This is getting frustrating

[semplice]

I can't quite figure out why I'm sucking majorly at soaping. The first batch I tried has been the best so far. The recipes have all been different, and I learn something new with every batch - but they pretty much suck!

Batch #1

Batch #2

Batch #3

Batch #4

Ugh!!!

 

[Sunny]

they suck in which way? you're posting pics so I assume you mean appearance? or do you mean feel, bubbles, something else

 

[jcandleattic]

The only thing I see wrong is your second batch looked like it overheated a bit (and I think we talked about this in another thread)
but the rest look fine to me. Are you just not happy with the aesthetics of the others? Or are there other problems?

 

[semplice]

Well, they've all been made within the last two weeks, so I haven't really used them. They're pretty ugly.

The first batch turned out ok (a little partial gelling issue, but no biggie.) The little piece I used seemed like a decent bar of soap.

Batch #2 overheated (tried to CPOP), and wound up throwing the mess out.

Batch #3 was a recipe I made up. The bars are too soft, ugly, but they smell great! (eucalyptus spearmint)

Batch #4 was another CPOP experiment. Now, I LOVE the lather and creaminess of the small piece I used (I got the recipe from one of the recipe threads but changed it a smidge to add shea butter), but when I unmolded it it was kind of oily. The oil seems to be drying up, but the bars look like peeled potatoes.

I'm going to keep at it, and I'll eventually get a decent looking bar.

 

[jcandleattic]

Well, they've all been made within the last two weeks, so I haven't really used them. They're pretty ugly.

The first batch turned out ok (a little partial gelling issue, but no biggie.) The little piece I used seemed like a decent bar of soap.

Batch #2 overheated (tried to CPOP), and wound up throwing the mess out.

Batch #3 was a recipe I made up. The bars are too soft, ugly, but they smell great! (eucalyptus spearmint)

Batch #4 was another CPOP experiment. Now, I LOVE the lather and creaminess of the small piece I used (I got the recipe from one of the recipe threads but changed it a smidge to add shea butter), but when I unmolded it it was kind of oily. The oil seems to be drying up, but the bars look like peeled potatoes.

I'm going to keep at it, and I'll eventually get a decent looking bar.

So basically it sounds like with the exception of the overheated batch it's just the looks you are concerned with? And also the soft bar?
With the soft bar it could be due to the oils in the recipe and will harden up as time goes on.
As far as getting "pretty" bars, that will come with time, patience and experience.
AND you still may not always get what you want even after you put in the time to get more experience. LOL
Like you said though, just keep going - you'll get there eventually.

 

[Fragola]

There's 1 thing that I see wrong: you complicate yourself too much.


Only 2 things you can do to fix this:

1. Keep it simple. Personally, I am working on achieving this and it's a tough mental battle. It's like those cartoons with the little angel/devil on each shoulder. For example, right now I am trying to stop myself from doing both swirls and inserts into a cheese mayo soap.

2. Do same recipe more times and not a different recipe each time.

Despite our hopes or illusions, most of us are not born accomplished soapers. Sadly.

Or just suck it up, few months down the road (can't say if it's 6 or 60) things will turn out better.

P.S. Just noticed your username: you certainly don't live up to it

 

[dcornett]

they don't look bad to me at all...

 

[MeadowHillFarmCT]

I think they look great for your first attempts. Overheating is a terrible thing but you can always throw it in a crock pot and HP the batch...

IMO - don't worry about colors or additives right now. Get you recipe the way you want it. Make a kick butt soap and then work on making it pretty. I didn't use color (other than some cinnamon, paprika or cocoa) until a couple months in. Then when you like the colors you start doing fancy tops or multi colored swirls and eventually adding imbeds, glitter or herbs for decoration.

 

[jarvan]

Are you really new to soaping? I agree that you are maybe complicating yourself by trying to do too much too quick. Don't be so hard on yourself and maybe simplify soaping for a bit.

Don't be too harsh on yourself. The soap generally looks pretty good. Anything soft may harden up nicely if just left alone.

The swirls and fancy technique is not something people generally do right out of the gate. It develops over time and practice.

