January 2016 Challenge

Update February 14, 2016.  Woo Hoo!  I won a Sponsor’s Choice award for this soap!  Thank you Majestic Mountain Sage!

A new soap technique challenge with Amy Warden and Great Cakes Soapworks.  Called the circling Taiwan Swirl (not too catchy, but it works) I only made one batch for this challenge.  It’s being judged on the “lotus” that can show up on one end of the loaf.  I personally like the the other parts of the swirl better.  (but, I’m not in charge ;*)

I used a bastile recipe very high in olive oil so it would stay workable.  I used purple, neon green,  pink and blue micas to color my batter.  I used a lavender, orange, patchouli blend to scent this.  It stayed quite liquid and I really love the swirls on the other bars.   (I can’t cut straight to save my life!  You’ll see in the pictures.)

I waited till the very last minute (literally) to submit this; I was waiting for the sun to come up.  The sun did not cooperate, so I used a light box to take photos.  So, the colors are not as good as they would be outdoors.   (The pink looks orange here.)  Anyway, I love swirls and neon green and the other colors

Taken outside.

 

 

These are the most true to color.

 

I had removed the original pics taken in a light box as the colors were really off.  I decided to put them back as a comparison of natural light and artificial light.  What a difference!

Testing Soap Additives

People in soaping groups are always looking for info on how soap additives behave and the right amount to use.  I tested some additives today to see how these perform and  if I want to incorporate them into my soaping work.

My recipe is olive oil 70%, palm kernel oil 23%, and apricot kernel oil 7% with a 6% superfat.   My soaping temperature was about 100 – 105.  Totally awesome recipe and it stays fluid for the 10 – 15 minutes it took me to measure and mix the samples.

Additives tested:

• Indigo
• kelp
• vanilla powder
• pearly white mica (Brambleberry)
• honey powder
• carrot powder
• anatto powder
• alkanet
• marshmallow powder
• mica dribble
• control (no additive)

Each additive was a measured 1/4 tsp per (about) 4 oz batter.  The one exception was one kelp at 1/4 tsp and one at 1/2 tsp.   Additives were added dry to batter and whisked in, except a couple that wanted to clump were stick-blended.   The honey powder was mixed with a little water (1/2 tsp) and then batter added and mixed.

My shop is not heated so these will not gell and none are fragranced.  I should have done another round of samples and gelled them; a job for another day!

Here are pics of just poured soap samples.

Tomorrow I’ll unmold and take more pictures.  Then, a four week cure and, after that, I’ll lather up and see how they do when used.

On to another soap challenge

The October Challenge through Amy Warden’s Great Cakes Soapworks is using alternative liquids for the water in the soap.  In past soaps, I’ve used beer, coconut milk, chamomile tea  and water; all those are incredible.  So, to cut to the chase,  this is my entry.  Scented with an essential oils of Lavender, Rosemary, Patchouli, Orange, and Bourbon Geranium.

In case you don’t want to read all this, here are all three batches I made.

 

We have been working hard this year with our expanded garden and I have nurtured several wild plants.  So, I decided to use a tea made with my homegrown calendudula and rosemary, wild plantain, wild chamomile and chickweed.  After washing the wild plants, I brought my water to a boil and added my botanicals.  They simmered for about 5 minutes, then covered the pot and let them steep for about 30 minutes.  I cooled it and strained the liquid for my soap.  Because I used natural botanicals in my liquid, it seemed like a no brainer to continue that theme.  I added a bit of aloe to the liquid, bamboo silk, a bit of sugar (for lather) and then the lye, and let that cool.

Making my herbal tea

I wanted a soap that would be natural, but incredibly luxurious.  I used olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, and shea butter.  This has very high moisturizing qualities and should be an awesome soap.  The herbal infusion, aloe and silk will take it over the top.  For scent I used a blend of essential oils that included lavinden, patchouli, grapefruit, ylang ylang and rosemary.  I planned on three layers, with a light sprinkle of vanilla bean seeds between layers.  The bottom layer would have annatto powder added to give a deeper orange color, the middle layer would be the natural light yellow from the oils and herbs, and the top layer would have carrot powder for a little different orange color.  I would pour each layer with the mold tilted to give a bit of drama.

