Great points. I had a soap business for almost 10 years and it is very easy to get sucked down that rabbit hole of having to have every new mold or fragrance or colorant that comes along. What is needed is focus and a plan and stick to it. Be true to yourself and what you do and make it the best you can. You do not need to purchase dozens of fragrance oils and essential oils either. Even though I carried around 50 fragrances at one point, there was only about a dozen fragrance that sold out consistently and that people came back to purchase repeatedly. I could have had about 20 fragrances and sold just as much soap as when I had 40 or 50. Also, limit holiday scents because it is the same with those. Get 3 or 4 and call it a day. Also, try to not get sucked into online groups. While they are good for researching and inspiration, it does lead to dissatisfaction with what you are accomplishing. There is always going to be a new mold, a new fragrance, a new color, a new technique or trend. There will alway be someone who is better than you at some aspect of soapmaking or has way more money to spend on supplies or sells twice as much soap as you do. Be true to yourself and what you do and try to do it better than anyone else. Decide on a bar shape and size and invest in good, basic equipment like molds and cutters that you will get years and years of use out of. This will help develop your "look" and keep you packaging costs down. I am thinking of re-opening my soap business and if I do, I will be making one soap recipe in one shape and size so I can make perfect bars every time and to limit packaging costs and mold costs. I already have 4 single log molds and if I re-open I will purchase a 2 slab mold that yield 3 logs each in order to save time when making soap, , but all molds will produce the exact same size of soap bar. It doesn't matter what shape and size you decide on, just be consistent so you don't have to constantly change your packaging. I also will not do imbeds, piping or fancy multi color layers and swirls as they take up time, equipment and money and are unnecessary in the actual function of the soap, which is to clean. My focus will be on making excellent soap that people will want to use everyday and will be repeat customers and not just one ofs that buy a soap just to set on the sink in their guest bathroom for decoration. Just my opinions.
Thanks for this video. I literally had about 15 novelty molds in my amazon cart lol. I am new to soap making, and I have been finding myself wanting to buy everything. This helps.
Awe, you are great. I also bought so many fancy molds. Spent a lot of time making them and scenting. The disappointment is when you find out no one uses them, but keeps them for decoration. You are so right, most people will only use the rectangle bars.
Don't get me started with "it's too pretty to use". I cringe. Kills me. Just use it. It is fun to see how the swirls change as you use up the bar of soap...
I have been toying with the idea of starting a business but I am older, 75, and it takes time to build a business so will I have the stamina for this type of business because making soap all day, cutting soap, labels and all that goes into a business is at a very basic level time and energy intensive. I think you must be committed or do it as a hobby. My friends love gifts of homemade soap products and that is basically what I do. I have to be careful not to make too much soap too.
WoW, I just saw you video on over spending, and I wanted to say thank you for your honesty. I myself, just got into soap making and am looking it. I also have caught myself in the impulsive, wishing to have, oh how cute this and that is. But I did hit my breaks quickly and I am glad I did. One thing that I still need to do is set my goal in a clear vision of where I wanna go and where I would like to be.
Thank you for your advice . I've just started my soap making on new years day and now I will definitely make sure I don't get carried away! I'm sticking to no colours , essential oils only , simple vegetarian soap and will remind myself of my goals :) Thanks
Thank you for being so honest and down to earth about helping others with your personal learned lessons. It truly helps much! It’s so nice to see people helping others instead of trying to keep everything themselves. Many blessings to you and all fellow soapers new and seasoned!
I am not trying to sell people things, I am direct and honest. I want people to succeed and make profit in their for profit business. It's really hard to do with a low profit margin as with handmade soap. I am glad you thought my opinions were honest and from a good place. Thanks for watching.
I needed this video about 2 months ago, I already have an over flowing tote of molds! This is a fantastic video, I'm guilty of a few of these. Thanks for taking the time to teach, best informative video I've seen.
Christine, this was a really helpful video, thank you. My parents were children in south Wales in WW2 and I think they must have feared running out of things as they always had spares in store. I am the same and was very tempted by the huge choice of molds but you have helped me to realise that I don't need more than I actually plan to make. Plus soap making will only be a hobby for me, not a business.
Hi Cristina It is very genuine and thoughtful of you to share this message with the world. It is so much appreciated from my side as I have never been into any business but just worked as employee and I really think I would like to get into the soap making business and it does help a lot seeing your message. May God bless you for your kindness.
Great, honest video about me 😂 Thankfully I learned quick to make a standard bar with cool but simple to execute swirls. Visual 100% is the first reason a customer gains interest, then scents then reviews. Get those 3 in order and success is unavoidable.
I bought loaf molds because I thought that was what would sell most and what would be easiest to use by consumers. I only bought inexpensive embed molds that are classic and would sell where I live (flamingos, starfish, palm trees, flowers, pineapples, sand dollars, seashells, and stars). I also use the embeds for my bath bombs, that way people can get a free mini soap and test the formula. I live in South Florida btw.
You are smart to have stuck to the local theme for beach and ocean and also because hopefully the Florida tourists are buying your soap as a souvenir and reminder, that is a great niche market. You are lucky, cash in on that. Thanks for your comment and for watching.
Omg I can’t stop laughing Christina. I have the same amount of useless molds. You are so spot on! One good point is you can use a lot of those embed molds now for your wax melts. Super cute.
This is the BEST ADVICE and so kind of you to share this information. It's common sense, but I can see I've already gone a bit nutty buying stuff. Thank you so much!
Thank u for reiterating what I already feel about soapmaking. I like good old standard rectangle sized soaps and that is what I am sticking too! Thanks for making this video! 👍🏽
I have 2-1 lb molds, 2-2 lb molds, 2-6 cavity round molds, 3-16 cavity round minis, and 16 little individual molds; all purpose purchases. I use the 1 lb molds for testing new fragrances, colors, additives and techniques, and continuously adding to my base line. Once I decide I like the fragrance, color, technique, etc, I make a 2 lb batch. The 6 cavity round molds are for my salt/exfoliating soaps. The minis are for ‘sample’ soaps...for orders and for purchase. The individual molds are for ‘me’ soap. I have a 5-year plan and a budget. I did go over my first year budget when I purchased a rolling kitchen island to soap on and hold all my supplies and ingredients, but if the soaping thing doesn’t work out, I will have a great kitchen island. I work full-time so I only make soap on the weekends and holidays. Until I start selling more soap than I can currently make, I see no reason to purchase additional molds.
