Mica Archives - Page 7 of 11

Swirling – 1, 2, 3, 4 Color

March 3, 2010 Filed Under: Cold Process Soap

I probably am jinxing the batch by showing you these photos before I pull the soap out of the molds (Dear Soda Ash Gremlins, please stay away) but I am so excited about this batch that I just had to share. I’m so excited for two reasons:

1. We are in the final test mode for adding back both our original divider molds and an upgraded divider mold (complete with lock bars and a new and improved soap bar size). This news alone is cause for celebration and sharing. I’ve missed the molds and I know you have too.

2. Plus, the batch is rockin’ sweet cool. It’s a four color swirl with Purple Oxide, Yellow Oxide, Black Oxide and Super Pearly White Mica. It’s fragranced with Energy and Yuzu (4 parts Energy, 1 part Yuzu). Here’s how the batch progressed and happened:

The fourth color (white) is hidden off to the side in a 3 pound size. My mold is fully lined and ready to go.

First layer; not looking like much, is it?

Third layer; it’s starting to look better, isn’t it?

The above photo with just a little spatula work. Makes a big difference, doesn’t it?

Eek! Adding the dividers for perfectly sized, perfectly square corners each and every time is a little nerve wracking. To push the dividers into the soapy masterpiece is a leap of faith but the end result is totally worth it.

We’re in final testing phases for the mold and I feel confident that we’ll have a great divider solution (a set of them!) for you soon.

You, Too, Can Color with Confidence

February 17, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Congratulations to random number 104 and blogger known as Saponify.

You’ve just won the Color with Confidence Contest (applause).

The winning comment: Oxides, Oxides, Oxides!!!!! I love my oxides. Micas and some ultramarines and labcolors can rock my cold-process soap socks, too. I had the best coloring experience a short while ago when I was able to get a 6 color marbly-swirl going on with my oxides and labcolors. Pickmepickmepickme!!!

Wow! The six color marbly-swirl sounds amazing. Swirling cold process is not an easy task, let alone SIX swirls! Email me at info(at)brambleberry(dot)com and we’ll send you the Color with Confidence PDF Prize (retail value of $39.00). Enjoy and good luck with your swirls!

If you want your own copy of Lori’s definitive work on colorants, you can get your own copy here. Or, better yet, check out our new Color with Confidence Starter Kit– For just 49.99 you get the E-Book AND Lori Nova’s top 10 colorants to experiment with!How can you resist?Happy Coloring!

Less Can Be More – Using Sheer Colors

February 13, 2010 Filed Under: Melt & Pour Soap

We know that when making multi-colored glycerin soap styles we need to use non-bleeding colors, which are usually made of powders that block light. It seems like we can only do two things – use clear bleeding colors or use opaque non-bleeding colors, but we actually have many choices in between! They’re called “sheer colors.” Here are some tips on how to achieve them (they all use clear soap base to start):

1) Use non-bleeding micas, just a pinch at a time to get a light tinted shimmer that still has clarity. In the Woodgrain Soap above, I used just a hint of cappuccino mica. The engraved design still shows up beautifully and the mica doesn’t bleed (you can find the full tutorial here). In the Daisy Bars on the right, I used a touch of opalescent mica as the background color. It’s still pearly without looking too heavy.

2) Use oxides and pigments with a very light hand. It’s best to start with liquid colorants since it’s easier to add the color one drop at a time, but you can also dilute your powders and add by drops, too. You can see in these Ice Bars that I was able to get a clear blue center that won’t bleed into the white frame. Ultramarines (the blue, purple, and some pink pigments) are very fine powders that keep their clarity very well if used lightly. But remember – one drop at a time!

For a quick reference of which micas and pigments Bramble Berry carries that are non-bleeding, check out Anne-Marie’s recent post here. And for some more great projects using sheer colors, pick up your Soapylove book here! Happy coloring!

Debbie, Soapylove

Color with Confidence Contest!

