Teach Soap

I need some input from the soaping veterans on how to get time to do all the fancy stuff to your soap. I plan, but sometimes the soap goes so fast that you can't do anything to it. I got burned (totally my fault) on one batch, great swirl, but the soap wasn't a true trace and set up partially crumbly and partially okay. Great soap, bath wise, swirl looked great, but I'm using them all myself (not a great sacrifice). But now I'm gunshy about making sure it really has hit trace, usually too much and I don't get to add all the goodies and play with it.
I'm doing coconut milk soap this morning, I think I might just separate the batch into two parts (mix them seperately) so I can accomplish what I want to do with it and give myself the time to do it. The first part I'm leaving plain, but the second part I want to add some color and swirl or something. Doing it like this might also let me know how quickly the soap traces (because of the coconut milk) so I can compensate with the second batch to get everything done and in the mold like I want it.
I love soaping, but as much as you prep and plan, sometimes it goes so quickly you can't do it like you want. It all can be used and appreciated, but I'm wanting to stretch and do more to the soap and sometimes don't get that chance. Any tips on how to accomplish more of the artistic stuff before the soap gets you?
Thanks so much. I really have learned a lot from you guys and am having a ball soaping.

it's really just practice, to get the timing. and some fragrances are much more forgiving than others, so you have more time to play. don't get discouraged - you can do it!

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http://www.magichandsworkshop.com
http://www.magichands.etsy.com
http://www.magichandsworkshop.blogspot.com

I did my coconut soap just a little while ago, here's a photo of it resting on my washer.


I did it in two parts like I said I would, 2/3 just plain on the bottom, a line of dark cocoa powder and then the remaining 1/3 with an ITP swirl of lime color on top. I'll post photos tomorrow after I cut it, volcanoes not withstanding!

Update, after 20 minutes a crack started, so I popped it into the freezer, I'll leave it there for a couple of hours and then move it to the fridge.

Looks nice!

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

i'm looking forward to the cut pics - sounds lovely.

_________________
http://www.magichandsworkshop.com
http://www.magichands.etsy.com
http://www.magichandsworkshop.blogspot.com

I think it looks great,,, cutting it will be like opening a present! Buy tell me what does ITP stand for?

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

In the Pot swirl

Well I don't know how long you've been soaping, but I'd say the texture on the top of your loaf looks professional. Good luck on the cut, it sounds lovely with a line in it and all the color demarcations. Hope you'll share a cut piece with us also.

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

海の皂

Here's a photo of the finished bars. I cut them a little while ago. I had the mold in the freezer for 2 hours and then moved it to the fridge for 2 more. I took it out and put it in my laundry room (65 degrees). I have to say, they are already pretty hard, and I mixed it up at 11:30 or so this morning. I like this recipe and will probably do another batch with just plain Coconut fragrance oil. My dad had got some coconut soap bars from a decommissioned navy ship when we were kids, they came is oiled brown paper and had coconut flakes in it. I still remember those bars.



The cocoa line turned into a pain, I had to go with a knife and shave a little over it so it wouldn't be messy. I guess I should have picked a more drastic color. It actually shows up more in the photos than it does with the naked eye.

All I can say it practice and patience. I've been making soap for 8 years and just started getting the designs the way I want. Also having a good base recipe has helped as I used to experiment all the time with my recipes.

By the way your soap looks nice.

you can minimize smearing of horizontal lines by turning the log on it's side to cut - and yes, either a light scraping or a damp paper towel will take care of any residue. they look great.

_________________
http://www.magichandsworkshop.com
http://www.magichands.etsy.com
http://www.magichandsworkshop.blogspot.com

Another PNB here, privileged Navy Brat moi!

Your soaps look so professional! Thank you for sharing the cut bars with us!! Did you mention what you made that lovely black line with, I missed that. I tried a line with cinnamon once and it turned out nice so nice I was sorry it was a test! hah

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

海の皂