You'll be fine.

 

[Dragonkaz]

They all look fine to me!

Keep it simple and have fun!

 

[semplice]

I guess the problem is I spend hours looking at the photo gallery, and you guys make BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL soaps!!! Then I watch youtube videos, and it doesn't LOOK hard, but the application of the technique is something different altogether. I keep trying different recipes to figure out the one, base recipe that I like. I might have found it with an adjustment or two.

I guess I've just been overly ambitious. I appreciate the encouragement!!

 

[Dennis]

They are not ugly. They are beautiful examples of the return to an earlier time when pride was taken in the hand crafted every day items made in the home by necessity. You have already stepped up and done what many will pay for but will not try to do. Looks great to me and just wait until you use them!

This site is peopled by true artisans. Their work is often the result of years of trial and error besides having great talent. Then there are those of us who just make soap and try to learn what we can from them, always wondering what the devil we did wrong. Your soap looks fine, keep on keepin' on.

 

[Stinkydancer]

I guess the problem is I spend hours looking at the photo gallery, and you guys make BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL soaps!!! Then I watch youtube videos, and it doesn't LOOK hard, but the application of the technique is something different altogether. I keep trying different recipes to figure out the one, base recipe that I like. I might have found it with an adjustment or two.

I guess I've just been overly ambitious. I appreciate the encouragement!!

Hang in there...most of the video's and the gallery pics are people who have been soaping for quite awhile and are very comfortable with their recipe and how it performs as well as being comfortable with their lye.
You know your comfortable when you can make a batch of soap and dinner at the same time- just kidding- don't do that - LOL!

Remember when you watch those video's- I learned this the hard way- some are good for technique or soap porn in pics- don't imitate- create.
Every soap maker is different in so many ways- even if you copy to a tee you aren't going to get an exact bar- too many variables. I have tried at times and miserably failed.
I didn't come into my own until I stopped doing this and let my soapy imagination go. I still think my soap is boring but other soap makers don't think that at all. I'm more of a functional soaper but I do go for pretty too. We always judge our soaps harder than others do believe it or not.

The key to any good bar of soap is the recipe- right now being new that should be your focus. Don't be too ambitious- you have plenty of time for that later. You'll go through an extreme soap making phase, I think everyone does at one point or another.
Just make sure your base recipe meets your standards.
Then after you figure that out- you start working on colors and which FO's soap the best and what scents you like the best.

On the bright side- your really being too harsh on yourself.
The first thing I thought of when I saw this post is- We have all been here- I have had everything happen to me that you have. You would be hard pressed to find a soaper on here or anywhere else that says these things have never happened to them. So welcome to the club.
If they have said this hasn't happened then they are lieing or haven't soaped much.
It's a bummer when it happens but we move on because where there is tragedy there is triumph. While it may feel like every batch is failing, it really isn't because you are learning from it.

Another good note- regarding batch #2- at least you got your spam soap out of the way.
You could have saved that batch by throwing it in the oven to HP it- 200 for a couple of hours in a stainless pot with a lid. Keep that in mind for future batches should the need arise. It gets expensive throwing salvageable soap away. I'm guilty of it because you get so frustrated.

Your other batches really don't look bad either.
In theory, the process of soap making is easy though at times all the other stuff we add to it- makes it not so easy.

We have all been there once and as time goes by- you'll look back at laugh and wonder why you made the mistakes you made. It will all click soon enough.
You'll also probably be a swirling pro in no time if that's your thing.

Hang in there!

 

[dandelion]

....

Batch #2 overheated (tried to CPOP), and wound up throwing the mess out.

Batch #3 was a recipe I made up. The bars are too soft, ugly, but they smell great! (eucalyptus spearmint)

Batch #4 was another CPOP experiment. Now, I LOVE the lather and creaminess of the small piece I used (I got the recipe from one of the recipe threads but changed it a smidge to add shea butter), but when I unmolded it it was kind of oily. The oil seems to be drying up, but the bars look like peeled potatoes.

I'm going to keep at it, and I'll eventually get a decent looking bar.

