What soapy thing have you done today?

[Zing]

Christmas soap.

Very elegant! What are the red things on top?

 

[Catscankim]

I used Irish Sprng just once when they sent a sample bar to every mailbox in the country (I think). It turned my skin a bright red color with whitish lumps....sort of like a turkey neck. And itchy! I took another shower post haste and it all went away. I haven't used it since but can still smell the odor. Needless to say, I'll be staying away from lime cilantro too!

It always made me itchy too.

I unmolded my salt bars. I am really happy with them. No color added. FO is Abalone and Sea by Crafters Choice.

 

[earlene]

I recently discovered the liner "hack" for squeeze bottles, but the neck of my squeeze bottles seems kind of narrow. How do you guys get the liner in the bottle? Mine just kinda bunches up.

I fold them lengthwise so they are the shape of a pencil, then carefully push them down inside that way. Then I open the top end of the bag & fold it over the screw-top lip of the bottle. When filling with soap batter the weight of the soap opens them up, however there does need to be somewhere for the air to displace (escape) out the top of the bottle so the bag will fill up completely, so I watch to make sure that happens. If the fold-over at the bottle neck is too tight, then the bag can't fill completely because it can't displace the air between the bottle and the outside of the bag.

 

[earlene]

Just bought 16lbs of lye! The most I've ever purchased but EssentialDepot has a good deal on it ($23 w the green club membership which I figured was worth it for at least this month).

I really like their lye bottles. When I started masterbatching my NaOH, I poured the solution into the already labeled empty bottles. The only additional label I add is the date the solution is made and the total weight in the bottle at that time. The plastic is very good quality and the seal of the caps make them perfect for preventing spillage if a bottle gets knocked over. And with that lid it makes it even safer to shake the bottle prior to opening to ensure the solution hasn't settled. I do, however, keep a gloved finger over the top of the cap out of an abundance of caution and long-time habit, as well as only shake over the sink. I generally make enough master-batch lye to fill 2 bottles full and one more partially full. I then keep those inside another plastic tub, just in case any of them ever spring a leak. So far, they have held up exceptionally well; no leaks ever; no problems at all have come up with them for long-term use as lye solution vessels. AND one bottle full is a comfortable weight (for my elderly weaker muscles & arthritic hands) for pouring.

I wish I lived close enough to pick up. Prices are so much better. I ordered 32 lbs but had to pay $32 for shipping. Comes out to $2.50 a lb. still better than most other suppliers. I was going to get the 50lb bucket from Duda Diesel which with shipping to me comes out to $2 lb but I’m afraid of moisture getting inside so I ordered the smaller containers. Maybe next time I’ll try Duda. I was saving my old Essential Depot lye containers so I could transfer to them when it first arrived so as to limit the amount of times I would be opening the bucket and letting moisture in but....I don’t know...lol

If you keep an eye out, you will notice, they periodically have sales in which not only does the price go down significantly, but also you can get free shipping. And also, if you attend a soapmaking conference where they are one of the sponsoring vendors, they also take orders for attendees and deliver it to you at the conference with no shipping/delivery fee. Of course right now, no one is having live conferences, but I expect that will once again become available to us and it's a whole lot of fun to participate in those conferences. I don't know if ED is a sponsoring vendor at the Northeast Bubbles & Blazes gathering (link), which I suspect is not too far from you. They are a sponsor at SoapCon in Kentucky, and some others I have attended, and I've taken advantage of those kinds of pre-order deals with no deliver/shipping fees and it's well worth it. AND, sometimes on the last day, vendors sell off excess stock they brought with them to the conference at reduced prices so they don't have to lug them back to their warehouses. I've got some really good prices for a few things that way.

 

[tommysgirl]

I unmolded my salt bars. I am really happy with them. No color added. FO is Abalone and Sea by Crafters Choice.

Are those little seashells on top? Very nice

Christmas soap.

Beautiful colors

I cut a practice batch that I made yesterday for this month's challenge. Gonna have to watch the videos a few more times...lol. I made a very small batch and I feel that, for me, working so small was a problem - especially since I have very little experience with designs and patterns. Also I used too much secondary color, like @earlene specifically said not to do, despite my best effort not to do that. But that is the point of practice, right?? Learn what to - and not to - do

 

[Andy7891]

They were supposed to be for Valentine’s Day. But that’s only 5 1/2 months away, so I guess they won’t be ready in time. Everyone says a minimum 6 month cure. They smell amazing! Geranium, ylang ylang, lavender, and patchouli.

Maybe next Valentine’s Day! I have some soaps that 4 months old and I’m excited to see how they compare to 1 or 2 month cures. All the best.

 

[SPowers]

I made a Christmas themed soap - 3 layers with the top having confetti in it. It was a pretty heavy trace and the top layer pushed the 2nd layer down a bit so a bit disappointed about that. The red mica I have produces a very dark red - almost burgundy so I tried to lighten/brighten it a bit with just a small amt of TD but it turned out more of a tomato colour - another disappointment. But who know, it may be ok (it will have to be) tomorrow when I cut.