I poured the lye solution into my weighed and cooled oils, blended and started.  It did seem to thicken more than I thought it should, but I’m pretty good managing thick soap batter.  Finished my last layer and texturing the top, and began thinking why is this mold only 3/4 full.  This should be full to a little over the top.  What the heck…  Back and checked the recipe.  Hmmm… I didn’t pour any olive oil.  Curses!!!! D#*!*#!@ it!!!!!

So, scooped my lovely soap out and added the missing oil and blended the heck out of it.  This time I poured half the batter with the mold tilted and a dusting of vanilla seeds and the rest of the batter.  Well, it is still going to be an awesome soap, just not the planned one.  I still have enough herbal infusion to make another batch.  Out to the shop I go!

Batch one.  (I love annatto seed in soap!)

 

On to round two, I decided to use my fresh homegrown carrots in addition to my brewed herbal tea in this batch along with locally made birch syrup.    To make a long story short, I lightened part of the batter with titanium dioxide for to give a layered look and glitter on top (I LOVE glitter)  Amy graciously reminded me no t.d., and no glitter.  Well, bummer.  I was running out of time and not sure I wanted to put more time into this, but decided just one more.

Some of my carrots, and below, Calendula.  Below that, herbsBatch two

Round three.   For the liquid, my brewed herbal tea with a bit of aloe powder and my fresh homegrown carrots will also be part of this batch.  Cooked and pureed the carrots (If you need more info on the benefits of carrots besides vitamins and beta carotenes, please check WebMD; good plain English info)   and (once again) added local birch syrup.  Birch syrup is locally produced, has fructose which helps lather and is a sustainable product.   I added annatto seed powder (Annatto also contains very high concentrations of carotenoids, chemicals in the same class as alpha- and beta-carotene.  Mountain Rose Herbs website)   to part of the batter to give a little interest, a little exfoliation and color.  The oils used are olive oil, apricot kernel oil, castor oil, coconut oil, and shea butter.  I also added raw tussah silk to the lye water.

My herbal tea was brewed with the following herbs, all from our pesticide free garden and yard.  I believe these botanicals are soothing and beneficial.  I does sound lovely on a label, and may have skin benefits.   (Check out the Mayo Clinic, WebMd, Rosemary Gladstar; pick your source!)

• Plantain   “Medicinally, plantain leaf is approved by the German Commission E for respiratory catarrhs and mild inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. It is traditionally used for upper respiratory support, and is topically used for minor cuts, bruises, and stings.  Plantain is very high in vitamins A and C and is also a rich source of calcium.”  (Mountain Rose Herbs website)  We have a local doctor who has prescribed plantain poultices for skin irritation.
• Calendula  “Nicholas Culpepper, a 17th century botanist, herbalist and astrologist, mentioned using calendula juice mixed with vinegar as a rinse for the skin and scalp and that a tea of the flowers comforts the heart.⁷ Astrologically associated with the sun and the fire element, calendula was believed to imbue magical powers of protection and clairvoyance, and even to assist in legal matters. Flowers strung above doorposts were said to keep evil out and to protect one while sleeping if put under the bed. It was said that picking the flowers under the noonday sun will strengthen and comfort the heart.¹¹
• Calendula was used in ancient times in India as well, and according to Ayurvedic healing principles is energetically cooling and has a bitter and pungent taste. It was employed as vulnerary, antispasmodic, alterative and used on minor wounds, as an eyewash, to soothe bee stings, and for digestive disturbances.¹²And, in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), calendula (called Jin Zhan Ju) is considered energetically neutral and drying and is used to support healthy skin. Calendula is employed to move stagnant blood therefore increasing circulation to the skin.Traditionally, in Native American cultures, it has been employed to assuage ailments including occasional upset stomach. Traditional use mirrors many of our contemporary applications of this medicinal plant. Modern studies confirm its efficacy.^4,15-18 According to herbalist Paul Bergner, calendula is an herb used for minor wounds that helps by bringing circulation to the area in distress. It can be used similarly to Arnica sp.,^5,19 yet it is a much more mild plant that can be used on open wounds.”  (Mountain Rose Herbs website)
• Rosemary   “Medicinally, rosemary is approved by the German Commission E to support healthy digestion. It is also approved externally for healthy circulation and alleviation of joint pain. The oil is frequently used for aromatherapy, and has been shown to enhance alertness.” (Mountain Rose Herbs website)
• Rosemary is used topically (applied to the skin) for preventing and treating baldness; and treating circulation problems, toothache, a skin condition called eczema, and joint or muscle pain such as myalgia, sciatica, and intercostal neuralgia. It is also used for wound healing, in bath therapy (balneotherapy), and as an insect repellent.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-154-rosemary.aspx?activeingredientid=154&activeingredientname=rosemary

• Chickweed Used to help reduce inflammation of irritated and itchy skin, for insect bites, boils  The Boreal Herbal by Beverly Gray, page 65. Copyright 2011.
• Wild Chamomile To help alleviate inflammation of a wound or for achiy, sore muscles.  The fragrance is known help you fall asleep.  The Boreal Herbal by Beverly Gray, page 59. Copyright 2011.

This batch turned out beautifully.  My camera died when making the soap, so I can’t show you just how richly dark orange the batter was.  It lightened considerably during saponification.  I might try again and not let it gell.  This is a deliciously awesome soap and the one I envisioned.  (This pic is of batch two with the offending glitter, but you can see how beautiful the color started out.  I may rinse the glitter off this batch!)

Batch three

 

 

 

 

 

Soap Challenge September 2015

Another soap challenge, this time using a technique by Clyde Yoshida of Vibrant Soaps in California.  He is quite an artist!  This challenge is hosted by Amy Warden of Greatcakes Soapworks.

I used a bastille recipe to give me time to work with the colors of red, yellow,green and orange against a background of white.  Scented with Them Apples and Home for the Holidays, both from Mad Oils.  Love the way this smells.  Very fresh green apples and a very light cinnamon.  Very Autumn!

My pour was a bit quicker than optimum; I think moving slower would have made it more interesting.  But still beautiful.

This is batch #2, scented with Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, and Grapefruit.  Smells intoxicatingly AWESOME!   The pink top was going to go in the soap, but the batter thickened so quickly, the feathery swirls didn’t form.  Love it anyway.

Embracing Opposites Soap Challenge July 2015

Sponsored by Greatcakes SoapworksThe idea is to show opposites using soap as the medium and utilizing a log mold and a center divider.

Ohhhhh… I thought and thought and thought some more.  A vision of colors.  Blue on one side and orange (not just any orange but neon orange), and then a  purple neon swirl in the orange and a yellow neon, glow in the dark swirl in the blue side.  (I’m not totally blind yet!)  I envisioned wispy, jubilant swirls of color in dazzling neon glory.  Hmmmm…. Maybe one neon color would have done the job.  I decided on a summery citrus/floral fragrance I’ve used many times, it’s cooperative, and I love it.   I used a predictable Bastille recipe, high in olive oiI,  but also did a significant water discount,and  it moved quicker than I had planned.  OOPS!

Oh my, this began to accelerate.  Not soap on a stick, but working on it.  I don’t scare easy, I’ll tell you, so I continued.   This will not be the wispy, carefree swirls I envisioned, rather  like some weird pop art thing.  Swirls!  Quick, where’s my hanger tool?!?!?  Oops, don’t have a tool for this size mold.  Plan B:  find a spoon!!! Or a knife!!!  Anything!!!   Knife, not ideal, but will work.

Well now, It’s in the mold, and we’ll see tomorrow.

