Soapers choice is in Chicago.  Check to see if you can pick up your oils to save on shipping.

Okay I am officially 

Hi, Shalamar - and a very warm welcome! I am pretty new to cold process soapmaking and I'm not sure I'd have done it without  all the lovely people on here!

My first batch was to a really simple recipe, but I've liked it enough to continue to use it as my basic one. The advice about keeping it simple is good - some essential oils and fragrance oils can really throw a spanner in the works (and as you will see, some colours can really mess with you too  ). I think at one point ot other, someone on here will have "seen it, done it, got the T Shirt" and everyone here is so helpful to each other that you never feel like you can't ask a question for fear of sounding sily.

Above all, ENJOY!!!

Thanks ESBY
Soapers Choice is indeed here in Chicago well not that far out I've just given them a call and I plan to go by there tomorrow. This could be my biggest lead yet if everything goes well by Saturday I should be starting my first batch.

I still feel like I'm in mad scientist mode so I'm not really sure that my first couple of batches will be the best but I'm sure it will be tons of fun.

Hi Shalamar and a BIG welcome, as people have said this is a very friendly and supportive  forum.

Don't forget.....

There's no such thing as a silly question

and

try and enjoy making your first batch, although I'm sure you'll be hooked the minute you start mixing your oils/butters and see them begin to thicken..

Enjoy....

Welcome