Covid took care of the first year. I had health issues last year. Went down the rabbit hole…FOs, not molds thought I did manage to acquire more than few more. Not quite as many as you have in your totes, but it’s a learning process. But I’m okay with the slow pace, it’s given me time to really get to know my recipe, to learn more about soap making, understand fatty acids and the science. How are you doing?
Oh my molds...let me count the number I have purchased in the past year. First, a correction to the first two molds in my previous post; 2-4” Loaf (20 oz) molds and 2-10” Loaf (50 oz) molds. I’m correcting it because I did buy a 2 lb mold and it wasn’t the same. It was the BB one with the sliding bottom, I got it on sale. Also bought two discounted cavity molds w/2 each rounds, squares and circles with the idea of making kid-size soaps...not, too big for toddler hands. Bought some Bee cavity molds for Lotion Bars...love them. Bought a candy mold at JoAnns for smaller Lotion Bars; pretty design, can’t find a tin to fit them. Picked up two of the RED molds from another soap maker...jury is still out on them. Oval shaped cavity molds with flower design...LOVE THEM (so do my customers). Bought a 9-square cavity mold to make Lemon Bars with. A few days after I got it, another soap maker sold me her two BB 9-Bar Birchwood Molds, bought the liners for both of them. Haven’t made Lemon Bars yet, but I did make some Neapolitan Soap that I am quite happy with. And from the same gal, picked up a slab mold with a rake (for peacock swirls) to make marshmallow soap with. I just bought an animal shape and car shaped cavity molds for the grand babies and a 6” Slab mold to play around with some designs. I might make more, but I’m not totally sure, but I am sure that all of my molds would maybe fill two of your tubs. Oh...I forget the mini donut molds...for Fruit Loop Soap. Yeah...it is REAL easy to get caught up in the ‘latest’ trends...I admit to eyeing the soap scrapers, but not because I want to create landscapes, but to maybe add some interest in a layered soap. I’ve looked at extruders, but that means making AND storing soap dough. It’s also the reason I haven’t moved the cookie/fondest cutters into my cart. And embeds...I have no interest in M&P. Okay...that’s not totally true...I do make Marshmallow Soap, but that’s for the grand babies. And column molds...either for soap or embeds. Yeah, kind of neat looking, but that’s another rabbit hole that I don’t have a lot of interest in. I did get Wilton set...for down the road. Got to have a budget, it really helps keeps you in line. Learn how to blend your colorants. I started to go down that rabbit hole until I saw a gal on CZcams that easily had 30 jars of ‘blue’ on her shelf and I thought “why”? I tell new soap makers that you only need two molds to get start with...a 4” Loaf and a 6” Slab and then spend the next year developing your recipe, leaning how it works and testing colorants, scents and techniques.
Thank you for your candid advice. My husband was just telling me I thought making only loaf mold soaps was better. I appreciate you as a new soap maker im racking up the embed molds and have no $ for oils. Lol thanks again.
If it makes you feel better buy one embed mold per holiday and use a basic shape single cavity mold (squares, circles, rectangles) and then make a little one pound batch of soap with holiday colors then a holiday embed for 4 holiday soaps...
I am glad you understand. We need to balance the fun, creative, and artistic side with the business making money basics...balancing act. Thanks for your comment and for watching.
I think I am doing this so far. I am tempted many times, but doing pretty good so far. My rule of thumb is to purchase only if I know WHAT I am going to use it for. For instance, I bought a puppy paw mold, because I made 150 of these for a rescue organization. Great advice! Thank you!
Thank you for bringing me back to earth. I was daydreaming molds. Thank you I would have overspent when the time came for me to purchase them. Now I know what to get.
Thank you for this. I'm fairly new to the soapmaking hobby and I'm planning to making it a business, and thank you for all these insights, I will keep them in mind. :)
I am new to soap making and this video is absolutely one not to miss. I am exactly like you impulsive, read and listened to so many youtube that I was also running out to buy whatever everyone suggested. Thank you
If you have to unfollow groups for a while, do it. People really tempt you by their enthusiasm. Or maybe just some of us are more prone to their influence. LOL
This is the most honest, from the heart video I have seen in a while! Very good job and I bet your soap is just as good too! Through these hands God creates cleanliness. Lets make soap!
Thanks, Christine - finding your video was perfect timing for me. I've made cp soap a couple of times and want to try again - and also try my hand at melt and pour. I will take your advice to heart because, truly, there's so much I want to try and buy but now will take it slow. Appreciate you taking the time to share your wisdom.
Thank you for your honesty and sharing this video as I found myself doing the same exact thing as a paper crafting and acrylic paint artist now I was doing the same thing with my soaps! So this really hit home... even though I knew better because of my own prior history of artist mistakes, wouldn’t You know, I was doing it again!
thank you so much for the video. I am looking at starting a soap making business I've never done it before so I'm going to go to some classes in London but your video was fantastic! OM God you save me a large amount of money. I think as a newbie you just get carried away with all the products on offer and, taken in by the pretty little designs as you said and you know lots of flowers and yeah Star wars stuff and just think you got to have it all. thank you for your great advice you're very kind and you've just saved me loads of money
If you see this let me know what you decided. I know I am late in replying to my comments. I know we get inspired and we are creative people and want to do all the fun things but it makes no business sense.
I’m relatively new and because older just wanted to make soaps for us, family and friends, that was my plan.......ha I’m already thinking could I start a small business.......doubt I’ll get there but the thought keeps churning. In Aus we don’t from my experience have moulds that cheapLy, just as well because I’m a little like you not to that extent but like I said I’m new.so this has brought me up fast. I agree the rectangle is the preferred shape, it’s what we mainly see at markets, stores etc. I have the six floral type easy to use and I thought pretty and just bought two single owl moulds quite expensive , having seen on one of my favourite CZcams channels, but that’s for my grandchildren. This is such good advice. I like the six individual rectangle mould for special soap I bought before I had a soap cutter. Now I have a single cutter and slab cutter the latter probably not necessary in my case, my splurge and taught me a big lesson to not order when tired. But I do have a few which are not practical bought from seeing someone using on CZcams. I realise that the log for me works best. Thank you. I hope you do one on essential and fragrance oils. My initial intent was to not use any, but essential oil is so expensive I already have purchased a few fragrance oils too.
