RE: the spots, here are some pics of a 100% CO soap I made long ago. Stearic is listed as 3 in soap calc. There are no spots on the bottom of the bar, which was made in a wooden mold. The top has loads and on the side you can see how it seems to pick up as it goes from bottom to top. I think it has to do with cooling too rapidly as the bottom stayed warmer in the mold and top cooled more quickly. It may not be stearic but it's something that's not bubbles.