My first bonafide swirly-ish soap.

[kikajess]

I did my first batch of CPOP soap yesterday, and I swirled it, too! My first noticeable swirl!

It got overheated, turned a scary rust color, and some of the oil rose to the top filling in all the crevices on the top crust. Fellow forum poster Obsidian was kind enough to let me know it should be okay. This is what it looked like, though:

I used cocoa and sage for coloring. I used a wire hanger the length of the loaf to swirl things around in there.
This is what it looks like now:

It's my 7th batch of soap, and the best so far. It's a keeper!

 

[osso]

It came out great, very pretty! What's the fragrance?

 

[TVivian]

Looks great! The cocoa looks almost pink. Wonderful!


Sent from my iPhone using Soap Making

 

[kikajess]

It came out great, very pretty! What's the fragrance?

Thank you! It's patchouli and tea tree. But this time (as opposed to the offensively smelly first batch I made), I scaled the tea tree WAAAAY back and this batch smells wonderful!

 

[kikajess]

Looks great! The cocoa looks almost pink. Wonderful!

Thanks! I was thinking it had a bit of a reddish hue, too. It's almost "Country Christmas" looking. Good thing, because some of these will definitely be Christmas gifts this year.

 

[jade-15]

Very pretty. Congratulations
Quick question about your mold - is that a silicone one?

I remember reading somewhere that you couldn't use silicone for CPOP or wooden ones made with glue so have held off until I get a wooden one... But I'd be interested to know what you have used (maybe I can use my silicone after all??)

 

[girlishcharm2004]

Very beautiful! I have yet to attempt a swirl! Congratulations!

 

[renata]

I love it! Very beautiful swirls!

 

[kikajess]

Very pretty. Congratulations
Quick question about your mold - is that a silicone one?

I remember reading somewhere that you couldn't use silicone for CPOP or wooden ones made with glue so have held off until I get a wooden one... But I'd be interested to know what you have used (maybe I can use my silicone after all??)

Thank you!

These are the 10" Silicone molds sold by Brambleberry. They work great in the oven. I watched a video of a CPOP demonstration in which the lady used the exact same molds as mine, so I figured it was okay. Do you think it might be bad in a toxic way? I hope not, because I plan to do this again!

 

[moonbeam]

I can't imagine it would be toxic, Brambleberry is a very reputable company and those molds are very widely used. Just wanted to congratulate you on the swirl! I think you have the soap bug now!

 

[Ancel]

Ooh, that's very pretty, love the muted colours! Well Done

 

[jade-15]

Do you think it might be bad in a toxic way? I hope not, because I plan to do this again!

I don't think it's toxic, I was curious as I had read this, but if its worked for you then I wouldn't worry about it! Might give it a go with my silicone mold after all.

"Q: I have a plastic mold that I want to use. Can I?

A: No. No you cannot. Traditionally plastic will melt. While technically, you can use silicone that’s rated for baking, like the rad Bramble Berry liners and awesome silicone loaf mold, there’s an interesting thing that happens with silicone and a super hot gel phase. The soap sort of ‘boils’ on the inside and something about the lack of breathing in silicone makes little air bubble/water bubble pock marks on the entire outside of the loaf."

http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/hot-process-series-cpop-swirls/

 

[kikajess]

I don't think it's toxic, I was curious as I had read this, but if its worked for you then I wouldn't worry about it! Might give it a go with my silicone mold after all.

"Q: I have a plastic mold that I want to use. Can I?

A: No. No you cannot. Traditionally plastic will melt. While technically, you can use silicone that’s rated for baking, like the rad Bramble Berry liners and awesome silicone loaf mold, there’s an interesting thing that happens with silicone and a super hot gel phase. The soap sort of ‘boils’ on the inside and something about the lack of breathing in silicone makes little air bubble/water bubble pock marks on the entire outside of the loaf."

http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/hot-process-series-cpop-swirls/

Yeah! That happened to mine! Little oil bubbles all over the top. I think if I keep trying it, though, I can figure out exactly just how warm and how soon to take the soap out of the oven to prevent those bubbles. The bubbles really aren't that bad looking, though.

 

[Lildlege1]

I love love it !!! So pretty . I wish I could do that maybe by next week when I am on my 10 th batch.

 

[kikajess]

I love love it !!! So pretty . I wish I could do that maybe by next week when I am on my 10 th batch.

Thank you! This was batch #7 for me. Swirling brings a whole new level of #1 fun to soapmaking. Don't wait until batch 10. Waiting is only depriving yourself of fun!

 

[kikajess]

I love it! Very beautiful swirls!

Ooh, that's very pretty, love the muted colours! Well Done

Thank you, Renata and Ancel!