I was thinking of mixing it with other oils but will need to discover the best combination. Perhaps coconut oil.  I bought some from a small soapmaker in Suffolk and it was very nice. I think it also contained coconut and shea.  

Edit: I've found the label (Innocent Oils Hemp Soap) cocoa butter not shea, then hemp oil, olive oil, coconut oil and jojoba.

If you go to Soapcalc and follow the FAQ, Soap Qualities etc. links from Learn on the menu bar on the main Soapcalc page and then try out various combinations of oils and butters in the calculator you will see the qualities which the soap would have in the read out on the left of the page.

It's a very useful tool for gaining an idea of how oils and butters combine to produce a cleansing or conditioning soap and what the lather properties would be (I played around with it for ages before I made my first soap, HP, using a recipe which I'd devised myself from what I'd learned from entering different combinations in the recipe calculator)

Welcome Finbar. Can't believe no-ones mentioned it yet, but once you start soaping we love pictures!  :buttrf:

Hi Finbar and welcome.
Use some green clay, it's easier than delving into colours for a beginner. ElaineJ has given you some good advice, it's important to read up thoroughly. Not all oils are suitable to soap in large %'s, even though other wise they would be classed as valuable additions to a formula. Hemp is an example. Start with a very simple 2 or 3 oils recipe, learn the basics, then add luxuries such as hemp, butters etc..., that way, as soon as you change and ingredient and are not quite happy with the final bar, you'll know which ingredient and why.

Eire

Hiya and welcome !

Do you still live in London ? I am based in SE London, so if you are anywhere near and need help, just holler

Cheers
Sabine

Thank you very much for the continuous warm welcomes and excellent advice everyone!  What an amazingly friendly forum.  Elaine, the calculator is going to be my Bible by the looks of it. 

Eire, I won't be adding colours to my soap to come s I prefer the plain and natural look.  The green comment was just a silly passing word in response to the naturally olive toned hemp bar I was admiring.  Yes I will certainly send photos of my first attempt, even if it goes wrong. In which case I know I will get the best advice from you wonderfully seasoned soapers. 

Sabine I now live in Herefordshire, but thanks for your kind offer. I'm sure I will be needing help once I get started. I won't be shy in coming forward either.

Love yah all !

Another good lye calc is SBM. I don't know if I can put in full name under forum rules???
This is a handy one for newbie's, it has a resizer on it. So when you know what recipe you are going to use, type in the measurements of your mold and it will recalculate the weight for you for your mold.
BTW, joking aside, green clay (most clays) is a nice addition to a bar, I find it is especially liked by men. Just blitz one tablespoon per pound of oil into your oils before you add the lye water.

Eire

Hi finbar and welcome. I am not a soaper so I can't help there but I do like the natural look as you've mentioned!

Hopefully we will cross paths, perhaps I will take up soapmaking to get to know the newbies  :mwaha:

I have made a nice olive green hemp soap that lathers amazingly....used hemp as super fat....try it out on soap calc 

Hiya Finbar

Nice to meet you x :buttrf:

Hi Finbar & welcome

Hello Finbar - welcome!

Hiya, welcome to the forum!

Hi, Finnar - Welcome  :buttrf:

hi finbar