Making a cook book?

[Brent]

Do you guys make a cook book when your mixing?
 Do you start with a standard about of plastic (4oz/6oz) and standard amount of additives? softener/hardener/stabilizer?
Then by what I have read color is done by drops and glitter is done by small spoons?

[ctom]

I make serious notes and when a color is settled on, I add it to a word document that I keep running on my computer. I keep a pringted copy of the document on my work area for quick reference and  if I change anything , even just a hair, I note it on the printed copy. I take that copy to the computer quite often to up-date or add to the word document.

If I am developing a color I generally begin the process with a 4 ounce batch.... just in case. When I settle a color at that size, I try one at a cup using the same ratios X 2. If I want a 6 ounce batch as well I do a shot at that level too. I note any adjustments I have to make and where needed I split the color recipe into 4, 6 or 8 ounce batches to keep things consistent.

I use a popsicle stick to dip out glitter and hi lites. I've drawn a couple lines across the end of each stick so I have a reference point to follow. Glitters are hard to mess up but that hi lite can go from great to "holly moly what did I do wrong here?" real quick. If I am not real sure about how much hi lite to use I adjust as I go just to keep a handle on the results.

[pjmcla]

Yes; for sure. If I don't write it down; I will forget the recipe and loose a good color ( to me anyhow ).  I also keep a computer document with the "final" recipes.  Some even have pictures of the color and notes on specifics of creation.  On some I add the glitter before heating, some after, etc.  I typically do development in 6 oz. batches.  This will cause at least 1 reheat to test the color stability.  Recipes that will be used in tips and tail and small baits are developed in 3oz. or 4 oz. batches. 

[Brent]

thanks for the replies!!!!
I picked up my pinch/smidgen/tad measuring spoons today as well as a real Pyrex, have Anchor cups already as well as a 1 cup silicone measuring cup heatable to 475

[superharmonix]

I agree with everybody on the note taking!  There's just no way to duplicate your results.  It's like Vince Lombardi said- you really do have to measure EVERYTHING in order to be successful.  (regardless of the way you define success of course)

but that hi lite can go from great to "holly moly what did I do wrong here?" real quick. If I am not real sure about how much hi lite to use I adjust as I go just to keep a handle on the results.

YES IT SURE CAN!  Brent, did your set of spoons come with a "Nip" size?  I would start with that size when doing hi-lite powders or you may get ctom's "holy moly what I  do wrong here" LOL.  I am sitting here thinking in the short time I have been doing this how many of those holy molys I can quickly recall. 

-Shawn   

[ctom]

Something I have begun doing in additon to the written recipes is saving a chunk of plastic from batches that really trip my trigger. I went to wallyworld and picked up a box of 50, 40 maybe, 1 quart freezer bags. I take a piece of my prized colors and put them in a bag, name or number them according to the saved recipe and hang them on my pegboard so I have an instant visual reference when re-making them. My colors all have names or numbers and that gets written on each bag with magic marker. Sometimes things don't get measured exactly between batches and having the saved piece helps in seeing where I went off base. And yes, I have been known to get off base. 

[Brent]

 

[ghostbaits]

I will add one more note to the already great advise. Take your notebook or color recipes and scan them into your computer or type them in.

I simple accident with anything that smears ink and all your hard work will be GONE!!!!

I keep a back up copy of mine as well as on the PC!!!!!

Jim