Sometimes the most stunning soap projects come from a simple design idea. This Spiced Copper Cold Process features layers of uncolored soap separated by lines of Copper Sparkle Mica. The top is then covered in the mica, creating a sparkly and slightly rustic look. This soap is scented with Spiced Amber Ale Fragrance Oil, which does not discolor in cold process soap. Read more about discoloration here. Having a non-discoloring fragrance oil is crucial for the mica lines to pop. If you choose a different fragrance oil for this project, keep that in mind!

The technique of creating lines in cold process soap using powder colorants is known as a mica line, or mica vein. The key to this technique is creating thin and even lines of colorant. If the lines are too thick, the layers of soap can separate. A small powder duster really comes in handy. While other colorants like oxides and pigments can be used for this technique, micas work best as they are extremely fine. The fine powdery texture of micas makes it easy to create a thin and even line. If you are thinking about trying this technique, now is a great time!

What You’ll Need:
Tall Narrow Wood Loaf Mold
40 oz. Lots of Lather Quick Mix
5.7 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
13.2 oz. Distilled Water
Copper Sparkle Mica
2.5 oz. Spiced Amber Ale Fragrance Oil
Optional: Powder Duster

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

If you’ve never made Cold Process soap before, stop here! I highly recommend checking out our FREE four part SoapQueen.tv series on Cold Process Soapmaking, especially the episode on lye safety. And if you’d rather do some reading, Bramble Berry carries a wide range of books on the topic, including my newest book, Soap Crafting. You can also checkout the digital downloads for that instant gratification factor.

SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices! That means goggles, gloves and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, and other distractions and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your soaping space. Always soap in a well-ventilated area.

COLOR PREP: Have the Copper Sparkle Mica nearby. There is no need to disperse it with any oil, you will add the colorant to the soap dry. To help evenly sprinkle the mica onto the soap, a powder duster comes in handy!

MOLD & TOOL PREP: Line the Tall Narrow Wood Loaf Mold with freezer paper with the shiny side up. For tips on how to line the mold, click here.

ONE: Slowly and carefully add the lye to the water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool.

TWO: Fully melt the entire bag of Lots of Lather Quick Mix until there is no cloudiness. Shake to mix and measure out 40 oz. Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 130 degrees or below (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend until thin trace. If you’d like a harder bar of soap that releases faster from the mold, you can add sodium lactate to the cooled lye water. Use 1 teaspoon of sodium lactate per pound of oils in the recipe. For this recipe, you’d add about 2.5 sodium lactate.

THREE: Once you have reached a thin trace, add the all of the Spiced Amber Ale Fragrance Oil and use a whisk to thoroughly mix in the fragrance.

FOUR: Portion off the batter into five even containers. 
FIVE: Stick blend one of the containers until you reach a medium to thick trace. This will be the very bottom layer, so having a thick base will help support all the layers on top.

SIX: Pour the thick soap into the mold, and firmly tap the mold onto the counter to help release any bubbles and disperse the soap throughout the mold. Use a spoon to spread the mixture, and create soft waves.

SEVEN: Add a small amount of the Copper Sparkle Mica to the powder duster, and lightly cover the soap with a layer of Copper Sparkle Mica. Close your eyes and blow gently on the color to help disperse it evenly on top of the layer. Watch out, this part can get a bit messy!

EIGHT: Use a spoon to add another container of soap on top of the first layer. If it’s extremely thin, stick blend for several seconds until it reaches a medium trace. Using a spoon helps gently add the soap; if you were to pour, it may break through the mica layer and into the layer below. Once all the soap has been added, use the spoon to gently smooth the soap and create soft texture.

NINE: Add another layer of Copper Sparkle Mica and blow gently. The entire layer of soap should be covered, but be careful not to add too much! Excess mica can cause the soap layers to separate once cut.

TEN: Spoon another container of soap onto the layer below. Use the spoon to spread out the soap, creating an even layer. Use the spoon to create soft waves. 

ELEVEN: Cover this layer of soap with a thin and even layer of Copper Sparkle Mica and blow gently. Tap the mold on the counter to help eliminate air bubbles.

TWELVE: Spoon another container of soap into the mold, on top of the Copper Sparkle Mica layer. Spread out the soap evenly throughout the mold, and create soft texture with the spoon.

THIRTEEN: You guessed it…cover with more Copper Sparkle Mica and blow gently!

FOURTEEN: Add the last of the soap on top of the Copper Sparkle Mica line. Use a spoon to create a textured top. There is no right or wrong way to do this, just have fun with it! Once you’re happy with the top, cover the top with plenty of Copper Sparkle Mica. Then, close your eyes and gently blow off the excess powder.

Allow the soap to stay in the mold for 3-4 days. Remove from the mold, and peel away freezer paper. To cut, lay the soap on its side and cut in the direction of the mica lines. This helps prevent dragging the mica down the bar and into the cream layers. Allow to cure for 4-6 weeks, enjoy!

Have you tried the mica line technique before? If you’d like to see it in action, check out the Lemon Poppy Seed Cold Process Soap on Soap Queen TV. 

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Spiced Copper Cold Process Soap Tutorial

This Spiced Copper Cold Process Soap uses mica to create eye-catching layers.

Course Cold process soap

Cook Time 2 hours hours

Total Time 2 hours hours

Servings 3 .5 pounds of soap

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

• Tall Narrow Wood Loaf Mold
• 40 oz. Lots of Lather Quick Mix
• 5.7 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
• 13.2 oz. Distilled Water
• Copper Sparkle Mica
• 2.5 oz. Spiced Amber Ale Fragrance Oil
• Optional: Powder Duster

Instructions

COLOR PREP: Have the Copper Sparkle Mica nearby. There is no need to disperse it with any oil, you will add the colorant to the soap dry. To help evenly sprinkle the mica onto the soap, a powder duster comes in handy!

MOLD & TOOL PREP: Line the Tall Narrow Wood Loaf Mold with freezer paper with the shiny side up.

• Slowly and carefully add the lye to the water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool.
• Fully melt the entire bag of Lots of Lather Quick Mix until there is no cloudiness. Shake to mix and measure out 40 oz. Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 130 degrees or below (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend until thin trace. If you’d like a harder bar of soap that releases faster from the mold, you can add sodium lactate to the cooled lye water. Use 1 teaspoon of sodium lactate per pound of oils in the recipe. For this recipe, you’d add about 2.5 sodium lactate.
• Once you have reached a thin trace, add the all of the Spiced Amber Ale Fragrance Oil and use a whisk to thoroughly mix in the fragrance.
• Portion off the batter into five even containers.
• Stick blend one of he containers until you reach a medium to thick trace. This will be the very bottom layer, so having a thick base will help support all the layers on top.
• Pour the thick soap into the mold, and firmly tap the mold onto the counter to help release any bubbles and disperse the soap throughout the mold. Use a spoon to spread the mixture, and create soft waves.
• Add a small amount of the Copper Sparkle Mica to the powder duster, and lightly cover the soap with a layer of Copper Sparkle Mica. Close your eyes and blow gently on the color to help disperse it evenly on top of the layer. Watch out, this part can get a bit messy!
• Use a spoon to add another container of soap on top of the first layer. Using a spoon helps gently add the soap; if you were to pour, it may break through the mica layer and into the layer below. Once all the soap has been added, use the spoon to gently smooth the soap and create soft texture.
• Add another layer of Copper Sparkle Mica and blow gently. The entire layer of soap should be covered, but be careful not to add too much! Excess mica can cause the soap layers to separate once cut.
• Spoon another container of soap onto the layer below. Use the spoon to spread out the soap, creating an even layer. Use the spoon to create soft waves.
• Cover this layer of soap with a thin and even layer of Copper Sparkle Mica and blow gently. Tap the mold on the counter to help eliminate air bubbles
• Spoon another container of soap into the mold, on top of the Copper Sparkle Mica layer. Spread out the soap evenly throughout the mold, and create soft texture with the spoon.
• You guessed it…cover with more Copper Sparkle Mica and blow gently!
• Add the last of the soap on top of the Copper Sparkle Mica line. Use a spoon to create a textured top. There is no right or wrong way to do this, just have fun with it! Once you’re happy with the top, sprinkle the top with plenty of Copper Sparkle Mica. Then, close your eyes and gently blow off the excess powder.
• Allow the soap to stay in the mold for 3-4 days. Remove from the mold, and peel away freezer paper. To cut, lay the soap on its side and cut in the direction of the mica lines. This helps to avoid dragging the mica down the bar and into the cream layers. Allow to cure for 4-6 weeks, enjoy!

The post Spiced Copper Cold Process Soap Tutorial appeared first on Soap Queen.

The scrub uses Copper Sparkle Mica and King’s Gold Mica to add a subtle shimmer. Brown and white sugar gently exfoliate the skin, and give the scrub a warm brown color. Burnt Sugar Fragrance Oil goes perfectly with the golden copper hues. The scrub is cleansing and non-greasy from the added potassium cocoate, and moisturizing from the avocado butter. Best of all, the scrub is easy to make!

What You’ll Need:
1.5 oz. Avocado Butter
3.5 oz. Potassium Cocoate
10 oz. Brown Sugar
10 oz. White Sugar
.8 oz. Burnt Sugar Fragrance Oil
7 mL Optiphen
2.5 tsp. Copper Sparkle Mica
2 tsp. King’s Gold Mica 
Three Short 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jars

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

ONE: In a large heat safe container, add 10 oz. brown sugar and 10 oz. white sugar. Make sure there is enough room in the bowl for the added oil, and for mixing.

TWO: In a small heat safe container, melt 1.5 oz. avocado butter on 5 second bursts. Stir between each burst.

THREE: Add 3.5 oz. of potassium cocoate to a separate heat safe container. Pour in the melted avocado butter and mix well. Potassium cocoate is a super foaming, all natural liquid soap base that helps to bind all the ingredients in this recipe together while cleansing the skin gently.
FOUR: Add 7 mL of Optiphen and .8 oz. of Burnt Sugar Fragrance Oil to the oil mixture. Mix to fully incorporate.
Note: Although this scrub doesn’t contain water, it will likely get water splashed in it during use. The extra water may cause bacteria and mold to grow. We added a preservative to be extra careful but the preservative is optional. You can read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post.

FIVE: Pour the oil mixture into the sugar and mix well.
SIX: Add 2.5 tsp. of Copper Sparkle Mica and 2 tsp. King’s Gold Mica. Stir until the colorants are fully incorporated.

SEVEN: Pour the scrub equally into the three jars and allow them to fully cool. Enjoy by scrubbing those rough elbows and knees in the shower or use it as an all-over-body scrub to reveal fresh new skin. If you want to make this into a facial scrub, mix it with your favorite liquid soap or lotion in a 1:1 ratio, scrub well and, for extra moisture? Leave on your face for a full 10 minutes to let the oils do their job conditioning your skin.

What’s your favorite way to pamper your skin during the fall and winter months?

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Caramelized Copper Brown Sugar Scrub

Add a bit of shimmer to your skin with this Caramelized Copper Brown Sugar Scrub!

Course Scrub

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz. Avocado Butter
• 3.5 oz. Potassium Cocoate
• 10 oz. Brown Sugar
• 10 oz. White Sugar
• .8 oz. Burnt Sugar Fragrance Oil
• 7 mL Optiphen
• 2.5 tsp. Copper Sparkle Mica
• 2 tsp. King’s Gold Mica
• Three Short 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jars

Instructions

• In a large heat safe container, add 10 oz. brown sugar and 10 oz. white sugar. Make sure there is enough room in the bowl for the added oil, and for mixing.
• In a small heat safe container, melt 1.5 oz. avocado butter on 5 second bursts. Stir between each burst.
• Add 3.5 oz. of potassium cocoate to a separate heat safe container. Pour in the melted avocado butter and mix well.
• Add 7 mL of Optiphen and .8 oz. of Burnt Sugar Fragrance Oil to the oil mixture. Mix to fully incorporate. Note: Although this scrub doesn’t contain water, it will likely get water splashed in it during use. The extra water may cause bacteria and mold to grow. We added a preservative to be extra careful. You can read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post.
• Pour the oil mixture into the sugar and mix well.
• Add 2.5 tsp. of Copper Sparkle Mica and 2 tsp. King’s Gold Mica. Stir until the colorants are fully incorporated.
• Pour the scrub equally into the three jars and allow them to fully cool. Enjoy!

