SMF December Challenge- high and low water batch

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I've been wanting to try this since reading Auntie Claras post. Well...I'm in, but once again can't copy and paste. Can someone add me to the list? please? #23?
 
If you don't have a light box setup, you can get good results with three sources of light -- or even one source of light and 1 or 2 reflectors. The photo is how I usually do things. More tips including a couple of articles about using your smart phone camera for product photography: http://www.handmadeology.com/category/product-photography-tips/

DSC_0036a.jpg
 
1. Lenarenee - pretending like I don't know what I've gotten myself into now!
2. Saponista - So many ideas, so little time to soap this month!
3. TheDragonGirl - this looks so cool and I wanted to try it anyhow
4. Dixiedragon
5. Songwind - Sounds fun, I'm in.
6. Obsidian- like I need more soap
7. Sonya-m - ooh I love a technical challenge!!
8. BlackDog - this challenge is totally out of my league!
9. dibbles - I see flops in my future!
10. doriettefarm - I'm game but frantically searching for FOs that behave in low water!
11. Judiraz- I've been wanting to do this with color...lots of ideas.
12. CaraBou - You know I'll do it anyway; might as well commit myself now so I can't back out from showing
13. Mrs Spaceship - is terrified.
14. DeeAnna. I don't have time for this -- it's my super crazy incredibly busy season at work -- but I'm gonna make time.
15. Commoncenz - Why, oh WHY do I do this to myself?
16. KristaY - I hope I have time in the Christmas craziness!
17. mazimazi - my first SMF challenge, yaaay!
18. Rowan - terrified and excited at the same time!
19. QueenBeeSoap - Count me in!
20. TeresaT - I have no idea what's going on, but my awesome math skills will save me!
21. Steve85569 - I think I got it this time. I'm still in trouble though!
22. kumudini - let the lye hunt begin!
23. Cactuslily - I've been wanting to try this since reading Auntie Claras post.
 
DeeAnna those are some luscious-looking soaps! And a nice light setup too :)
 
Hey, Songwind -- I can't take credit for my MacGyver photography setup. I got these ideas from a series of tutorials written and photographed by a New York City photographer named Mariano. In my previous post, I gave a link to Handmadeology where I originally found his articles, but I now see a number of them are either gone or are not working properly (photos missing, page not loading). I uploaded the PDF files I made of these articles to my website, giving full credit to the author. I hope they are as helpful to other soapers as they are to me. See http://classicbells.com/soap/photoTips.html
 
I did a 1 lb trial batch today. I didn't use any color or fragrance (other than a small amount mixed with activated charcoal for the top). I waited until the low water batter was just beginning to show signs of trace and mixed the high water portion. Both stayed fluid for a very long time. I was soaping at about 80-85. The high water was probably even cooler as I waited for 20-30 minutes for the low water batter. Both were very fluid when I poured, so I don't know how much definition I will see when I cut. I did CPOP, but probably didn't need to. The soap got quite hot, and I do have some pock marks on the sides and bottom (silicone mold). The first picture is just out of the oven, and it is interesting that it appears to be gelling from the outside toward the center. Any thoughts? The second picture is after cooling. Clearly signs of overheating on the top.

HiLow Water Challenge 001.jpg


HiLow Water Challenge 002.jpg
 
I'll post a cut picture once I know I won't need to use it as an entry. I don't plan to, but venturing into the world of adding color and fragrance could be "interesting". There is a difference in the high and low water colors, which is pretty darn cool.
 
With coop, you are introducing heat from the outside in so for mine, gelling starts along the edges and moves inward. It's possible that by the time the mass of the center starts gelling, it can overheat a touch. Coop is tricky for me so others may not have this issue. Pretty soap!
 
newbie said:
With coop, you are introducing heat from the outside in so for mine, gelling starts along the edges and moves inward. It's possible that by the time the mass of the center starts gelling, it can overheat a touch. Coop is tricky for me so others may not have this issue. Pretty soap!
Click to expand...

That makes sense, especially since it was a small 1 lb mold. Thanks!
 
Currently waiting for my low-water batch to reach trace. Hooo boy, this challenge is not for sissies. I checked my math like 80 times before starting and still managed a measuring mistake. Luckily I caught it before it went in the pot ("hhhmmm, that looks like a lot more than 3 ounces of lye....")

Here goes!
 
BlackDog said:
Currently waiting for my low-water batch to reach trace. Hooo boy, this challenge is not for sissies. I checked my math like 80 times before starting and still managed a measuring mistake. Luckily I caught it before it went in the pot ("hhhmmm, that looks like a lot more than 3 ounces of lye....")

Here goes!
Click to expand...


My first attempt was a total math wreck!!!
If the people where I used to work for knew I'd never live it down.
Got "smart" the second time and tried a "trusted" FO. Almost didn't get the soap in the mold.

Third time I made a spreadsheet for the math and followed directions. Looks like I can be taught things after all.:)

I thinking now that this is something I will be doing more of.

I'm a man and I can change. If I have to. I guess.:mrgreen:
 
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Update: this stuff is ridiculous. I just CPOPed for an hour and went to take it out of the oven to wrap it in a blanket. It's still a little sloshy lol. I forsee a long wait to cut in my future.
 
I want so bad to try this challenge but I am in the middle of packing to move next week and I'm out of a lot of soap oils, with no cash for more til next month. Grrrr!
 
gigisiguenza said:
I want so bad to try this challenge but I am in the middle of packing to move next week and I'm out of a lot of soap oils, with no cash for more til next month. Grrrr!
Click to expand...

I won't be trying it yet either, Gigi, as much as I'd like to; there's just too much on my plate right now. I hope your move goes well and that it's a move up.
 
Misschief said:
I won't be trying it yet either, Gigi, as much as I'd like to; there's just too much on my plate right now. I hope your move goes well and that it's a move up.
Click to expand...

I feel the same way, too much on my plate right now. It is a move up, sorta LOL. My cousin is helping me get into an apartment on my own, so I don't have to deal with roommates any more. It's going to be harder to make the bills, but it's got to be done. Once I move, I'll have to start figuring out how to generate a side income that works around my current work schedule and my hit n miss exhaustion/chronic pain. I'm a woman on a mission, so watch out LOL.
 

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