What soapy thing have you done today?

[Viore]

I made Lavender soap yesterday, trying a new ultramarine powder from WSP. The color turned out a great lavender color, but I added it wrong and got specks running through it. I hope to unmold and cut it later today after work. Work gets in the way of my fun soapy times, but without work I can't pay for fun soapy times .... *sigh*

 

[niclycha]

I learned how to Masterbatch today. And how to figure how much more water you need when you are ready to use it.
From Soaping 101 on YouTube. I think I'm going to Masterbatch some tonight so I don't have to deal with the static and dryer sheets every time lol

 

[niclycha]

Good luck this weekend, Dahila.

Today I made a loaf of egg yolk soap in my new ED silicone mold in the steel basket. I've had it about a month now and this is the first time using it. I thought of adjusting the recipe size to fit the mold better, but did not. They will just be short bars.

I love my ED molds. I got 2 for the sale. And if you watch YouTube Soaping videos you'll see all the soapers must have caught the sale too lol. They are great, my 1st mold I bought was the BB 10 in I think the silicone is too thick so my soap was soft and harder to get out, these ED MOLDS slide out like a dream.

 

[Saponista]

I tried some new fragrances today, mostly dupes. A dupe of Lush's furze which smells absolutely beautiful, I love it (think it's my new favourite fragrance!) love spell to see what all the fuss is about, I kind of like it. A dupe of mark Jacobs daisy which I also love and the old fashioned perfume Devon violet ( I live in Devon and keep getting asked for it).

 

[SunWolf]

<snip> I think I'm going to Masterbatch some tonight so I don't have to deal with the static and dryer sheets every time lol

:think:...static and dryer sheets?? :?:

My soapy thing for today...I'm getting ready to start my May Challenge soaps!!

 

[SuzieOz]

Go and look at this thread: http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=59802

I explain it all with pictures! I would love to know what you think?

Thanks, I missed that! Having a look now

 

[carlyjones]

I haven't posted in forever!

The swirly guy is a mix of coconut, olive, sweet almond and apricot kernel, scented with a sandalwood FO. The white with poppy seeds is 100% coconut with aloe juice In place of the water. And the grey with the white soap ball is a mix of activated charcoal and rhassoul clay. The blue and yellow is the 100% coconut as well but I hate how it turned out. Way too much colorant and my ITP swirl went super wonky with a really weird partial gel. I have a huge order coming from candora tomorrow and I can't WAIT to make some soap. I have so many yummy FOs coming. I think my first soap will be a vanilla butter cream coffee bar ooOOoo

 

[kchaystack]

I cut this soap I made last night. Lavender, chamomile, pine needle and cassia essential oils. Nurture's TD, black pearl mica and Klein blue mica.

 

[Ruthie]

Only indirectly soapy, but I cleaned off the dining table so I can label soap. Though I haven't made soap in ages, and am chomping at the bit to do so, I have promised myself (and Hubby!) to label what I have made and get it in shoe boxes before I make more. I hate when the table is a mess, but with the end of the school year, plus all my retirement paperwork, plus gardening stuff, it had piled up. Add Hubby's stacks of magazines and stats of DGD's results at state track meets (she's state champ in 3 events) and I've spent 2 days off and on getting it sorted and put away.

Now I can get started- once I get off SMF.

 

[earlene]

I love my ED molds. I got 2 for the sale. And if you watch YouTube Soaping videos you'll see all the soapers must have caught the sale too lol. They are great, my 1st mold I bought was the BB 10 in I think the silicone is too thick so my soap was soft and harder to get out, these ED MOLDS slide out like a dream.

Yesterday I unmolded & cut my egg yolk soap. Niclycha, it sure came out of that mold so well! I am very happy with it. Now I need a better soap cutter than my free hand with a knife. I can't cut an evenly shaped bar of soap for the life of me. They all end up slanted one way or another. Even when I use the mitre box my husband leant me they still aren't completely straight.

Beautiful soaps, carlyjones!

That soap is gorgeous, kchaystack!

Only indirectly soapy, but I cleaned off the dining table so I can label soap. Though I haven't made soap in ages, and am chomping at the bit to do so, I have promised myself (and Hubby!) to label what I have made and get it in shoe boxes before I make more. <snip>

I just did that, too. It took me a few days, but in the end I labeled 12 dozen bars of soap. It has been suggested that I set up labels via my computer for easily printing them out, but I did it all by hand because I was on a roll and I don't sell. Besides many of my soaps are non-uniform in size so designing labels for various sized soaps with various different recipes seemed to me a daunting project that would have postponed and lengthened the entire process. So I am happy with what I did.

