CP Soap Making Virgin! Recipe Help!

[lizvang]

You are doing a lot of stuff for your first batch. If it goes awry, you won't know where to start looking! I'd save the pumpkin puree for the next batch.

I know, I think I'm just over excited. LOL

I wanted the pumpkin puree to colour the batch. I bought copper mica so maybe I'll use that instead solely.

 

[lizvang]

If you mix your lye and oil under 100 degrees, that probably (knock on wood) won't happen. I like to put old towels under my mold so if it does happen, my raw soap batter doesn't dribble down into my kitchen drawers.

I'm going to try to do a 90 degree mix.

 

[lizvang]

I did it!

Mixed at 90-92 degrees, added pumpkin puree, added some bronze mica, then my essential oils which did NOT accelerate my soap at all. I did a line of bronze mica in the middle and then filled the rest of the way up with some bronze and gold mica on the top. Cannot wait to cut tomorrow! I did put a cardboard "lid" on and wrapped it lightly in a towel to gel. Attached are photos!

 

[sprklngsaphire]

Congrats on making your first soap! I really like the gold mica you dusted the top with. I would love to see some cutting pics of your soap when you get around to doing that:smile:. I will be making my first soap soon too and I hope mine turns out as well as yours. Very nice. How is the scent combo you used? Did it end up smelling like pumpkin pie?

 

[lizvang]

I will definitely be posting the cutting photos. The scent combo was alright. I think I definitely need to tweak it if I am going to do this recipe again or break down and buy Pumpkin Pie FO from Brambleberry. I'll have to "smell" when I cut it though to be sure if it's OK or not.

 

[seven]

That is quite an ambitious first soap. Pics look good so far, your careful planning certainly paid off. Please post cut pics


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[lizvang]

Turned out better than expected! Thanks all of you for the sound advice!!!

 

[seven]

Congrats!

Perfect pencil line (unlike my first, lol). A lil tip with cutting soap with pencil lines, place it on its side to prevent drags.


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[KristaY]

Congratulations! You certainly made beautiful soap, and your pencil line looks terrific. You're off to a smashing start!

 

[lizvang]

Should I be "cleaning up" my soaps now or after they have cured at least 4 weeks? I'd like to make the sides a bit smoother. I have a feeling I should be doing that now.

 

[shunt2011]

Beautiful first soap. Job well done. I generally don't clean mine until they've cured a couple weeks. Then they aren't too soft. Sometimes I'll just wait the 4-6 weeks then bevel and wrap/label. I enjoy the process.

 

[dixiedragon]

That is a stupendous first soap! I think any soaper would be proud to present that. My first soap was pretty hideous. Tip - Camellia buds are NOT a good addition!

If you are going to clean them up, do it now while the bars are still soft. Personally, I wouldn't clean them up - I think they look great as is! Maybe clean up a few and then see which ones you like best.

 

[lizvang]

I tried cleaning up a couple of my second batch of apple cider soap and it was way too soft and slippery and felt that I was going to ruin them in the process so I am leaving the rest until later.

Is there a tried, tested and true way to clean up drag marks? I dipped mine in distilled water and tried rubbing the sides to get rid of bumps but then the soap started lathering and dipping them again made them too wet. Maybe that's okay since it'll absorb the water, but....?

 

[dixiedragon]

maybe a dry q-tip?

 

[eucalypta]

I tried cleaning up a couple of my second batch of apple cider soap and it was way too soft and slippery and felt that I was going to ruin them in the process so I am leaving the rest until later.

Is there a tried, tested and true way to clean up drag marks? I dipped mine in distilled water and tried rubbing the sides to get rid of bumps but then the soap started lathering and dipping them again made them too wet. Maybe that's okay since it'll absorb the water, but....?

Gorgeous soaps! My compliments.

It's too late now, but I have a tip to avoid drag marks in the future...
Place the soap loaf on its side, so that the mica-line is vertical; then slice as normal.
(Works equally good when you have tops sprinkled with decoration.)

For now I would suggest : put the soap bars on their side on a paper towel and spray with alcohol. (Basicly the same tip as above regarding the cutting.)

Dipping in water, would work also, but it would ruin your tops.

HTH