February 12, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Friday Everyone!

Today, the Soap Queen readers have a chance to win the Color with Confidence PDF by the fabulous and talented Lori Nova from the Nova Studio. Lori is a two-time award winner (Best of Show at the Soap Guild) and three-time speaker at the Handcrafted Soapmaker’s Guild conferences. And, (eh hum) a fabulous teacher for the 2009 Soap Intensive Weekend at Otion.

Learn about the pros and cons of colors used for cold process soapmaking like Pigments (Oxides, Ultramarines), Dyes (LabColors, Soapalooza, Gel Tones), Lakes, Neons, Pop Micas, and last but not least, the Naturals (Clays, Herbs and Spices).

Retail value of $39.00! Woohoo!

Lori teaching her Coloring with Confidence class at Otion

I’ll bet you’re wondering how to win this fabulous prize, right? Just leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite colorant is to color your cold process soap with! And, if you’re a melt and pour soaper remember that you’re entering a contest to win a cold process coloring book but if you’re still interested, not to worry – just tell me what your favorite colorant blend in your melt and pour soap is!

I’ll randomly pick a winner on Wednesday the 17th!

Good luck and have a fabulous weekend!

Valentine Cold Process Soap

January 14, 2010 Filed Under: Cold Process Soap

This advanced cold process recipe is for the patient soapmakers our there. But I promise your patience will be rewarded with a beautiful and detailed bar of handmade soap. This recipe is divided into 3 stages and is actually a combination of 3 separate recipes. So take a deep breath, grab your ingredients and let’s make some Valentine’s Day Soap!

Cut-Out Heart Recipe:
7.8 oz. Olive Oil
7 oz. Coconut Oil
6.5 oz. Palm Oil
1.2 oz. Beeswax
3.18 oz Lye
7.43 oz. Water
1-2 teaspoons Burgundy oxide
Flexible Brownie Pan Mold

Layer One Recipe (pink)
18 oz. Olive Oil (16 + 2 oz.)
2 oz. Coconut Oil
2 oz. Palm oil
2.9 oz. Lye
7.22 oz. water
2 oz. Olive Oil
1.8 oz. Baby Rose fragrance
2 teaspoons Pink Oxide
2 teaspoons Fuchsia LabColor (diluted)

Layer Two Recipe (cream)
18 oz. Olive Oil (16 +2 oz.)
2 oz. Coconut Oil
2 oz. Palm oil
2.9 oz. Lye
7.22 oz. water
2 oz. Olive Oil
1.8 oz. Baby Rose Fragrance
1 Tablespoon Pearly White mica

Helpful Notes

The entire recipe fits two 2 lb. molds or one 4lb mold. You may have some extra soap left over too so have another little mold on hand (check out some of our heart molds).

Baby Rose fragrance oil tends to accelerate trace, so this recipe is specifically formulated to reach trace slowly. For this reason it’s important to prepare layers one and two in separate batches rather than making one big batch and splitting it (which is what you’ve see me do in the past).

Safety First! If you’ve never made cold process we highly recommend reading this blog post and watching this DVD or reading this book. Please do not make Cold Process Soap for the first time with just this blog post.

Instructions

Put your gloves and goggles on now. Are they on? You shouldn’t be making soap if they’re not.

STEP ONE:Make the recipe for the cut-out hearts by combining and heating your oils, mixing in your lye water followed by the Burgundy Oxide. After reaching trace, pour 1/4″-1/2″ of soap into the Flexible Brownie Tray. Let sit for 24-48 hours or until the soap is firm enough to remove from the mold. Use a cookie cutter or craft knife to cut 9-10 heart shapes and smooth the edges with your finger if needed.Set hearts aside.

STEP TWO:Line your wooden mold(s) and have an extra mold or storage container on hand. We used freezer paper with the shiny side up (towards the soap) so it peels off easily. Learn to line your mold here.

STEP THREE: To start the second recipe, sprinkle the lye over the water in a heat safe container. Stir well taking care not to inhale any fumes. Set aside and allow to cool until the water is clear with no bits of lye in the bottom.

STEP FOUR:Measure out 2 ounces of olive oil in a head safe container. Measure out 1.8 ounces of Baby Rose Fragrance Oil.Set aside but keep with in arms reach. We’re going to add these both at the very end.

STEP FIVE: In a microwave safe container that will hold at least 2 pounds, melt the Coconut Oil and Palm Oil (making sure to mix the palm oil well). Add the remaining 16 oz. Olive Oil and mix well.

STEP SIX: Mix the Pink Oxide with a tiny bit of Olive Oil to work out any clumps and set aside. Keep your diluted Fuchsia LabColor close at hand too.

STEP SEVEN: (Are your goggles and gloves on? Keep ’em on!) Slowly add the lye water to the oil mixture. Gently mix using a stick blender in short bursts. Add the Pink Oxide mixture and Fuscia Labcolor and blend until fully incorporated. What you see for color is what you will get so if the color is not dark enough, add more Fuscia Labcolor until it is your idea of a perfect pink color.

STEP EIGHT: Heat up the 2 oz. of Olive Oil for 45 seconds in the microwave. Add your fragrance oil to this warmed up olive oil. Add the fragrance and oil mixture and stir with a spoon. Then gently use your stick blender to give it one or two bursts. Baby Rose accelerates trace even with the extra gentle addition method and careful stick blending so be prepared to pour quickly.

STEP NINE: Once trace is reached (which will happens fast), spoon the soap into the mold filling it only half way and tamping it down on the table to get rid of any air bubbles.

STEP TEN: For the third recipe, repeat steps 3-9 using the Super Pearly White Mica as your colorant.

STEP ELEVEN: Place the heart cut-outs at even intervals through out the soap, leaving the tips of the hearts peeking out of the top. The spacing depends on how wide you want your soap slices to be.

STEP TWELVE: Insulate and allow to set-up for a few days before cutting.

Cutting the Soap: Remove the soap log(s) from the mold. Using a sharp non-serrated knife slice the soap so there is one heart on the front of each slice. You may need to trim the bars a little to clean up the hearts.

Allow the soap to cure for 4-6 weeks

Non-Bleeding Colors from Bramble Berry

January 6, 2010 Filed Under: Melt & Pour Soap

What is a bleeding colorant? Bleeding colorants are usually dyes or FD&C colors that tend to migrate into other layers of your soap over time (see picture below). Sometimes it can look super cool if you’re trying to blend your colors (a la tie dyed soap), but usually it just looks a little sloppy.For sharp, clean lines, pick from the list below!

Bleeding Colorants

Non-Bleeding Colorants

Want to learn how to make the soap above? Check out Soap Queen TV for a step by step tutorial!

Micas…

Antique Blue
Copper Sparkle
Light Gold
Merlot
Opalescent Green
Opalescent Turquoise
Patina Sheen
Red Blue
Rose Pearl
Sparkle Violet
Vintage Grey
Luster Black
Aqua Pearl
Blue Green Mica
Cappuccino
Mauvey Gem
Silver Mica
Sparkle Violet
Super Pearly White Mica

Liquid…

Black
Blue
Brown
Non-Bleeding Red
Liquid Red (brick red)
Non-Bleeding Violet
Deep Purple
Pink
White
Yellow
Green

Sweet Treat Colorant SetOxides…Yellow
Burgundy
Green Chrome
Brick Oxide
Ultramarine Blue
Hydrated Chrome Green
Ultramarine Violet
Black Oxide
Brown Oxide
Titanium Dioxide

Violet Oxide

Copper Penny & Emerald Mica Tests

December 31, 2009 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Patti has done another incredible batch of soap and I wanted to share her comments about soaping up with some of our new micas. The batch below was made with White Pearl Mica, Green Chrome Oxide and Emerald Mica. The Emerald Mica and Green Chrome acted so similarly that she decided to do another batch.

This time it was pretty clear which was which – the Emerald Mica went a gorgeous light green and the Copper Penny Mica is a glamorous shade of copper and sparkles.

The Emerald Green starts out a lot more green when you first put it into the soap but then slowly turns into a beautiful pastel green. It is a lovely color and would work well with lots of springtime fragrances.

Patti also made this exotic looking bar with our Luster Black Mica, Sparkle Gold Mica and (sadly discontinued) Blue Pearl Mica. Though the fragrance she used will discolor, she’s thrilled about the discoloration because the colors will ‘pop’ even more with the discoloration. The contrast will highlight the micas even more.

Thanks for the report, Patti!

Holiday Gold Nailpolish

December 30, 2009 Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

Did you miss the tutorial on making your own nailpolish? Check out what we whipped up for holiday parties using our heavy metal gold mica. Here’s the original tutorial on customizing clear nail polish to make it your own.

Jazz up your polish in two easy steps…

One: Pick your favorite holiday red or maroon color to paint your nails.

Two: Add your clear top coat and sprinkle on the mica for a fabulous holiday accent.

Tip: Use an eye shadow brush to tap on the mica. This will give you an evenly sparkled look!

New Year’s Eve Party Favors!

December 21, 2009 Filed Under: Melt & Pour Soap

Wash Away 2009 – Hidden Surprise Soap

The idea with this fun project is to wash away 2009 and start fresh and clean in 2010. I originally got this hidden surprise soap idea from Soapylove’s Halloween tutorial. For this project, I painted 2009 on top of the soap so it would wash away in the first use. After 3-4 washes, 2010 will slowly appear to ring in the new year! This fab soap is appropriately scented with our bubbly, Champagne Fragrance Oil! I’m posting this a little earlier than New Year’s so you have time to make these favors for your friends and family.

Ingredients

Clear Melt and Pour
White Melt and Pour
Champagne Fragrance Oil
Basic Rectangle
Light Gold Mica
Heavy Metal Gold
Brownie Pan
Craft KnifeSoap Paint
2 parts Liquid Soap
1 part Clear Melt & Pour Base
1 part Rubbing Alcohol
1 part Light Gold Mica

ONE: Melt 5 ounces of white soap base in the microwave (in 30 second intervals) and pour the soap into the brownie pan mold. Spritz with rubbing alcohol to eliminate bubbles. Let cool for 15 minutes.
TWO: Once the soap has cooled, release it from the soap mold and place it on a cutting board. Use your craft knife to cut out the numbers 2010. You can either trace them using this technique or cut them by hand. I printed out 2010 from a Word document and traced the numbers. Set the numbers aside to use later. Hint: Bigger, more bold, sans serif fonts are easiest to trace. Oh, and no coffee before cutting. The shaking won’t add to the smooth look of the numbers.

Variation: Want to shave some time off of this project? Try using cookie cutters to cut out the numbers or our Alphabet Mold to easily create your soapy numbers.

THREE: Melt 4 ounces of clear soap base in the microwave (in 30 second intervals). Mix in 1 ml of Champagne Fragrance Oil and 2 heaping pigment scoops of Heavy Metal Gold Mica. Mix well.

FOUR: Pour thin thin 1/8 inch layer into one rectangle cavity and spray with rubbing alcohol. Let the thin layer cool in the mold which should only take about 5 minutes. While this layer is cooling, frequently stir the remaining soap so it doesn’t form a skin; we’ll be using it soon.

FIVE: Spritz the first layer of soap with rubbing alcohol and pour another thin layer of soap on top. Spritz your numbers with rubbing alcohol and place them into the thin layer of soap. Let the soap cool for about 5 minutes. Then fill the mold up the rest of the way with your gold soap.

Hint: The numbers should look backwards and read from right to left when you put them in the soap (we don’t want backwards numbers in our final product).