Maybe for the soaps now curing, I will figure out a way to design some labels I can print out. But of course that means I will have to buy more printer ink. I had to print out a receipt a few days ago (proof of auto registration for Hubby to keep in his car) and noticed the ink is getting rather low. I used to do volunteer work that required lots of printing, but since I don't do that anymore we don't print out a lot of stuff.

~ ~ ~ ~

More soapy stuff: Last night I started an order with WSP to use a gift certificate I had from a recent soaping gathering I attended. But I was so tired last night that I didn't complete the order in time to get the sale price for some of the items on my list. Oh, well, I went ahead and submitted the order this morning. Next order will be from BB because I really want some of their TD, mainly because it is both oil and water soluble. I have not used TD yet and really want to try a bit more color than I have done so far. So I am also ordering a few micas and a couple of ultramarines. I also read great reviews about their Espresso Fragrance Oil here on SMF and elsewhere, so I am including that in my order.

I have a couple of other discount codes I can use with other vendors, but so far haven't found anything I want to purchase from them and their prices aren't that great to begin with. Too bad. I will continue to look, though.

 

[penelopejane]

Yesterday I unmolded & cut my egg yolk soap. Niclycha, it sure came out of that mold so well! I am very happy with it. Now I need a better soap cutter than my free hand with a knife. I can't cut an evenly shaped bar of soap.

Have you tried cutting with the mitre box and a paint scraper (large flat scraper about 6 inches (150mm wide). It's an even thickness (unlike a knife) and makes a big difference.

 

[earlene]

Have you tried cutting with the mitre box and a paint scraper (large flat scraper about 6 inches (150mm wide). It's an even thickness (unlike a knife) and makes a big difference.

No, we don't have one. I'm pretty sure we've never used one when we have painted. I did used to have a nice stainless steel pastry scraper that would have worked, but when I looked for it I could not find it, so I think I put it in the donation box when I was trying to clear out some kitchen excess some time in the past few years.

I do believe that part of the problem with the mitre box is not the knife, but the fact that the box has a lip that is supposed to help it stay put on the edge of the worktable. Like this: http://www.wonkeedonkeetools.co.uk/...tre-Boxes-Blocks-Steve/09MBBP08/9MBBP-8-6.jpg

Since I have never used one before, I didn't realize that and just thought there must be some reason for using a mitre box at that weird tilt. :think:
It was pretty awkward, cutting soap at that tilt, but it just didn't occur to me to use that lip to anchor the box to the counter. I will have to try again now that I realized I was using it incorrectly.

Anyway, I plan to go to Home Depot in the next couple of days to look for something else. While there I should take a look at a painters scrapers.

 

[penelopejane]

Anyway, I plan to go to Home Depot in the next couple of days to look for something else. While there I should take a look at a painters scrapers.

You also need to put something in the space where the blade goes in so that it doesn't move about. You can use a piece of plastic or paper or anything really. The cut with a blade and a mitre box is good. Really good. The difference between a knife and a blade is huge.

A wire cutter is great and quick but an indulgence, really, unless you are making heaps of soap. It is a beautiful machine, though and I love it.

 

[Stacyspy]

With my Park project, I haven't had much time to catch up from my "icky hand syndrome"-which is what hubby and kids call it...lol. But I came home from work yesterday, and made 5 batches. Yes, 5...whew... since I now have permission to use Seussy names, I needed to get the show on the road. Only problem I had was with WSP's Beach Daisies...it accelerated so fast it turned into soap stuck to a bucket. Didn't even have time to stick to the spatula...sigh. I really wish I knew beforehand, I would've HPed it, but I did not read far enough into the reviews, it was about 75 reviews in that said it accelerated. On the up side, the other four seem to have worked out well. I just did some brightly colored drop swirls, because they seem Suessy to me!

 

[earlene]

Today I went shopping at Home Depot, I bought a gamma lid and moisture absorbing crystals (DampRid) a la kchaystack's lye storage method. Hubby said we already have 2 empty buckets and he will get one out of the garage for me tomorrow so I can clean it up and set up the same method. While there, we looked for the painter's knife. It was called a Drywall Knife, but it's exactly what I was looking for, and we tested it out in a mitre box just like the one I have with my soaping stuff & the fit was perfect. We had several sized from which to chose. In addition to that, I happened upon some gear ties and spent a bit of time deciding what size (thickness) and length I might want for hanger swirls, considering the different molds I have with which to work. To make the decision easier, I chose a combo package that has several different lengths & thicknesses, plus on set of longer ones for use in the longest loaf mold I have. Now I have to wait for the micas, oxides & ultramarines I ordered to come so I can make some colorful swirly soap!

