I'm learning :-D

[TangledFrog]

I feel like I'm learning so much from all of you... ThankYouThankYouThankYou! (Wish I could give more back, however, I hope that will come with time and experience...)

Here are a couple photos of some recent soaps I've made. In the top pic are 3 bars...using cocoa powder for a rich colour, coconut milk for a light, creamy colour and honey for a golden colour.

The bottom pic shows my first pot swirl. Not terribly pleased, as I combined them too early when the trace with too thin and used too much TD, so there's a chalky appearance. However, I love the other bar in that shot, even though the embed is off centre!

 

[lizflowers42]

Wow! How did you do that imbed??? Looks amazing!

 

[TangledFrog]

Wow! How did you do that imbed??? Looks amazing!

Oh, wow, thanks Liz...

The imbed was made in a paper towel roll one day before the rest. After I unmoulded it, I rolled it in cocoa powder. Then I mixed up the main bit of soap batter, put some in the bottom of my silicon loaf mould, laid the cylinder on that...then poured in the rest of the batter. Of course, I didn't realise how much movement would result from pouring the batter in, so it ended up a bit wonky, but I'm pleased none the less!

Lynette

 

[MaitriBB]

I think it's better off-center than if it was spot-on. Gives it more visual interest. Well done!

 

[lizflowers42]

The imbed was made in a paper towel roll one day before the rest. After I unmoulded it, I rolled it in cocoa powder. Then I mixed up the main bit of soap batter, put some in the bottom of my silicon loaf mould, laid the cylinder on that...then poured in the rest of the batter. Of course, I didn't realise how much movement would result from pouring the batter in, so it ended up a bit wonky, but I'm pleased none the less!

Lynette

What a neat trick! It sounds like an amazing low-cost trick for beautiful soap! There was a recent thread about cheap molds: http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f11/your-favorite-alternate-molds-31475/

 

[dianne70]

Oh, wow, thanks Liz...

The imbed was made in a paper towel roll one day before the rest. After I unmoulded it, I rolled it in cocoa powder. Then I mixed up the main bit of soap batter, put some in the bottom of my silicon loaf mould, laid the cylinder on that...then poured in the rest of the batter. Of course, I didn't realise how much movement would result from pouring the batter in, so it ended up a bit wonky, but I'm pleased none the less!

Lynette

I'm with Lizflowers...the embed is amazing...can I ask if you lined the paper towel roll...and how did you block one of the ends? I love the idea Also, I think all of your soaps are great....and the swirl is really good....I have not done ITP swirling yet, I guess because I have trouble in my mind wondering if it will work....and not turn into some brown mess when all the colour combine together!

 

[Hazel]

I think they all turned out great. I love the glossy look of the cocoa bar. You may not be happy with the ITP swirl but I think it's beautiful. It looks like marble and you've learned to use less TD so next time you'll know the amount. Also, I'd say you added the color at just the right time because I like the finer look of the swirls.

 

[green soap]

Oh, wow, thanks Liz...

The imbed was made in a paper towel roll one day before the rest. After I unmoulded it, I rolled it in cocoa powder. Then I mixed up the main bit of soap batter, put some in the bottom of my silicon loaf mould, laid the cylinder on that...then poured in the rest of the batter. Of course, I didn't realise how much movement would result from pouring the batter in, so it ended up a bit wonky, but I'm pleased none the less!

Lynette

Very neat trick! did you line the inside surface of the paper towel roll? does it just peel off the soap?

 

[Sammi_552]

I also like the ITP swirl, it's beautiful! The embed is super creative and looks awesome too.

 

[Pepsi Girl]

I love the swirl it looks perfect to me!

 

[2lilboots]

Since you are probably not going to reuse the paper towel roll it doesn't need to be lined. Use a hot glue gun and glue it to a cardboard base. It is easier to do this with toilet tissue rolls as they aren't as high and you don't need to prop them up as much while the soap is going thru it's initial 24 hour cure stage.

 

[SpiralTouch]

Very good idea with the paper roll embed, I will start saving them now

 

[lizflowers42]

Very good idea with the paper roll embed, I will start saving them now

I'm getting hoarderish....saving bubble wrap, small boxes, milk cartons, cottage cheese containers, having folks save pringles cans.....now empty tp rolls!

 

[2lilboots]

I have a hard time trying to save the tp rolls as the dog likes to chew them up if he finds them. I think I have a dozen to make embeds and darned if he didn't tear em apart.

 

[TangledFrog]

Since you are probably not going to reuse the paper towel roll it doesn't need to be lined. Use a hot glue gun and glue it to a cardboard base. It is easier to do this with toilet tissue rolls as they aren't as high and you don't need to prop them up as much while the soap is going thru it's initial 24 hour cure stage.

I didn't realise I wouldn't need to line a paper towel roll. Cool! I actually used freezer paper to line and did exactly like you said and hot glued it to a cardboard base.

 

[SueSoap]

I'd say the embed looks like a design choice, not a "mistake". Fun-looking!