Wheee my first batch!

[Shannon_m]

I made my first batch of RTCP... it was so much fun! I can't wait until tomorrow so I can make some more. I'm going to try to scent my next batch... we will see how that goes ack!

Here are some pics in the molds. I made a bit much for my Crafter's Choice mold so I put the extra in one of my drawer organizers to see if it will A) hold up; and B) if I can get it out. We shall see!

I didn't post a close-up of my smaller one because they're both fuzzy but at least you can sort of see it in the far-view. Whoops sorry about that.

 

[terminatortoo]

Looks good!

 

[Badger]

Looks good, make sure you let us (or at least me) know how the drawer organizer works out, I was thinking about picking some of those up as an inexpensive option for a mold.

 

[melstan775]

Looks great. The little peaks are always a nice touch! So, what did you think of the soap making process? And what kind of oils did you use, and did you take a chance with scent or colarant? Details lady, details!

 

[Shannon_m]

So there is my recipe

No I didn't add anything.. just bare bones first try I didn't want to add anything just yet. I will tomorrow though. I was thinking some FO and a mica swirl on the top... we will see though, I might just end up coloring the whole thing if I use a colorant.

I thought it was great! I mixed my lye water at about 4pm and actually soaped at around 8:30. I wanted to get the lye water at RT and the oils as well. I didn't really have to heat my oils that much.. just the coconut oil to get it liquid and also the palm oil but for the amounts I had, that didn't take long and they got back down to RT rather quickly. My DH took pics of most of the process, I might share those later lol.

 

[Shannon_m]

Thanks y'all... I'll post pics and update when I'm able to unmold.

 

[melstan775]

That's a pretty good recipe. I'm really excited for you. I think I'm just biased because you live in the area. Next time I cruise by Sparks Blvd we can meet on the side of the freeway and do a swap. ;-) Thanks for sharing. One other question if you don't mind me asking (and it's okay if you want to tell me to shut it!), where did you order your oils and lye from?

 

[Shannon_m]

I would love to do a swap!!! Once ours are cured that is lol.

I don't mind sharing. I forgot to order my castor oil so I had my dh run out and get that at cvs, the evoo I got from Costco and the rest from Columbus foods. The lye I bought from bramble berry, as well as most of my FO's and EO's and colorants.

 

[Shannon_m]

Just as a FYI kind of thing... I did find organic coconut oil at Costco but even with shipping its cheaper at Columbus foods

 

[melstan775]

I have my food membership at Sam's Club. I'm going to buy OO there next time I go and will check for other oils, but I think I will order from Wholesale Supplies Plus because they have free shipping with orders over $30.00. I'm not at the place of ordering huge buckets yet, so that's the best deal for me right now.

ETA WSP doesn't say if their Palm Oil is from a sustainable source, and that's a huge concern for me. I'm not the super environmentalist, but I can't stand the thought of homeless and dead orangutans for the sake of Palm Oil. I thought I might use babassu oil instead. I love exotic ingredients, but that's a ways off still.

 

[Shannon_m]

I only ordered 7 lbs of each. I might check out WSP though... free shipping.. nice!

 

[2lilboots]

Beautiful soaps. Now you are hooked. Don't worry buying oils by the bucket is right around the corner....lol!

 

[MaitriBB]

Congrats on your first batch! Looks great!

 

[paillo]

I have my food membership at Sam's Club. I'm going to buy OO there next time I go and will check for other oils, but I think I will order from Wholesale Supplies Plus because they have free shipping with orders over $30.00. I'm not at the place of ordering huge buckets yet, so that's the best deal for me right now.

ETA WSP doesn't say if their Palm Oil is from a sustainable source, and that's a huge concern for me. I'm not the super environmentalist, but I can't stand the thought of homeless and dead orangutans for the sake of Palm Oil. I thought I might use babassu oil instead. I love exotic ingredients, but that's a ways off still.

Soapers Choice palm oil is organic and sustainably sourced - that's where I buy palm oil and other bulk oils.

 

[Marilyna]

Love it. Looks so creamy and nice. I have the same drawer organizers and I really like them. They're flexible enough to get the soap out. I do spray mine with Pam. Did you? I don't know if you'd have to or not.

 

[Shannon_m]

I didn't spray with Pam, the soap came right out!

My soap however is an epic fail. It crumbled into bits when I cut into it.... *cries*

 

[Marilyna]

Cool that you don't have to spray the mold!
But sorry your soap didn't work out. That stinks!

 

[lizflowers42]

My soap however is an epic fail. It crumbled into bits when I cut into it.... *cries*

I wouldn't say epic fail. The pictures look really good! Did you insulate your molds to encourage gel phase? I've been keeping my soaps insulated for 48 hours (but I'm guilty of peeking!) before unmolding and cutting.

 

[Shannon_m]

No I wanted to prevent gel so I soaped RT

 

[melstan775]

Did you give it enough time to set up properly? It's only been a few hours. Besides its all a learning experience. YOu will find what works and besides your pics are lovely!