Oh, we also went to the health food store (there's really only one good one in this whole area IMO) and I bought some tidbits to make some oil infusions. Dried Calendula leaves, dried rose petals, yarrow, dried dandelion root, comfrey, and the list goes on. We looked at the extensive display of soaps for sale, and I had not realized they had so many. I knew about the 'cut your own soap' loaves (sold by the ounce) but never gave it any thought before. I guess I wasn't paying very close attention last time I was there, because the lack of ingredient information on some of those soaps didn't catch my attention before this visit. I tend to go there only about 4 times per year, and mostly just to buy bulk items (like the herbs I bought today, dry beans, grains, nuts, and so forth), and a few other odds and ends I can't find elsewhere locally.

I have so many soaping projects to start now! Oil infusions to make (calendula, comfrey, yarrow, roses, and more); lye storage re-organization; colorful swirls to try with my new gear ties (after I have some colorful colorants); loaf molds to make so I can try out my new soap cutting knife (drywall knife) with the mitre box. And I really must finalize two orders: Amazon & BB for other soapy items that have been sitting in my virtual shopping carts for nearly a month. (I keep looking at my virtual shopping carts trying to decide what to remove from the cart, then don't submit the order in time for it to be delivered when I will be at home.)

 

[earlene]

I started 10 oil infusions: calendula, rose petals, comfrey (root, leaf), marshmallow (I've used marshmallow tea in place of water for lye solution before), yarrow, orange peels, and 3 more that have slipped my mind. But they are all labeled. And now I have to go shopping for more olive oil.

Labeled the Hot Springs Water from Hot Springs, Arkansas we bottled on our road trip. I want to try using it in a batch or two of soap just for the fun of it.

I emptied a pickle bucket (from when we had the restaurant) of BBQ stuff (Hubby hasn't BBQ'd in years) and cleaned it. This will become my lye storage bucket with the gamma lid I bought yesterday. I am just waiting for the bucket to dry out sufficiently to complete the process.

We are going to have overnight guests on Saturday, so I need to prepare one of the upstairs bedrooms & the bathroom for guests. Time to move soap supplies again. That's okay, it needs doing. I plan to work on that tomorrow when Hubby is at work. Today, I think we will be visiting MIL at the nursing home.

ETA: I completed the lye storage bucket, with moisture absorption, gamma lid and all. Moved a few things around under my worktable and noticed I'd better use up some kombucha that was causing the lid to expand. So I opened them both bottles to release the pressure to ensure they don't explode all over my kitchen before I use them. My SIL makes kombucha tea and she told me of a mishap in her refrigerator from an exploding kombucha bottle while they were away on a trip. I don't want that! So I guess I am that much closer to my decision about my next soap recipe.

 

[Ruthie]

Kombucha soap? Sounds interesting! I want to hear how that turns out.

I did get my dining table cleared and between paperwork sessions for my retirement I have been getting labels ready for soap. When I get off SMF I'm going to be cutting bands. Then I'll begin the wrapping process.

I decided to make dedicated labels for my most popular scents. Why have I spent time reinventing the wheel again and again? Just a little more work up front, but then it will be done.

 

[earlene]

Kombucha soap? Sounds interesting! I want to hear how that turns out.

Ruthie, my first batch of Kombucha soap was inspired by my SIL's love for Kombucha tea. She makes her own and drinks it all the time. Personally I hate the taste of the stuff, so I had to buy store bought in order to try it in soap. I wondered if anyone had ever tried using Kombucha in soap and as it turns out, I found a recipe online at the NerdyFarmWife site. She provides her recipe and instructions for both CP & HP methods. I really liked the fact that I didn't have to alter the recipe since she doesn't use palm or lard, neither of which I wanted to use at the time, so that made it easy. I ran the recipe through SoapCalc of course and it made a change to the amount of lye (4.13 oz. instead of 4.14 ouces). I also changed the ratio of liquids she used and used to 2:1 Kombucha:water. Other than that, I kept it the same except in the end when it came time to pour the soap. Because I used the HP method it got pretty thick so I added 2 T yogurt & 1/4 cup cold Kombucha to loosen it up so I could pour it ino the simple loaf mold. I was able to unmold without any difficulty the next day, although my notes don't indicate how many hours that was. One would expect it would have been too soft, but it wasn't. I also don't have in my notes if I cut it when I unmolded it or if I waited and I just don't remember.

