Thank you for the tips! I have enough shreds for another Ciaglia attempt. When I try it again I'll definitely follow your suggestions. My soap doesn't look awful, but as you said, it definitely looks like a confetti soap.
I like those molds - I won one for free on a spin the wheel thing at the HSCG conference and I use it all the time.
Nice! You can't beat free soaping supplies! I haven't used this one yet, but it's almost identical to my favorite mold that cost me closer to $30. In fact, I was getting ready to order another and am so happy to have found this one.
In addition to keeping the shreds at 30% of total fat weight, the greater batter volume at 33% lye concentration helps to keep the mixture more fluid.
Ah, that makes sense. Thank you!
. But I realised only a few days ago that not everyone will like my aleppo style soaps (I myself love the scent, but my partner find that it smells like an ashtray and I know it's common that people think that about bayberry oil). I also made a GM soap scented with verbena EO but I won't have enough for everyone.
I cleaned them up and stamped them. They are scent free, since I wanted to make it for sensitive skins, but as a Christmas gift, it might be a bit boring. So I dipped my stamps in golden mica, so they look at least a bit festive. I wasn't very consistent in my placement, but I find that it elevate the look of the soaps quite bit.I cut the shea-oat soap I made for Christmas. i know I'm very late
So... this last batch will come with a warning to store it for a couple of weeks before using.
I plan to bring them all in a basket to Christmas diner and let people chose the one they like best.
This one will be "marketed" as very mild and rich. It has 30% shea butter, and 20g colloidal oat for 900g of oils.
I colored part of the batter with cocoa powder in order to mimic the different shades of beige and light brown we can see on rolled oats but I think I over did it. I was hoping for something more subtle, I hope it will mellow out.
Also It has a purple hue. I kind of remember that the purple goes away with curing but am not sure. Can anyone confirm ?
Will tidy them and maybe stamp them later today.
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Nice!
Like just before stamping ? I will next time !
Exactly ! Stamping them in English would have been easier. French needs so much space...
Very nice! I'd go ahead and package them unless they still feel too soft for your liking.
I usually let mine cure for four weeks minimum before selling, except for my Salt Soap. That one cures for up to three months before I wrap it.
I steam after I stamp the soap or otherwise add mica or glitter, but I also dampen the soap in advance by spraying it lightly with 91% isopropyl alcohol. I never tried steaming before stamping, but that’s an interesting idea. My soaps are sometimes too firm to stamp, which I’ve attributed to using 40% lye concentration. Now I’m wondering if steaming the soap in advance would make hard soap easier to stamp. Thanks for the idea!
I cure for 4 weeks and never have a problem.
Or maybe that makes the stamp stick to the soap and that's a terrible idea.
If I experiment I will report back. Good luck with the steaming.Or maybe that makes the stamp stick to the soap and that's a terrible idea.
Steaming after stamping is something I can still do ! I'm away from home for a while but I will do that when I'll be back. Thank you
