Good news and bad news!

[ikindred]

Okay, I posted a recipe on the forum the other night and got great feedback from lots of people, so I decided to go for it! The soap came out great and I had no problems getting it to trace or molded. The soap is scented with Lavender essential oil and lemon zest. Here is where things went a little crazy.....I tried my hand at swirling during the process and it turned out decent but the swirls didn't go all throughout the soap....not sure of why but here are the pictures!

As always, feedback is welcome and will not be held against you!

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2359/l ... oap001.jpg
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3353/l ... oap005.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2562/l ... oap003.jpg

 

[heyjude]

Your soap looks really nice. I bet it smells great too.

Jude

 

[krissy]

it looks pretty. try holding your 2nd color up higher and lower to get the color in at different levels. or swirl ITP before pouring

 

[Guest]

I never thought to add lemon zest. That would make a nice exfolliant. Do you find that the scent holds?

 

[Dixie]

It looks great!! Congradulations!

 

[rubyslippers]

That's some beautiful soap ikindred!

 

[eucalypta]

Beautiful! I don't mind that the swirl is more or less on the top.

But - as krissy said - you have to pour your swirl color from a reasonable height in the soap (12-15 inch above the surface), otherwise it won't reach the bottom.
Going back and forth, gradually lowering the height, until finished.

Then move your rithm stick through the batch

Of course the raw soap has to have reached only a slightly noticeable trace, when it is to thick you can shake it - no deep swirl.

Looking at the top of your soap in the first pic, the trace was medium - already to thick for the desired swirl.

HTH

 

[Milla]

I haven't mastered swirling so I have not tips, but your soap is very pretty. Good job!

 

[Rosey]

I don't have tips on swirling but your soap is beautiful!

 

[Guest]

Beautiful , just beautiful , well done , I love the color .
As Chrissy said you can hold your swirl color higher , or you can pour an inch of soap in your mold , drizzle your swirl color over add more soap ( pour it over the back of a big spoon so it doesn't wreck your swirl color to much ). Add your last swirl color on top and swirl with the tool of your choice

Kitn

 

[ikindred]

Thanks everyone......with all of the mishaps I have had lately, it was really exciting to see something come out right or at least close to right. I am going to try the layering thing so that all of the color will be throughout the soap....watch out world.....here I come!

I am working on another batch today and I am feeling adventurous...I am going to try Lavender, Grapefruit and Vanilla....can't wait to smell this scent.

 

[ikindred]

I never thought to add lemon zest. That would make a nice exfolliant. Do you find that the scent holds?

Since this is my first try at this particular recipe, I am not sure how long the lemon zest will continue to scent but for now, I can really smell it. I used about 1 1/2 tablespoons of zest.

 

[Guest]

Lovely soap!!!

 

[vivcarm]

Really lovely looking soap, as previously said, light trace is needed and pouring from varying heights, also I have found that what ever implement you are using don't just keep it upright use it at an angle, like you would whne you are mixing something in a pot - do you know what I mean? I use a log mould and a spatula, pour from different heights and give a few swiggles (technical term) with the spatula. HTH

 

[Milla]

Also most vanillas turn soap brown, so if you're coloring be aware! Good luck!

 

[Guest]

I love the ook of the soap, it looks cool with the swirls NOT going all the way through. Nice!

 

[ewenique]

Very pretty soap! Bet it smells good, too.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info....I'm going to give it a try. Your soap is beautiful!