The post Caramelized Copper Brown Sugar Scrub appeared first on Soap Queen.

This Whipped Amber Bronzing Butter is sure to become a summer beauty staple. It’s fluffy, moisturizing *and* sparkly – basically, a trifecta of awesome. First avocado and coffee butters are whipped until smooth. Melted cocoa butter is incorporated, along with a warm and sophisticated scent blend of Amber and Ancient Sedona Fragrance Oil. Once whipped, the butters have a mousse-like texture that spreads easily and absorbs quickly. Tapioca powder is added to help cut the oily feel on the skin.

This whipped body butter contains Copper Sparkle Mica for a slight tint. The amount in the recipe below is great for fair skin, but if you’d like more color feel free to add more! See the bottom of the post for an example of the color. Because it is made of butters, it does have the possibility to melt in high temperatures. I recommend keeping this butter in a cool, dark place and if you ship your products mail order, don’t ship during the summer unless you’re shipping with cool packs. This recipe does not contain any water, which means it does not need a preservative. Click here to learn more about preservatives for bath and beauty products.

What You’ll Need:
Three 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jars
6 oz. Avocado Butter
6 oz. Coffee Butter
4 oz. Cocoa Butter
8 mL Amber Fragrance Oil
3 mL Ancient Sedona Fragrance Oil
2 Tbs. Tapioca Powder
4 tsp. Copper Sparkle Mica

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

ONE: In a heat safe container, add the cocoa butter and melt in the microwave using 1 minute bursts until the butter is liquid. Make sure your container can withstand high heat, as cocoa butter melts around 100 degrees F. Once melted, set aside to cool. Be careful when removing from the microwave, the container will be very hot. If you are working with large chunks of cocoa butter, cut it into small pieces for easier melting.

TWO: In a large mixing bowl, add the avocado and coffee butters. Use a hand mixer (or stand mixer) to whip the butters together until completely smooth. Scrape the edges of the bowl to ensure the entire mixture is incorporated. Continue to whip the mixture on medium for several minutes to ensure a smooth texture.

THREE: Check the temperature of your cocoa butter. You want it to be around 120 degrees or below. Very slowly, add about 1/4 of the melted cocoa butter, and whip until fully incorporated.

FOUR: Continue adding small amounts of the melted cocoa butter to the mixture, whipping between each addition until all the cocoa butter has been added. Whip the mixture for several minutes to ensure the butters are fully mixed and completely smooth.

FIVE: Add the Amber and Ancient Sedona Fragrance Oils. Whip for several seconds to fully mix in the fragrances. You can see that as the butter cools, it becomes lighter in color.

SIX: Add the tapioca powder, and use a spatula to incorporate. Once it has been mixed in, whip with the hand mixer to further blend in the powder.


SEVEN: Add the Copper Sparkle Mica, and use the hand mixer to blend in until completely incorporated. Test the color on your skin. If you prefer a deeper color, add more Copper Sparkle Mica into the mixture 1 teaspoon at a time until you are happy with the color. Transfer the body butter into jars and seal.


Store the body butter in a dry, cool place. As the body butter cools, it tends to take on a foamy, lightweight texture similar to mousse. This body butter may begin to melt when exposed to high temperatures (90 ° F or above). Below is an example of what the butter looks like on fair skin. Once worked into the skin and blended, the color lightens. I’ve been wearing it on my legs as a faux-nylon and it gives such a nice shimmer and a hint of color.

What is your go-to recipe for body butter? This might be my new favorite!

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Whipped Amber Bronzing Butter

Made with a combination of butters, this Whipped Amber Bronzing Butter leaves a slight tint on the skin.

