Coconut oil is the semi-solid fat that is removed from coconut kernels. It produces a nice lather when used in soap recipes. It is also used in lotions, creams, lip balms, and many other products. Coconut oil comes in many different varieties including RBD (refined, bleached, and deodorized), virgin, and fractionated. Fractionated coconut oil is coconut oil that has had some of its naturally occurring fatty acids removed. The resultant oil is a light oil that is non-greasy and is absorbed readily into the skin. Fractionated coconut oil makes an excellent base for perfumes or massage oils. Virgin coconut oil is processed with a minimum of heat and retains most of the nutrients originally present in the oil.

Coconut Oil Shopping Links:
Coconut Oil

Organic Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil - 1 gallon [53] US $24.99 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday May-12-2008 9:06:53 PDT Bid on this Item   | Watch this Item

Organic 100% Virgin Coconut Oil DirectManilaCoco Gallon US $42.99 Auction Ends: Monday May-12-2008 19:01:08 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Green Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 1 gallon [2191] US $29.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday May-14-2008 9:58:10 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 6 gallons [478] US $189.00 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday May-14-2008 10:28:00 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Organic 100% Virgin Coconut Oil DirectManilaCoco Gallon US $42.99 Auction Ends: Wednesday May-14-2008 19:45:43 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Organic 100% Virgin Coconut Oil DirectManilaCoco Gallon US $42.99 Auction Ends: Thursday May-15-2008 21:56:29 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Certified Organic Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil gallon US $44.00 Auction Ends: Friday May-16-2008 6:11:19 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Green Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 5 gallons [2192] US $82.88 (3 Bids) Auction Ends: Friday May-16-2008 11:57:50 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Organic 100% Virgin Coconut Oil DirectManilaCoco Gallon US $42.99 Auction Ends: Friday May-16-2008 19:04:20 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Organic 100% Virgin Coconut Oil DirectManilaCoco Gallon US $42.99 Auction Ends: Saturday May-17-2008 20:01:01 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

A scale that measures accurately is one of the soapmaker’s and cosmetic crafter’s most treasured assets. Without one it is impossible to achieve consistency in the manufacture of bath and body care products. Digital scales come in many different shapes and sizes and in all price ranges. However, it is not necessary to take out a bank loan to purchase a digital scale. This article discusses what features to look for when purchasing a digital scale.

What To Look For In A Digital Scale
A digital scale is a small investment. To get the most for your hard earned money look for the following features.

Units of Measure. Look for a scale that measures in metric and english units. This makes it as easy to follow recipes that are written using ounces and pounds as it is to follow recipes written in grams.

Maximum capacity. The maximum capacity is the largest weight that a scale can measure at once. Look for a scale that can weigh at least 5 pounds.

Automatic shutoff. This feature causes the scale to shut off after a certain period of inactivity. It protects your scale’s battery just in case you forget to turn it off.

Amount that it measures increments in. This is the smallest unit that a scale can measure in. A scale that measures to the nearest gram or tenth of an ounce is satisfactory for most handmade bath and body care recipes.

Also be aware of what type of platform your scale comes with. The platform is the surface on the scale where you place the item to be weighed. A stainless steel or glass platform is best because these can be cleaned easily and will not react with lye, fragrance oils, or anything else that is spilled upon them. However, some scales come with plastic platforms. If you purchase a scale with a plastic platform, you can protect it by covering it with a thin sheet of clear plastic wrap before you use it. This will protect it from any chemical spills.

