In this throwback Thursday episode of Soap Queen TV, I’m joined by Christy from KB Shimmer to create a brightly-colored in-the-pot swirl cold process project. This stunning technique produces beautiful results, and every bar looks unique. Made with vibrant LabColors and scented with Energy Fragrance Oil, this soap screams of a tropical vacation!
A more advanced technique, I recommend watching the Basics of Cold Process Soapmaking series before attempting this project. In particular, be sure to review lye safety guidelines; when working with sodium hydroxide lye goggles, long sleeves and gloves are a must! Once you’ve got a few batches under your belt, an in-the-pot swirl is a great swirl technique before moving on to trickier swirls, like the Infinity Swirl, or the Classic Swirl.
What You’ll Need:
23.9 oz. Olive Oil
13 oz. Palm Oil
10.4 oz. Coconut Oil
3.12 oz. Cocoa Butter
1.5 oz. Castor Oil
16.8 oz. Distilled water
7.2 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
1 mL Marigold LabColor
.7 mL Bright Cherry LabColor
.7 mL Green Apple LabColor
.7 mL Vibrant Orange LabColor
3 oz. Energy Fragrance Oil
5 Lb Wood Log Mold with Velcro Straps
Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!
This video inspired me to do my first in the pot swirl!
I’ve been reading and watching tons of videos trying to work out a slow to trace recipe using ingredients I already have, so this was my practice! I hope it was “light traced” enough – I have a hard time telling the difference between emulsified and medium trace sometime (haha that handmixer!!)
Love your site! =)
That’s awesome! In-the-pot swirls are so much fun to make, and every bar looks unique and beautiful. If you get a picture of your soap we’d love to see it on our Facebook page. 🙂
Bramble Berry Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrambleBerry/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello there,
I have recently encountered a problem with my soaps: It’s a very thick white layer that forms on top and the sides of the soap during the first 1-5 days of curing. I’ve had soda ash before, but this is a different caliber. On the edges the soap turns white and sort of crumbly. This is the second time this happens to me- first with the Calendula Cleansing now with this one. I followed all recipes and used only BB products. I hope you can help me!
Thank you!
Hi Celine!
Hmm, that’s strange! I’d love to see pictures of the soap if you have any. That would help me out a lot! Can you send that picture to [email protected]? Thanks so much. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kelsey!
I have one more question. When Cristy does the In the Pot swirling, she uses a very tall container/ bucket. Could you tell what size it is and were I can find something like that?
Thanks a ton!
Hi Celine!
I’m not exactly sure what size of container she used! However, I can tell you that this recipe makes 5 pounds of soap. When choosing a container, you want to make sure it will hold at least 5 pounds of soap, ideally more so you have room to work. Soapers often use buckets to mix paint in. Those should give you plenty of room. 🙂
We also have an awesome glass bowl you make like! It holds 96 ounces.
5 Quart Glass Mixing Bowl: https://www.brambleberry.com/5-Quart-Glass-Mixing-Bowl-with-Lid-P5606.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you Kelsey! Into how many ounces does she divide the batch before coloring? Or whats the ratio between the main batch and the 3 smaller ones?
Hi Celine!
The ratio of soap is about 3 parts in the main batch, and 1:1:1 on the three other colors. The great news is the measurements don’t have to be exact – you can definitely eyeball them. Either way the swirls will look great! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I was wondering what temperature you were soaping at? I am new to soaping and some recipes say to use high temps to keep things at a lighter trace and some say the opposite. I am assuming this is due to the oils used in the recipe. Thanks!
Hi Wendy!
