'm in Ohio and I've been harvesting from wild fields to either dry for ornamental use or use in soap making and making bath salts. I've got a shed full and the season has a long way to go. The hard part is correctly identifying the wild plants. If you saw the movie "Into the Wild" you know how important and tricky this is. There's an extension of the National Herb Society nearby and I've been meaning to get there to have some questions answered. I plan on trying your suggestion of making a facial mask from yogurt and turmeric. Sounds natural and simple. Janice
We have a total of 6 participants in our swap - what started out as a summer swap is now an early fall swap....Hmmm....Indian Summer Swap? The extended deadline to submit your creations is now September 1 - barely a month away!
So will we proceed with 6? Anyone else who would like to get in on the fun (please read posts upstream!) should jump in - have no fear, this is purely for fun and the joy of creating and sharing!
Last call...or soon to be last call....Tara, are you out there? What do you think?
This is going to be so much fun. I get to decide between two batches that I have made in the last week or so. Who knows, I may make another batch and see what one I like the best.
With only 3 weeks til September, how about we go with the 8 or 9 of us? Here's the new count: 1.Tara 2. Tara (counted twice on purpose) 3. Kathy (me) 4. Raquel 5. Catherine 6. Janice 7. Lisa 8. Andee 9. Susan - possibly, if the timing works for her
Tara, let's do it! I have something that will work perfectly with an "Indian Summer" theme. Here's a hint: I'm using my own EO blend that I call Choctaw Rose. Anyone want to try to guess what EO's are in it?
Andee has graciously offered to collect the swap items, package them up and mail them - and is also one of the participants. Andee, can you give us the address you want us to use, and give a postage amount?
Majestic Mountain Sage Attn: Indian Summer Swap 918 West 700 North Suite 104 Logan, UT 84321
Do you think we can fit this into a Medium Flat Rate Box (13-5/8" x 11-7/8" x 3-3/8" $10.35) or do you think it will have to fit in a Large Flat Rate Box(12" x 12" x 5-1/2" $13.95)? Once I know your product sizes, I can figure the box size needed.
My item will be a bar of soap as well. Oops I better get stared. So September 1st is when it needs to be there (preferably sooner so are not hassled with all of it). Also, do we pay about $15.00?