I am glad it helped. I do have a video on overbuying fragrance oils! Unfollowing Facebook fragrance oil groups and unfollowing soapmaking groups helped me stop buying. I also unsubscribed from seller emails. I made one small order of scent in all of 2021 for a custom preorder of soap and used it all, and jn that order just got one new scent to try. I have no time for this side hustle while working 70 hours a week teaching during year 3 of a pandemic…I have wound down my spending and making.
Great advice, i wish i had watched this a month ago. I just bought alot of plastic mold for melt an pours. They seem to get slimy when not wrapped. I do not have that equipment yet. I have friends an family who want to purchase my soaps but do not have a name or shipping supply's.
Melt and pour soap has glycerine which actually draws water out of the air in the room and makes a slimy or wet coating on the surface of the soap. You have to wrap those melt and pour soaps right away. Also there is a special melt and pour that "sweats" less. Here in Houston melt and pour, even for embeds, is a risk for "sweating".
I'm just getting started in my soap business. So far I have purchased 3 special shaped molds (nothing too intricate, though) and 3 soap shaped silicone molds. In addition to those I have 1 2 lb loaf mold. I believe I will be using the loaf mold more, so I plan to purchase one or two more of those, and that will be it for a while. I totally understand getting caught up in the inspiration process, because I have felt the urge, too. However, my frugal ways keeps a tight reign on my urges. :) Thank you for this very helpful video.
The inspiration process is just one part of it. You really don't know what your spending so I made me something quite a while ago just for that. Just now made a video of it. You should use something like this too? To me, its Bad Ace and I'm fixing to use it in the morning to make some more soap. Its better then drinking and shooting pool on the weekends (when I was younger anyway). czcams.com/video/PKlAoV2w9ik/video.html
Thanks Christine, this makes so much sense. I almost got into the mold buying syndrom--luckiy I woke up fast. I have a few molds-- I think five-- that's it. Eventhough I am just starting my soap making I am limiting myself sensibly and learning more about the business side. Formulating is fun, but you have to stopand ask yourself some real questions as to where are you really going with this. Family and friends love my samples; but it's time for me to move on to bigger things-- in the business. Thanks for the info.
Thank you so much for your advice! I agree here. I went crazy buying soap molds of all kinds of shapes. My flower soaps hardly sold at all. I wish I never bought them.
I have just put a stop to molds I was going to buy. I wish I did it sooner. Your advice was dead on. You teach well and I'm hoping to learn more from you as i am a beginner. Have you ever made, pinetar soap. I am looking for a very easy, low ingredient recipe???????? It is very nice to meet you.
LOL Good for you to putting a stop to overbuying! I made pine tar soap once for my own use. It is a little controversial, some say it is not safe! I grew up using it while camping to keep poison ivy away....who knows what to believe!
This was a VERY good video. I fortunately know most of the stuff you talked about but it was a good reiteration. I do have a lot of molds that I bought in the beginning but I learned to stop that & focus my ideas to reuse molds emphasizing on color & fragrances. But thank you! It's always nice to hear that someone else has or had some of the same issues I've faced.
You are smart to have refocused your ideas. I destashed some molds then I am refocusing to make wax melts with the fragrances that people like in the air but not in their soap and with these cute shapes. I am glad you understand.
Thank you Christine. This was very eye opening as I'm pretty new to soaping. While I'm have a blast, my house is filling up with soap. You gave some much needed advice. I would like to ask you how I go about finding how find craft shows and advice on how and how to sale to local venders. I love this. And don't want to drown in soap! Karen, / Silver Lake, In
Everyone living with you will be happy as well. One of the best ways to find local shows is to watch and see what is happening in your area. You can scrub the internet but the sad fact is many show organizers are not putting their show info out into the world much except local word of mouth. Some use a newspaper ad (!!) in a local paper the week before a show. Some use Facebook but not enough do. So watch and see when you hear of a show and although it is too late you will know for next year. Some of the other vendors don't want to tell you about the shows as they don't want their competition there. It is cut throat.
Thank you for the great video & advice! I started with individual molds & some were harder to get clear impressions as well. I moved onto the loaf molds & embeds or simple tops & these did not sell well for me. Getting to know your customer base is essential. I live in a beach town so they love the small detailed molds & guest soaps.
the problem is that soaping stuff is only available online. You cant really know what you are buying and you end up buying stuff you either cant use or are dissatisfied with. that goes for everything from molds to fragrance. Sometimes the amount you have to buy is more than you want. I dont need a full pound of X. I just need a few ounces, but I have to buy a pound. Also, I just bought some molds from amazon - i only wanted one but had to buy 3.
You may want to see if you have people in your area thar can split an order with you. You are correct though and the oils can go rancid before use. If you have freezer or fridge room you can store them in there to prolong rancidity.
Thank you for making this video. I've just been making soap for little over a year now and I love velveta cheese boxes for my molds. They are strong and make the perfect size bar. I'm not big on embed molds, but I love piping the tops and working with soap dough. I'm venturing into liquid soap now and working on a shampoo recipe, lotion and body butter, and thinking about Farmer's Markets.
Hi Christine, thank you very much for your honest and excellent, excellent advice! These are some of the errors I have made, myself. I was trying to find soap moulds at the discount stores [ as I am only a budding business, soap maker] and I can testify to the ‘fad mold marketing’ scheme. I provide soaps to my sister’s AirB&B and friends from work. They want something that’s plainly marked “Homemade or Handcrafted ~ Soap”. Not the cupcake or turtle or six inch high soap mimicking birthday cake or something of that type. Just soap, natural and beneficial to the various skin types. We, ourselves want to put ‘that pretty little.....(whatever it is) aside as a decoration and use the simple rectangle bar instead. We really have to look at our moulds the way a customer does. Is it practical or is it a decoration? There are some soap makers who market on the flair of the ‘art’. They seem to have forgotten WHY they make soap. If your customer won’t use your soap because it’s too pretty, it will be left in the soap dish, shelf or passed on as a gift. If the soaps aren’t being used for the purpose intended, they won’t be back for more! It’s as simple as that. Thank you again, We appreciate your honesty and advice. God Bless You!
