Welcome Jenny! It is always good to at least do one lot of hand stirring - but for your next batch get yourself a stick blender. It makes the mixing of the ingredients much easier and emulsifies the batter better. Look forward to your posts. Liz ----- Original Message ----- From: JHolmes To: soapcraft@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 9:56 AM Subject: [soapcraft] Re: Soap Swap Hi Everyone I'm a newbie and a lurker. I've read all the emails but never thought I'd join. But now I find want to. I'm glad I've got to the beginning of Spring to get my head round soap making. I haven't made real soap before though I have made soap from a soap base. I found it hard stirring and the results weren't as good as I had hoped. So this in a way will be my 2nd attempt. Jenny On 27/05/2010, at 7:27 AM, Soapcraft wrote: Just so you all know this is our 2nd NZ Soap Swap. Please do not feel scared off by it. Some of the best soap I have seen in swaps has come from new soap makers. This is a fun swap and a personal challenge not a competition. There are no winners or looser. Soap is soap no matter how it looks. We all still get to use it. Gina