The new Kudos Molds are selling so fast. I can’t believe I already had to place another order to get more. WOW! I wonder if it has anything to do with the Facebook Coupon Code (grin)? It only lasts until Monday so get the deal while you can. I also had a couple of emails from customers wanting to see the actual mold and see how it differs than ‘regular’ molds. Here you go! It’s the super flexible silicone that allows for the meticulous details and I can’t tell you how easy they are to unmold. I could do it blindfolded with one hand tied behind my back (that would be a sight to see).
In other news, Bramble Berry just launched our TWO new calculators: The Liquid Soap Calculator and The Fragrance Calculator. Check out the Lye Calculator- There are some new features like an option for liquid soap, grams and ounces and the addition of some new butters and oils that we didn’t have before. There’s also a place for notes on your recipe!
Below is a screen shot of the new fragrance calculator. You’ll never have to second guess yourself again about how much fragrance to use. Just plug in the product that you’re making (lotion, soap, etc.), the size of your recipe and which fragrance or essential oil you want to use. Then hit the ‘calculate’ button and we’ll give you the recommended usage rates! Easy!
Do you have any other suggestions on how you’d like to see us improve the Bramble Berry site to make it more useful to you? If you do, I want to hear them!
Finally, The Saponifier magazine is having their ‘Academy Awards for Vendors’ contest to choose the best soapmaking supply house on the ‘net. You can vote for your favorite supplier here!
Ok, I found the code. I didn’t realize it was listed back in August. Thanks, Anne-Marie for your generosity!
Wow!! Those Kudos Molds take my breath away–they are so beautiful!! I would love to use a coupon to purchase some as they are rather expensive. However, I don’t understand the “Facebook Coupon Code”. I clicked on the link, got sent to Facebook but I don’t see any codes anywhere. Would someone be so kind as to direct me–please… TIA!
I love the idea of a Fragrance calculator and the liquid soap addition to the lye calculator 🙂
But…
I already mailed about the FO calculator, which has a decimal error when using grams (gives 100 times the needed amount); but the liquid soap calc has an error as well: when using grams, it lists the “recommended liquid amount” in ounces i.s.o. grams.
Perhaps you could have someone looking into this matter? TIA
Corry (aka Eucalypta)
Oh! I’ve been looking for a good cran/pom scent. I’ll have to try that one.
It would be a nice addition to the Soap app 🙂 And while we’re on the Soap app, it would be amazingly awesome if a user account held your recipes so I could use them on any of my devices (I go between iPad and iPhone).
Love the fragrance calculator – it will be a huge help! I was trying to use it on my iPad and it took me a while to realize that there was a scrolling list (no scrollbars showing!)… I finally figured out how to scroll (2 fingers over the box) but it may help others to know that also! 🙂 Maybe a little note below the boxes? I can only assume other soapers have their handy iDevice on the kitchen counter while soaping! 🙂 THANK YOU so much for all your work, AM!
Hi Nancy,
So sorry I accidentally deleted your comment. I started to reply, got distracted and hit the wrong button.
Some of the things that seem to help with easy unmolding for me are:
1. 1% superfat, never more
2. Always gel phase. Always.
3. Water discount up to 30%.
4. No citrus EOs (they seem to cure softer initially)
5. Wait 3-4 days before peeling out
I just made a batch this morning. As soon as I get them safely out of the molds, I’ll post the photos. I’m excited about them. They are sooooo lovely.
I agree, they are an investment. And Bramble Berry sells over 260 other molds that are less expensive (full list is here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Mo… to make sure we appeal to all crafters and business owners and their budgets.
When you factor in the per-use cost of the Kudos Silicone Molds, they start to look considerably more cost effective – especially since they have an unlimited shelf life (unlike any plastic mold which eventually gets brittle and starts to crack and break over time). But, yes, initially, it is an investment mold – which is why it’s so great that the designs are absolutely crazy, cool, flawless, amazing, unique works of art =)
That you for your business and continued support over the years. I appreciate it. =)
I do a 1% superfat when working with the molds too and that seems to work. Gel phase also seems to help. I was going to play around with Palm Kernal Oil additions on my next batch. Today, I made a super hard batch with 66% solid oils while testing out a new limited edition, Cranberry Pomegranate. I can hardly wait to pop them out!
Thank you! I’m so glad that you like them. =)
It’s the molds that do all the hard work =)
Hm, I’ve never thought of having the Fragrance Calculator as an App for the iPhone. Interesting idea.
Great! They are absolutely jaw dropping perfect in person too – every single one of them.
Great idea. I’ll see if that’s a possibility! =)
I generally stick to the ‘Medium’ suggestion. The high, especially for the lotions, can be overpowering (IMO).
I’m excited to see how many people use the calculator when we get our first full month of tracking in. I’m hoping it will be a useful tool.
You’re welcome! Now, we just have to be uber diligent to update it when we add new fragrances =)
This comment is from Nancy and I accidentally just deleted her instead of replying! I am a total dork today:
New Kudos molds are gorgeous, but have to agree with facebook comments that their price makes them impractical for either hobbyists or those with a soap business. To make them in any quantity for sale requires a major investment.
Then there is the very real question of how to get CP soaps to unmold without blemishes. Have tried another single silicone mold with this kind of detail, but have never been able to get the soap to unmold perfectly, even after freezing. Have been a CP soapmaker for 10 years, in business for 8, making molded soaps, but my usual unmolding tricks don’t seem to help with this kind of mold.
I have some of these molds and love them! I do CP. I do have to use minimum water and also sometimes add beeswax or stearic to my recipe. But I have to do this to any single cavity mold when doing CP. You’re paying for the design and they are alot flexier than others. I think they are worth the price.
New Kudos molds are gorgeous, but have to agree with facebook comments that their price makes them impractical for either hobbyists or those with a soap business. To make them in any quantity for sale requires a major investment. Then there is the very real question of how to get CP soaps to unmold without blemishes. Have tried another single silicone mold with this kind of detail, but have never been able to get the soap to unmold perfectly, even after freezing. Have been a CP soapmaker for 10 years, in business for 8, making molded soaps, but my usual unmolding tricks don’t seem to help with this kind of mold.
Oh my goodness Anne-Marie, thank you for the calculators! The fragrance calculator will be well used by me thats for sure! I have to say as well thanks for the brambleberry fragrances, they are beautiful, and by far my favourite to use when soaping.
fragrance calculator brilliant. As an App to buy would be brilliant.
Those soaps are beautiful!
Oops, I thought it was an app we buy…LOL!…I would so buy that! 😉 But thanks for having it on the BB site.
What a great tool! Featuring my favorite fragrance too!! 🙂
Count me in as another fan of the fragrance calculator! I will definitely be getting that one because I think I just made some poor little soaps OD on fragrance. :}
I have about 20 of Kudos molds (bought ebay). I LOVE them! They are exquisite! I may order some of the ones I don’t have :)!
Fragrance calculator is a great idea!
Would love it even more if there was a column between Scent and Weight to specify percentage….
🙂
Fragrance calculator will be a major hit with me 🙂
thanks A-M
Done it again! Outdone yourself on all fronts. OHmygosh! So glad to have a fragrance calculator, and SO glad you contracted kudos to send his lovely molds. Can’t wait to get some of those!
I love the fragrance calculator. That is so helpful! Thanks so much!!