I am glad you found this useful. There is a mold that is sold that says handmade. I think BrambleBerry sells one. Some are guest soap size. The fact that the soap is great quality is important but I don't think I talked about that much in this video, it's just a given for me, non-negotiable.
I really enjoyed listening to this video. Christine you made me laugh with your honest experience. It was so nice that you want to share your experience with others in such an open and refreshing way. You are an inspiration.
Ha ha I am a packrat and let go of some but not all. Actually I am now making wax melts with some of these molds so they are being put to better use than for soap for me.
I was testing recipes and have endless old soap that is perfectly good but not any of my fixed recipes. How can I use those? Wondering about re-batching some older and dented ones to make 'pretty' soaps to sell cheaply. ... but unsure how to sell the idea. Happy for ideas?
Hi, you can rebatch it by cutting it or shredding it up for “confetti soap” then blend into a fresh batch of soap batter. See the 2019 YT video by Robert Lackie and Amy Warden. Enjoy! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate your honesty. Nobody tells the down side of soaping they just share there upside. You probably help more ppl with this video then you realize. I for one will be sharing your video.
Oh my goood! Thank you for this video. I'm brand new(as in I've just finished my second batch of soap today) to soap making and I'm 100% sure I was going this direction. I was also really excited about cupcake soaps and thought I could make those for gifts but you've just shed light in a major way. I've already bought four molds(which are not even proper soap molds) because I was also getting easily excited by every video I was seeing. God sent I tell you thanks for the heads up even though it's breaking my heart :)
I am new to this. Currently the mermaid thing is very popular. I actually am staying as far away from that style as possible. I agree pretty rectangular soaps are the way I am going. Save on the 20 million cute looking molds. People won't spend money on them because they won't want to use them.
Great points. I had a soap business for almost 10 years and it is very easy to get sucked down that rabbit hole of having to have every new mold or fragrance or colorant that comes along. What is needed is focus and a plan and stick to it. Be true to yourself and what you do and make it the best you can. You do not need to purchase dozens of fragrance oils and essential oils either. Even though I carried around 50 fragrances at one point, there was only about a dozen fragrance that sold out consistently and that people came back to purchase repeatedly. I could have had about 20 fragrances and sold just as much soap as when I had 40 or 50. Also, limit holiday scents because it is the same with those. Get 3 or 4 and call it a day. Also, try to not get sucked into online groups. While they are good for researching and inspiration, it does lead to dissatisfaction with what you are accomplishing. There is always going to be a new mold, a new fragrance, a new color, a new technique or trend. There will alway be someone who is better than you at some aspect of soapmaking or has way more money to spend on supplies or sells twice as much soap as you do. Be true to yourself and what you do and try to do it better than anyone else. Decide on a bar shape and size and invest in good, basic equipment like molds and cutters that you will get years and years of use out of. This will help develop your "look" and keep you packaging costs down.
I am thinking of re-opening my soap business and if I do, I will be making one soap recipe in one shape and size so I can make perfect bars every time and to limit packaging costs and mold costs. I already have 4 single log molds and if I re-open I will purchase a 2 slab mold that yield 3 logs each in order to save time when making soap, , but all molds will produce the exact same size of soap bar. It doesn't matter what shape and size you decide on, just be consistent so you don't have to constantly change your packaging.
I also will not do imbeds, piping or fancy multi color layers and swirls as they take up time, equipment and money and are unnecessary in the actual function of the soap, which is to clean. My focus will be on making excellent soap that people will want to use everyday and will be repeat customers and not just one ofs that buy a soap just to set on the sink in their guest bathroom for decoration. Just my opinions.
Harps and Hens You understand! ❤️
pro tip: watch movies at flixzone. Been using it for watching lots of of movies during the lockdown.
@Anson Diego Definitely, been watching on Flixzone} for years myself =)
Thanks for this video. I literally had about 15 novelty molds in my amazon cart lol. I am new to soap making, and I have been finding myself wanting to buy everything. This helps.
Thanks for being so honest...I am so guilty of over buying.
A lot of us do, we just need to try to keep it under some semblance of control. LOL It's a struggle.
Even though u made this video 3 years ago it is one of the most RELEVANT BUSINESS ADVICE. ......GREAT VIDEO
Thank you! Hope it helped.
Awe, you are great. I also bought so many fancy molds. Spent a lot of time making them and scenting. The disappointment is when you find out no one uses them, but keeps them for decoration. You are so right, most people will only use the rectangle bars.
Don't get me started with "it's too pretty to use". I cringe. Kills me. Just use it. It is fun to see how the swirls change as you use up the bar of soap...
Thank you, I am a new soap maker and I am in the hobby stage. There is so much to learn. Your honest infro. is greatly appreciated.
Anonymous Von I am glad my direct talk was helpful. Thanks for watching.
Try Royalty Soaps's Royal Academy. There's a lot to learn there.
I have been toying with the idea of starting a business but I am older, 75, and it takes time to build a business so will I have the stamina for this type of business because making soap all day, cutting soap, labels and all that goes into a business is at a very basic level time and energy intensive. I think you must be committed or do it as a hobby. My friends love gifts of homemade soap products and that is basically what I do. I have to be careful not to make too much soap too.
Thank you Christine.. I'm a new soap maker & have been having these thoughts.. So you helped me to clarify a few things👍🏼💕
WoW, I just saw you video on over spending, and I wanted to say thank you for your honesty. I myself, just got into soap making and am looking it. I also have caught myself in the impulsive, wishing to have, oh how cute this and that is. But I did hit my breaks quickly and I am glad I did. One thing that I still need to do is set my goal in a clear vision of where I wanna go and where I would like to be.
I am glad this helped.
This is the most informative video i have seen so far. I am looking to start my own business and this is going to help a lot. Thank you so much.
Anam Mughal LOL I talk straight. I am glad you found it informative. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for your advice .
