I was given onion goggles as a gift 20 years ago as a joke. They got used A LOT until I discovered the joy of precut frozen onions
The person that worked my position before me left some glasses kinda like this that are meant for cutting onions. They work pretty well. Still gotta peel the onions yourselves, but it's way easier if you're not crying all over them.
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Back when I had contacts, I could cut onions like a champ. Now every time I reach for those stupid looking glasses, I tell nobody in particular that I'm about to take them to flavortown.
Here are some suggestions from a new-ish soapmaker...
If she's looking for a simple entry into the world of soapmaking, melt & pour may be the way to go. For melt & pour you just need a soap base, a kitchen scale, mixing spoons, a Pyrex measuring cup or two, some basic molds , fragrance, and colorant (if desired). This type of soap you just melt in the microwave, pour into a mold, let it cool, and voila, soap!
If she's up for a challenge then for cold process soap:
Hardware: An apron (soapmaking is messy and inevitably you end up with what you're making on your person), gloves, and protective eye goggles. For instance onion goggles are fantastic and really comfortable. Also spatulas, a scale (to accurately measure oils and such), a stick blender, and something to mix the soap in (stay away from glass and aluminum containers).
Oils: Brambleberry sells a beginners cold process soap kit which includes all of the basic components of making cold process soap. Conversely you can find most of these items at the grocery store and potentially cheaper, but this kit would be good to get her started and includes an e-book.
Molds: Brambleberry and Wholesales Supplies Plus and other companies carry a great range of molds. Or, for just beginning, a simple lined (freezer paper) cardboard box will work in a pinch.
Cold process is more involved and you have to wait 4-6 weeks to use it, but it's a science and you can't beat that.
I think that covers the basics :) It's a fun hobby - just beware she may get hooked after her first batch :D
I admit it. I bought the onion goggles.