To kick off 2024, I had fun making kaleidoscope and ebru soaps. From top to bottom, scented with Oregon Trails Green Tweed, OT German Chamomile and Nurture's Seventh Heaven blended with some Litsea:
ETA: sneaking this next batch in. I had it stashed away in the dark because the colorants include Spirulina, along with annatto, Himalayan rhubarb and activated charcoal.
I also took a chance and used 2+ year old dandelion-infused olive oil to make this simple layered soap. The oil smelled absolutely fine, but I was prepared for crazy acceleration. Much to my surprise, the dandy batter behaved perfectly while the brand new GV OO from Walmart that I used for the white layer wanted to make soap on a stick. Isn't the yellow gorgeous?! Scented with a citrus and ginger FO blend.
Some time ago I bought a 5-way split cup - the kind they make for acrylic pouring - and finally got around to using it. To keep the batter as perfect as possible for this technique, I hand-stirred both batches to emulsion/very light trace and used very well-behaved FOs (OT Bonsai for the blue and green soap and Be Scented's Karma for the multicolor soap). One of the greens in the first batch was a wee bit shy of where it should have been trace-wise, but otherwise all was good and the batter for both soaps remained fluid even though I had to refill the cup a few times for each batch. I am just amazed by the level of feathering detail that can be achieved with the cup without muddying of the colors.
ETA: sneaking this next batch in. I had it stashed away in the dark because the colorants include Spirulina, along with annatto, Himalayan rhubarb and activated charcoal.
I also took a chance and used 2+ year old dandelion-infused olive oil to make this simple layered soap. The oil smelled absolutely fine, but I was prepared for crazy acceleration. Much to my surprise, the dandy batter behaved perfectly while the brand new GV OO from Walmart that I used for the white layer wanted to make soap on a stick. Isn't the yellow gorgeous?! Scented with a citrus and ginger FO blend.
Some time ago I bought a 5-way split cup - the kind they make for acrylic pouring - and finally got around to using it. To keep the batter as perfect as possible for this technique, I hand-stirred both batches to emulsion/very light trace and used very well-behaved FOs (OT Bonsai for the blue and green soap and Be Scented's Karma for the multicolor soap). One of the greens in the first batch was a wee bit shy of where it should have been trace-wise, but otherwise all was good and the batter for both soaps remained fluid even though I had to refill the cup a few times for each batch. I am just amazed by the level of feathering detail that can be achieved with the cup without muddying of the colors.
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. Yes on the yellow being 100% from the dandelions. It was oil from a jar that was packed full with dried dandelions. The split cup has a lot of potential and yes, you should get one! I’m looking forward to trying different color combos and different ways of pouring from the cup into the mold.
I’m in the early months of my soaping journey; obsessing and learning all the time. I’m pretty much in awe of what can be done with the science and art of soap making! Thanks for sharing these extraordinary soaps — and the idea of a split cup. I’m gonna try that!