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

• Three 8 oz. Bail Jars
• 6 oz. Avocado Butter
• 6 oz. Coffee Butter
• 4 oz. Cocoa Butter
• 8 mL Amber Fragrance Oil
• 3 mL Ancient Sedona Fragrance Oil
• 2 Tbs. Tapioca Powder
• 4 tsp. Copper Sparkle Mica

Instructions

• In a heat safe container, add the cocoa butter and melt in the microwave using 1 minute bursts until the butter is liquid. Make sure your container can withstand high heat, as cocoa butter melts around 100 degrees F. Once melted, set aside to cool. If you are working with large chunks of cocoa butter, cut it into small pieces for easier melting.
• In a large mixing bowl, add the avocado and coffee butters. Use a hand mixer (or stand mixer) to whip the butters together until completely smooth. Scrap the edges of the bowl to ensure the entire mixture is incorporated. Continue to whip the mixture on medium to ensure a smooth texture.
• Check the temperature of your cocoa butter. You want it to be around 120 degrees or below. Very slowly, add about 1/4 of the melted cocoa butter, and whip until fully incorporated.
• Continue adding small amounts of the cocoa butter to the mixture, whipping between each addition until all the cocoa butter has been added. Continue to whip the mixture for several minutes to ensure the butters are fully mixed and completely smooth.
• Add the Amber and Ancient Sedona Fragrance Oils. Whip for several seconds to fully mix in the fragrances.
• Add the tapioca powder, and use a spatula to incorporate. Once it has been mixed in, whip with the hand mixer to further blend in the powder.
• Add the Copper Sparkle Mica, and use the hand mixer to blend in until completely incorporated. Test the color on your skin. If you prefer a deeper color, add more Copper Sparkle Mica into the mixture 1 teaspoon at a time until you are happy with the color. Transfer the body butter into jars, and seal.

The post Whipped Amber Bronzing Body Butter appeared first on Soap Queen.

The first signs of fall have begun. The morning air is crisper, the sun is setting earlier and leaves are changing color. This Pumpkin Spice Latte Soap celebrates the arrival of fall and the debut of a delicious fall beverage, the Pumpkin Spice Latte! Made with a delectable combination of Espresso and Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oils, this project is a great way to spend a fall afternoon.

This cold process recipe combines several soaping techniques, including melt and pour embeds and soap frosting. If you’ve never made soap frosting before, check out the new Soap Queen Tv Video, How to Make Soap Frosting, which covers the process. It’s easier than you think!

 What You’ll Need:
Cold Process Soap (the “base” of the multi-layered soap creation)
9 oz. Coconut Oil
1.5 oz. Coffee Butter
9 oz. Olive Oil
9 oz. Palm Oil
1.5 oz. Pumpkin Seed Oil
4.2 oz. Sodium Hydroxide
9.9 oz. Distilled Water
9 Bar Unfinished Birchwood Mold
Silicone Liner for 9 Bar Mold
Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder
Titanium Dioxide
Copper Sparkle Mica
Racing Stripe Orange Mica
1 oz. Espresso Fragrance Oil
.4 oz. Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil

Melt and Pour Pumpkin Embeds
Pumpkin Wax Tart Mold
2.5 mL Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil
2.5 mL Vanilla Color Stabilizer
Perfect Orange Color Block
Chrome Green Color Block
1 oz. White Melt and Pour Base
2 oz. Clear Melt and Pour Base Injector Tool

Cold Process Frosting
2.8 oz. Avocado Oil
5.6 Coconut Oil
5.6 oz. Palm Oil
2 oz. Sodium Hydroxide
4.6 Distilled Water
Disposable Frosting Bag
1 M Frosting Tip
Copper Sparkle Mica (to dust on top)

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

Make Melt and Pour Pumpkin Embeds: *Note: The Pumpkin Wax Tart Mold makes eight pumpkins, while the 9 Bar Birchwood Mold creates nine bars of soap. If you’d like each bar to have a pumpkin embed, make one extra pumpkin embed. Be sure to make these first, at least 4 hours before you make your Cold Process Soap, to allow them time to harden.

