1st soap making session!

[JLem]

This is my first post, but I've been lurking here a few weeks..reading and learning what I could. I finally got around to making my first batch! I went relatively simple...40% olive oil, 30% coconut oil, and 30% palm oil (the spectrum shortening found at whole foods)...with 7% superfatting. I decided to also add some honey and some oat bran since I can't leave well enough alone

I only made a 1 lb batch, but I think everything went well...it took longer to reach trace than I thought it would, even using an immersion blender...I'm also a little worried I may have aerated the mixture since I made such a small batch that the blender was just barely submerged. I poured it into a plastic tuperware "mold" and it is currently sitting in a cardboard box with a towel over it. Can't wait to see how it tuns out!

 

[seven]

i'm sure it'll be okay. congrats on your 1st soap!
pics are a must

 

[FlybyStardancer]

Isn't it so exciting? First soaps are such a rush!

 

[Susie]

Congratulations! And just wait until you USE it! Awesome feeling!

 

[Derpina Bubbles]

Congrats on your 1st soap! Sounds like a good one. Pics pretty please.

 

[JLem]

Not the best photo...but here's my first batch in the mold...will add more pics once I cut and cure it. I think my 2nd batch might happen tomorrow!

 

[FlybyStardancer]

Yay picture! Most of my pictures are rather bad too, so don't feel bad about it!

 

[JLem]

Yay picture! Most of my pictures are rather bad too, so don't feel bad about it!

I blame the dim, indoor fluorescent lighting!

My 2nd batch might actually be tonight :crazy:

 

[Dennis]

I blame the dim, indoor fluorescent lighting!

My 2nd batch might actually be tonight :crazy:

Nothing wrong with the pic. You've got plenty of time for another batch tonight. Daylight saving time is here and that gives us 25hr days instead of 24. Right?

 

[JLem]

So, I went ahead and unmolded and cut the soap this morning. If I may say so, I think it looks pretty darn good for my first ever attempt! Now I just need to be patient and let it cure.

BTW, I noticed when I came home this afternoon that some of the edges were crumbly, and there were some cracks along one side (the side that was the top of the mold originally). I could gently push on the bars to seal up the cracks, but I am wondering if this meant that I unmolded/cut too soon? Or something else?

(and this photo is better...I opened the shades and let the natural afternoon light in, which always makes for a nicer picture)