“Here comes the Sun!”   IT IS NEON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS BRIGHT!!!!  Definitely when the vision and reality are in different universes.

You may wonder if I’m colorblind. No…it only appears that I am. This is an awesome, luscious recipe, it smells beautiful, and it’s glow in the dark neon.  Win-win I’d say!

Here are a few more pics.

Slaving away making soap!

I am working on restocking some of my popular soaps.  Here are a couple recently made.  The Denali Granite, Lavender Rosemary Mint and Talkeetna Rain.  Pick a favorite?  Can’t do it!  I love them all!  All available second week of April.

Available Soaps Page updated February 17, 2015

I just updated the available soaps page.   I am out of lip balms at this time and will be making more in March. Website fixed!

Soap Challenge December 2014

A spoon swirl challenge this time around via Amy Warden’s Great Soapworks Challenge.  I love spoon swirls and have had something in mind, so here goes!  My vision is a soap that brings to mind the breathtaking Alaskan Northern Lights.

        

The beautiful colors dance, ripple and undulate across the Northern sky.  One of our great winter pleasures is a soothing soak in the hot tub while watching the stars and the Northern Lights.  Maybe throw in a glass of wine, too!  Rather than a graphic reproduction of the landscape, mountains and night sky, I like the idea of a suggestion of the snow-covered Alaska Range mountains.   I attempted to suggest the mountains and the colors I associate with our winter night sky.  My unmolded, uncut soap above.

This soap is the third batch I’ve made with this idea in mind.  The first are lovely, but this is close to my idea!  Here are some of the finished bars.

I used my go to recipe that includes olive oil, palm kernel and palm oil, coconut, shea and cocoa butters, and castor oil.  It is an awesome recipe and makes a luscious moisturizing soap.  Colors are Nuture  Vibrance micas.  I soaped at about 105 degrees F.

Stick-blended to light trace then separated out about a cup of batter into three separate cups to color.  (Next time, I will use less batter for finer swirls)  I added titanium dioxide to the remaining batter.

My micas are premixed in a bit of olive oil, so added a bit of teal, purple and apple green to each of the cups of batter.  (not all colors in each cup; one color to each cup)

Looks a bit like a hanger swirl, but really is a spoon swirl!  To do this look, I poured about 2/3 of plain batter into a TS mold.  Then poured from a higher level the colors, one after the other.  Things were getting a bit thick, maybe honey thick.  I spoon swirled from one end of the mold to the other, then made a few more swirls randomly through to make sure all was swirled.  Next, spooned the rest of the plain batter into the mold.  Then I spoon swirled, only trying to go into the area between the plain and the previously spoon swirled part.  I did not come up to the top.  I wanted to keep the top white.  I finished with texturing the top to suggest mountains, and added snowflake glitter (appropriately, I’d say!)

When planning the fragrance, I wanted cool, outdoorsy, magical.  A tall order!  I blended a combo of EO’s including lavender, fir, patchouli, citrus and rosemary.  Love the way this smells!

And one more of the cut bars in my soap room.  These aren’t cleaned up yet, but you can see the lovely variation in the bars, just like the ever-changing Northern Lights!  (The lighting in there is not the best.)

Unmolding soaps

Fair warning.  If you are not  a soapmaker, this will likely be a bit boring and nerdy.

If you make soap and use individual plastic molds, this may help you.  I use silicone molds and also the Milky Way plastic molds.  The silicone are, hands down, superior for ease of removing soap. I make cold process soap and have struggled with the more intricate plastic molds, trying to unmold soap without damaging it.

I figured it out today!

1.  Make and pour your soap.

2.  I let it sit 24 hours and then into the freezer for a couple hours; it needs to be hard!

3.  Put the mold soap side down on your work surface and use a heat gun on it for a few seconds.  I have had my soap fall right out perfectly intact.  I did 6 or 8 today and all came out perfectly.  In my picture, they are still cold and have condensation on them.  But, perfect!