This afternoon not really soapy but super excited I found a clear full sheet label I can use with my inkjet printer for my tiny lotion sample tubes. Considering I have to label 300 of them for my donation in March, Id call that a win!
What soapy thing have you done today?
- Thread starter FlybyStardancer
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Swirled a batch of liquid soap, waiting for it to dissolve.
Did some research.
Read some stuff forum... lurked
Is it possible to make clothes out of shaved soap and bubbles?
Edit: “swirled” not in the typical NaOH colorful swirl, but rather picked up the jar it’s sitting in and swished the gooey liquid around in a swishy swirly motion.
I’m in a weird mood. Just ignore my ramblings
Did some research.
Read some stuff forum... lurked
Is it possible to make clothes out of shaved soap and bubbles?
Edit: “swirled” not in the typical NaOH colorful swirl, but rather picked up the jar it’s sitting in and swished the gooey liquid around in a swishy swirly motion.
I’m in a weird mood. Just ignore my ramblings
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Looks Beeyootiful already!
On the website "A Wild Soap Bar" which has pretty wonderful soap to me they say natural colors are strong so use a dark washcloth....late comment but true..
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Marilyn Norgart
Well-Known Member
I have changed my labels to reflect that, thanks 
.
I actually got two batches of oils weighed out and mixed up some micas and have some beer simmering for one soap, then I found out I was out of distilled water drove the gas station cuz I have a grubby soaping sweatshirt on but they didn't have any so I came back home and am going with my original plan of tomorrow morning grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
.I actually got two batches of oils weighed out and mixed up some micas and have some beer simmering for one soap, then I found out I was out of distilled water drove the gas station cuz I have a grubby soaping sweatshirt on but they didn't have any so I came back home and am going with my original plan of tomorrow morning grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I have changed my labels to reflect that, thanks
I actually got two batches of oils weighed out and mixed up some micas and have some beer simmering for one soap, then I found out I was out of distilled water drove the gas station cuz I have a grubby soaping sweatshirt on but they didn't have any so I came back home and am going with my original plan of tomorrow morning grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr[/
Well tomorrow then! I hate it when that happens. Maybe your creation tomorrow will be extra wonderful!
Marilyn Norgart
Well-Known Member
well its probably best that I decided not to soap tonight--I scorched my beer. I need to get over what ever this stuff is that I am feeling
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No.5 Just checked and the forum has no threads started by you. You will have to go back in the shopping recs to find that answer or ask the question in the search engine. I'm in Oz and have given the info you require in shopping recs before. You can also google - where can I buy soaping supplies in Australia.
Very Nice!
Yay! I did it!
Oh, how annoying! You'll have something to look forward to...soapin'!!I have changed my labels to reflect that, thanks
I actually got two batches of oils weighed out and mixed up some micas and have some beer simmering for one soap, then I found out I was out of distilled water drove the gas station cuz I have a grubby soaping sweatshirt on but they didn't have any so I came back home and am going with my original plan of tomorrow morning grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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Yes you did, they look great and I really like the colors you used.
That made me laugh; those sparkly tops are eye-catchy, aren't they?
Well heres the blue, no sparkle Black Teakwood soap the men of the house requested. It smells amazing. They gave me a look when they saw I textured the top but hey, you dont want sparkle, or swirls, you're getting texture.
View attachment 41498
I've started soaping at room temp because I like the harder oils (harder soaps
) and want to attempt things that require thinner trace. Room temp and using only a whisk to stir are the two new toys I'm playing with. I hope I have the success you've had; so far so good, but I'm just beginning to work with both.".....I find texture makes it easier to hold on to the soap when it is wet. Just tell them you gave them handles.
Oh, I do like the top of these, looking forward to seeing them cut. I still get so excited to cut into each and every one of mine.
My new adventure is soaping room temp and not using the SB. The only loaf, luckily its a small (4 cup) mold, that I'm concerned about is one that looked oily for quite some time after pouring. Your 1st loaf pictured (green) looks like mine, not thickish like the blue and brown soap. Later today it finally started becoming solid; I'll know more when I'm able to remove and cut it. At the rate it's going, it'll be a couple of days I bet.
That brown one, MAN, I could sink my teeth into that one! Looks good enough to eat; I love the Bonsai scent from Bramble Berry!! I've scented some lotion with it and enjoy it very much; I can smell your soap
clear into Oklahoma.I'll second that!
Patiently waiting for pics of this loaf cut; I love the richness of the base color and the sprinkled top, looks like gold dust. VERY pretty!