ONE: Cut and melt 1 oz. Clear Melt and Pour Base on 5 second bursts. Add shavings of the Perfect Orange Color Block and stir to combine. Using the Injector Tool, fill the pumpkin shape and spray with isopropyl alcohol to get rid of any bubbles. Allow to fully harden. Tip: Keep a glass of very super duper hot water too wash the injector tool out in between colors. Pushing out hardened soap is no fun. TWO: Cut and melt 2 oz. of White Melt and Pour, and add Chrome Green Color Block until desired color is achieved. Add Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil and Vanilla Color Stabilizer and stir to fully combine. THREE: Spray orange pumpkins with isopropyl alcohol and pour the greens soap into each cavity, filling only about halfway. Spray with isopropyl alcohol to disperse any bubbles, and allow to fully harden. TIP: Once you are ready to unmold the embeds, place them into the freezer for about 15-30 minutes. This makes them much easier to unmold!

Make the Cold Process Base:

If you’ve never made Cold Process soap before, stop here! I highly recommend checking out our FREE four part SoapQueen.tv series on Cold Process Soapmaking, especially the episode on lye safety. And if you’d rather do some reading, Bramble Berry carries a wide range of books on the topic, including my newest book, Soap Crafting. You can also checkout the digital downloads for that instant gratification factor.

SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices! That means goggles, gloves and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, and other distractions and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your soaping space. Always soap in a well-ventilated area.

COLOR PREP: To ensure that the Titanium Dioxide blends smoothly into the soap batter, we recommend micronizing it before dispersing it in oil. Please note this is an optional tip but it does help with the titanium dioxide clumping in the soap =) To micronize colorant, simply use a coffee grinder to blend the colorant to break up any clumps of color and prevent streaks of white from showing in the final soap. We like to use a coffee grinder that has a removable, stainless steel mixing area for easy cleaning. Then, disperse 1 teaspoons of the Titanium Dioxide into 1 tablespoons of Sunflower or Sweet Almond Oil (or any other liquid oil). Finally, disperse 1 teaspoon of each colorant (including the Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder) into 1 tablespoon of light liquid oil. Use a mini mixer to get the clumps of color worked out smoothly.

ONE: Slowly and carefully add the lye to the water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool.

TWO: Fully melt and combine the coconut, olive oil, pumpkin seed, coffee butter and palm oils (remember to fully melt then mix your entire container of palm oil before portioning). Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 130 degrees or below (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend until thin trace. If you’d like a harder bar of soap that releases faster from the mold, you can add sodium lactate to the cooled lye water. Use 1 teaspoon of sodium lactate per pound of oils in the recipe. For this recipe, you’d add about 2 tsp. sodium lactate.

THREE: Once you have reached a light trace, split the batch in half into a separate container. Each container should contain about 3 cups. FOUR: To one container, add all of the Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder. To the other, add 1 tsp. (dispersed) Sparkle Copper Mica, 2 tsp. (dispersed) Racing Stripe Orange Mica and 1 tbs. (dispersed) Titanium Dioxide. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine the colorants.  FIVE: Add Espresso Fragrance Oil to the container with the Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder. To the orange container, add the Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine the fragrance. SIX: Pour the brown container of soap into the mold. Tap the mold firmly on your counter to release any air bubbles. SEVEN: Drizzle the orange soap into the brown soap. No need to be exact with your pattern! Just make sure the orange soap is poured into all areas of the mold. Insert a dowel or chopstick all the way through the soap, and create small circles down the length of the mold. Once you’ve gone from one end of the soap to the other, make small loops back down the length of the mold. EIGHT: Insert the dividers into the mold and set aside. Time to make your soap frosting!

Make Soap Frosting:

LYE & OIL PREP: In order to get soapy frosting to actually look like frosting, the lye and oils must be very cold. We recommend making the lye water a full day ahead of time, clearly labeling it (*poison* *danger* *do not drink!*) and keeping it in a refrigerator not used for food. Alternately, you can use frozen water (eh hem: ice) to add your lye flakes to but the lye will still need to cool down. The lye should be around 60 degrees F before adding it to the oils. Additionally, you want your oils to be around 70 degrees F. You can even refrigerate them for several hours too! They should be semi-solid at this temperature. If your oils become completely solid, don’t worry! Soap frosting can be created with solid oils as well.

