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Rating: 
Summary: Useful starter book
Review: An interesting , well presented book for the novice. It is frustrating however that the readability of this book in terms of measuring.. is only of value in the USA. A metric scale for those of us who have no idea what a pound is would be helpful
Rating: 
Summary: very good explanations
Review: Ever read a soap box label? Ever wondered what all that stuff in soap does, why it's there? This book is very good at explaining what the components do, how they contribute to lather, if they dry or moisturize skin, etc. I found the information helpful even if I don't ever actually make my own soap (but I think now I want to try).
Rating: 
Summary: not as hard as you think...
Review: I always wanted to know how to make my own soap. At first I thought this is gona be the hardest thing. when in reality it's the easiest. This book takes you through a step by step process. and in the end you will end up having the most beautiful looking soap. so nice you'll be tempted to sell it.
Rating:
Summary: Please Use Extreme Caution
Review: I bought this book for myself. I read it over several times and became very familiar with the process before attempting anything. The book is extremely informative and well-written. Very easy to understand. The description of ingredients and the purpose of each one was very useful. Beautiful pictures. Nice sections on coloring, fragrancing & moulding. Great info. on where ingredients can be purchased. However, even though I followed the directions for the alcohol/lye method to the letter, I still had a disastrous first experience. My mixture, simmering on lowest possible heat, boiled up and oozed out the sides, despite the tightly cinched bungee holding the sheets of plastic in place. My inner pot ended up floating on boiling soap foam. I managed to save the remainder that was left in the pot and finished the simmering proccess directly on the burner (after cleaning the outside of the pot thoroughly). I estimated the amount of sugar/water solution and glycerin to add to it. Although I can't vouch for the amounts of any of the ingredients at this point, the stuff that I did save managed to come out very well. Looks pretty, smells great and lathers beautifully. I'm just lucky my stove top didn't burst into flames considering the flamable alcohol that oozed over the sides of the pot. I believe next time I try this (soon) I will ajust the method to what I consider safe and hope that it works well. If you plan on making this soap, please be sure to have an extinguisher close by. I'm not sure why I had such a horrible time with this method, but I'd hate for it to be worse for anyone else.
Rating:
Summary: Please Use Extreme Caution
Review: I bought this book for myself. I read it over several times and became very familiar with the process before attempting anything. The book is extremely informative and well-written. Very easy to understand. The description of ingredients and the purpose of each one was very useful. Beautiful pictures. Nice sections on coloring, fragrancing & moulding. Great info. on where ingredients can be purchased. However, even though I followed the directions for the alcohol/lye method to the letter, I still had a disastrous first experience. My mixture, simmering on lowest possible heat, boiled up and oozed out the sides, despite the tightly cinched bungee holding the sheets of plastic in place. My inner pot ended up floating on boiling soap foam. I managed to save the remainder that was left in the pot and finished the simmering proccess directly on the burner (after cleaning the outside of the pot thoroughly). I estimated the amount of sugar/water solution and glycerin to add to it. Although I can't vouch for the amounts of any of the ingredients at this point, the stuff that I did save managed to come out very well. Looks pretty, smells great and lathers beautifully. I'm just lucky my stove top didn't burst into flames considering the flamable alcohol that oozed over the sides of the pot. I believe next time I try this (soon) I will ajust the method to what I consider safe and hope that it works well. If you plan on making this soap, please be sure to have an extinguisher close by. I'm not sure why I had such a horrible time with this method, but I'd hate for it to be worse for anyone else.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book!
Review: I have made wonderful soap using the recipes from this book. I used the alcohol/lye method, rather than the gel method. It was easier than I expected. The soap lathers well, is gentle and smells great.
Rating:
Summary: great gift idea
Review: I recieved this book for a Christmas present from my brother-in-law. He knows I enjoy 'crafting' as he calls it. I personally wouldn't have thought of making soaps as my next crafting project, but now that I've read this book I'm slowing compiling all the items I need(I'm on a tight budget currently), I can't wait until I can start making my very own soaps. I've thanked my brother-in-law several times for his wonderful present, even though my husband is cringing at the thought of havnig piles of soap curing in our small apt. Everything is explained so well, I'm sure if my husband wanted to he could even make soaps too. This year everyone I know will be getting soap that I made, thanks to this book.
Rating:
Summary: Very educational
Review: This book is very good at teaching the beginner the basics of what exactly goes into soap making. It details the different choices and weighs the good with the bad. I would have liked to have seen more ideas about different recipes for the scents, but oh well. All in all, anyone interested in soap making should read this book for it's educational value!
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended, everything you need to know & more
Review: This is an essential guide for anyone wishing to make transparent soap. The author guides you seamlessly through the complex soap making process with step-by-step instructions color photos & a very helpful troubleshooting section.The book starts out detailing the properties, advantages & disadvantages of each soap ingredient. Then safety precautions & equipment selection are outlined, including selecting a mold. Two methods for making the soap & 8 vegetable-based soap recipes follow. Conveniently, complete instructions for modifying these & formulating your own original recipes are included as well. Adding dyes & fragrances is also discussed. Several essential oil fragrance formulas are included. I was very impressed that the book included both instructions & complete plans in for making labor-saving tools including a square wooden soap mold, an adjustable-wire bar cutter & drill mixer. The extensive resource list including websites was also invaluable.
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