You can't make just a plain bar, can ya? Lol, neither can I. The closest to a plain Jane bar I've gotten is one with no frills but a top built up on one side that later reminded me of waves; I named it Plain Jane as I felt is quite fitting.Well heres the blue, no sparkle Black Teakwood soap the men of the house requested. It smells amazing. They gave me a look when they saw I textured the top but hey, you dont want sparkle, or swirls, you're getting texture.
View attachment 41498
Oh, so sorry to hear that
Wow! That looks very delicious.........um, I mean, very pretty.
Such lovely layers of color! Did ja plan to coordinate the colors of your soap with the flowery thing in the background?? Nailed it!!
Questions:
1) how long did you wait between layers to pour the next?
2) I've seen some on Youtube sprits alcohol on the layer right b/4 pouring the next color; did you do this as well?
3) Poured at what trace? The video I watched some time ago wasn't layered like yours but she had her mold tilted and once a bit firm, she tilted it in the other direction to pour the next layer and repeated until she topped off the last layer with the mold down flat.
Thanks for sharing, lovely soap.
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penelopejane
Well-Known Member
Kiwimoose tends to do everything artistically.
1) If you want dead straight layers it is best to separate your batter into the different layers you want and add the lye mixture as you need it. Then you can take as long as you want or need.
2) Alcohol isn't required on CP if you do it with in a few to 24 hours of the first pour. I've added embeds to soap that have been a bit longer than that and have not used alcohol. MP soap is a different matter.
3) If you want dead straight layers it is best to pour at a fairly thin trace to ensure it settles flat. Bang the mold and make sure it settles as flat as it can.
Kiwimoose tends to do everything artistically.
1) If you want dead straight layers it is best to separate your batter into the different layers you want and add the lye mixture as you need it. Then you can take as long as you want or need.
2) Alcohol isn't required on CP if you do it with in a few to 24 hours of the first pour. I've added embeds to soap that have been a bit longer than that and have not used alcohol. MP soap is a different matter.
3) If you want dead straight layers it is best to pour at a fairly thin trace to ensure it settles flat. Bang the mold and make sure it settles as flat as it can.
1) Funny you should mention the separating of oils into varied containers and adding the lye solution as needed (right b/4 needing to pour it). I thought about doing that but didn't hadn't gotten to the point of looking into whether anyone had tried that and liked doing it. Thanks a bunch, you saved me doing a Google search.
2) yeah, I wondered about the alcohol because it was cold process and not M&P the person was working with. It's been quite a while ago that I watched the video and she did state the time between pours and it was within the perimeters you mentioned.
3) I agree that dead straight layers are best poured at a fairly thin trace so it self-levels nicely.....banging the mold helps settle the batter.
Thanks for the response
LOL - I did strategically place my colourful trivet there, yes.
I got 6 jugs and put my micas in each one mixed with a little oil.
I made my batter up and mixed it until barely emulsified. Divided my total batch weight by 6 and then poured 1/6 the batter into the first colour jug only. I then added to that jug ( purple colour) 1/6 of my FO hoping it would accelerate a little, but it didn't so I just stick blended a bit until it was medium trace, then poured into the bottom - then jiggled, banged and shaked.
Next, I poured another 1/6 of the batter into the blue jug (taking my sweet time to allow the purple to set up a bit), added the FO, stick blended, etc - then poured OVER THE BACK OF A SPATULA gently onto the top of the purple. Hold the spatula close to the bottom layer to allow the next layer to gently glide onto the top of it, rather than 'drop' into it. Have a look at some youtube videos and you'll see soapers doing this layering technique quite a lot.
Keep stirring the main batter periodically to maintain its fluidity.
By the time I got to the last two layers the main batch of batter was already at medium trace, so I just aded the FO and mixed thoroughly, and poured.
Make it so, number 1!
I rather thought you did. It was just too perfect of a set-up to be happenstance. You are not only lovely at design (and placement of soap for its debut photoshoot) but also lovely at explaining; wow, thanks!
With your GREAT explanation, I think I can attempt this. I've used a spatula to prevent what I was pouring from breaking into what had been poured. I've also done as you explained, mix to barely emulsified (getting more use to that now but at first it was a bit scary, lol). I add some goat's milk into my oils often rather than freezing it into cubes (as I once did) so initially, that messed me up a bit visually. I've been working at room temp for a few weeks and doing things in sections as you explained: running the math for how much each color needs and marking each container to the needed level per color used, dealing with each color regarding blending, adding the FO, and whisking to light trace. When ready for the next, I repeat as you did.
I am so much more at ease with soaping at 125-ish but enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone to challenge myself; without which I cannot excel. People like you, so quick to share steps and be helpful, make it much easier to take on new challenges. I watch a bunch of videos and read everything soapy as if I was taking college courses on soap making. It's also good when others share their steps as you did--step by step. I greatly appreciate that, and you.
Yes you did! Those look terrific!
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