Greetings! I've been browsing the net for tips on just this subject and your thread has answered a lot of questions - thank you! I just have one more inquiry - do you know of a way to make the end product of one-part self curing silicones (after curing) softer and stretchier (lets say more like human skin, goal hardness is 10-30 shore A)? The reason I'm asking: I am a resident in heart surgery and I'm trying to make practice models of parts of the human heart and tissue to use for training outside the operating room. As you said the platinum cure silicones are used for this purpose but the price difference is tenfold and they're a bit too expensive for us.

I am not affiliated with this company but I am so pleased with how it works I thought I would post information for anyone else who might be interested. If anyone else has tried it, I'd be intersted to hear what you think. Wondering if there are any uses for it I haven't thought of yet. I purchased an 800 g container more than a year ago and went out to get a new one today. Lasts a long time and I would almost call it a "miracle cleaner". I have stainless appliances and this removes all the water/drip marks and makes the steel look new. It also cleans my black granite counters beautifully. No water marks. I use it in the kitchen and bathroom with great results. It polishes my polished nickel kitchen faucet as well. Removes the tarnish marks. I have used it to polish silver pieces as well. While I was getting a new container today I met a lady buying several. She runs a local cleaning company and said she uses it as their primary cleaner. She said her clients love it. I took the following from their website: The Universal Cleaning Stone 100% SAFE NATURAL CLEANER THAT WORKS ON ALMOST ANY SURFACE The Universal Stone, is a highly effective, non-toxic, low odor, long-lasting, all-purpose cleaner from Germany that cleans, polishes and protects almost every hard finished surface. It's hard, reminiscent of a stone; this means not a penny is wasted shipping water. Plus, with Universal Stone there's nothing to drip, spill, evaporate, dry out or freeze. We guarantee you'll be impressed. This is not a whimpy cleaner. It will outperform just about every other cleaner you own. But don't take our word for it; read the testimonials and watch the video. Non-toxic, acid free--100% safe for the chemically sensitive, children and pets Winner 2008 PTPA media Award--Parent Tested, Parent Approved (US and Canada) Made from six natural ingredients--earth/polishing clay, glycerin, green soap, soap flakes, natural vegetable oils and citronella. Gentle on the skin--will not dry or damage your skin Non-abrasive--Safe for silverplate or heirloom silver; you polish less often because Universal Stone effectively retards tarnish. Also this is the best DVD cleaner Easy to use--just add water to sponge and squeeze to make a foam Long lasting--depending upon use, lasts 6-24 months, saves even more money Unlimited shelf life--won't spill, leak, drip, dry out, evaporate or freeze Residential use--kitchen, bath, silverware, floors, windows, auto, boats, lawn furniture and much more Commercial use--schools, hotels, restaurants, cleaning services Here is a link that might be useful: Universal Stone

I haven't done a craft fair for years but when I did, I always had an inexpensive edible gift for people to buy. I figured buyers might not have the $30.00 for the doll cradle or whatever it was I was selling that day... but they would always have a dollar or two for something yummy. I had a dozen different sucker molds... and it was soooo fast and easy to melt chocolate and pour it into the molds. This is my grandson, Jackson showing off his creations. Once the chocolate was set I'd stick it into a tiny cellophane bag, put a cute sticker on it, and tie ribbon around the neck. Once I was at the fair I'd put the sucker tree on my table and typically sell out. This was my big edible seller: They're clear boutinir boxes (25 cents at my florist). Half filled with Easter grass (10 cents per bag after Easter). Tied with Costco ribbon. The bows don't need adorning... that's just something my grandkids like... and this was the only picture I had of them. Inside of one is a miniature loaf of bread... which is cheap and easy with a breadmaker. And inside the other are five dipped chocolates. One big brownie or piece of cake looks great in them.... a few homemade cookies. Whatever. If it's gooey use a paper doily so it won't stick to the grass. When I go to craft fairs I always buy the edible stuff :)

Three decades ago when liquid soap for home use was "new", I would save bar soap slivers and small hotel soaps and make them into liquid hand soap. Now it's less expensive, and less mess, to purchase gallon jugs of liquid soap (Sam's Club and Big Lots are good sources). For foam dispensers I use a 1:3 mixture of liquid soap and water, so we use all foam dispensers for even more savings. The recipe I used is very similar.... Homemade Hand Soap 11 c. water 1 bar soap (or enough slivers to equal the same amount) 1 T. glycerin optional - 10 drops essential oil Grate soap on a box grater, microplane, or in a food processor. Bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add grated soap and stir to a boil. Add grated soap and stir until it melts. Add glycerin. Add remaining water. Once cooled, add essential oils. Let mixture sit overnight. Place 2-cups (at a time) in a blender. Mix well. If you want thicker add 2 more T. glycerin and allow to sit for a few hours. To use in a foam pump dispenser, add 1/4 c. homemade liquid soap and water to fill the bottle. You can add tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract, or other essential oils like Four Thieves for additional anti-bacterial protection. HOMEMADE BODY WASH 1 c. Suave Shampoo ("flavor" of choice) 1/2 c. water 3 T. table salt or Epsom salts Whisk until frothy. \-Grainlady