Tutorials on soapmaking, bath fizzies, lotions and more
If you haven’t had a chance to enter the American Flat Soap Contest, head over to the TeachSoap Forum here to enter.
It’s the kind of contest that everyone can win!
Here’s the deal: Create an American Flag soap using any technique and post a picture of it on this post.
You will receive $5 off your next purchase from Bramble Berry – it’s that easy! (one entry per customer – but you can post as many pics as you like!)
Step # 24-25This green stock color was the right scent but too small in amount and too dark for the job; it needed more soap.
Step # 26-27 After adding a sufficient amount of soap melting and mixing well more pigment and fragrance was added ’til the color and scent were perfect. Because it’s easy to add too much colorant I often drip the colorant on my mixing tool, that way I can pull it out and rinse it off if it looks like I might be adding too much color.
Step # 28-29 Once you are happy with the color/scent for the base of your soap, mist your mold of layers already set up and pour in your green base. Larger volumes of soap will retain heat and can melt your earlier layers. Dip your pinkie into the base (green here) and if you can hold it in without feeling discomfort it’s ready to pour (after you mist).
Step # 30-31 As soon as you fill your tray of molds mist one last time to dissolve any bubbles that rise to the surface.
Step # 32-33 After the soap is hard to the touch (2 hours) you can peek at the finished look of your soaps while still in the mold. After they have cooled overnight pop them out and enjoy!
Step # 19-20Dip a white object to the depth the soap will be poured to see if sufficient richness has been achieved. If so, mist your mold for the next layer.
Step # 20-21Draw and inject your pink to finish off the flower, returning any remaining soap to it’s container. Rinse injector in simmering water.
Each tool should be swished around in the simmering water immediately after use so it’s ready for the next use.
Step # 22-23 Again, Allow layers to set until fixed in place then inspect both sides of the mold for imperfections.
Kathy LaShure in California is the lucky winner of 4 ounces of Patchouli Dusk, Smoky Patchouli and 1 ounce of Patchouli Essential Oil. Thanks for taking our Patchouli survey.
Look for a blog post in the upcoming few weeks on the results.
Step # 7-8After melting and mixing color fill injector and squirt color where desired (returning any unused soap back into container)
Step # 9-10 Rinse injector and any tools in your pan of simmering water, after each use while preparing next color. The tip of the injector simple needs to be dipped into your pot of simmering water — draw hot water up and squirt it back out once or twice for cleaning between each use.
Step # 11-12 Immediately before injecting the 2nd color (already melted) mist the first layer of soap in the mold with alcohol so the 2nd layer/color will adhere. Misting a layer of soap too early can result in layers that fall apart. Mist ONLY JUST BEFORE adding your next layer.
Step # 13-14 Allow layers to set until fixed in place then inspect both sides of the mold for imperfections. Use the curved edge of your clean up tool to remove any excess soap and/or mist alcohol and fill in any spots you missed.
Step # 15-16This pink stock color was close but insufficient for the job; it needed more soap and more color.
Step # 17-18 Ultramarine violet was added but is so sheer Merlot Mica was added to intensify the color. Use mica’s in clear or sheer soap base so light can penetrate and show off the mica. Use a mini whisk to disperse the grains evenly, adding only about a grain of rice at a time (mica’s go a long way).
Step # 1-2Make sure your mold and tools are clean and your pan of hot water (for cleaning tools) is on simmer.
Step # 3-4 Select your colors & fragrances ahead of time. If you know they will need adjustments (more soap pigment or fragrance) have those ready.
Step # 5-6 Cover all containers with plastic wrap before melting; melt only the color you need when needed.
These are all small amounts of soap (including the green for the base since they are hand soap sized) I suggest zapping at 35 second intervals stirring between zaps ’til melted.
I’ll be posting more in this four-part series over the next few days.
Day Two of the Alabama Soap Meeting did not disapoint (click here for Day One). Jen Merk, the 10 year (outgoing) President of the show kept things running smoothly. The Demonstrations were particularly interesting on Day Two.
My favorite demonstration was one on hand dipping candles. Who knew it was so easy? Or time consuming? The demonstration was very hands-on, with most everyone in attendance getting a chance to dip.
Mid-day, an amazing thunderstorm of Biblical proportions struck the little town of Pratville. The skys opened up with such force that I feared for the roof of the convention center. My husband text-messaged to say that it was a beautiful sunny day in Bellingham. Ah, the ironies …
The food on Day Two was stupendous. Every single item was cooked in multiple sticks of real butter. The potatoes were swimming in little pools of butter, the green beans were wading through golden rivers of fat and the broccoli cassrole was a double whammy with mountains of cheddar cheese and ponds of melted butter. It was one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten and I safely should only eat such a meal once every ten years. My arteries have never seen so much pure butter in their entire lives.
