Teach Soap

I have been researching cp soapmaking for as long as I have m&p, difference being, a month after I started I actually began pouring m&p. So, a few months later, I finally decided to bite the bullet! I was really nervous being the mom of a needy 3yo and an 'in-the-way' dog lol But, my hubs was a big help and our little guy never woke up (the dog thought about getting in the way, but thought better after a dirty look or two!).

I made one dumb mistake in the beginning and thought I'd started measuring with the wrong unit and was also trying to measure the oils before the scale turned off. I had to dump my first coconut and castor oils because of this, but other than that, things went fine. Especially considering we also video taped the process!

The other mistake I made (though, I don't consider this dumb, just not knowing) was separating out the oils to be colored and pouring them too late. They were too thick and my swirls are pretty clumpy. I'm still hopeful that they'll end up looking alright, but I should be able to cut off the tops ... I hope!

I couldn't help but peek and I didn't put the saran wrap on well enough so I think I may have a little ash.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36736618@N07/4595980943/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36736618@N07/4596595652/

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Amy in Soapland

I actually like the top. I'll be interested to see what it looks like after you've cut the bars.

Yeah, I'm sort of liking it. I know there have been soaps that Anne-Marie has posted pictures of just after pouring that I didn't think I'd like, but once they were cut looked much better. I'm hopeful!

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Amy in Soapland

I set my scale where it does not turn off if it sets for awhile. I can see myself running out of olive oil in mid pour and racing to the basement for another gallon only to see my scale shut off before my eyes as I get back. The down side is I will kill batteries if I leave it on. Only lost one set that way so far.

Bruce

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www.homebrewsoaps.etsy.com

I do need to find out if my scale has a setting like that. However, I'm so new that I'm pretty anal in making sure I have everything AND I really don't have bulk supplies or anything, so running out would be the end of it lol Maybe not with olive oil, but everything else! Some day I'll hopefully be so good that I'll have bulk and running out won't send me into a panic!

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Amy in Soapland

I also have a scale that shuts off. These things helped prevent me from mis-measuring and wasting.

I weigh my measuring cups by themselves and write the weight on the bottom of the cup- so if it turns off, I can just re-measure and subtract the weight.

and

I measure in one cup and pour into my soap pot. That way when my scale turns off, I don't have a mixture of oils in my cup.

Good tip, thanks!!

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Amy in Soapland