SMF September 2024 Challenge - Feathered Mantra Swirl

[bookworm42]

I just discovered the difference between trying to feather a 2lb batch vs a1lb batch. I'm gonna need a bigger chopstick... And a little less stick blender action.

Oh well guess I have to make more soap

 

[akseattle]

@justsomeguy , I'm sorry your last batch didn't work out. If I had made soap as nice as your first batch, I would have waited to see if I liked the next one better! I like your confidence and work ethic, too! Maybe just submit what you thought was a failure? After all that work, it seems like you should get to vote!!

Yeah. I cut it to soon. I was very eager to see my handy work.

Air bubbles. I had tons of them cause I poured the white to thin and stick blended it in the mold

Now that I think of it, I think that has happened to me too. I've even had whole corners stay in the mold If little pieces crumble, I try to smooth them back on. I guess the real remedy is patience. But patience can be so hard ! Well, your soap still looked great!

 

[justsomeguy]

@justsomeguy , I'm sorry your last batch didn't work out. If I had made soap as nice as your first batch, I would have waited to see if I liked the next one better!

I waited like 12 hours! It was an eternity

I like your confidence and work ethic, too!

I recently learned to appreciate all of me. Confidence new to me. It's more naivety than confidence though

Maybe just submit what you thought was a failure?

Nope. I have displayed it to the public though and it's much appreciated below is a happy accident completely unplanned

After all that work, it seems like you should get to vote!!

I think voting is the hardest part of this

 

[akseattle]

Very cool accident! Looks like a conch!

 

[justsomeguy]

Very cool accident! Looks like a conch!

It's a dragon's head made of dendritic calcite

 

[Servant4Christ]

@justsomeguy I think your swirl turned out beautiful! I'm working with natural colorants which requires me to do more math and multiple mini batches of oils and lye solution to get some of the colors I want. I didn't have the brain power not to mess it all up late last night so I just made sure my recipe was configured to the shrunken down size of my mold and got my log mold set up and ready to go. You would be shocked at the amount of time and rudimentary engineering that went into this. I'll make my lye solutions and oils during lunch today so I can combine and pour late this afternoon or early this evening.

 

[justsomeguy]

@justsomeguy I think your swirl turned out beautiful! I'm working with natural colorants which requires me to do more math and multiple mini batches of oils and lye solution to get some of the colors I want. I didn't have the brain power not to mess it all up late last night so I just made sure my recipe was configured to the shrunken down size of my mold and got my log mold set up and ready to go. You would be shocked at the amount if time and rudimentary engineering that went into this. I'll make my lye solutions and oils during lunch today so I can combine and pour late this afternoon or early this evening.

I did the same so I totally get it. I have 10 little bowls to clean up now

 

[bookworm42]

waited like 12 hours! It was an eternity

Why is it that what little patience I do have disappeared while doing this challenge. I just keep wanting to unmold and try another time.
@justsomeguy I love how your soap looks!

 

[justsomeguy]

My final attempt appears to be a disaster.

Doesn't look like I'll have an entry.

Pouring pitcher really matters when you're free handing stuff

For a disaster, I rather like it

My niece had been low key asking for activated charcoal soap so this loaf is for her.

100% HO sunflower oil.
I've been chasing fire in these challenges so I used activated charcoal for black/grey (.25 teaspoons in 1/3 of the oil) and 10% Himalayan rhubarb infused oil in another third.

 

[Servant4Christ]

@Mobjack Bay Am I allowed to post a pic of my mold setup with dividers? No soap or anything? I think some of you would get a kick out of seeing if this works or turns into a catastrophe.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

@Mobjack Bay Am I allowed to post a pic of my mold setup with dividers? No soap or anything? I think some of you would get a kick out of seeing if this works or turns into a catastrophe.

You can post anything except photos of the soap you plan to enter for the challenge.

 

[Servant4Christ]

Waiting for oils and lye solution to cool now. Praying my engineering works out.

 

[ackosel]

Waiting for oils and lye solution to cool now. Praying my engineering works out.


View attachment 79070

Wow, that would have taken me forever to put together! Good for you, and I'll bet you make an incredible soap with it!
My divider mold came today. My children are pushing for a batch of challenge soap. They even volunteered to milk goats for me so I can make soap. We'll see if it happens.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

Hello all. New to the forum, although I use the abundance of info in here a lot.
My wknd was stupid chaotic but I managed to get a soap done. I found a pumpkin embed that I had forgotten about while rearranging and threw a soap together for it. Fingers crossed I can cut it.
Then I got impatient and tried out my peppermint and menthol soap(not anywhere near cured). I love the cooling sensation!

I'll be reading up on the new technique as well to give it a whirl down the road. Happy soaping y'all!

Hi Nonnie, Welcome to the forum. If you haven’t already, please introduce yourself in the New Member forum. We also have a photo gallery where you can share photos of your soaps. We do love to see soap photos. Another option is the “What Soapy Thing” thread which is great for sharing on a more casual day-to-day basis.

 

[Servant4Christ]

It worked! My crazy cardboard contraption worked!

Note to self: Buy micas next time! Or at the very least, be sure to only make 1 soap batter, then split and color. Making multiple batches with multiple lye solutions is fine (time consuming, but fine). What's not fine is when one color decides to thicken up while the other 3 flat out refuse!

 

[Momma Hoot]

Sign-up list:
1. Servant4Christ
2. Vicki C.
3. dmcgee5034 - hello, my feathered friends! I’m in
4.justsomeguy -
5. bookworm42 - my DH talked me into this
6. Barefoot Farm Girl as long as I can talk my dh into making the soap mold, I can’t cut a straight line to save my life!
7. Momma Hoot - okay, I think I have enough time to give this a go. I'm in as well.
8.

 

[Servant4Christ]

My divider mold came today. My children are pushing for a batch of challenge soap. They even volunteered to milk goats for me so I can make soap. We'll see if it happens.

I hope you do! I think having a medium/thicker trace is key to DIY dividers not leaking underneath. I had a little leakage in one spot but I think (hope) I made enough to get bars that won't be from that section.

 

[ackosel]

I hope you do! I think having a medium/thicker trace is key to DIY dividers not leaking underneath. I had a little leakage in one spot but I think (hope) I made enough to get bars that won't be from that section.

I'm really excited to see it! You put a lot of effort into this soap. I'm soaking in a lot of natural colorant info from you, @justsomeguy, and others, since that's all I use, too.

I think I'm finally zeroing in on a base recipe that we like. I'm sure I just need to get a better handle on recognizing emulsion so I can manage trace a little better, but I feel like my recipe will allow for the designs I'm aiming for. All my practice batches so far have been a little too thick for drop-pouring to the bottom of the mold, but they're perfect for swirling after the pour. Should be ideal with dividers.

 

[bookworm42]

I'm going to try to cut mine tomorrow. Luckily I didn't have any problems with my lye or my soap being too soft.

I'm so excited to see your soap @Servant4Christ and @ackosel I hope you find time to make yours!
This has been such a fun challenge! I've learned a lot about trace and swirling that I hadn't gotten to yet in my experiments.

 

[akseattle]

I've been chasing fire in these challenges so I used activated charcoal for black/grey (.25 teaspoons in 1/3 of the oil) and 10% Himalayan rhubarb infused oil in another third.

@justsomeguy , I love that soap! It looks like a small bonfire in the corner there. I might have to try to copy your colors. I've been trying to think of some gender neutral colors and designs what don't involve browns and greens. I think I've made enough soaps with browns and greens...