SIX: For a finishing touch, paint 2009 on the top of the soap to be washed away. After a couple of uses, 2010 will appear into soap giving you a “clean” start into 2010.

Soap Paint: In a small mixing bowl, combine 2 parts liquid soap, 1 part clear melt and pour soap, 1 part rubbing alcohol, 1 part Light Gold Mica. Heat in the microwave for 15 second, mix well and start painting. Check out our Soap Paint tutorial HERE.

Did you notice my little penguin friend giving me a hand? Check out his other penguin friends here. They are just too cute for words!

Candy Soap Remix

December 3, 2009 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

These candies soaps are a definite crowd pleaser. I love coordinating the colors for all occasions. These Cinnamon Soapy Candies (below) will probably go in some stockings this year (shhh…don’t tell anyone). Want to learn how to make these? Check out the video on Soap Queen TV (it’s FREE).
I made all of these candy soaps with Cinnamon Sugar Fragrance Oil and Vanilla Color Stabilizer. The Cinnamon Sugar smells just like a cinnamon sticky bun (with extra cinnamon) and sweet vanilla frosting (oozing down the sides…yummm). Because of the sweet vanilla notes, it will discolor to a beige or light brown. Thank goodness for Vanilla Color Stabilizer! Just use equal parts fragrance oil to stabilizer to prevent discoloration. For the red color above, I used clear soap base with equal parts Non-Bleeding Red and Red Jelly. And I used white soap base for the white swirls.

P.S. The Red Jelly Color is on sale this month!

I had fun with these colors too!

Bright Orange: In clear soap, mix equal parts of Non-Bleeding Red, Red Jelly Color, Red mica and Super Pearly White Mica

Glittery Red: In clear soap, mix equal parts of Non-bleeding Red, Red Jelly Color and Red Glitter (as much glitter as you want).

Lime Green: In clear soap, mix equal parts of Yellow Mica and Aqua Pearl Mica.

Wrap these with a fun cellophane wrapper to give the soap an extra candy look and delight and amaze your soapy friends and family with your color coordination.

Glitter Cut Out Soap Tutorial

November 23, 2009 Filed Under: Melt & Pour Soap

Here’s what you’ll need
Scalloped Rectangle Mold
NOTE: The mold shown in this tutorial has been discontinued. The kit now contains the 12 Cavity Rectangle Silicone Mold.
Wassail Fragrance Oil
Merlot Mica
Liquid Black Colorant
Liquid Brown
Clear Soap Base
Iridescent Glitter
Your Choice of Micas
Leaf PDF OR Leaf Cookie Cutters
Hair Spray
Craft Knife

ONE: Melt 4 ounces of clear melt and pour soap and mix in 1 ml of Bramble Berry’s favorite new fragrance oil, Wassail. It smells like hot, spiced Christmas Punch and has notes of tangerine, juicy apple and orange zest spiced with ginger, cinnamon stick, nutmeg and clove. Are you drooling yet?

TWO: Stir in a couple drops of liquid black colorant and 1 mini scoop of Merlot Mica and pour the soap into 1 cavity of the scalloped rectangle mold. Allow the soap to cool for 4-6 hours

NOTE: The Scalloped Rectangle Mold has been discontinued. It has been substituted with the 12 Cavity Rectangle Silicone Mold.

Variation: OR stir in a mini scoop of Brick Red Oxide. Try mixing the oxide with a little rubbing alcohol before adding it to the soap. This will eliminate any clumping of the colorant.

THREE: Melt 6 ounces of clear melt and pour soap and mix in 1.5 ml of Wassail fragrance oil.

FOUR: Stir in a couple drops of liquid brown colorant and pour the soap into the brownie pan tray mold. Allow the soap to cool for 20-30 minutes and pull the soap out of the mold.