ONE: With a hand mixer (or a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer), whip the oils for 1 – 2 minutes. Occasionally take a break to scrape the bowl and sides of the container to incorporate all the oils. You want the oils to be nice and fluffy before adding the lye.

TWO: Slowly pour the lye into the whipped oils, and use a spoon to incorporate. Be super careful not to splash any lye at this point before the lye water is fully incorporated into the hardened, slushy, cool oils. Turn the hand mixer or Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer on low, and continue to whip oils until a fluffy, frosting texture is achieved. Scrape any batter that has splattered on the side of the container and then turn the mixer to a medium setting. Continue to whip for another 3 – 7 minutes.  THREE: Once a frosting texture has been achieved, cut off about a half inch from the tip of the frosting bag and push the tip through. Scoop the frosting into the bag, and begin piping the frosting onto each bar. Optional Step: If you prefer a smoother, “foamier” looking top on your frosting, use a spoon to smooth the frosting and create peaks. FOUR: Once each bar has been piped with frosting, lightly dust Copper Sparkle Mica onto the top of the soap. Because mica is so fine, this part can get messy. Be sure to have paper towels and isopropyl alcohol on hand to clean up any mica that sticks to the mold or your work surface. Place the pumpkin embeds into the corner of each soap. Allow the soap to harden for 3-4 days before unmolding. Allow it to cure for 4 – 6 weeks and enjoy!

Are you ready for fall? What kind of fall projects are you looking forward to?

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Pumpkin Spice Latte Cold Process Soap

This soap was inspired by the popular fall beverages and includes melt and pour embeds and soap frosting!

Course Cold process soap

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

Cold Process Soap (the “base” of the multi-layered soap creation)

• 9 oz. Coconut Oil
• 1.5 oz. Coffee Butter
• 9 oz. Olive Oil
• 9 oz. Palm Oil
• 1.5 oz. Pumpkin Seed Oil
• 4.2 oz. Sodium Hydroxide
• 9.9 oz. Distilled Water
• 9 Bar Unfinished Birchwood Mold
• Silicone Liner for 9 Bar Mold
• Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder
• Titanium Dioxide
• Copper Sparkle Mica
• Racing Stripe Orange Mica
• 1 oz. Espresso Fragrance Oil
• .4 oz. Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil

Melt and Pour Pumpkin Embeds

• Pumpkin Wax Tart Mold
• 2.5 mL Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil
• 2.5 mL Vanilla Color Stabilizer
• Perfect Orange Color Block
• Chrome Green Color Block
• 1 oz. White Melt and Pour Base
• 2 oz. Clear Melt and Pour Base Injector Tool

Cold Process Frosting

• 2.8 oz. Avocado Oil
• 5.6 Coconut Oil
• 5.6 oz. Palm Oil
• 2 oz. Sodium Hydroxide
• 4.6 Distilled Water
• Disposable Frosting Bag
• 1 M Frosting Tip
• Copper Sparkle Mica to dust on top

Instructions

Embeds

• Cut and melt 1 oz. Clear Melt and Pour Base on 5 second bursts. Add shavings of the Perfect Orange Color Block and stir to combine. Using the Injector Tool, fill the pumpkin shape and spray with isopropyl alcohol to get rid of any bubbles. Allow to fully harden. Tip: Keep a glass of very super duper hot water too wash the injector tool out in between colors. Pushing out hardened soap is no fun.
• Cut and melt 2 oz. of White Melt and Pour, and add Chrome Green Color Block until desired color is achieved. Add Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil and Vanilla Color Stabilizer and stir to fully combine.
• Spray orange pumpkins with isopropyl alcohol and pour the greens soap into each cavity, filling only about halfway. Spray with isopropyl alcohol to disperse any bubbles, and allow to fully harden.

Cold Process Base

SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices! That means goggles, gloves and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, and other distractions and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your soaping space. Always soap in a well-ventilated area.

