Teach Soap

I'm wondering if this is the colorant used that I am seeing in the soaps featured here-I'm seeing it in layered soaps. Also, would merlot mica give me a nice red red?

If I want a straight blue, I use ultramarine blue. Merlot mica is more burgundy then red. It is difficult to achieve a true red, as it can bleed or stain if you use too much.

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

I love Merlot mica, but soapbuddy's right, it's not quite a true red:

_________________
Please visit my Etsy shop!

I was just debating on whether or not to get the super blue mica from BB...it's on special right now. The merlot mica was one I picked up last week, but haven't used yet. That Beet It soap is GORGEOUS!!

I'm trying to figure out how best to photograph the soaps...by the time I get home from work, it is dark outside, so there is major glare when I try to use the flash!

ooh, that is a pretty red tartchef! I think I'm going to order the merlot- I like that tone of red over an orangey-red. I can't decide between the blues-I like both of them...might cave in and just get both!
thanks!

Good job tartchef! I can't get my soap as dark as yours since I do CP.

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

I dont have anything to add on the colors but I did see you were wondering about how to get good pics of soap. here is a nice tutorial on how to make an inexpensive light box

Aw, thanks, everyone!

Frimfram, I've had some luck using the daylight bulbs - the light is much truer than soft white. And yeah, turn off that flash!

_________________
Please visit my Etsy shop!

Tartchef, I just checked out your Etsy shop. I was fascinated by the "Pants Relief", but all was revealed when I delved deeper! Great idea. I love your paintbox samples, too.

_________________
Suzanne
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... 1135479737
http://stuffandnonsense-essebee.blogspot.com/

Tartchef, are those bright colors made with Mica? I have used mica but guess I never used enough. And does Mica give colored bubbles when used at such a strong rate or bleed if layered? I made some M&P the other day, sprinkled in some gold mica but it never mixed well. Is there a secret to mixing, certain temperature or something? I did get an infra-red thermometer so checking temperature is so much easier now. Love your soaps and the square shape.

Hi, Sharon!

It can be tricky getting micas and powdered pigments to mix into your soap base. What I do is spritz a bit of rubbing alcohol into a small bowl, add a small scoop of mica or pigment into the bowl (a little goes a long way), and then mix it with the alcohol. That way, you can work out any clumps before adding it to your base, and it will incorporate much easier.

Most micas don't bleed, but some do. If they are FD&C-based, they will probably bleed.

Here are some threads about non-bleeding colorants (including micas) that might help:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2418
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2317
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2160

I want an infra-red thermometer -- those look so cool!

_________________
- Jenny -
My soapy blog:
Follow me on my

Hi, Sharon - some of my colors are mica, some are FD&C/Lab Colors, some are both. Beet It, Hoarfrost, Gold/Frank/Myrrh, Man in the Moon, The Grotto & Huck are all straight mica. I love using mica in white M&P - sometimes it's awful, but Man in the Moon works so nicely, giving a flush of color & a hint of sparkle Lavender Truffle is Cappuccino mica & Dutch-process cocoa - that's how I get that deep cocoa color, but the mica adds a bit of shimmer.

I use the slurry method to add my micas - a bit of alcohol in an egg cup, add mica, stir til smooth, add to the melted base.

I'd like to start using more micas & pigments - I have Yellow & Orange micas just in, so I'll see if I can use those for Orange Crush & Zucchini Flower instead of Lab Colors... I don' think I'll get the deep blue of Downpour with anything but FD&Cs, though

_________________
Please visit my Etsy shop!