That was the first batch. For the second batch I added Borax to it because at that time I was experimenting with Borax as an additive to soap. 1.2 ounces Borax dissolved in 2 ounces boiling water, then cooled and added to the lye solution. I did not add yogurt to this batch as I was more prepared for how fast it would set up. Even though this one was quite thick and more of a scoop & plop, the 'HANDMADE' words in the mold are nicely defined. (Milky Way's Handmade slab mold.)

One thing the NerdyFarmWife does not mention is that because Kombucha is fermented it acts a lot like beer, i.e.; it is very bubbly like carbonated drinks. So IMO you should treat Kombucha tea the same as you do Beer in soapmaking. Therefore, I suggest letting it go 'flat' to decrease the likelihood of your lye solution roiling and rising up out of your container.

I've made it twice, but have no pictures, or I would include one. I didn't start taking photos of my soap until this year. I don't know why, just never thought of it until I decided to take a class. I do still have one left from one batch and a few from another. I should snap a pic before they are gone. They made very nice bubbles and lather.

In my notes I mention that it came to trace pretty quickly, so I am not sure I want to substitute pomace olive oil for the regular olive oil I used last time. I do have pomace, but used up all of my regular OO yesterday for the infusions. Maybe I will give it a try though and just not use the SB. Plus I want to do it CP method today instead of HP because it's already hot enough here.

Another fun thin about Kombucha is that the different flavors added to it lead to interestingly different colors of soap. Of the two batches I have made so far, one is a pretty dark sort of olive green color. The other is a very light pale almost celery green color, although I did use some fragrance in the lighter colored one (a small sample of Wild Mint & Moss), but the scent of the Kombucha is pretty strong on it's own and I don't think I had enough fragrance to come through.

 

[earlene]

Yesterday I made 2 batches of Kombucha Soap. The goal was to make loaves of soap to try out the new drywall knife with my mitre box, as well as to use up some Kombucha tea that I don't want to explode in my refrigerator. I also wanted to use my new Gear Ties for hanger swirls just to see how well they might work.

I still have one more bottle of Kombucha tea in the fridge to use, so it looks like I am not done, but for today I don't think I'll be making any more Kombucha Soap. Guests are due to arrive any moment.

One loaf contains Lavender Melon Kombucha, and the other is made with Raspberry Lemon Kombucha and Goats Milk.

I had run out of Grade A olive oil, so I used pomace OO, prepared for a fast trace. With the first batch, I avoided using the SB after adding the lye solution and that was definitely a wise decision. At light trace, I removed enough batter for 3 individual soap molds, poured one unscented and uncolored; scenter the batter & poured the second one, then colored the remaining batter & SB'd the colored portion. The two uncolored single molds took a really long time to set up. But they did. For the loaf mold, I poured batter in the bottom of my ED silicone mold in the basket. I hand mixed color into the remaining batter, then did a short burst of SBing the plain batter inside the mold, followed by a quick burst with the SB for the color. Poured the color into the mold from high, then lower. And used a Gear Tie for a hanger swirl. Covered it & popped it into the oven. I am really looking forward to seeing how it is going to turn out.

The second one, however, I made the mistake of stick blending more and it was so thick by the time I went to push the Gear Tie down for a hanger swirl, the Gear Tie just would not go! So I did a spatula swirl. We'll see how that looks. It smells very sweet and berryish as was my goal, but I'll probably never reproduce the fragrance. I just wanted to use up some FO's leftover from the Bath Bombs project with Granddaughter, so I mixed 3 that I won't be buying again (I don't really like berry scents). This is the one that also had Goats Milk, so I am really looking forward to trying it out. It is my first time using Goats Milk.

Both were in the oven all night long and I was surprised to find that the first one was still warm to the touch this morning. The fragrance coming off the second one is actually starting to grow on me. Wouldn't you know?

 

[snappyllama]

Today was a busy day for me:

Made a few batches of regular bar soap. These will be the last ones I can make for possibly a long time so they better turn out!
Made 1 batch of hodgepodge oil facial soap to use up dribs and drabs of my oils.
I went through ALL of my supplies. Whew!