Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Weakest of Books, Better Available, October 4, 2008
This review is from: Making Candles and Soaps For Dummies (Paperback)
The Weakest of Books, Better Available
Being a professional candle maker (3rd generation) and an avid reader, I have a huge collection of candle and soap making books. After looking over "Making Candles & Soaps for Dummies" for perhaps the 3rd time, I can honestly say that there are many better books covering both subjects. This book covers only the very basic information and will leave you with more questions than answers.
For the candle side, I highly recommend Beginner's Guide to Candlemaking or the instructional video Introduction To Candle Making
On the soap side, try Smart Soapmaking: The Simple Guide to Making Traditional Handmade Soap Quickl Safely, and Reliably, or How to Make Luxurious Handcrafted Soaps for Family, Friends, and Yourself.
These are both great hobbies that can become good sideline business and there are good resources available on the subject... this book is not one of them.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
For beginners only, February 10, 2006
This review is from: Making Candles and Soaps For Dummies (Paperback)
If you've never made a candle, or done pour-and-mold soap, this book will tell you how. It will also warn you of every concievable mishap you could encounter. In today's litigious society, I suppose that's required, but it did detract from the rest of the work, in my opinion. Then again, I was looking for pointers and updates on materials, since I hadn't made any candles since the late 1980's. In that regard, it introduced me to soy wax and a few products I did not know existed.
However, the pictures offered were not all that helpful, and the instructions very basic. Any of this information could be gotten from a decent online search. The best part of this book was the part in the back which listed a lot of websites for supplies and further information.
I found the author's style to be rather pedantic, and overly "upbeat", as if she were trying too hard to make this a fun and enjoyable book by interjecting bits of humorous commentary that didn't quite "gel".
As a series, the "for Dummies" line seems to me to be stretching a bit thin. I have quite a few of them, and the originality of the first few made learning fun. Now it simply makes it tedious, and the attempts at fun and humor are becoming tiresome.
All in all, the series overall has become what the name implies: books for beginners and dilettantes. There is nothing wrong with that, by any means. But it wasn't what I was looking for in this book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for melt and pour soap creations, December 27, 2007
This review is from: Making Candles and Soaps For Dummies (Paperback)
I did not read the sections on candle making, so this review is strictly based on the soap sections. I found this book to be one of the most helpful ones I've read (I checked out a lot from the library). True, it does not cover the cold process, but as the more simple, melt and pour method is all that I'm interested in, this book is right on target for my needs.
In addition to the color and fragrance info, it discusses stenciled soap, soap on a rope, variegated soap, embedded soap, three-dimensional soap, imprinted soap, soap balls, customized shampoo, massage oil, bath salts liquid soap and more.
I also enjoyed Chapter 19 which is devoted entirely to aromatherapy. It lets you know what a particular scent is noted for (i.e. boosting memory, fighting infections, relieving congestion, calming effect, etc.), as well as whether it is photosensitizing (increases your chance for a sunburn), a possible irritant to sensitive skin, possesses antibacterial qualities, etc.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