5-lb. Straight Weigh Digital Postal Scale, 5-1/2 x 5-1/2 Platform (PELPE5)
Price: $91.99
Manufacturer: Pelouze Scale Co.. Sold Individually Straight Weigh Digital Postal Scale • Weighs in pounds or grams • Hold feature holds weight when display is blocked by oversize packages • Auto shut-off saves battery power • Uses 9V b

10-lb. Straight Weigh Digital Postal Scale, 5-1/2 x 5-1/2 Platform (PELPE10)
Price: $103.99
Manufacturer: Pelouze Scale Co.. Sold Individually Straight Weigh Digital Postal Scale • Weighs in pounds or grams • Hold feature holds weight when display is blocked by oversize packages • Auto shut-off saves battery power • Uses 9V b

If you want to get the most value for your money, consider investing in a wood soap mold. Even though they are more expensive than plastic soap molds, wood soap molds are built to last for years of use. Some wood soap molds are designed to produce a log of soap which then needs to be cut with a cutter. Other wood soap molds are designed with separators which allow formation of individual soap bars while curing.

wood wooden soap mold w/ dividers (36 bars) US $101.00 (14 Bids) Auction Ends: Monday May-12-2008 19:19:39 PDT Bid on this Item   | Watch this Item

wood wooden soap mold w/ dividers (36 bars) US $60.00 (7 Bids) Auction Ends: Monday May-12-2008 19:24:29 PDT Bid on this Item   | Watch this Item

HANDCRAFTED 2 LBS (8 BAR) WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD SET US $21.95 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday May-13-2008 11:47:48 PDT Bid on this Item   | Watch this Item

A LOT OF 2 WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD TO MAKE 4-5 LB LOAF US $18.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday May-14-2008 17:06:21 PDT Bid on this Item   | Watch this Item

WOOD WOODEN MOLD SOAP LOAF - BAR CUTTER / SLICER BLADE US $18.50 Auction Ends: Wednesday May-14-2008 19:44:04 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD CUTTER / SLICER BEVELER PLANER US $54.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday May-15-2008 18:13:32 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

1 NEW WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD BAR LOAF BEVELER / PLANER US $19.95 Auction Ends: Thursday May-15-2008 18:13:54 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

A LOT OF 2 WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD TO MAKE 4-5 LB LOAF US $21.95 Auction Ends: Thursday May-15-2008 18:14:12 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

A LOT OF 2 WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD TO MAKE 2-3 LB LOAF US $18.95 Auction Ends: Thursday May-15-2008 18:18:17 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

A LOT OF 2 WOOD WOODEN SOAP MOLD TO MAKE 2-3 LB LOAF US $14.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday May-15-2008 18:19:47 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

If you want an easy way to create customized soaps without the hassle of dealing with lye, melt and pour soap may be for you. Melt and pour soap is soap that has been manufactured so that it melts easily on the stovetop or in the microwave. One of the nice things about melt and pour soap is the incredible versatility that it offers the soapmaker. There are several things that you can do with melt and pour soap that you cannot do with soap when you are making it from scratch (unless you remelt it after it is done). With melt and pour soap you can use food coloring to color your soaps, you can use almost any type of mold that you want, and you can use just about any fragrance that you want. You can also add herbal extracts, both glycerine and alcohol based.

Glycerin Soap Base opaque 8 lb. Melt and pour Natural US $18.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday May-12-2008 19:11:54 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Glycerin Soap Base Opaque 18 lb Melt and pour Natural US $40.50 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday May-12-2008 19:13:49 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

GLYCERINE SOAP BASE ULTRA CLEAR 3LBS MELT AND POUR US $8.75 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday May-13-2008 6:52:38 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

GLYCERINE SOAP BASE ULTRA CLEAR 3LBS MELT AND POUR US $8.75 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday May-13-2008 7:05:20 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

GLYCERINE SOAP BASE CLEAR 3LBS MELT AND POUR US $8.75 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday May-13-2008 7:08:42 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

11 lbs variety combo LUXURIOUS MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE US $40.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday May-13-2008 10:20:14 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

21 lbs variety combo LUXURIOUS MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE US $69.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday May-13-2008 18:13:38 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Glycerin Soap Base opaque 2 lb. Melt and pour Natural US $5.00 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday May-13-2008 18:22:33 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

Glycerin Soap Base Clear 4 lb. Melt and pour Natural US $9.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday May-13-2008 18:23:13 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item

10 lbs variety combo LUXURIOUS MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE US $38.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday May-14-2008 8:16:25 PDT Bid on this Item   | Buy this Item   | Watch this Item