I made my first batch of soap!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

I did it!! I did it!! I did it!! And I didn't blow up the house!!

We're all still here, alive and well. It went surprisingly smooth. I

weighed out the oils, no problem. Weighed out the water, no problem.

Then got to THAT LYE. I had that Red Devil package way up high in a

cupboard in the laundry room, stood staring up at it, like it was a ticking

time bomb. All that I had read about it really had me spooked!

Opened it up and peeked in...looked harmless. Little white crystals.

I decided to mix it up in the garage.

 

Put my glass container on the floor, started stirring with my heavy-duty

wooden spoon, then sloooooooowwwwwwwwwwwly added the lye. Wow! could

feel the heat rising up. My spoon has a long handle, so I just stood back

to avoid the fumes. Ok, done, all mixed up, let that stand in the garage

for a bit to dissipate fumes.

 

The fats melted and heated up quickly, and my lye mix was still too hot.

I used my thermometers, and was grateful to have them, at least for now,

being so inexperienced. Lye would not cool down, so I was forced to

put it in a water bath, and eventually had to add ice to the water bath.

Finally got it down to 100 F.

 

Oh boy, now comes the part I was waiting for....sopanification!!!!

Started stirring with my handy-dandy stick blender and slowly drizzled in

the lye mix. You didn't tell me little bits of the mixture would start

splashing up on my arms!!!! I chose not to wear gloves, because it just

interferred with my touch sensation too much. And being in Phoenix,

where it is over 100 degrees in the shade right now, I had on a tiny little

tank top. Didn't think about putting on a long-sleeved shirt (or lab

coat!!!).

 

I couldn't tell if it was the temperature of the mixture that was smarting a

bit...or the unsopanified lye. So I stopped mixing and splashed some

vinegar on my arms, just in case. I now smell like a pickle! Good thing

I like pickles!

 

Ok, back to mixing/stirring. I would pulse with the blender for a few

seconds, then stop and stir. It traced quickly. At least, I *think* it

traced. It was beautiful, just beautiful looking at it, creamy white,

smooth. Looked good enough to eat. But once it thickened, it was

pretty thick. Like pudding. Looked exactly like pudding consistency.

So still not sure about this tracing thing. There was no " drizzle "

off the mixer. Mmmm.....what did I do wrong? Stirred too long??

 

Ok, time to add my lavender eo. I stir that in quickly and proceed to

pour into my mold. I had one tray mold that was scored into 8 rectangle

shaped bars, but knew I would have extra, as the recipe was for 40 oz.

So had another mold with individual rectangle shapes to pour the excess

into.

 

It didn't " pour " like a liquid, and I had to smooth the top as best I could,

as it was like spreading frosting on a cake. And that's how it hardened.

The bottom of the soap will have an appearance like frosting on a cake.

Hmmm...not sure I like that. Oh well, it will have a more " homemade " look,

right??

 

I couldn't stop staring at it. It was so beautiful! I felt so proud,

like these were my little babies. Like how I felt when my children came

out....wow, look what I did! I unmolded it this morning, and I can see

that it looks a bit....what's the word....airy? Like there might be " air "

in it? Not big bubbles of air, just maybe a slight foamy appearance? I

dunno, can't describe it. So, what did I do wrong? ....do you think?

Stirred too long? Can't even call it stirred, cuz that stick blender

goes so fast it just whizzes around. My recipe was water, lye, olive

oil, coconut oil, and palm oil.

 

But, you know what? I love it, warts and all. It's one of the most

beautiful things I've ever seen. I love the creamy color, and I can't WAIT

to use it. I can't believe I have to wait 6 to 8 weeks before I can use

it!?!?!?!!! Brother, that's going to be hard. And where do you all

put it to cure? The book says a warm, well-ventilated place. Closets

out, no ventilation. I can't have stuff all over the counters because we

are trying to sell the house right now. Maybe on top of the cupboards in

the laundry room. Should I cover it? So it doesn't get dust on it?

8 weeks??? for real???

 

I'm so proud, I'm so proud, seriously, I feel like I just had a baby! I

created something!!! And it has taken me 3 years to reach this point

of confidence to actually do it. What fun! I can see why you all say you

get addicted after that first batch. And now I want to share it! Want to

sell it! Want to try other recipes, add herbs, colorants, other goodies.

I've created a monster!! There's worse addictions, right?

 

Thank you, all, for your support, and for reading my babble.

