Teach Soap

Hi, everyone! Please ... some advice; I've just ordered some red oxide powder and some black mica for a Christmas present project ... not entirely sure yet how I'm going to do this, but it's likely to be opaque throughout, and I want the red oxide to look like rust (stop laughing!). I also want to embed some nuts, bolts and screws into the top, so am playing around with making single-use moulds out of Blu-Tak. I've got as far as pushing a nut into a lump of the stuff (which is incredibly hard), but since I don't need a full-depth 'nut' it probably won't matter.

The question (sorry it's taken so long to get there) is, what is the best way to use red oxide powder? Do I put it in before I melt, or afterwards, and do I need to mix it with RA or glycerine or oil first? If I just throw it into the melted base, will it clump?

Sorry to seem so ignorant, but I want to get this right! (it's for my other half!)

_________________
Tired? Depressed? Sick of the weather? Talk to your doctor about the benefits of Chardonnay ...

Hi, CaptainBubbles!

When I use powdered pigments or micas, I like to mix them with a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol in a small bowl or cup to work out the clumps. Then I add the color to my melted base.

I learned the hard way, though, to use the pigments sparingly. I accidentally once used the red oxide a bit too liberally and my suds were pink and the soap appeared to stain my washcloth (it didn't really; it rinsed right out, but it kinda freaked me out a bit at first).

Good luck with your project -- it sounds really cool!

_________________
- Jenny -
My soapy blog:
Follow me on my

I've used a little bit of glycerin mixed with the powder. Then I added that to my melted MP.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I add oils/butters to all my soaps so I mix my mica/pigment with a touch of oil and then pour some of the melted base into the container, mix and then pour it all back into the clear base. Works great for me.

_________________
|