Teach Soap

Hey guys, trying embeds for the first time and I have an issue. Soap Queen (and other tutorials) say not to pour over the embed until your soap is between 120 and 130* F. My problem is that my soap is always solidifying over 140* F. How do I get my soap cool enough for embeds without it solidifying? This is why, in the 20 years I've been using MP soap, I haven't had a successful embed. Its getting annoying!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

What kind of base are you using?

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Rachel
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http://www.canwax.com/Shea-Butter-Melt- ... _1506.html Is the "white" base and http://www.canwax.com/Clear-Melt-Pour-2lbs_p_567.html is the clear base. I melted the shea base and added 6 drops of FD&C magenta colourant, stirred, and measured the temperature. It was at 150* F so I let it cool, but it started to solidify! So I checked the temperature and it was still at 140* F. At 140* F I was able to mold it into a ball like play dough! I plan to embed the shea hearts in the clear base which I have not tried to use yet as I am kind of worried it will melt my hearts! The hearts have no FO, I decided to only scent the majority of the bars (the clear base, when I get around to using it).

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Hmmm, I wonder if it has something to do with the ingredients in the base, too. The ingredients look similar to those in a soap base I picked up at my local craft store back in the day. I did not have much success with that base, and it set up quickly if I recall. Once I switched to SFIC bases (which BB carries), soaping was a lot easier, and I liked the quality of the base better. With BB/SFIC bases, I can cool my soap to 115-120 degrees for layers and embeds and it's still liquid-y enough to pour. Hope that helps - good luck!

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- Jenny -
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I prefer SFIC bases like BrambleBerry sells as they don't set up as fast.

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

The stearic acid in that soap will make a nice hard bar that would set up pretty quick. I'd try a base without it.

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Please visit my blog

I have access to this base, or the expensive stuff from Michaels. Bramble Berry is simply too expensive for me to order from. $40 S&H on $10 of jojoba beads for example I wish I could order from them! Something else to look forward to when I get to NJ!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

The bases you are using sound super tricky to work with! No wonder you are frustrated. Have you done a search to see if you can get SFIC bases in Canada?

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Rachel
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I haven't been able to find any

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I actually just checked my second vendor and they have it! Arg! Guess I'll use this stuff for embeds in my CP soap and will order some of the "good stuff" for the MP embeds! Thanks guys hehe
This is the stuff I found:
http://www.creationsfromeden.com/catego ... _pour_soap

Can't find a white one though!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

At the store you posted, they have white ones
http://www.creationsfromeden.com/catego ... _pour_soap

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Please visit my blog

I wondered about that, but it didn't have the SFIC in the name. What exactly does SFIC stand for?

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

It's just a brand name.

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Please visit my blog

Hrm, alright. Thanks =D

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Canwax sells the brand name Stephensons m&P.

If you want SFIC Brand you can get some at
which is a little bit closer than Creations from eden if you are in the east coast.
which may help on shipping.