Hi all, just joined today, been making soap for one whole week now!  Sooo  excited.  Okay, info appreciated from all members please.  I have been surfing the web like crazy and struggle to find molds and a single site that has it all.  Sooo ..  had an idea.  I want to import molds from wherever, and the hardware etc that all goes with it.  and start my own e-business selling to home crafters etc.  Not into the oils and frangrances yet, there are a lot of sites like fresholi etc doing it anyway so dont want to steal business - but compliment it!

Question - good or silly idea?  How do you think a soaping accessories site will go down - stacks of molds, cutters, jugs, thermometers, bla bla..

Other than that - my coffee grounds soap is busy hardening, the M&P i tried is sweating glycerin like mad , and my lavender is already in the shower - could not wait for it to fully harden!  Whooppeee !

ok...lol - what an intro!!

One thing we are always on the hunt for is packaging. Tins, jars, bottles, boxes etc. Many sites on the internet do them, but you'll find one bottle here and a box there and it is always very time consuming and frustrating at times.

Molds and cutters would be great too, speak to Corrie, I think her husband makes them?

Importing sounds great, but it is a whole load of headache with customs, taxes and regulations.

Oh - and welcome here!

Welcome to the forum.

In theory it is a good idea, but...you would have to have lots of storage, and plenty of variety. We are always on the lookout for something a little different (at least I am) and it would be nice to find it under one roof.

As MP says you would need to check the costs of importing very carefully. The shipping costs would be high and customs are a pain to deal with. Don't rush into it, and do your homework.

Hi and WElcome. I third the above and my two pennorth is theres always peoplre looking for different silicone moulds. We dont have the variety here they have in the states

Hello and welcome aboard!

When you've made a few posts you'll see the Packaging boards - and discover that packaging is a headache for most of us - but we don't all have the same headache.

Some sites do offer accessories as well as soap ingredients - your best bet would be to take a good look round and see what's already there.

hey girls ( presume you all are)
Wow what a great welcome from you all.
Okay - up on the road to sourcing molds already, some FAB ones in China, from silicone manuf.   idea is to get in the nice ones, not std run of the mill stuff.  packaging, gimme ideas.  got organza bags, cotton bags, wood and bamboo slat soap bar holders.

oh - who is Corrie - how do i ask her anything.?

importing - get an agent, preferably Chinese who knows the ropes - which i do have thank goodness!!  he is there right now and hopefully will bring me back some samples!

All tips. ideas would be gratefully accepted.  I am pretty determined to do this - putting all the supplies under one roof - and tons of links to home soap makers to sell / advertise their finished product from.

Hi and welcome.

Eire

Ta Eire, so  nice to find a board that has friendly m embers!

Thanks MP - will look into the packaging options.  will try find some pics and see if i can figure how to put an image on here, and get members response to them as to a thumbs up or down !!

Sounds great I hope it works out for you. Welcome  :buttrf:

EJ - just had a look around and did not see a packaging board - can you point  me in the direction please?

wow Scribe, sounds like you are already well on your way. We are all looking for packaging at one time or another, but be warned, we are all looking for different things!! We will soon make your hair go grey and then fall out...

Organza bags are good, but not that difficult to find. How about cotton/hemp bags? I am currently trying to source those, happy if they are made from bamboo as well, as long as they are not see-through like organza, but breathable I am fine...

Have a look over at Papermart in the US, they very often have just the thing I am looking for, but, of course, don't ship to the UK and aren't exactly cheap either.

Welcome aboard scribe! In everyone's excitement about getting their hands on all the goodies you might import, I can't believe noone's asked to see pics of the things you make! We love pictures! Look forward to hearing all about your business.  :buttrf:

I am waiting for pictures of gorgeous and just-the-right-size packaging  :mwaha:

Hi Naked - no pics of what i made yet - just been sooo excited with the stuff and busy drying it - never thought of taking a pic of the stuff.  will make amends and take some pics, then try figure how to post on here!