For this recipe, the lye water was room temperature and the oils were around 130F. Because Christy is an advanced soaper, she is comfortable soaping at those temperatures. If you’re new to soaping, we recommend having your oils and lye liquid around 100-130F, and ideally within 10 degrees of each other. That ensures that your oils are fully melted and gives you time to work with your swirls. 🙂
Also, to keep the soap at a light trace, we recommend stick blending until the oils and just are just emulsified. You can learn more about trace in the All About the Trace post: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/trace/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thanks for the reply! I made this last night and my oils were about 110 degrees. It soaped like a dream. I split into 3 batches and did 1 with Lavendar & Cedar with a purple strip, 1 with Espresso, and 1 with Lemongrass and Lime with a green swirl.
Hi Wendy!
You’re welcome! That sounds like an awesome scent combination. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Lavender and Cedar Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Lavender-Cedar-Fragrance-Oil-P5938.aspx
Espresso Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Espresso-Fragrance-Oil-P5889.aspx
Lemongrass Essential Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Lemongrass-Essential-Oil-P3822.aspx
Lime Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Lime-Fragrance-Oil-P3939.aspx
Hello,
Just wanted to make sure that the amounts of LabColors in the recipe are for undiluted LabColors?
Thank you!
Hi Celine!
That is correct, the amounts listed in this recipe are undiluted. Typically, we recommend diluting all our LabColors. However, Christy is an advanced soapmaker and has tested these color amounts multiple times. They will look great in the final soap! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Diluting Bramble Berry LabColors: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/diluting-bramble-berry-labcolors/
In the back ground of this video there is what looks to be a bar of blue & white chevron soap, is that what it is or am I mistaken? If it is chevron soap then is there a tutorial for it? Im dying to make some & have a few ideas but would feel much better seeing sone one else do it lol;) Ive searched high & low for a tutorial or an example & have found nothing…..until I paid to much attention just now, oh I hope this isnt just wishful thinking;)
Hi Amanda!
This video was made several years ago, so we actually don’t have a tutorial on that soap. Sorry about that! It is definitely something we will keep in mind for future tutorials though. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Wow that was quick! Ok thanks:) I think it would be a well recieved video if it was made though, chevron is everywhere you look at the moment. I may try to get up the nerve to wing it….well see lol;)
Hi Amanda!
Absolutely, thanks for the great idea! Also, we’d love to see what you come up with. Feel free to share those pictures on our Bramble Berry Facebook page! 🙂
Bramble Berry Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BrambleBerry?ref=hl
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have a question. . . my husband and i are trying to start dabbling in soap making but are having a hard time finding the lye locally. We found some at a local farm and home store that is 100% lye but it says on the container for drain cleaning. . . is this the right stuff? Thanks!
Hi Steph!
We haven’t tested that lye, so I’m not 100% sure! Although it says 100% lye, it may have other additives in it. It may help to make a small test batch to see how it performs. Also, we’ve had the best luck with the lye from brambleberry.com. 🙂
Sodium hydroxide lye: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sodium-Hydroxide-Lye-P3037.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you for responding. Like i said this is the first time we have done this. If we do a small test batch how do we know that it is working properly? Since we have already purchased it and we dont want to waste it.
Hi Steph!
If that lye is working properly, it should turn your batch into soap! We have a great video series on how to make cold process soap, including how to handle lye safely. That shows you the process from start to finish, and is a good example of how you want your soap to look during and after the process. That may be helpful for you. 🙂
Basics of Cold Process Soapmaking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR6ttCSrLJI&list=PLAADF6209996265D2
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made this soap! It’s marvelous! It looks like rainbow sherbet! The energy fragrance is so appropriate for the fun brightness of the soap 🙂 Thank you very much to Anne Marie and Christy for sharing your craft and techniques! I hope you make more vids together in 2015!
Hi Penny!
So glad you like the soap and that you had a chance to make it! I love the bright colors and the fruity freshness from the Energy Fragrance Oil. It also allows you lots of time to work with the design. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Energy Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Energy-Fragrance-Oil-P3861.aspx
Annemarie you are my inspiration i love everything’s you make .
Hi Merope!
Thank you so much for saying so! I’ll definitely pass this along to Anne-Marie. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry