Teach Soap

I'm trying to figure out exactly what happened here. (Mainly so I can do it again!)


(oh please let this forum auto-size pictures! If not, I'm really sorry....)

This was actually my second attempt at swirled CP soap and was made back in October. I followed my usual recipe but added water soluble titanium dioxide to my lye water. Not having success with blending color with part of the soap and swirling it in (with my first batch) I tried an in the pot swirl using green ultramarine in a portion of my oils, and swirled it in at light trace.

I'm thinking that the colored oil "pushed" the water (and TD) that wasn't actively being used at the time out of the way, since the off white areas are about the same shade as my regular recipe (maybe a smidgen paler). Does that sound logical? I'm trying to figure out how to get the same effect without the green for a jasmine soap.

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-Becka
SingingWolf Soaps

I can't see the pic.

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

Hrm... try http://singingwolf-soaps.blogspot.com/2 ... tures.html instead. Click on the last picture in the post so the image is big enough to see what I was trying to explain.

(I just knew I wasn't posting the image right. *sigh*)

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-Becka
SingingWolf Soaps

The only thing that I can think of is the TD didn't get completely incorporated.

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

I've had that happening when my soap either wanted to seize and started separating or massive heat happens. I've always attributed it to excess glycerin production with the nice clear veins.

When I get that look, the clear veins are always hard and not lye heavy and not liquid-y so I've just attributed it to excess glycerin production formed in the soapmaking process that is more clearly visible due to a batch just on the verge of separation.

I'd be really interested to hear other opinions on it though.

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Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie
blog: www.soap-queen.blogspot.com
supplies: www.brambleberry.com

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-Becka
SingingWolf Soaps

There's a thread going on over at The Soap Dish forum on this very subject and there seems to be consensus building about it being a heat issue:

http://www.soapdishforum.com/forum/inde ... opic=62416

_________________
Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie
blog: www.soap-queen.blogspot.com
supplies: www.brambleberry.com

I just saw that thread - I've had a couple of these batches, and heat does sound like a likely culprit.

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

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-Becka
SingingWolf Soaps