COLOR PREP: To ensure that the Titanium Dioxide blends smoothly into the soap batter, we recommend micronizing it before dispersing it in oil. Please note this is an optional tip but it does help with the titanium dioxide clumping in the soap =) To micronize colorant, simply use a coffee grinder to blend the colorant to break up any clumps of color and prevent streaks of white from showing in the final soap. We like to use a coffee grinder that has a removable, stainless steel mixing area for easy cleaning. Then, disperse 1 teaspoons of the Titanium Dioxide into 1 tablespoons of Sunflower or Sweet Almond Oil (or any other liquid oil). Finally, disperse 1 teaspoon of each colorant (including the Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder) into 1 tablespoon of light liquid oil. Use a mini mixer to get the clumps of color worked out smoothly.

• Slowly and carefully add the lye to the water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool.
• Fully melt and combine the coconut, olive oil, pumpkin seed, coffee butter and palm oils (remember to fully melt then mix your entire container of palm oil before portioning). Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 130 degrees or below (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend until thin trace. If you’d like a harder bar of soap that releases faster from the mold, you can add sodium lactate to the cooled lye water. Use 1 teaspoon of sodium lactate per pound of oils in the recipe. For this recipe, you’d add about 2 tsp. sodium lactate.
• Once you have reached a light trace, split the batch in half into a separate container. Each container should contain about 3 cups.
• To one container, add all of the Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder. To the other, add 1 tsp. (dispersed) Sparkle Copper Mica, 2 tsp. (dispersed) Racing Stripe Orange Mica and 1 tbs. (dispersed) Titanium Dioxide. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine the colorants.
• Add Espresso Fragrance Oil to the container with the Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder. To the orange container, add the Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine the fragrance.
• Pour the brown container of soap into the mold. Tap the mold firmly on your counter to release any air bubbles.
• Drizzle the orange soap into the brown soap. No need to be exact with your pattern! Just make sure the orange soap is poured into all areas of the mold. Insert a dowel or chopstick all the way through the soap, and create small circles down the length of the mold. Once you’ve gone from one end of the soap to the other, make small loops back down the length of the mold.
• Insert the dividers into the mold and set aside. Time to make your soap frosting!

LYE & OIL PREP: In order to get soapy frosting to actually look like frosting, the lye and oils must be very cold. We recommend making the lye water a full day ahead of time, clearly labeling it (*poison* *danger* *do not drink!*) and keeping it in a refrigerator not used for food. Alternately, you can use frozen water (eh hem: ice) to add your lye flakes to but the lye will still need to cool down. The lye should be around 60 degrees F before adding it to the oils. Additionally, you want your oils to be around 70 degrees F. You can even refrigerate them for several hours too! They should be semi-solid at this temperature. If your oils become completely solid, don’t worry! Soap frosting can be created with solid oils as well.

• With a hand mixer (or a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer), whip the oils for 1 – 2 minutes. Occasionally take a break to scrape the bowl and sides of the container to incorporate all the oils. You want the oils to be nice and fluffy before adding the lye.
• Slowly pour the lye into the whipped oils, and use a spoon to incorporate. Be super careful not to splash any lye at this point before the lye water is fully incorporated into the hardened, slushy, cool oils. Turn the hand mixer or Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer on low, and continue to whip oils until a fluffy, frosting texture is achieved. Scrape any batter that has splattered on the side of the container and then turn the mixer to a medium setting. Continue to whip for another 3 – 7 minutes.
• Once a frosting texture has been achieved, cut off about a half inch from the tip of the frosting bag and push the tip through. Scoop the frosting into the bag, and begin piping the frosting onto each bar.
• Once each bar has been piped with frosting, lightly dust Copper Sparkle Mica onto the top of the soap. Because mica is so fine, this part can get messy. Be sure to have paper towels and isopropyl alcohol on hand to clean up any mica that sticks to the mold or your work surface. Place the pumpkin embeds into the corner of each soap.Allow the soap to harden for 3-4 days before unmolding. Allow it to cure for 4 – 6 weeks and enjoy!

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