Here is the cut from my Christmas soap...

 

[LilianNoir]

I fold them lengthwise so they are the shape of a pencil, then carefully push them down inside that way. Then I open the top end of the bag & fold it over the screw-top lip of the bottle. When filling with soap batter the weight of the soap opens them up, however there does need to be somewhere for the air to displace (escape) out the top of the bottle so the bag will fill up completely, so I watch to make sure that happens. If the fold-over at the bottle neck is too tight, then the bag can't fill completely because it can't displace the air between the bottle and the outside of the bag.

Ah! Thank you! This is what I tried myself - well without filling, but I wondered if filling would make it open up. I just thought I had something wrong. I guess I'll have to just eventually bite the bullet and try it sometime.
Good to know I had the right idea though. Thank you!

I really like their lye bottles. When I started masterbatching my NaOH, I poured the solution into the already labeled empty bottles. The only additional label I add is the date the solution is made and the total weight in the bottle at that time. The plastic is very good quality and the seal of the caps make them perfect for preventing spillage if a bottle gets knocked over. And with that lid it makes it even safer to shake the bottle prior to opening to ensure the solution hasn't settled. I do, however, keep a gloved finger over the top of the cap out of an abundance of caution and long-time habit, as well as only shake over the sink. I generally make enough master-batch lye to fill 2 bottles full and one more partially full. I then keep those inside another plastic tub, just in case any of them ever spring a leak. So far, they have held up exceptionally well; no leaks ever; no problems at all have come up with them for long-term use as lye solution vessels. AND one bottle full is a comfortable weight (for my elderly weaker muscles & arthritic hands) for pouring.


If you keep an eye out, you will notice, they periodically have sales in which not only does the price go down significantly, but also you can get free shipping. And also, if you attend a soapmaking conference where they are one of the sponsoring vendors, they also take orders for attendees and deliver it to you at the conference with no shipping/delivery fee. Of course right now, no one is having live conferences, but I expect that will once again become available to us and it's a whole lot of fun to participate in those conferences. I don't know if ED is a sponsoring vendor at the Northeast Bubbles & Blazes gathering (link), which I suspect is not too far from you. They are a sponsor at SoapCon in Kentucky, and some others I have attended, and I've taken advantage of those kinds of pre-order deals with no deliver/shipping fees and it's well worth it. AND, sometimes on the last day, vendors sell off excess stock they brought with them to the conference at reduced prices so they don't have to lug them back to their warehouses. I've got some really good prices for a few things that way.

AH! This is helpful! The ziplock containers I use for small batches works ok if the lye sits for a day or two but when I tried to masterbatch and it say for a few weeks it got lint-y. And I don't fully trust the seal(even though it's a threaded screw top) to shake. Definitely going to hold on to these bottles when they're empty.


I was so hoping to get to go to the 2021 HSCG conference, in part b/c it would've given me an excuse to visit a friend on that side of town, but I personally won't feel safe going to any indoor gathering for a while.

But today, I am finally cutting into two batches of soap - my marble and my Halloween swirl.I was good and left the Halloween swirl completely untouched for 48 hours so hopefully no ash!

 

[MarinaB]

Very elegant! What are the red things on top?

Thank you! It is red pepper I brought from Madagascar

 

[violets2217]

Today I wanted to try out a new technique, new slab mold, and try micas for the first time.... Tried a line swirl and definitely need to work on my lines! Lol! Maybe I’ll use some big Squeeze bottles next time. I let my daughter pick out the colors since she need more unscented soap and I didn’t have any fragrance oils that wouldn’t accelerate. The micas were pretty cool, but I notice they were a bit “glittery”... will she be glittery after washing?

 

[tommysgirl]

Today I wanted to try out a new technique, new slab mold, and try micas for the first time.... Tried a line swirl and definitely need to work on my lines! Lol! Maybe I’ll use some big Squeeze bottles next time. I let my daughter pick out the colors since she need more unscented soap and I didn’t have any fragrance oils that wouldn’t accelerate. The micas were pretty cool, but I notice they were a bit “glittery”... will she be glittery after washing? View attachment 49375

That is a beautiful soap! I do not believe the micas will leave her glittery - which could be good or bad depending on her evaluation of glitter

 

[violets2217]

That is a beautiful soap! I do not believe the micas will leave her glittery - which could be good or bad depending on her evaluation of glitter

Thanks! She didn’t complain when she picked out the colors...

Now I just need to figure out how to cut the slab of soap! Lol

 

[LilianNoir]

@violets2217 micas don't tend to shimmer when they're in a soap, although I do notice that when wet, the side of my purple/mint swirls look a little sparkly. But they never leave that on my skin.

I cut DisasterSoap(the marble) and the halloween soap I made this weekend, and....

DISASTER SOAP WASN'T A DISASTER!! Halloween soap turned out good too!