FIVE: Now it’s time to make our cut outs and you have a big decision to make. Are you going to use a cookie cutter or a stencil? Below are both variations…

Using a cookie cutter: Press your cookie cutter into the soap. Pull the cookie cutter out of the soap and pop out the soap piece. Then, smooth the edges with your finger.

Using a Stencil: You can either use our PDF template or leaves you’ve collected. Cut the paper around the object and place it on the flat square of soap. Lightly cut the paper with your craft knife so it leaves an outline on the soap. Then, remove your paper and follow your original outline and cut all the way through the soap. To see this demonstrated, check out the Soap Queen TV episode on how to make monogram wedding favors.

SIX: Spritz your cut out piece with hair spray and sprinkle glitter onto the piece of soap. (Did you miss the ‘How to color glitter’ post? Click here to review it and learn how to make all kinds of fun glitter colors.) The hair spray will help the glitter stick to the soap. Dump the excess glitter into a bowl for later use.

SEVEN: Melt 1 ounce of clear melt and pour. Use a dropper and place a drop or two of melted soap in the center of your scalloped rectangle soap. Then place the glittered cut out on top of the melted soap and let cool (about 5 minutes).

EIGHT: Give the soap a final spritz with hair spray to make sure your glitter sticks.

Glitter Cut Out Soap Tutorial

These glittery soaps are perfect for fall!

Author: Soap Queen

Recipe type: Melt and Pour

Ingredients

Slim Broad Rectangle Mold
Wassail Fragrance Oil
Merlot Mica
Liquid Black Colorant
Liquid Brown
Clear Soap Base
Iridescent Glitter
Your Choice of Micas
Leaf PDF OR Leaf Cookie Cutters
Hair Spray
Craft Knife

Instructions

Melt 4 ounces of clear melt and pour soap and mix in 1 ml of Bramble Berry’s favorite new fragrance oil, Wassail. It smells like hot, spiced Christmas Punch and has notes of tangerine, juicy apple and orange zest spiced with ginger, cinnamon stick, nutmeg and clove.
Stir in a couple drops of liquid black colorant and 1 mini scoop of Merlot Mica and pour the soap into 1 cavity of the scalloped rectangle mold. Allow the soap to cool for 4-6 hours. OR stir in a mini scoop of Brick Red Oxide. Try mixing the oxide with a little rubbing alcohol before adding it to the soap. This will eliminate any clumping of the colorant.
Melt 6 ounces of clear melt and pour soap and mix in 1.5 ml of Wassail fragrance oil.
Stir in a couple drops of liquid brown colorant and pour the soap into the brownie pan tray mold. Allow the soap to cool for 20-30 minutes and pull the soap out of the mold.
Now it’s time to make our cut outs and you have a big decision to make. Are you going to use a cookie cutter or a stencil? Below are both variations.
Using a cookie cutter: Press your cookie cutter into the soap. Pull the cookie cutter out of the soap and pop out the soap piece. Then, smooth the edges with your finger.
Using a Stencil: You can either use our PDF template or leaves you’ve collected. Cut the paper around the object and place it on the flat square of soap. Lightly cut the paper with your craft knife so it leaves an outline on the soap. Then, remove your paper and follow your original outline and cut all the way through the soap. To see this demonstrated, check out the Soap Queen TV episode on how to make monogram wedding favors.
Spritz your cut out piece with hair spray and sprinkle glitter onto the piece of soap. (Did you miss the ‘How to color glitter’ post? Click here to review it and learn how to make all kinds of fun glitter colors.) The hair spray will help the glitter stick to the soap. Dump the excess glitter into a bowl for later use.
Melt 1 ounce of clear melt and pour. Use a dropper and place a drop or two of melted soap in the center of your scalloped rectangle soap. Then place the glittered cut out on top of the melted soap and let cool (about 5 minutes).
Give the soap a final spritz with hair spray to make sure your glitter sticks.

