What soapy thing have you done today?

[AliOop]

It seems everyone in the US has a Cricut , would love one of those things, too expensive here .
Have fun with making the retreat goodies.

Thanks! The Cricut is really fun. I bought mine used, so I paid far less than retail for it. Seems that a fair number of people get them for gifts and then don't like them or use them. Maybe check Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for your area and see if there is something out there?

 

[Servant4Christ]

I figured out how to input/save a custom oil in my SMF calc app (@Mobjack Bay's FA profile for Soy Wax, GW415). Let the recipe building begin!

 

[MomInWA]

@AliOop I'm eternally jealous of those who have their own soaping room! All my soaping supplies are in boxes behind a screen.

I was watching soapmaking videos and this video popped up. Now I know why (I've always wondered why, but was too embarrassed to ask) we do NOT use aluminum utensils when making soap!

I think I am now 100% off soda pop! YIKES.

 

[MomInWA]

Thanks to advice from @jeanemarie and @Relle , I rebatched the Pumpkin Spice soap from last week. I think it's cute, not quite what I wanted, but definitely feeling like I know where I am headed now!

My daughter's idea was to make it look like a cauldron "witch's brew", with black sides and bottom "cauldron" and the rebatched confetti in the center "brew". I still have some shreds left over, so maybe I'll try again, but make the black part thicker. Change the confetti to Ciaglia? Perhaps?? My one concern is that I don't want to soap with black too much. I've had heavy pink color make heavy pink later; don't want to repeat that with black.

Anyway, here it is! Also, I practiced with the pumpkin mold, which was fun. This fragrance has a heavy vanilla. I used a stabilizer, but I'm sure it will brown up a bit in a few weeks. Just in time for October!

ETA: Check out how the color has changed in a matter of hours! That is so interesting! I like it even better!

 

[Mobjack Bay]

I haven't made soap in a wee bit, but I have just posted this month's SMF Soap Challenge - Feathered Mantra Swirl!

https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/smf-september-2024-challenge-feathered-mantra-swirl.93796/

 

[Servant4Christ]

I just signed up for the challenge. I promised myself I'd sign up for at least 1 challenge this year. It can't possibly turn out worse than the spoon swirl challenge when my FO accelerated into what looked like chunks of lava!

 

[GuacamoleSalad]

I got back on the forum. Got distracted for a minute there, but I've been out here making soap!

Think I've figured out a few of my favorite bars to make: a rosemary one, a litsea/lime one (yes I'm following the fragrance safety directions!), a lavender one, and a cocoa butter/unscented one. It feels really nice to have a set of standards.

And I think I've figured out my favorite basic recipe. For now. I'm sure I'll play around more!

 

[Servant4Christ]

I'm researching and trying to figure out the best way to DIY some dividers for my log mold.

 

[AliOop]

I'm researching and trying to figure out the best way to DIY some dividers for my log mold.

You may have seen this one already; I made some awhile back following this video:

 

[bookworm42]

You may have seen this one already; I made some awhile back following this video:

@Servant4Christ I made a similar one today but out of cardboard. I plan on testing it tonight.

 

[Relle]

I used cardboard covered with glad wrap, found that it moved too much while trying to pour.

 

[Servant4Christ]

I've tried cardboard before. Big fail.
I've seen that video before but totally forgot about it! Thank you @AliOop !

 

[bookworm42]

@Servant4Christ. You were right!
I just tried the cardboard (I'd already made it and figured it wouldn't hurt to try). It kind of worked but had too much bleed through the bottom when I first started pouring.

 

[Firefly24]

I have tried cardboard, plastic cardboard, thick plastic with thick tape. Finally broke down and just bought a mold with liners. Although I think if you could find plexiglass and have it cut perfectly, it would work well. I have also seen people hold the liners or have help holding the liners as they pour. Now I know why it's called a "Challenge."

 

[GuacamoleSalad]

Made my first confetti soap today!

 

[AliOop]

I have tried cardboard, plastic cardboard, thick plastic with thick tape. Finally broke down and just bought a mold with liners.

Same! They worked ok, but not great. And I probably spent more in tape and plexiglass than I did to purchase an inexpensive mold that came with liners. @Servant4Christ of course, if you have stuff around for experiments, don't let me discourage you. You probably are more adept at what I call "hand skills," like cutting in a straight line. Even with a straight edge, my cuts are always jagged and crooked. Sigh.

@GuacamoleSalad we'd like some pictures, pretty please

 

[Firefly24]

I made an oatmeal-honey soap yesterday. The top is pretty but nothing fancy.

 

[lou]

I haven't soaped in a year, so I'm waiting on supplies. I have dandelions infusing in olive oil for Dandelion & Bees soap. When the supplies get here I can make a batch of Aleppo soap. Third batch will be Oatmeal Oatmilk & Honey. I'll be trying a new fragrance oil - Cannabis Cashmere.

 

[Chaiat5]

I am waiting on supplies too... Found a new supplier for cold-pressed coconut oil and was all excited, but they are slow and unresponsive. After much pestering they finally responded that the CO has been dispatched. Like pulling teeth, I tell you. The boy and I are excited to try some new recipes! Not much luck securing butters, so we are still sticking with the simple stuff.

 

[Servant4Christ]

Researching stickblenders is my soapy thing for today. Sadly, there will be no more soapmaking til I buy a new one.