I've just started my soap making on new years day and now I will definitely make sure I don't get carried away!
I'm sticking to no colours , essential oils only , simple vegetarian soap and will remind myself of my goals :)
Thanks
Thank you for being so honest and down to earth about helping others with your personal learned lessons. It truly helps much! It’s so nice to see people helping others instead of trying to keep everything themselves. Many blessings to you and all fellow soapers new and seasoned!
I am not trying to sell people things, I am direct and honest. I want people to succeed and make profit in their for profit business. It's really hard to do with a low profit margin as with handmade soap. I am glad you thought my opinions were honest and from a good place. Thanks for watching.
Yes, the low profit margin is huge and how the soap can go rancid and must be thrown away before sold....
I needed this video about 2 months ago, I already have an over flowing tote of molds! This is a fantastic video, I'm guilty of a few of these. Thanks for taking the time to teach, best informative video I've seen.
You are welcome!
Christine, this was a really helpful video, thank you. My parents were children in south Wales in WW2 and I think they must have feared running out of things as they always had spares in store. I am the same and was very tempted by the huge choice of molds but you have helped me to realise that I don't need more than I actually plan to make. Plus soap making will only be a hobby for me, not a business.
Hi Cristina It is very genuine and thoughtful of you to share this message with the world. It is so much appreciated from my side as I have never been into any business but just worked as employee and I really think I would like to get into the soap making business and it does help a lot seeing your message. May God bless you for your kindness.
You are again.
Great, honest video about me 😂
Thankfully I learned quick to make a standard bar with cool but simple to execute swirls. Visual 100% is the first reason a customer gains interest, then scents then reviews. Get those 3 in order and success is unavoidable.
Thank you for being so honest. When I start soap making I will be armed with great advice. 😇
I am glad my video helped you
God bless ! Nice to know I'm not the only one . I do that with every new hobby and now with soaps , but this is timely advice . Thank you immensely .
I think it is something we creative people do. Overbuy as we have too many ideas. Not enough time to do all we imagined. Thanks for writing.
Thank you so much for the candid video!! Very useful advice. ❤️
You’re preaching to me in 2024🙌🏽
I bought loaf molds because I thought that was what would sell most and what would be easiest to use by consumers. I only bought inexpensive embed molds that are classic and would sell where I live (flamingos, starfish, palm trees, flowers, pineapples, sand dollars, seashells, and stars). I also use the embeds for my bath bombs, that way people can get a free mini soap and test the formula. I live in South Florida btw.
I admire your ideas
You are smart to have stuck to the local theme for beach and ocean and also because hopefully the Florida tourists are buying your soap as a souvenir and reminder, that is a great niche market. You are lucky, cash in on that. Thanks for your comment and for watching.
Omg I can’t stop laughing Christina. I have the same amount of useless molds. You are so spot on! One good point is you can use a lot of those embed molds now for your wax melts. Super cute.
Please let me know if you would love to sell any and all supplies in a lot.
LOL I am glad that this made people laugh. I did let go of some but have recently bought some new ones. Somebody stop me.
@@tonileeks-lee6931 I let go of some already an have a new use for some of these (wax melts).
@@springcreekbathworks5738 great. That's the best thing about making things you can become creative in so many ways.
This is the BEST ADVICE and so kind of you to share this information. It's common sense, but I can see I've already gone a bit nutty buying stuff. Thank you so much!
You are welcome! This video was a reality check.
Thank u for reiterating what I already feel about soapmaking. I like good old standard rectangle sized soaps and that is what I am sticking too! Thanks for making this video! 👍🏽
You are welcome! Yes just work on a great bar of soap.
I have 2-1 lb molds, 2-2 lb molds, 2-6 cavity round molds, 3-16 cavity round minis, and 16 little individual molds; all purpose purchases. I use the 1 lb molds for testing new fragrances, colors, additives and techniques, and continuously adding to my base line. Once I decide I like the fragrance, color, technique, etc, I make a 2 lb batch. The 6 cavity round molds are for my salt/exfoliating soaps. The minis are for ‘sample’ soaps...for orders and for purchase. The individual molds are for ‘me’ soap.
I have a 5-year plan and a budget. I did go over my first year budget when I purchased a rolling kitchen island to soap on and hold all my supplies and ingredients, but if the soaping thing doesn’t work out, I will have a great kitchen island. I work full-time so I only make soap on the weekends and holidays. Until I start selling more soap than I can currently make, I see no reason to purchase additional molds.
How is it going? I see 2 years have passed.
Covid took care of the first year. I had health issues last year. Went down the rabbit hole…FOs, not molds thought I did manage to acquire more than few more. Not quite as many as you have in your totes, but it’s a learning process. But I’m okay with the slow pace, it’s given me time to really get to know my recipe, to learn more about soap making, understand fatty acids and the science.
How are you doing?
Oh my molds...let me count the number I have purchased in the past year. First, a correction to the first two molds in my previous post; 2-4” Loaf (20 oz) molds and 2-10” Loaf (50 oz) molds. I’m correcting it because I did buy a 2 lb mold and it wasn’t the same. It was the BB one with the sliding bottom, I got it on sale. Also bought two discounted cavity molds w/2 each rounds, squares and circles with the idea of making kid-size soaps...not, too big for toddler hands. Bought some Bee cavity molds for Lotion Bars...love them. Bought a candy mold at JoAnns for smaller Lotion Bars; pretty design, can’t find a tin to fit them. Picked up two of the RED molds from another soap maker...jury is still out on them. Oval shaped cavity molds with flower design...LOVE THEM (so do my customers). Bought a 9-square cavity mold to make Lemon Bars with. A few days after I got it, another soap maker sold me her two BB 9-Bar Birchwood Molds, bought the liners for both of them. Haven’t made Lemon Bars yet, but I did make some Neapolitan Soap that I am quite happy with. And from the same gal, picked up a slab mold with a rake (for peacock swirls) to make marshmallow soap with. I just bought an animal shape and car shaped cavity molds for the grand babies and a 6” Slab mold to play around with some designs. I might make more, but I’m not totally sure, but I am sure that all of my molds would maybe fill two of your tubs. Oh...I forget the mini donut molds...for Fruit Loop Soap.
