Teach Soap

Hi everyone - I have been lurking for a couple of days and have decided to jump into this soap making hobby - well at least for me it will be a hobby. I have read most of the posts. In one of the posts (which I can't find now) someone recommended some soap making books that you could purchase from brambleberry. I would very much like to get one that gives me step by step instructions on how to make the melt & pour soap. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Welcome!
There are many posts here on MP soap. I'm sure you will find here what you are looking for.

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

Welcome! You can get free instructions on teachsoap.com!

Welcome and enjoy the board. The great thing about melt and pour is that it is pretty easy and a fun stepping stone...or at least that is what I have found.

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At night I lay in bed looking up at the stars and I think to myself.......I really need to fix my roof.

I agree - there are a lot of great free resources online. This forum, teachsoap.com and also our blog http://soap-queen.blogspot.com/

If you do want a book though (sometimes I like just flipping through and reading a book as well) then I recommend 'Melt & Mold Soap Crafting' by C. Kaila Westerman, it is the 3rd up from the bottom on this page http://www.brambleberry.com/books.html

Thank you all for your suggestions! I have placed my very first order with Brambleberry and am very excited to get started! I'll let you know how everything goes when I get my stuff.

I ship this little sheet out with paint sets and other kits. But why not post it here on the Teach Soap Forum - eh? Any beginning soap maker ought to be able to find something useful in here:

PJ Soaps
Tips and Tricks for Making Beautiful Soap


Whether you’ve taken one or more of the PJ Soaps Soap Making classes, purchased one of our Tool Kits or Paint Kits, you too can make beautiful Melt & Pour Soaps.


1) Keep Everything Clean (hands, containers for melting, tools for stirring): You are working with very basic and natural products, and unlike soap at the grocery store these ingredients are not loaded with chemicals and preservatives. (Tip: PJ Soaps uses only SFIC’s Soap bases for its ultra high quality available at Bramble Berry).
2) Don’t Overheat The Soap: The Soap Bases may be melted in a clean heat-resistant container in the microwave covered in plastic wrap for short bursts 40–55 seconds at a time then stirred ‘til completely melted. Overheating soap can cause some soaps to yellow or even feel grainy (from crystallization).
3) Melt Only As Much Soap As Needed: Melt only as much in one container as you want colored and scented the same. So if you want three bars of soap but all a different color or scent then use three containers. If you want one scent but three shades of blue you may use one container and just add more pigment after the first soap is poured.
4) SPF= Soap, Pigment, Fragrance: That is the order you’ll add your ingredients. Melt your soap, add the pigment then when the soap is still liquid but you can hold your pinkie finger tip in it without getting burned then you add your Fragrance or Essential Oil. (Tip: PJ Soaps uses only oxides, ultramarine’s & mica’s, no dyes and no bleeding colors – all available at Bramble Berry.)
5) Think About Color Before You Melt: You have two kinds of soap in your kit, one is Opaque (Shea Butter Soap) the other is Clear (Shaving Soap). Opaque soap will make many beautiful shades of pastel but if you want a dark color like black, deep red or midnight blue use the clear soap. For example, the amount of red pigment required to turn opaque soap blood red would be enormous and you will end up with a soap that gives off a blood red lather (and though it will not stain it’s a waste of pigment or a bad joke for Halloween). ;p
6) Soap May Be Reheated: If you melted, colored and scented too much red rose soap, don’t worry. Cover it, set it aside and re-melt it when you need to color a wagon red or add more soap & fragrance at a later date when you want to make more red rose soap. Just keep it tightly covered in plastic wrap
7) Layering Soap: Every single time you pour warm soap over cold soap if you want the two layers to adhere and not fall apart spray the cold surface with rubbing alcohol. If you forget this step your layers WILL fall apart.
It’s Only Soap: If it spills you’ve lost a little soap. If you don’t like the look of it save it for the dog’s next bath or re-melt it. Have Fun!


PJ,
http://www.pjsoaps.com/1New.html

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PJ,
http://www.pjsoaps.com

PJ - Thanks for the tips!!! I am also new and have spent the past few days reading every post on the forums, on the blog, etc. Since it was a snow day, I had plenty of time for the soap bug to bite!

I appreciate that you took the time to post that!

You are so welcome!

PJ,
http://www.pjsoaps.com/1New.html

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PJ,
http://www.pjsoaps.com

PJ is one of many very helpful people that frequent this board. When I first joined, I was afraid to ask questions because I thought they were dumb ones. I quickly found out this board is full of nice helpful people who don't mind helping when they can. I hope you enjoy the board as much as I did, and will in the upcoming future!

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Peggi

http://www.klamathriversfinest.etsy.com

PJ - Thank you so much for the tips. I just logged on and was about to ask a question, but before I did, I perused the site. You have answered a very simple question. The question was: Do you stir the soap after each burst at the microwave. If I read your tips correctly the answer is yes. So my next question is: The 30-40 sec bursts in the microwave; are they at full power (high)?

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PJ,
http://www.pjsoaps.com

PJ - Thank you so much for the reply! I'm still waiting on my first shipment to arrive, but I have all my supplies. Thanks again

Hi Peggy,

Yes, I too have found everyone to be such great help to me. I thank you and all who have given me such good directions.

Two more questions: Do I spritz the melt & pour with alcohol once it's in the mold? Do I cover melt & pour with saran wrap? Thanks all for being so patient with me.