What went wrong??

[rdc1978]

I tried to do a clamshell swirl (marginally). I just looked at my mold and there is this funky putting at the edge.

There are a few things I think it might be but was hoping to get some thoughts.

1. There was a tiny amount of residual water in the funnel cup I poured in red and white batter in.

2. Overheating?

3. I soaped with a pretty marked temperature differential. My oils were about 15-20 degrees higher than my lye water (lye water at 87 and oils at about 103 approximately).

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[DeeAnna]

I don't think the temperature difference is any big deal. I routinely soap with that kind of temp difference.

This doesn't look like an overheating problem, because overheating generally shows up in the center of the soap, not the outer corners.

Just looking at the photos without reading your message, I would have guessed it was something wasn't stirred into the soap batter very well. The fragrance is the usual culprit if a person adds the scent right before pouring the soap into the mold and doesn't stir enough.

Given what you've told us, however, I'd say the water in the funnel is probably the troublemaker. Free water is not going to mix into soap batter very well unless you intentionally work to stir it in.

 

[cmzaha]

I would agree with DeeAnna. Your colors are gorgeous.

 

[rdc1978]

Thank you both

thats so funny, I actually poured the fragrance oil right before i poured the soap! Thanks for the guidance! Never would I have thought it might be that!

Id bet thats what it is, im trying to be more careful about whe. I pour fragrance oils especially for "slightly accelerating " oils.

Cmzaha- thank you! I was very uncertain about the palette but I'm coming around to it!!!