 

 

 

Christy

BOTANICAL AROMATICS

My Company in the Making

 

_______________

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[Guest guest]

Yea!!!!! Congratulations proud Mama!!!!! You did great! The first time I

made it I used a bad set up with a fruit juice jar and lid with holes

punched in it for the lye. I had lye running down my arm! and burned a hole

in the linoleum floor and me! That was long before I was on the internet to

get advice....I was going from books. It sounds like maybe you mixed a

little too long. You did just right with alternating stirring and blending.

You'll get a better feel for when you need to stop and add the essential

oil...I think you just went a little too long and it thickened up a little

too much. You should be able to pour it into the mold so that you have a

smooth flat top. But your should be just fine. I have had to just about

sit on the lids to get the tops flat sometimes because my soap got too hard

too fast. I find that my soap is OK to use in three weeks but it won't last

long at all because there will be too much water in it. I can see you are

doing the happy soapmaker's dance!!! Does my heart good! Not sure about

the foamy appearance. I like to put the stick blender in at an angle so

that I'm not bringing air into the mixture by putting it in straight down.

Could be you mixed a little air in. Not sure.

Peggy

The Lowell McNaughton Soap Co.

" Soap, is a lot like faith. It doesn't

reach its full potential, until you use it. "

Peggy Lowell peggy

www.splendidsoap.com

 

 

> I did it!! I did it!! I did it!! And I didn't blow up the house!!

> We're all still here, alive and well. It went surprisingly smooth. I

> weighed out the oils, no problem. Weighed out the water, no problem.

> Then got to THAT LYE. I had that Red Devil package way up high in a

> cupboard in the laundry room, stood staring up at it, like it was a

ticking

> time bomb. All that I had read about it really had me spooked!

> Opened it up and peeked in...looked harmless. Little white crystals.

> I decided to mix it up in the garage.

>

> Put my glass container on the floor, started stirring with my heavy-duty

> wooden spoon, then sloooooooowwwwwwwwwwwly added the lye. Wow!

could

> feel the heat rising up. My spoon has a long handle, so I just stood

back

> to avoid the fumes. Ok, done, all mixed up, let that stand in the

garage

> for a bit to dissipate fumes.

>

> The fats melted and heated up quickly, and my lye mix was still too hot.

> I used my thermometers, and was grateful to have them, at least for now,

> being so inexperienced. Lye would not cool down, so I was forced to

> put it in a water bath, and eventually had to add ice to the water bath.

> Finally got it down to 100 F.

>

> Oh boy, now comes the part I was waiting for....sopanification!!!!

> Started stirring with my handy-dandy stick blender and slowly drizzled in

> the lye mix. You didn't tell me little bits of the mixture would

start

> splashing up on my arms!!!! I chose not to wear gloves, because it

just

> interferred with my touch sensation too much. And being in Phoenix,

> where it is over 100 degrees in the shade right now, I had on a tiny

little

> tank top. Didn't think about putting on a long-sleeved shirt (or lab

> coat!!!).

>

> I couldn't tell if it was the temperature of the mixture that was smarting

a

> bit...or the unsopanified lye. So I stopped mixing and splashed some

> vinegar on my arms, just in case. I now smell like a pickle! Good

thing

> I like pickles!

>

> Ok, back to mixing/stirring. I would pulse with the blender for a few

> seconds, then stop and stir. It traced quickly. At least, I *think*

it

> traced. It was beautiful, just beautiful looking at it, creamy

white,

> smooth. Looked good enough to eat. But once it thickened, it was

> pretty thick. Like pudding. Looked exactly like pudding consistency.

> So still not sure about this tracing thing. There was no

" drizzle "

> off the mixer. Mmmm.....what did I do wrong? Stirred too long??

>

> Ok, time to add my lavender eo. I stir that in quickly and proceed to

> pour into my mold. I had one tray mold that was scored into 8 rectangle

> shaped bars, but knew I would have extra, as the recipe was for 40 oz.

> So had another mold with individual rectangle shapes to pour the excess

> into.

>

> It didn't " pour " like a liquid, and I had to smooth the top as best I

could,

> as it was like spreading frosting on a cake. And that's how it hardened.

> The bottom of the soap will have an appearance like frosting on a cake.

> Hmmm...not sure I like that. Oh well, it will have a more " homemade "

look,

> right??

