what exactly is it you want to swap?? suplys or soap??

If you check your books it should give the size on a "standard" wooden box soap mold (makes 28 bars, about 3.5 oz, if I remember correctly), maybe something like 12" x 10" x 4". Remember you need something you can comfortably be able to cover for about 24 hrs to insulate it & keep the heat in, & still be able to cut decent sized bars. I think my reciped called for something like 2-3 lbs of vegetable shortening, plus the oil, water, & lye. Then I just added rose fragrance oil at trace, poured & covered, wrapped & let set.(I wanted to peek so badly, but I waited....) Best of luck! Hazel

I am brand new to soapmaking so asked this question as a way to pick the brains of those of you who make your own soap :-) Rebatch seems to me to be the easier way to 'make' soap but I would like to try cold process soapmaking at least once. I realize rebatching isn't techinically making my own soap but it seems like a good introduction to soap making. Especially since I haven't been able to find a nearby workshop or class that offers lessons on how to make handmade soap. I know there are books and internet instructions on soapmaking but I'd feel more comfortable working with a real person in a hands-on class for my first attempt. I live in a rural area of West Virginia so one would think there would be someone around that teaches this but so far I haven't found anyone. I have done internet searches and found people in my area who make it, but not anyone who offers classes. I also live near southern Ohio and eastern Kentucky if any of you know of people in my area who offer lessons. As a beginner I am also having trouble finding detailed rebatch soap recipes on the internet (such as grapefruit, various herbal bars, lavender, strawberry, fresh laundry scent, etc). Most sites I've come across just give a list of ingredients without any specific guidelines as to how many drops of this or that, and what order to add them. Can I take a cold process recipe and just ignore all the info at the beginning about lye, etc. and just follow the last few instructions about adding dried herbs, moisturizing oils, scents, and color? I have bought some pre-shredded rebatch base from Brambleberry.com so that's what I'm starting with. I am especially interested in the beautiful, artisan soaps that I've seen on the internet (link below). I actually emailed the lady who makes these soaps and she is thinking of offering an online tutorial soon but, again, it's not a hands-on lesson like I'm looking for. I think her soaps are just beautiful but I'm wondering if a person could do ever do this with rebatch. Thanks for your help! Here is a link that might be useful: DeShawn Marie Handmade Soap

I love melt and pour glycerine soap! It smells awesome and if made with the right base, it can be very moisturizing. sometimes a lot of work and a lot of ingredients goes into melt & pour. I used to do it, for gifts and self satisfaction. I always added good stuff (clays, oils, butters, etc) to a high quality base. Has it's benefits, as does the "real" soap made from oils, butters and lye. The last I knew, soap was not mandated by the FDA, so ingredients do not have to be listed. This could've changed in the last couple years though. IF the ingredients do happen to be listed, I'd stay away from anything that has mineral oil or lanolin it it. Sounds like it would be good for the skin, but it's more of a barrier producing thing than a moisturizing thing. Other than that, I go by smell and it's a bummer when you get it home and use it and it doesn't smell like you thought it would. :(