Yeah...it is REAL easy to get caught up in the ‘latest’ trends...I admit to eyeing the soap scrapers, but not because I want to create landscapes, but to maybe add some interest in a layered soap. I’ve looked at extruders, but that means making AND storing soap dough. It’s also the reason I haven’t moved the cookie/fondest cutters into my cart. And embeds...I have no interest in M&P. Okay...that’s not totally true...I do make Marshmallow Soap, but that’s for the grand babies. And column molds...either for soap or embeds. Yeah, kind of neat looking, but that’s another rabbit hole that I don’t have a lot of interest in. I did get Wilton set...for down the road.
Got to have a budget, it really helps keeps you in line. Learn how to blend your colorants. I started to go down that rabbit hole until I saw a gal on CZcams that easily had 30 jars of ‘blue’ on her shelf and I thought “why”? I tell new soap makers that you only need two molds to get start with...a 4” Loaf and a 6” Slab and then spend the next year developing your recipe, leaning how it works and testing colorants, scents and techniques.
Great advice on blending your own colors. Just like paint!
Thank you for your candid advice. My husband was just telling me I thought making only loaf mold soaps was better. I appreciate you as a new soap maker im racking up the embed molds and have no $ for oils. Lol thanks again.
If it makes you feel better buy one embed mold per holiday and use a basic shape single cavity mold (squares, circles, rectangles) and then make a little one pound batch of soap with holiday colors then a holiday embed for 4 holiday soaps...
I am glad you understand. We need to balance the fun, creative, and artistic side with the business making money basics...balancing act. Thanks for your comment and for watching.
I think I am doing this so far. I am tempted many times, but doing pretty good so far. My rule of thumb is to purchase only if I know WHAT I am going to use it for. For instance, I bought a puppy paw mold, because I made 150 of these for a rescue organization. Great advice! Thank you!
Taylor Homestead Soap I am glad you are not as impulsive of a shopper than I am! Stay strong. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for the great advice. Very helpful for a newish soapmaker trying to set up a home business.
Colette Duchnowski Thanks I hoped it may help!
This is a great video w/great advice.
Love your honesty
just watch me ignore this advice while buying new molds off ebay and i havent even started selling soap yet...
Ha ha I will confess to buying a few in the last few months...shhhh... new video coming soon
Thank you! You told story of my soaping hobby, embeding moulds, fancy shape moulds... Thank you for your honesty. Yes, it is overspending.
Thanks for passing on your valuable experience and it makes lot of sense to work around it.
Thank you for bringing me back to earth. I was daydreaming molds. Thank you I would have overspent when the time came for me to purchase them. Now I know what to get.
Ha ha we are alike: daydreaming molds! And fragrances.
I actually laughed out loud at some of your comments!! You are spot on with your tips!! 😂😊
Thank you for this. I'm fairly new to the soapmaking hobby and I'm planning to making it a business, and thank you for all these insights, I will keep them in mind. :)
I was just going to make soap for a hobby, but you inspire me, and I just bought some molds today, hope your business is blooming.
I started a full time job in 2019 (teaching public school) and have been working 70-90 hours a week. I scaled back my soap business for that reason.
I am new to soap making and this video is absolutely one not to miss. I am exactly like you impulsive, read and listened to so many youtube that I was also running out to buy whatever everyone suggested. Thank you
If you have to unfollow groups for a while, do it. People really tempt you by their enthusiasm. Or maybe just some of us are more prone to their influence. LOL
This is the most honest, from the heart video I have seen in a while! Very good job and I bet your soap is just as good too!
Through these hands God creates cleanliness. Lets make soap!
Thanks for commenting. I am glad you found my direct talking honest and from the heart. That was my intention.
OMG I am so happy I found this, wish I did 6 months ago. You are being honest and true. Thanks so much! Big hugs 🤗❤️
That is why I made it! Woo hoo!
Fantastic video. Great information! Thank you for sharing your real life experience, Christine, it is very helpful.
You are welcome!
Great points
Thanks, Christine - finding your video was perfect timing for me. I've made cp soap a couple of times and want to try again - and also try my hand at melt and pour. I will take your advice to heart because, truly, there's so much I want to try and buy but now will take it slow. Appreciate you taking the time to share your wisdom.
Honestly you can take a long time to play with color and swirls in one loaf mold! Enjoy.
Thank you for your honesty and sharing this video as I found myself doing the same exact thing as a paper crafting and acrylic paint artist now I was doing the same thing with my soaps! So this really hit home... even though I knew better because of my own prior history of artist mistakes, wouldn’t You know, I was doing it again!
I am the same! I get it.
very honest ....thanks...very helpful
Glad you appreciated my honesty. Best of luck.
Very useful
Thank you for sharing and Godbless you. 😊
Maritess Mirasol thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing. Bottom line seems like keep it simple !
Simple with a twist of fun or nice scent. Thanks.
thank you so much for the video. I am looking at starting a soap making business I've never done it before so I'm going to go to some classes in London but your video was fantastic! OM God you save me a large amount of money. I think as a newbie you just get carried away with all the products on offer and, taken in by the pretty little designs as you said and you know lots of flowers and yeah Star wars stuff and just think you got to have it all. thank you for your great advice you're very kind and you've just saved me loads of money
If you see this let me know what you decided. I know I am late in replying to my comments. I know we get inspired and we are creative people and want to do all the fun things but it makes no business sense.
I’m relatively new and because older just wanted to make soaps for us, family and friends, that was my plan.......ha I’m already thinking could I start a small business.......doubt I’ll get there but the thought keeps churning. In Aus we don’t from my experience have moulds that cheapLy, just as well because I’m a little like you not to that extent but like I said I’m new.so this has brought me up fast. I agree the rectangle is the preferred shape, it’s what we mainly see at markets, stores etc. I have the six floral type easy to use and I thought pretty and just bought two single owl moulds quite expensive , having seen on one of my favourite CZcams channels, but that’s for my grandchildren. This is such good advice. I like the six individual rectangle mould for special soap I bought before I had a soap cutter. Now I have a single cutter and slab cutter the latter probably not necessary in my case, my splurge and taught me a big lesson to not order when tired. But I do have a few which are not practical bought from seeing someone using on CZcams. I realise that the log for me works best. Thank you. I hope you do one on essential and fragrance oils. My initial intent was to not use any, but essential oil is so expensive I already have purchased a few fragrance oils too.
