Teach Soap

I got the Best of Brambleberry fragrance sampler, the M&P Base sampler, and the Brights and Pastel Micas Sampler Pack. (Also got the honey bee kit, and some Dragon's Blood FO)

First thing I did was some Oatmeal, Milk and Honey from the kit (just that, no vanilla added, even tho there is a bottle of that also) Turned out nice, gave some to family, people like it so far. My wife thinks it is lovely.

Next was Energy, using the plain White base. Everyone liked it, my niece likes it more than the OM&H. To this I added 3 small scoops of yellow mica. Not much color added but I made sure to leave a few very, very small dots not mixed completely. Gives the illusion of ground up orange zest in the soap, which works nicely with the smell.

Last night I did 2 batches. The first was Dragon's Blood using the Hemp base. The other was Relaxing using the Shea base I believe.

The Dragon's Blood I added no mice, just base and FO. The fragrance is interesting, sort of woody, sort of spicy. Not too overpowering on the hands when used.

Haven't tried the Relaxing yet. I made that with about 3 of the small scoops of violet mica piled high. Nice creamy light purple color. I think it matches the fragrance well.



A few things I've noticed. The PJ's toolkit I got from Bramble Berry has been worth it for the little whisk alone if nothing else. That thing is awesome.

Also, newer microwaves can nuke down 1 pound of white base in about a minute and a half. So please follow directions and do it in bursts to keep an eye on it.

Don't get impatient!! I tried to unmold the Energy bars after about 4 hours, they were slightly soft. But hardened well. The Relaxing and Dragon's Blood I waited 6 hours (like my initial batch of OM&H)

The bee kit mold is tricky to unmold, then again it could be my fault for not waiting the 12-24 hours I should have. I did find that filling the bars of soap in the rectangle molds right to the top made popping them out a piece of cake (the Relaxing and Dragon's Blood I did last night). Just a little bend and push and the air lock released slick as grease. The next batch I will force myself to wait 12 hours. I will make it before bed. In fact, that's tonight. I think tonight is going to be Honey base with Vanilla Select FO.

Main thing is don't get impatient. Some of my molds now have creases in the edges from impatience. Learn from my mistakes!

I am now in the market for silicone molds like the bee molds and the rectangles as the shapes are great I just want long term molds, and silicone will be easier to get soap out of.

I also got a brand new camera so I will post pictures of my OM&H and my Energy bars. Maybe even the Dragon's Blood and definitely the Relaxing. I'll do that later tonight.

Re-cap. Be patient, have fun.

Hi, BeachBum,

Wow, sounds like you've been busy! I'm so glad that your first few batches have turned out so nicely. It's so encouraging and inspiring to have things go well when you're starting out. Isn't it great when you give some soap to friends and family and they love it? What a boost!

I know what you mean about having to be patient and not trying to force the unmolding along. I let mine sit and harden overnight, so the soap is in the mold for 12-16 hours usually before I try to unmold. It's hard to wait sometimes when you're dying to know if something you did worked or not.

No doubt your advice will help some new soapers, so thanks for sharing. Having fun is the main goal, and it sounds like you're doing just that.

Can't wait to see your photos!

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Good for you and congrats on your soaps!

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

The excitement of a newly found hobby shines through in your post!!! Cannot wait for pics, sounds wonderful. I find mica works best with a clear base rather than a white base but it depends what effect you're trying for.

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Sounds great! Way to go on your first soaps! I agree with Honey, would love to see some pics!