Teach Soap

I just got my first order of micas in today and I love them! serious LOVE! the Merlot especially is simply beautiful. Now I am looking at the oxides and other colorants.

Before now, I just melted and poured into a mold. This mold, actually, http://www.brambleberry.com/Arabesque-M ... P3087.aspx. Using this mold, I just kept the bar of soap one color. Easy peasy!

Now, that I am branching out and trying different techniques bleeding comes into play. Unless I am just missing it, BB does not list if a color bleeds or not.

Is there a list of the bleeders and non-bleeders? I am figuring on starting out with simple ROY G BV colors (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue & Violet) plus black, brown/beige and white in micas, oxides, pigments and liquids. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Also: do micas not work in a white base or am I not adding enough? They don't shimmer like they do in clear base.

ETA: does BB have any colorants that are stained glass clear?
2nd edit: I'd like to hear from A slice of Delight. Your colors are so nice. What do you use... if you do not mind sharing?

_________________
Robin

Flickr page:
FaceBook fan page:
pamperedescapes.blogspot.com

Micas cannot reflect in a white base. You can use them as colors, but they will not shimmer as much as they do in clear.

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

You must just be looking at the non-bleeders. If it does bleed it is very clear in the description on the BB site. Usually if it has D&C colors in the ingredients it will bleed. Pigments (oxides and ultramarines) don't and a majority of the micas BB carries are non-bleeding.

LabColors and the Soapylove Jewelry Box colors bleed but if you are looking for a "stained-glass" look those would be the ones to try. Also, UM Blue is pretty translucent if you don't overdo it.

_________________
and .

Thanks, guys!

_________________
Robin

Flickr page:
FaceBook fan page:
pamperedescapes.blogspot.com

Hilary (ASliceofDelight) uses the neon liquid colours from TKB Trading (which has a magnificent range of micas also).

It really depends on what you do but I personally stick to non-bleeding soaps.

I do have a dark purple pigment that is marked D&C but suppsoed to be non-bleeding... not used it yet but need to do a test on it.

I have used oxides and pigments and I just mix with a drop of oil and some melted base and then add it in bit by bit til I get the colour I want... just mix as you go.

_________________
|

Thanks Honey. I happen to be partial to TKB Trading. For one I was introduced to it when I was buying her colorant "retail" at a shop in Berkeley -- when I 'figured out' who the supplier was I went direct for five reasons - 1. It's easy to use. Some prefer mixing the micas and oxides, but I like *her* liquid dispersed, not sure of any of her powders since I'm kind of hooked already 2. It was less expensive even if TKB wants a minimum order of $19.50. and 3. I have a resellers license so I am not charged tax. 4. I'm very fortunate in being able to bike over to her warehouse and pick up 'the goods' - so I am not charged shipping and I get some excercise. and lastly and probably most important now 5. Kaila came to my booth at "Spice of Life" fair on October 5th -- and really what was so cool about it was she was looking at all her colorant in all kinds of designs, and she bought a soap from me!!

I realize you likely don't have the benefit of 3 or 4, but even shipping her small bottles (or bigger ones if you realize like I just did that I'm starting to upgrade) -- it's still pretty light in comparison to soap base.

Here's a picture of my display so you can see what you get with the colors. Sorry for the large photo but it's easy to see then. I'm still working on tweeking the display to give it lift and even reconsidering the packaging but it's not bad for my 3rd fair.




Hilary

_________________
http://www.asliceofdelight.etsy.com

Hilary, that is a gorgeous display!

I live in Georgia and all the good soap suppliers seem to be on the West Coast... or at least several states from me, so shipping is a killer!

Thanks to all of you who replied-you guys rock (and roll)!!! This is great info. as I had the same question also. I know I even tried food coloring one day-that was a mess and I wouldn't reccommend it. I will for sure search out TDK as your colors are very vibrant Hilary. I have bought some colorants from both Bramble and Wholesale. I'm ready for more and will use this info. Thanks to all of you!

_________________
My Soap Box, LLC
Dawn Dering

_________________
My Soap Box, LLC
Dawn Dering

As I'm in the EU, I am under EU legislation - I can't use the neon colours from TKB as they're considered not cosmetic (I think EU considers soap a cosmetic and the US doesn't - that's the difference).. however I CAN use the POP micas which I really want to try but I think I'll have to wait at least til next month (or even the month after... maybe a Christmas pressie to myself??!!!). As long as there is an INCI number and an MSDS, I can use whatever colour I can get, doesn't have to be from an EU supplier (it does for fragrances and bases though).

_________________
|

I just looked at TKB and I think you guys are going to get me into trouble with my husband! Where oh where do I begin? soooo preeetttyyyyy.

_________________
Robin

Flickr page:
FaceBook fan page:
pamperedescapes.blogspot.com

Go for the liquid Pop mica sampler! I just made some crayons with Strawberry FO from BB in 5 of the Pop colors. Very bright and shiny and they smell yummy too!

_________________
and .

I was thinking about a sampler or two.

Do your crayons actually mark on the tub walls or are they just soaps?

_________________
Robin

Flickr page:
FaceBook fan page:
pamperedescapes.blogspot.com

_________________
and .

Have fun!

_________________
Robin

Flickr page:
FaceBook fan page:
pamperedescapes.blogspot.com