I am glad it helped. I do have a video on overbuying fragrance oils! Unfollowing Facebook fragrance oil groups and unfollowing soapmaking groups helped me stop buying. I also unsubscribed from seller emails. I made one small order of scent in all of 2021 for a custom preorder of soap and used it all, and jn that order just got one new scent to try. I have no time for this side hustle while working 70 hours a week teaching during year 3 of a pandemic…I have wound down my spending and making.
Such great advice. Thank you!
I am glad you found it useful. I was scared to share my overbuying but it is what it is. LOL
WOW!!! Good Lord! Thanks for sharing.
Celeste's Nest LOL yes too many molds, and tempted to buy even more! LOL
This was very insightful and so true, I love this. Great advice ❤️❤️❤️
SASHAISMS See some of our mistakes! Yikes
Great advice, i wish i had watched this a month ago. I just bought alot of plastic mold for melt an pours. They seem to get slimy when not wrapped. I do not have that equipment yet. I have friends an family who want to purchase my soaps but do not have a name or shipping supply's.
Melt and pour soap has glycerine which actually draws water out of the air in the room and makes a slimy or wet coating on the surface of the soap. You have to wrap those melt and pour soaps right away. Also there is a special melt and pour that "sweats" less. Here in Houston melt and pour, even for embeds, is a risk for "sweating".
I'm just getting started in my soap business. So far I have purchased 3 special shaped molds (nothing too intricate, though) and 3 soap shaped silicone molds. In addition to those I have 1 2 lb loaf mold. I believe I will be using the loaf mold more, so I plan to purchase one or two more of those, and that will be it for a while. I totally understand getting caught up in the inspiration process, because I have felt the urge, too. However, my frugal ways keeps a tight reign on my urges. :) Thank you for this very helpful video.
The inspiration process is just one part of it. You really don't know what your spending so I made me something quite a while ago just for that. Just now made a video of it. You should use something like this too? To me, its Bad Ace and I'm fixing to use it in the morning to make some more soap. Its better then drinking and shooting pool on the weekends (when I was younger anyway).
czcams.com/video/PKlAoV2w9ik/video.html
Great advice, where was this video 2 years ago when I made all those mistakes? Time to de-stash.
Well if you would love to sell any supplies,molds, fragrances,essential oils etc....please let me know...I would love to buy it as a lot.
Hi Toni, I'll go through what I have. It will be a while though. Thanks.
Thanks you...take your time and just let me know when your ready.And thank you.I appreciate it so much.
It was hard to publish this as no one else admits their mistakes but I just put it out there....
Thanks Christine, this makes so much sense. I almost got into the mold buying syndrom--luckiy I woke up fast. I have a few molds-- I think five-- that's it. Eventhough I am just starting my soap making I am limiting myself sensibly and learning more about the business side. Formulating is fun, but you have to stopand ask yourself some real questions as to where are you really going with this. Family and friends love my samples; but it's time for me to move on to bigger things-- in the business. Thanks for the info.
You are off to a good start. Do not let other people pursuade you to overspend. Focus and sell Best of luck with your new business!
Great advice, thanks Christine!
Thanks for watching and glad you liked it.
Wow I got make sure I don't get caught I was on my way thank you dear
Veronica Williams 😂 Setting limits is good!
Thank you so much for your advice! I agree here. I went crazy buying soap molds of all kinds of shapes. My flower soaps hardly sold at all. I wish I never bought them.
LOL we could make a garden from all our unused flower mold shapes....
Very informative. Thank you very much 🙂
I have just put a stop to molds I was going to buy. I wish I did it sooner. Your advice was dead on.
You teach well and I'm hoping to learn more from you as i am a beginner.
Have you ever made, pinetar soap. I am looking for a very easy, low ingredient recipe????????
It is very nice to meet you.
LOL Good for you to putting a stop to overbuying! I made pine tar soap once for my own use. It is a little controversial, some say it is not safe! I grew up using it while camping to keep poison ivy away....who knows what to believe!
Thank you 🙏🙏
I am glad my video helped you.
Thank you.very to the point...
Thank you for your advice. Good work.
Thanks for watching.
I make all my labels by hand just cutting construction paper to my liking
This was a VERY good video. I fortunately know most of the stuff you talked about but it was a good reiteration. I do have a lot of molds that I bought in the beginning but I learned to stop that & focus my ideas to reuse molds emphasizing on color & fragrances. But thank you! It's always nice to hear that someone else has or had some of the same issues I've
faced.
You are smart to have refocused your ideas. I destashed some molds then I am refocusing to make wax melts with the fragrances that people like in the air but not in their soap and with these cute shapes. I am glad you understand.
Thank you Christine. This was very eye opening as I'm pretty new to soaping. While I'm have a blast, my house is filling up with soap. You gave some much needed advice. I would like to ask you how I go about finding how find craft shows and advice on how and how to sale to local venders. I love this. And don't want to drown in soap!
Karen, / Silver Lake, In
Everyone living with you will be happy as well. One of the best ways to find local shows is to watch and see what is happening in your area. You can scrub the internet but the sad fact is many show organizers are not putting their show info out into the world much except local word of mouth. Some use a newspaper ad (!!) in a local paper the week before a show. Some use Facebook but not enough do. So watch and see when you hear of a show and although it is too late you will know for next year. Some of the other vendors don't want to tell you about the shows as they don't want their competition there. It is cut throat.
Great advice! lol the struggle of the cool mold temptation!!!!!
The struggle is real!
Thank you for the great video & advice! I started with individual molds & some were harder to get clear impressions as well. I moved onto the loaf molds & embeds or simple tops & these did not sell well for me. Getting to know your customer base is essential. I live in a beach town so they love the small detailed molds & guest soaps.
I am glad you found your niche and that you are targeting your product to that niche. Hope you are doing well selling your soap.
Right there with you.... Great advice!
Thanks, so glad to hear people get what I am saying.
Aww I love this video super helpful. It feels a bit like a confession though lol you are absolved from your soaping sins
Exactly! Hoping someone learns from my excessive buying mistakes.