How to Color Glitter

November 19, 2009 Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

Be the only one in your neighborhood with custom colored glitter! It’s easy to do and you only need a couple of ingredients! So grab your Iridescent Glitter, Mica and Mini Scoops and get ready to make dazzling glitter in any color of the rainbow!

The concept is super simple. Just combine 1 mini scoop of mica (any color) and 1 tablespoon of iridescent glitter. Mix until fully incorporated.

Above, I made shimmering green glitter using shamrock green mica. I also made a classic yellow glitter using yellow mica. But wait, there’s more…

See that fun lime green color above? I mixed 2 mini scoops of my shimmering green glitter with 2 mini scoops of my classic yellow glitter for a bright and unique green. Or, try mixing Blue Mica and Red Mica for a really cool purple. Or, Red Blue Mica mixed with Merlot Mica for a hot pink. Your glittery possibilities are endless!

Yes, we did have to do some testing (trial and error). Above is one of our first attempts that didn’t pan out how we thought. We mixed Shredded Glitter with a Liquid Labcolorfor a not so pretty, super chunky first try. But we got it right in the end! Good luck with your creations and let us know what fun colors you create!

P.S. Stay tuned…more glitter projects to come!

Have a question about this blog post? Come join us at Bramble Berry’s Facebook page and we can help you out with any of your soapy questions!

Christmas Tags – Don’t Throw ‘Em Away!

November 12, 2009 Filed Under: Melt & Pour Soap

What do you do with all of your Christmas tags? We like to use ours!

Ingredients
Clear Soap Base
Brownie Pan Tray Mold
Liquid Green
Yellow Mica
Iridescent glitter
Merlot Mica
Red Blue Mica
Kumquat Fragrance Oil
Microwave safe container
Cutting board
Freezer or wax paper
Craft knife (exacto)
Cookie cutters (optional)

ONE: Melt 8 oz clear melt and pour soap base. For a fun lime green color, add 4 drops of Liquid Green and 1 mini scoop of Yellow Mica and mix well. Then, for an extra special touch, add 3 scoops of iridescent glitter.

TWO: Once the colors are fully mixed in, add your favorite Christmas fragrance oil. We chose Kumquat. What? You don’t get kumquats in your stocking?

THREE: Pour the soap into a brownie pan mold and let cool (approximately 20-30 minutes).

FOUR: Remove the cooled soap from the mold and place on a cutting board.

FIVE: You can use a cookie cutter or use your craft knife to cut out Christmas tag shape. Get creative and remember they don’t have to be perfect. Once you have your Christmas tag, cut out a letter or object in the middle either by hand or with a cookie cutter. Depending on the size, you should be able to get 6-8 tags out of one sheet.

SIX: For an authentic Christmas tag detail, use a straw to cut out a hole at the top for the ribbon. Use your finger to smooth out the edges of the soap.

Tip: If you decide to use a cookie cutter, just smooth out the edges of the soap with your finger when you’re done. My cookie cutters didn’t leave me with the smoothest edges. Yours might be better than mine.

SEVEN: Melt 3 ounces of clear melt and pour and add 3 mini scoops of Red Blue Mica and 1 mini scoop of Merlot Mica. This is my favorite combination for an awesome hot pink color. We’ll be using this color to fill in our letters.

EIGHT: On a flat surface, place your soap on top of your smoothed out freezer paper or saran wrap. Firmly press the soap so that it sticks to the freezer paper. We’ll be pouring soap into the center and we don’t want it to leak.

NINE: Spritz the green soap with rubbing alcohol and fill in the hole with the hot pink soap. Spritz again with alcohol to get rid of any air bubbles. If you go outside the lines don’t panic, just use a scraper tool to scrape off the soap once it has hardened.

Happy Halloween!

October 31, 2009 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Look what I made using that cute mini 3D pumpkin mold I made in this tutorial? I put a container inside as I poured the soap to make it hollow. And then I carved the face with a craft knife and dusted the entire pumpkin with Copper Sparkle mica. And voila! A super duper soapy Happy Halloween!