>

> I couldn't stop staring at it. It was so beautiful! I felt so proud,

> like these were my little babies. Like how I felt when my children came

> out....wow, look what I did! I unmolded it this morning, and I can

see

> that it looks a bit....what's the word....airy? Like there might be

" air "

> in it? Not big bubbles of air, just maybe a slight foamy appearance?

I

> dunno, can't describe it. So, what did I do wrong? ....do you think?

> Stirred too long? Can't even call it stirred, cuz that stick blender

> goes so fast it just whizzes around. My recipe was water, lye, olive

> oil, coconut oil, and palm oil.

>

> But, you know what? I love it, warts and all. It's one of the most

> beautiful things I've ever seen. I love the creamy color, and I can't

WAIT

> to use it. I can't believe I have to wait 6 to 8 weeks before I can

use

> it!?!?!?!!! Brother, that's going to be hard. And where do you all

> put it to cure? The book says a warm, well-ventilated place.

Closets

> out, no ventilation. I can't have stuff all over the counters because we

> are trying to sell the house right now. Maybe on top of the cupboards

in

> the laundry room. Should I cover it? So it doesn't get dust on it?

> 8 weeks??? for real???

>

> I'm so proud, I'm so proud, seriously, I feel like I just had a baby! I

> created something!!! And it has taken me 3 years to reach this point

> of confidence to actually do it. What fun! I can see why you all say

you

> get addicted after that first batch. And now I want to share it! Want

to

> sell it! Want to try other recipes, add herbs, colorants, other goodies.

> I've created a monster!! There's worse addictions, right?

>

> Thank you, all, for your support, and for reading my babble.

>

>

>

> Christy

> BOTANICAL AROMATICS

> My Company in the Making

>

[Guest guest]

LOL... Good for you...I could actually see it every step of the way..

Carol

-

" Christy Greenway " <fufuno1

<Oils_Herbs_Etc >

Saturday, June 26, 2004 1:31 PM

I made my first batch of soap!!!!!!

 

 

> I did it!! I did it!! I did it!! And I didn't blow up the house!!

> We're all still here, alive and well. It went surprisingly smooth. I

> weighed out the oils, no problem. Weighed out the water, no problem.

> Then got to THAT LYE. I had that Red Devil package way up high in a

> cupboard in the laundry room, stood staring up at it, like it was a

ticking

> time bomb. All that I had read about it really had me spooked!

> Opened it up and peeked in...looked harmless. Little white crystals.

> I decided to mix it up in the garage.

>

> Put my glass container on the floor, started stirring with my heavy-duty

> wooden spoon, then sloooooooowwwwwwwwwwwly added the lye. Wow!

could

> feel the heat rising up. My spoon has a long handle, so I just stood

back

> to avoid the fumes. Ok, done, all mixed up, let that stand in the

garage

> for a bit to dissipate fumes.

>

> The fats melted and heated up quickly, and my lye mix was still too hot.

> I used my thermometers, and was grateful to have them, at least for now,

> being so inexperienced. Lye would not cool down, so I was forced to

> put it in a water bath, and eventually had to add ice to the water bath.

> Finally got it down to 100 F.

>

> Oh boy, now comes the part I was waiting for....sopanification!!!!

> Started stirring with my handy-dandy stick blender and slowly drizzled in

> the lye mix. You didn't tell me little bits of the mixture would

start

> splashing up on my arms!!!! I chose not to wear gloves, because it

just

> interferred with my touch sensation too much. And being in Phoenix,

> where it is over 100 degrees in the shade right now, I had on a tiny

little

> tank top. Didn't think about putting on a long-sleeved shirt (or lab

> coat!!!).

>

> I couldn't tell if it was the temperature of the mixture that was smarting

a

> bit...or the unsopanified lye. So I stopped mixing and splashed some

> vinegar on my arms, just in case. I now smell like a pickle! Good

thing

> I like pickles!

>

> Ok, back to mixing/stirring. I would pulse with the blender for a few

> seconds, then stop and stir. It traced quickly. At least, I *think*

it

> traced. It was beautiful, just beautiful looking at it, creamy

white,

> smooth. Looked good enough to eat. But once it thickened, it was

> pretty thick. Like pudding. Looked exactly like pudding consistency.

> So still not sure about this tracing thing. There was no

" drizzle "

> off the mixer. Mmmm.....what did I do wrong? Stirred too long??

>

> Ok, time to add my lavender eo. I stir that in quickly and proceed to

> pour into my mold. I had one tray mold that was scored into 8 rectangle

> shaped bars, but knew I would have extra, as the recipe was for 40 oz.

