A couple New Soaps I made

[smeetree]

I'm open to and actually encourage criticism so I can improve. I'll point out the things I dislike, but feel free to criticize anything.

The first one is french green clay with lemongrass EO. I am not thrilled that the right corner is so yellow..I was aiming for more of a white and a better triangle, like on this bar: http://s554.photobucket.com/user/allbowerpower/media/Bower%20Power/Ad%20Announcements/FrenchGreenClay.png.html

I tiled the mold ~45 degrees when pouring. I am not sure what went wrong. Does anyone know why the line is not as defined and didn't make the triangle?

The second is peppermint-rosemary EO. Overall I am happy with this soap, but I envisioned a blue and white christmas soap, so I am disappointed with the yellowing of the swirls. I assume this is due to the oils I used. I am going to retry it with coconut and crisco, though they will likely not produce as balanced a bar. Someone recommended TD but I've never used that.

Both bars used Olive, Palm, Coconut, and Castor.

 

[DWinMadison]

For that crisp white you are looking for, TD is your absolute best bet. I believe to get a more distinct division/angle in your bars you will either need to pour at a thicker trace and/or let your soap set up a bit before rotating your mold back to the flat position. All that said, they are very nice soaps. Also, advancing your trace before pouring seems, to me, to make for a whiter soap as well. Would be interesting to get others' opinions on this.

 

[smeetree]

Thanks that helps a lot actually.

If I let it set longer, wouldn't the yellow part start to firm up and be difficult to pour?

 

[KatieShephard]

The one on the right looks like a galaxy

 

[DWinMadison]

Actually, I think you did it in reverse now that I'm looking at it. I would have poured my sharp angle/triangle first, let it set up for a few mintues, then poured the remainder of my batch. Also, the fact that your mold sides are already angled (looks like a loaf pan, I'm guessing) prevents you from achieving that clean angle you are seeking. A mold with straight sides would likely help. Just my 2 cents.

 

[MarisaJensen]

I like them. It adds character to your soap.

 

[smeetree]

Actually, I think you did it in reverse now that I'm looking at it. I would have poured my sharp angle/triangle first, let it set up for a few mintues, then poured the remainder of my batch. Also, the fact that your mold sides are already angled (looks like a loaf pan, I'm guessing) prevents you from achieving that clean angle you are seeking. A mold with straight sides would likely help. Just my 2 cents.

That's a great observation..it is one of those multi use silicon molds. I really need to get a new mold. I do think this one is beginning to hold me back. Someone mentioned in another thread that freezing wood molds helps with non-gel, so I can't even do that with a silicon mold.

You might be right about pouring the angle first, too. I watched a youtube video that did it this way and didn't really think about it. Thanks for the advice, you have been really helpful actually

 

[DWinMadison]

That's a great observation..it is one of those multi use silicon molds. I really need to get a new mold. I do think this one is beginning to hold me back. Someone mentioned in another thread that freezing wood molds helps with non-gel, so I can't even do that with a silicon mold.

You might be right about pouring the angle first, too. I watched a youtube video that did it this way and didn't really think about it. Thanks for the advice, you have been really helpful actually

It's just food for thought. I'm by no means an expert. You've definitely got the eye and talent. Keep up the good work!

 

[smeetree]

It's just food for thought. I'm by no means an expert. You've definitely got the eye and talent. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the encouragement. These are my 14th and 15th batches so I'm by no means an expert. I think being really hard on myself is the only way which is why I encourage all criticism

 

[snappyllama]

They might not have been exactly what you planned, but the soaps themselves are very attractive. They remind me of clouds.

 

[DWinMadison]

The one on the right does look like a the Milky Way

 

[smeetree]

The one on the right does look like a the Milky Way

Very true.

I am going to retry that bar now that I have TD. I'm curious to see the difference.
I also purchased a new mold (more square and made of wood instead of silicon), which I think will help with the french green clay bar getting a sharper corner. Thanks for the tips.

 

[DWinMadison]

You go brother! Can't wait to see it.