In three years of soaping I have never thrown a batch out, I made a soybean oil soap that was mushy and powdery for at least two months then one day months later rock hard, glossy and one of my daughters favorite soaps

I made peanut butter soap that smell awful, but it back in a closest, months later grated it and added to a chocolate cocoa butter soap people LOVED.

Never give up, soap morphs and changes continuously.

 

[dagmar88]

....

Batch #2 overheated (tried to CPOP), and wound up throwing the mess out.

Batch #3 was a recipe I made up. The bars are too soft, ugly, but they smell great! (eucalyptus spearmint)

Batch #4 was another CPOP experiment. Now, I LOVE the lather and creaminess of the small piece I used (I got the recipe from one of the recipe threads but changed it a smidge to add shea butter), but when I unmolded it it was kind of oily. The oil seems to be drying up, but the bars look like peeled potatoes.

I'm going to keep at it, and I'll eventually get a decent looking bar.

In three years of soaping I have never thrown a batch out, I made a soybean oil soap that was mushy and powdery for at least two months then one day months later rock hard, glossy and one of my daughters favorite soaps

I made peanut butter soap that smell awful, but it back in a closest, months later grated it and added to a chocolate cocoa butter soap people LOVED.

Never give up, soap morphs and changes continuously.

Oh I have. And not just cause I'm too lazy to rebatch
Can't remember what it was, something seaweed-ish.

Turned out to be an exact replica of showering with a week old fish.

Anyway, don't expect any miracles to happen, but do write down every little detail, just in case they do 8)

It takes *a while* to figure out what oils and percentages you like, and it takes a *bit* longer to learn how FO's and colorant behave.

 

[debbism]

I don't see anything wrong with them. That 4th batch you say looks like peeled potatoes look more like a gentle cinnamon swirl to me. And the green one is such a lovely shade. Batch 2 that overheated - I think it looks like you used the drop flower decorating tip to embellish....I like it a lot and the first batch looks wonderful too....I like plain soaps a lot

Like the others who suggested to keep it simple to start. Perfect a recipe and then start to get creative once you are feeling comfortable.

But again, I do like the look of the soaps you made and I have learned a long time ago NOT to judge until curing is complete. Sometimes the batches WE consider to be a bust are the most loved by others.

I have one batch I made which I thought was hideous looking, took forever to harden up and I didn't care for the scent AT ALL however, people raved about it and it sold out very quickly.

 

[semplice]

Just retreading this thread and smiling in appreciation of all of the kind words and encouragement I received.

 

[MaitriBB]

Just retreading this thread and smiling in appreciation of all of the kind words and encouragement I received.

Looking at your Mardi Gras soap pic, you've come a long way Glad you stuck with it!!

 

[semplice]

Me too MatriB! I was doing the most instead of just starting with the basics! Lol

 

[DWinMadison]

I agree with previous posts. I started this process a few weeks ago because 1) I'm working on "getting back to basic living" and 2) the chemistry/mad scientist aspect fascinates me. My one attempt at big-time color taught me one thing: Less is more! Soaps with 17 different rich, swirling colors may be fun to look at and create, but nobody wants to use a bar of soap that looks like your dog ate a box of crayons and regurgitated it. Personally, I think your 1st batch is great...it looks fresh and clean. The 4th batch is BEAUTIFULLY marbled. I can imagine it smelling like coffee and cream. Admittedly batch 3 looks like something from Oz, but my 3rd batch (picture on another thread) was named gazpacho and was sort of "out there" too. Assuming you have a good recipe, I think the trick is learning to edit yourself color wise. One good idea is to stop by Home Depot paint dept. and look at how the professionals match contrasting and complimentary colors. For art pieces and competitions, acid flashback colors are fun, but I personally think simpler is better. I'm working on white/natural bars with "pops of color." I may make some extra in my next few batches of "basic soap" and try some crazy colors/techniques, but it gets expensive to create a large batch that you are unhappy with. Just my two cents, but again, your first efforts are something of which to be proud based on what I see. I look forward to learning along with you from both the mistakes and successes.