Soap Makers Help!

[valmom]

Oh, poor Penny. Sending good healing and passing egg thoughts to her.

Thank you, Morgaine. I was thinking that trace was when there isn't any change when I mix or stir. The color change looked significant this last batch- it was more noticeable than the first two batches. Three batches, and I know I need more experience just to figure out what is happening. But, I am pleased with this last batch!

 

[aussieheelr]

Quote:
I soaped this one today, it's the 5th batch I've ever made so I'm still a beginner and it's a very easy one. I even added 1.2 oz FO, tropical fruits, and mixed in some cucumber soap shavings for green confetti color in it and no problems!

I'll take some pictures once they're out of the mold. I think they're going to be cute

 

[aussieheelr]

Guess I really have to get some pics on here. That last recipe (see above) didn't turn out very well... the top of each soap (exposed to the air) turned this kinda stickyish/chalkyish white!!! I can cut it off but for the future does anyone know what I did wrong?

By the way the bee bars I made just amazed everyone! I gave some to family members and they LOVED them. My Mominlaw uses it like chapstick rubbing the bar on her lips lol... so this last batch I picked up some chapstick empties from the local health store and filled them for her. Pretty easy... too easy

 

[Morgaine]

The white stuff on top was just soda ash, it doesn't hurt the soap at all. Just a cosmetic thing. My 100 % coconut bars get it like crazy and a lot of times batches made with lavender eo. You can try putting a layer of seran wrap over your soap before you insulate but that's might not help. Ash is one of those a lot of soapers battle. I have read that beeswax at 1-2% helps with it also. Or you can embrace the ash like I do when it happens

 

[TM Chickens]

Wake up, thread! What's everyone's fav spring fragrances? I'm getting up another order from MMS.

 

[Morgaine]

I've got an order of 1 oz samplers coming from Southern Garden Scents. I got the samplers so I can test out some florals and not waste material if they rice. And I want to test out some natural colorants and infusions I've needed to get to.

As far as what I've been making, last week I did Almond and Oatmeal, Lavender and Oatmeal, Black Raspberry Cream, Floral Spice (lav, rosemary, cinnamon eo's with sea kelp) Plain Ole Soap, and an unscented Dea Sea Mud.

I've also been getting my shows lined up for the up coming year. I've also ordered my medieval period style tent and an extra renaissance costume for me and hubby. I'm trying to convince him to dress like Wesley/dread pirate Roberts from The Princess Bride (Love that movie!!)

I'm working with a gal from Etsy to get a logo made. And I've been working on my web site to try to get an offical web launch on Feb 1st.

I need to get some pictures up, just haven't got around to it.

Anyone else doing anything?

 

[savingdogs]

Rose!

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

Lily of the Valley & Lilac

I only make these for spring sales and I already have folks lining up for them.

I also reintroduced Lily of the Wood (Patch/Lavender/ lily of the valley) & Mother Earth (patch/cedarwood/sweet orange/balsam peru)

 

[Morgaine]

Cyndi, Your Mother Earth Blend sounds wonderful. I did one called Earth Mama that was a blend of Lemon, Ylang Ylang, Rosewood, patch, cedarwood (texas!) and black pepper. I also made it into a perfum. I'm really happy with it.

I got my samples in the mail yesterday. I'll post some OOB reviews of them later. I will say that their gardenia does not smell like gardenia to me.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! I've been 'off-line' for 2 months, but I wanted my first post back to tell ALL YOU SOAPERS that contributed to this thread --- Thank You!
You should give yourselves a (group) pat on the back!
I knew I wanted to make soap at some point-in-time, so I had printed hints, recipes, and tidbits from this thread and had them in pile for reference. My computer went on the fritz in late Oct, but with all the info I had printed JUST FROM THIS THREAD --- I was able to make my first batch of goat milk soap.
This was my first batch of goats milk soap, a 30 oz batch with olive oil, lard, coconut oil:

Beginners luck combined with all the good advice I had printed made for a beautiful soap!
I got 6 'full-size' bars and 12 oz of trimmings.
First batch went so well, I decided to do a double batch --- actually 2 30 oz batches and just colored 1 batch a poured together to marble in a different mold (7.5"w x 7.25"l x 3.5"d --- I thought I'd cut the bars long-ways).
Here are the bars:

This batch, I was brave enough to let it go to a 'full gell' and it got more tannish than the previous batch.
Thanks for all the info! I'm looking forward to investingating more scents and methods.

Lisa