After having what felt like ALL of my last batches turn out with some issue or another (cosmetic issues only but enough to make me upset), it was REALLY nice to have both of these turn out pretty much the way I envisioned them in my minds eye. "Disaster soap" wasn't REALLY a disaster but had a several things that didn't go to plan (ran out of one of my FOs, didn't mix up enough mica blend, had batter thicken up faster than I thought....) I had no idea how it might've turned out. But it did!!

I won't show pictures of the cut, b/c I'm probably entering it in the contest (unless I do another marble soap). But I can show you Halloween soap!!

Halloween soap was a "gimme". I did it for the sole purpose of doing a soap that was simple with low expectations that would boost my confidence, and it did!
I'm not sure about the scent yet. I did a custom blend of several FOs (mostly b/c I didn't have enough of any one. I haven't bought large bottles yet but am starting to) trying to get a dark, woodsy, "spicy sweet" scent.
It smelled ok in the batter, but now it has a kind of bubblegum quality. I'm going to wait to see how it changes with cure though.

The one thing I DIDN'T like, was that my tops looked a little weird.

I didn't have ash!! (I was complaining in another thread about my ash problem). Spraying with alcohol, covering with plastic wrap, and insulating in a towel and leaving it alone for 2 hours seemed to do the trick.
But!
1. my glitter all but disappeared. I use a holographic bio-glitter, and sprayed the alcohol on that. I'm assuming it was the alcohol but could've been the heat?
2. I have, what seems to be, glycerin beads on the top. Not liquid. Not zappy. Not oily. Almost positive they're glycerin. But why? I'm guessing humidity (See: Florida. Also our house has VERY poor insulation, and in the middle of the day the A/C has trouble keeping up. I didn't soap during the middle of the day but I did notice the A/C struggled when I was making soap and it was a little warmer than usual.) So if the A/C isn't keeping up, our internal humidity is probably a little higher as well.

I wonder if that's why my edges were really soft too.

I know this thread isn't really for troubleshooting, but if anyone has any thoughts on this, let me know! You can send me a PM so as to not hijack.

Ok this is long, I'm just so happy!!!!
These batches have renewed my enjoyment, desire and drive to make soap.

 

[violets2217]

I liked the shimmer but hopefully she won’t be all aglow after her shower! When I get to impatient and cut my bars too soon I have edges like that! But your bars look awesome! I love the Halloween colors! I tried a swirl the other day and wasn’t expecting it but turned out some pretty fall colors! Also.. I made a pink clay Shea butter soap the other day and it started sweating and now has bad soda ash... I’m guessing this summer Florida humidity is recking all our soap! Good luck!

 

[LilianNoir]

@violets2217 I've never had soap leave shimmer on me (even if I want it to! XD)

That pink shea is beautiful!!
Are you going to show us the halloween one? I gotta see now!
I have another friend who lives nearby (5 minutes) and she doesn't have the problems I do with ash or sweating, but I really think the poor insulation at my place isn't helping. Let me tell you, I am 1000% OVER Florida weather. I've lived here for 20+ years and I was done about 15 years ago.LOLOL.

But it does kind of help to see another Floridian have the same issues. There are some things we just can't control I guess.

 

[Misschief]

The one thing I DIDN'T like, was that my tops looked a little weird.

That, right there, is why I no longer spray my tops with alcohol. I get that EVERY time. The soaps look great, though!

 

[Zing]

View attachment 49381

Um, were you peeking in my basement window? I didn't take a photo of my top but it is eerily similar to yours. Great minds and all that....

 

[Zing]

@LilianNoir That Halloween soap is something, very nice. Love all the colors that pop. Great job.

I cut my Labor Day soap tonight (latest Ione) and still loving my new cutter! Love that satisfying 'thwok'!

 

[Catscankim]

I have had more and more disappointing soaps lately. It keeps accelerating on me, even with FO that i have used before. AND i have been soaping cool, AND I have only been SB to emulsion to start with.

I made a Lavender EO 40/42 charcoal bar last night. I kept some batter made with Champagne mica for a “secret feather” hanger swirl, which i have done before.

I added the EO at emulsion and it quickly went to medium trace. I didn't even use the full amt of lavender because i didn't have enough. I should have just poured it then and left it at that. But nooooo....i had to go and add my ac and mica. Plop plop into the mold.

Yes I live in FL, and yes its hot and humid. But my ac is set to morgue and the doors are closed.

I just cut it. Its looks terrible. I guess i can cut the ends off to erase signs of plopping, but that will leave me with a small bar of soap with what looks like an ink blot in the middle.

edit...i guess i should show the soap lol

 

[Zing]

I just cut it. Its looks terrible. I guess i can cut the ends off to erase signs of plopping, but that will leave me with a small bar of soap with what looks like an ink blot in the middle.

I think you are being entirely too hard on yourself -- but I know how disappointing it is to have a vision in mind but end up with something else. I still struggle with that myself but am learning to call it "rustic" . I love your color combination, the top, and even the design in the middle.