Being a soap show, of course the soap was wonderful. I especially liked this checkerboard soap. The creator (Darlene English) shrugged off all compliments and generously shared her technique. I can’t wait to try it.
I was especially tickled to see Karen White’s key differentiators. She said she bought them because she saw them on this blog. Awwww … (no wonder I liked them!)
We ended the night with the board generously taking me out to dinner (thanks!) at an amazing restaurant. I had Fried Green Tomatoes for the first time. Everyone swears they were fried in Olive Oil. And, when the waitress came out and said they had run out of Red Velvet cupcakes? I was bummed but stuffed…. only, she had lied! The Board had conspired to custom order an entire platter of Red Velvet Cupcakes.
It was a perfect way to end the evening – laughter, conversation and cupcakes.
Thank you Alabama Soapers for a a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
This is my Dad, Richard Faiola. He is an ‘old fashioned’ family doctor, practicing in Olympia Washington.
Over the years, I’m often asked who is my role model or who I look up to most in life. Without question, every single time, my Dad is the first person I mention (followed closely by my Mother, of course!).
Some things that my Dad did as I was growing up gave me a huge stepping stones in life. The most important gift he gave me (and my brother) was financial literacy. Erik and I both had savings account passbooks when we were very young (4? 5?). We would take our payment from doing chores ($.07 for brushing our teeth, $.10 for helping with dishes) and deposit them in Sterling Savings. My mother faithfully drove us to the bank, with our bulging penny bags to make our deposits.
As we got older, my Dad upped the ante. He opened up a small investment account for us and taught us all about the stock market, how to invest, and the importance of dollar-cost-averaging. Because of his financial teachings, both Erik and I avoided the pitfalls of modern college years – massive credit card debt and overspending.
My Dad has also helped with most Bramble Berry warehouse moves (though he did manage to avoid the last horrifically large one by living overseas for a bit). He has been the de facto adviser for many Bramble Berry growth issues (hiring, firing, inventory turns, internet strategy). He reviewed all of my financial statements for Bramble Berry for years (3? 4?) as Bramble Berry grew.
In addition to being a great business person and financial adviser, he is also a strong spiritual and moral example. I know no more ethical person than my father (sorry Pastor Appell – you’re pretty cool too. And, yes, Mom, you rank right up there as well). He often makes choices that are neither the cheapest or easiest because he takes the moral high road. The impressive thing about my Dad is that he takes the high road even if no one can see him. He is the type of person to donate money and ask that it be kept anonymous, wanting no praise or recognition for doing the right thing.
These are but a few of the things that make my Dad amazing. I am so lucky to have grown up in the family I did, with the parents that I had.
So, Dad, Happy Father’s Day. I love you very much.
Today was informative and fun – it helps that it involved three Red Velvet Cupcakes (my fat cells are bulging with sugared delight). I will post a full round-up with photos tomorrow morning.
That’s Debbie on the left from True Soaps with her precious Tank soap cutter.
Here’s my contribution to Flag day – a slightly funky take on the American flag. Isn’t it remarkable that even with the colors switched up it is still easily identifiable as the American Flag?
Now that’s good design!
Greetings from sunny, warm Alabama. It is warm here, like walking into a hot yet damp blanket every time you step outside.
The Alabama Soap Meeting (day one) was fun, professionally run and all the attendees are (super duper!) warm and welcoming.
The program had a good mix of demonstrations – M&P Cupcakes, Soapless Facial Cleanser, and a fun “15 minutes of Fame” segment with soap stamping, shrink wrapping and cutting soap. The soap cupcakes came out perfectly. Karen used mica to make faux-sprinkles.
Beth H. did a great job job showing us how to use some serious arm muscle and mica to make the stamps really pop! on the soap.
Dianne from Dearly Yours brought a special Coconut Macadamia Sea Salt Scrub (scented with Cucumber Melon) for me. The scrub has a melt and pour Cucumber on top. The soap slice is a sophisticated touch.
Along the way, there were some baby kittens found outside and adopted. They are called “Bubbles” and “Soapy.” They were very small (albeit flea-ridden) and seemed happy to be held and bottle-fed. They’re the mascots of the show!
We finished the night in Debbie’s (TrueSoap’s Debbie) room, “snorting soap” (her quote, not mine) and talking fragrance and business.
I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
PS – PJ, I’ll do the MP tutorial Saturday or Sunday, I promise…
These are photos of raw and slightly refined shea butter imported directly from Africa. They did a co-op of Shea Butter at Alabama Soap Gathering and it was really interesting to see how it was packaged, coming directly from Africa. It is so hot here in Alabama that they could scoop it out with ice cream scoopers!
This is my nephew, Fabian, in Norway making soap!
Isn’t he adorable? And, more importantly, where can I get that mold??
If you’re a soapmaker in Norway and want to learn how to make soap, there is a soapmaking studio in Spain with how-to classes. Maybe now is the time for a great soaping holiday getaway to Spain?
