What soapy thing have you done today?

[TashaBird]

Truly impressive! I love the different designs for the pull through and your layering is perfect.

Do you use extruder discs for soap dough?

@The_Phoenix - that’s a gorgeous color combination and your swirls look wonderful!

I’ve use the walnut hollow extruder with the extender and discs for that. But, I just ordered a jerky gun and some 2.12” extruder discs that I found from a new place soap stamps and stuff, I think. I can NOT wait for them to come!!!

 

[TashaBird]

So, I’m really sensitive to certain FO, and lots of my customers have a preference for EO. I like most EOs, so that’s what I’ve been using. I’ve got my blends I like, but between which ones are affordable and which ones stick, options are very limited. Really I’m missing florals! So, far I have bought 3 FO, and hated 2 (At least OOB). But, I hadn’t tried any from my favorite company yet, NS. After reading through all the reviews I ordered 3 and just received them. I’m so stinking happy! I love every one of them OOB! Those 3 alone could really improve my whole soaping game! Yay!!

 

[Vicki C]

So, I’m really sensitive to certain FO, and lots of my customers have a preference for EO. I like most EOs, so that’s what I’ve been using. I’ve got my blends I like, but between which ones are affordable and which ones stick, options are very limited. Really I’m missing florals! So, far I have bought 3 FO, and hated 2 (At least OOB). But, I hadn’t tried any from my favorite company yet, NS. After reading through all the reviews I ordered 3 and just received them. I’m so stinking happy! I love every one of them OOB! Those 3 alone could really improve my whole soaping game! Yay!!

Nice! What’s NS? Nature something?

 

[violets2217]

Yes, you can remelt them and repour. Just melt until they're just soft enough to mix everything, not so hot that your preservative is compromised.

Thanks...I figured so. But wanted more knowledgeable directions!

 

[msunnerstood]

My first batch in the new molds. Black Raspberry Vanilla. the inside has a layer of pink on the bottom, then a layer of dark purple and white, topped with a layer of pink and of course, some glitter. I doubt my layers are even but oh well.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

Somwhow I managed to totally miss all of the threads about using extruders to make embeds with soap dough, but I’m sort of caught up now.

Here’s the top of my soap from yesterday. I’m really excited about fine detail I can get using this technique and how much variation is possible. Now all I need is a bigger slab mold!

 

[TashaBird]

Nice! What’s NS? Nature something?

Nurture Soap

 

[AliOop]

@Angie Gail and @AliOop -- "Water discounting" suggests there's some official starting point (aka "full water") from which to take the discount.

My recommendation -- Just choose a lye concentration or a water:lye ratio and that's all you need to do. If you do one batch at 33% lye conc and the next at 40% lye conc, then just say that and you will communicate your point clearly. No need to make it more complex than that.

So for example, if you want to soap at 33% lye concentration (aka 2:1 water:lye ratio) for one batch and at 40% (1.5 water:lye ratio) for the next batch, then that's sufficient. No need to talk about "water discount" or "full water".

Thanks, @DeeAnna, that was the same recommendation I was trying to give, but you said it more clearly. Discounting from a specific lye percentage makes my head spin!

 

[AliOop]

Phew! That went much better than yesterday. Batter was the perfect fluidity. Not bad for my second attempt ever. Used popsicle sticks and chopsticks to sit in-between the silicone lining and the wood mold to prevent batter from leaking into the nearby cavities. The cardboard worked well but the fit along the bottom could have been tighter. That was fun!!!

Those are beautiful! Hopefully you weren't planning to enter them in the challenge, because you can't post pics outside the official challenge thread. And I'm not just saying that because it's the best TCS I've seen so far, either...

 

[The_Phoenix]

Those are beautiful! Hopefully you weren't planning to enter them in the challenge, because you can't post pics outside the official challenge thread. And I'm not just saying that because it's the best TCS I've seen so far, either...

No, I’m not eligible to participate in the challenge. I appreciate you looking out for me, @AliOop!

 

[GemstonePony]

No, I’m not eligible to participate in the challenge. I appreciate you looking out for me, @AliOop! ❤

Wait, why aren't you eligible? You joined August last year, and you've done well over 50 posts/messages.

 

[The_Phoenix]

Wait, why aren't you eligible? You joined August last year, and you've done well over 50 posts/messages.

I think because I’m not a supporting member?

Edited to add hat I’ve assumed that the challenge was only open to contributing members. Am I wrong about that?

 

[GemstonePony]

I think because I’m not a supporting member?

That's not a requirement, amd and DKing are signed up, and they're not supporting members. You just need to copy the last sign-ups post in the challenge thread and add your name to it in your post to that thread to sign up. Since you've already posted pics, that soap isn't eligible, but you've got until February 28th if you want to sign up and make another soap to enter.

 

[Catscankim]

I think because I’m not a supporting member?

Edited to add hat I’ve assumed that the challenge was only open to contributing members. Am I wrong about that?

Read the opening contest rules. You need to meet requirements, yes. But you have met them. 50 posts, and a member for I think 1 month

 

[GemstonePony]

I think because I’m not a supporting member?

Edited to add hat I’ve assumed that the challenge was only open to contributing members. Am I wrong about that?

You have to have been a member of the forum, i.e. had a profile here, for a month, but you don't need to be a contributing member. And you've done over 175 posts, so you've more than met the minimum requirement of 50.

 

[dibbles]

No, I’m not eligible to participate in the challenge. I appreciate you looking out for me, @AliOop! ❤

You are definitely eligible to play along in the challenges. I hope you sign up and try again. Your soap is beautiful!

 

[rdc1978]

First time really using embeds. I am vascillating on whether I like them or not. I think I do?

 

[KiwiMoose]

First time really using embeds. I am vascillating on whether I like them or not. I think I do?

*googles vacillating*

 

[Vicki C]

Nurture Soap

Oh duh of course I’ve bought stuff from them.

 

[Cosmo71]

I do not care for either scent, to be honest. But, she loves them. I used peppermint on a 2:1 ratio to the lavender. It smelled too "what the heck is that?" with a 1:1 ratio. This way it is peppermint with a hint of the lavender.

I use lavender mint from Natures garden and really like it. The mint does seem stronger than the lavender but I prefer it to the lavender soap. I use a light green, lavender and white and make a beautiful design.