There are plenty of destash groups on FB you can sell sll your unwanted molds.
I destashed at a local soap conference. Easier to deal with in person...
Cupcake and cake soaps didn't sell for me either.
Good to know, I was tempted, but haven't made the purchase for these yet.
Glad to hear I am not the only one who cannot sell cupcake shaped soaps. And mine looked decent too.
the problem is that soaping stuff is only available online. You cant really know what you are buying and you end up buying stuff you either cant use or are dissatisfied with. that goes for everything from molds to fragrance. Sometimes the amount you have to buy is more than you want. I dont need a full pound of X. I just need a few ounces, but I have to buy a pound. Also, I just bought some molds from amazon - i only wanted one but had to buy 3.
You may want to see if you have people in your area thar can split an order with you. You are correct though and the oils can go rancid before use. If you have freezer or fridge room you can store them in there to prolong rancidity.
Make tags for those types of soaps
Thank you for making this video. I've just been making soap for little over a year now and I love velveta cheese boxes for my molds. They are strong and make the perfect size bar. I'm not big on embed molds, but I love piping the tops and working with soap dough. I'm venturing into liquid soap now and working on a shampoo recipe, lotion and body butter, and thinking about Farmer's Markets.
I have no skill for the paper folding, kudos to you. I also stink at origami and quilting...LOL.
You can get a loaf bar for, like, $6-$7 on Amazon.
Some are thin or small, I like high quality strong walled molds but buy less of them.
Great advice. I'm going on my second full year of soap business. I find all of this is true for me too. Thanks
You are welcome. I hope in year 2 you turn it into a profitable business. Best of luck.
Hi Christine, thank you very much for your honest and excellent, excellent advice! These are some of the errors I have made, myself. I was trying to find soap moulds at the discount stores [ as I am only a budding business, soap maker] and I can testify to the ‘fad mold marketing’ scheme. I provide soaps to my sister’s AirB&B and friends from work. They want something that’s plainly marked “Homemade or Handcrafted ~ Soap”. Not the cupcake or turtle or six inch high soap mimicking birthday cake or something of that type. Just soap, natural and beneficial to the various skin types. We, ourselves want to put ‘that pretty little.....(whatever it is) aside as a decoration and use the simple rectangle bar instead. We really have to look at our moulds the way a customer does. Is it practical or is it a decoration? There are some soap makers who market on the flair of the ‘art’. They seem to have forgotten WHY they make soap. If your customer won’t use your soap because it’s too pretty, it will be left in the soap dish, shelf or passed on as a gift. If the soaps aren’t being used for the purpose intended, they won’t be back for more! It’s as simple as that.
Thank you again, We appreciate your honesty and advice. God Bless You!
I am glad you found this useful. There is a mold that is sold that says handmade. I think BrambleBerry sells one. Some are guest soap size. The fact that the soap is great quality is important but I don't think I talked about that much in this video, it's just a given for me, non-negotiable.
This was excellent! Thank you!
Thanks, glad you got good use of my mistakes.
Really great video with good information and good insight
I am glad you found this helpful, Djawn.
I really enjoyed listening to this video. Christine you made me laugh with your honest experience. It was so nice that you want to share your experience with others in such an open and refreshing way. You are an inspiration.
Thanks for appreciating my honesty and not criticizing me!
Christine,please let me know how much you want for all the bins behind you,i would love to buy them as a lot for one price. Thanks.
Toni Leeks-Lee Some were sold after this was recorded, and others I am still keeping, LOL!
Ha ha I am a packrat and let go of some but not all. Actually I am now making wax melts with some of these molds so they are being put to better use than for soap for me.
We all seem to make the same mistakes! Just part of the learning curve- its hard NOT to try everything you see at least once...
We creative people cannot help ourselves! LOL
All true, I’ve been there done that all. I only sell rectangles.
I am glad I am not the only one who has customers who want rectangles!
I saw this video 6 months too late but I appreciate the information will use it going forward🤣
LOL better late than never!
I was testing recipes and have endless old soap that is perfectly good but not any of my fixed recipes. How can I use those? Wondering about re-batching some older and dented ones to make 'pretty' soaps to sell cheaply. ... but unsure how to sell the idea. Happy for ideas?
Hi, you can rebatch it by cutting it or shredding it up for “confetti soap” then blend into a fresh batch of soap batter. See the 2019 YT video by Robert Lackie and Amy Warden. Enjoy! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate your honesty. Nobody tells the down side of soaping they just share there upside. You probably help more ppl with this video then you realize. I for one will be sharing your video.
Ha ha leave it to me to keep it real and tell what really goes on in the life of a trying to make a profit soapmaking business... thanks for watching.
Oh my goood! Thank you for this video. I'm brand new(as in I've just finished my second batch of soap today) to soap making and I'm 100% sure I was going this direction. I was also really excited about cupcake soaps and thought I could make those for gifts but you've just shed light in a major way. I've already bought four molds(which are not even proper soap molds) because I was also getting easily excited by every video I was seeing. God sent I tell you thanks for the heads up even though it's breaking my heart :)
I am so glad my advice helped!
Oh, also, ugly soap sells awesome, add a scratch and dent section to your website and add them at a silly discount And they sell out like fire
Great idea to sell the ugly soap at a discount.
I am new to this. Currently the mermaid thing is very popular. I actually am staying as far away from that style as possible. I agree pretty rectangular soaps are the way I am going. Save on the 20 million cute looking molds. People won't spend money on them because they won't want to use them.
Ha ha I had this one mermaid mold from years ago but I REFUSE to buy that tail! Everyone is doing it. LOL
Thank u for the great advice
You are welcome!
I do not like flower bars @ all.and dont know why! Haha
Lol not having the money to spend on bs helps lol, I only spend on my fragrance oils don’t buy a lot of to, and on my micas and shipping
Muy tarde........
Ty
You are welcome!
MP is the way to go
So long as you sell and make a profit, that's all that matters....
Do you have any for sale?
If there was an easy way…people complain about shipping fees and that I cannot control!
New subbie here ..... And this is so absolutely true ....... Rofl
LOL glad you appreciated this.