Mess and mayhem

[Neve]

So I didn't need more soaps but I have all that palm oil in the cupboard... And ultramarine. And I have been ogling a blue ombré soap I saw somewhere. And I really haven't had any big disasters. That's no way to learn!

So because getting an ocean scent wasn't gonna happen I put salt in and attempted the colours. Well, I put the salt in at emulsification but it got so thick so fast that the ombré layers will not turn out like I hoped. The first two layers came out the same colour (crap) so I just had to mix them together in the mold. Then the next two layers were too thin. I only have one spare bowl so I used 1 cup jugs. Bad idea. Oh well. And doesn't fill the mold either I should have done 3 lbs after all. Topped with sea salt and seaweed powder.

I saved some of the darker mix and forced the goop into starfish molds to use for decoration or embeds in other soaps.

Note to self: need more bowls.

Here's a pic of the mess I made!

 

[newbie]

Not bad, not bad. However, I am a natural slob. It is genetically impossible for me to do ANYTHING neatly so I am scoring you based on my own ridiculous mess-making abilities. I think this should be a thread for showing just how big a mess one can make while soaping.

 

[Neve]

I have been worse! I am not neat at all when it comes to this stuff. I did pile it all together for the pic. And cleaned up the batter off the cooktop cos hubby will be using it tonight.

Yes post all your messy pics! I want to see!

PS there was blue powder everywhere but I cleaned it up...

 

[Dennis]

I see there is competition for me in the mess and mayhem category. From now on there will pics made before shoveling out the kitchen and final cleanup. roblem:

 

[maya]

That is not a mess. I am the Swedish Chef of soaping. You are gonna have to up yer game to get to the Olympics.

 

[Dennis]

That is not a mess. I am the Swedish Chef of soaping. You are gonna have to up yer game to get to the Olympics.

The gauntlet has been thrown! Pics everyone. This should be fun!

 

[seven]

Were you trying to make ombre salt bars? That can be super tricky coz the salt would make the batter thick, yet you needed time to mix your colors.

 

[Neve]

I only added a small amount to try and get some ocean-like scent. But it went thicker than I expected. I added 166g to 2lbs. Nowhere near what I did for my proper salt bars.

I shoulda mixed the colours then stirred in some salt to the bottom colour. Really though I need two more mixing bowls... I was spilling blue goop out of the jugs.

It seems I should have taken the photo before I cleaned up! It was way worse.

 

[Neve]

Gues I shouldn't have left it overnight... It was soft last night though.

There are actually waves in it! I am going to buy more mixing bowls and try again.., really needed to push the limits a bit. All my recipes were turning out too good and I wasn't learning much. I think if I had cut this when I was lying awake at midnight it would have worked.

I still want to buy an ocean scent maybe then I catch ditch the salt.

And now I have to think about cleaning this all up. Ick.

 

[cmzaha]

If you want to swirl salt bars, seperate your batter and mix your colors before adding in your salt. Also do not water discount and know your fo does not accelerate. My Salty Sea Air fo with I adore in salt bars does accelerate so I have to move quick after adding in my salt to the colors and main batter. I do not add in as much salt into the colored portions. I also find working with over 2 colors & the main batch is to much and in the pot swirls are the easiest to do with salt bars. Following is a pic of my Kelpie in the pot swirl. Below that is a batch that seized, forgot my fo accelerates and water reduced, I plopped all the colors in the soap bucket and packed in the mold then proceeded to oven process it. Never let a salt bar sit overnight before cutting. I usually cut within 45-60 minutes

 

[Neve]

No I wasn't trying to make salt bars or swirl. I wanted to make a layered blue ombre bar. I don't have an ocean scent so I was just trying a little salt for scent. I was hoping the amount I added wouldn't affect it too much. I was wrong. I will try to find an ocean fragrance from one of my regular suppliers.

If I had been thinking even half-straight I would have added the salt after colouring. My bad. But I needed a good disaster! All the batches were going so well I wanted to push the envelope a little. Of course, neatness is not really my strength and a four-layered soap may well be beyond me even after years of soaping.

 

[newbie]

I'm sorry your salt bars crumbled. At least some of them survived!


Here's my current mess. Yesterday's was worse, but I failed to photograph- forgot.

 

[Neve]

So many cups and pots. What where you making?

I ended up with 8 acceptable bars even if the sides weren't exactly smooth. No matter. Hubby likes the starfish.

I'm sorry your salt bars crumbled. At least some of them survived!





Here's my current mess. Yesterday's was worse, but I failed to photograph- forgot.

 

[judymoody]

You can use the crumbly bits as embeds in another batch if you want.

I don't think that soap imparts much scent and the amount you used shouldn't have accelerated your recipe too much. Did you have a lot of hard oils or pomace in your recipe?

Ocean and ozone scents can speed things up though!

 

[Neve]

Oh yeah, way more hard oils than normal. Wanted to experiment with my new palm oil

I normally have 40% olive, this had 40% palm.

Next experiment will be an artists' soap. Eucalyptus oil is amazing for removing paint, but I only have a tiny bit left so that will also be a small experimental batch. Let's see how much mess I can make in the kitchen figuring that one out.

You can use the crumbly bits as embeds in another batch if you want.

I don't think that soap imparts much scent and the amount you used shouldn't have accelerated your recipe too much. Did you have a lot of hard oils or pomace in your recipe?

Ocean and ozone scents can speed things up though!

 

[boyago]

That is not a mess. I am the Swedish Chef of soaping. You are gonna have to up yer game to get to the Olympics.

Had to come back to give this a plus as I have been walking around like a dope smiling for no reason as I randomly think of the Swedish Chef making soap. I can't explain it but you have brought me a lot of joy.

 

[Dennis]

Love the Swedish Chef!

[ame]http://youtu.be/01viXRa8Hqg[/ame]

 

[MzMolly65]

Love the Swedish Chef!http://youtu.be/01viXRa8Hqg

I like when he makes "the meata loafer" (stuffing meat into a shoe). I can totally picture that with soap.