> So had another mold with individual rectangle shapes to pour the excess

> into.

>

> It didn't " pour " like a liquid, and I had to smooth the top as best I

could,

> as it was like spreading frosting on a cake. And that's how it hardened.

> The bottom of the soap will have an appearance like frosting on a cake.

> Hmmm...not sure I like that. Oh well, it will have a more " homemade "

look,

> right??

>

> I couldn't stop staring at it. It was so beautiful! I felt so proud,

> like these were my little babies. Like how I felt when my children came

> out....wow, look what I did! I unmolded it this morning, and I can

see

> that it looks a bit....what's the word....airy? Like there might be

" air "

> in it? Not big bubbles of air, just maybe a slight foamy appearance?

I

> dunno, can't describe it. So, what did I do wrong? ....do you think?

> Stirred too long? Can't even call it stirred, cuz that stick blender

> goes so fast it just whizzes around. My recipe was water, lye, olive

> oil, coconut oil, and palm oil.

>

> But, you know what? I love it, warts and all. It's one of the most

> beautiful things I've ever seen. I love the creamy color, and I can't

WAIT

> to use it. I can't believe I have to wait 6 to 8 weeks before I can

use

> it!?!?!?!!! Brother, that's going to be hard. And where do you all

> put it to cure? The book says a warm, well-ventilated place.

Closets

> out, no ventilation. I can't have stuff all over the counters because we

> are trying to sell the house right now. Maybe on top of the cupboards

in

> the laundry room. Should I cover it? So it doesn't get dust on it?

> 8 weeks??? for real???

>

> I'm so proud, I'm so proud, seriously, I feel like I just had a baby! I

> created something!!! And it has taken me 3 years to reach this point

> of confidence to actually do it. What fun! I can see why you all say

you

> get addicted after that first batch. And now I want to share it! Want

to

> sell it! Want to try other recipes, add herbs, colorants, other goodies.

> I've created a monster!! There's worse addictions, right?

>

> Thank you, all, for your support, and for reading my babble.

>

>

>

> Christy

> BOTANICAL AROMATICS

> My Company in the Making

>

> _______________

> FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now!

> http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/

>

>

>

>

> Step By Step Instructions On Making Rose Petal Preserves:

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>

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/join

>

[Guest guest]

Peggy wrote:

>>>> Not sure about

> the foamy appearance. I like to put the stick blender in at an

angle so

> that I'm not bringing air into the mixture by putting it in

straight down.

> Could be you mixed a little air in. Not sure.<<<<<<

 

That's the description I was looking for! It looks like I mixed

too much air into it. But I felt like I had to keep the stick

blender down in the mix to keep it from splatering bits of the soap

up at me.

 

And I read about using an old glass jar with holes poked in the lid

for the lye and thought right away that's for the birds! Was the

burn on your arm bad? I mean, did it leave a scar, or red mark, or

anything like that?

 

Well, all in all, it turned out great. No injuries, and it just

looks so gosh darn pretty! And I've learned quite a bit, just from

doing this first batch. Like, I'm already thinking ahead to the

next time and things I will do differently. I really, really

can't wait to try a goats milk soap with shea butter added.

Anything special I should know substituting milk for water? I've

plugged in a recipe at The Sage's Lye calculator, but all it

recommends is " 10-15 oz " liquid for the amount of fats I typed in.

I'm like, ok, which is it? 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 oz? I mean,

that's a big spread!

 

thanks for your feedback!

Christy, the new " soaper "

Yea, I'm officially a soaper now!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Christie:

 

Put the stick blender in at an angle and then put it upright. You should not be

blending at an angle or you will get splatters. Angle it when you put it in and

then set it upright to start blending. Yes, you do want the end of the stick

blender completely submerged and upright. Does that make sense??? I always

use just a tad more than the low end of the water recommendation at the Sage.

Peggy

Lowell McNaughton Soap Co.

" Soap, is a lot like faith. It doesn't

reach its full potential, until you use it. "

Peggy Lowell

1-715-426-0261

peggy

www.splendidsoap.com

 

Peggy

That's the description I was looking for! It looks like I mixed

too much air into it. But I felt like I had to keep the stick

blender down in the mix to keep it from splatering bits of the soap

up at me.

 

And I read about using an old glass jar with holes poked in the lid

for the lye and thought right away that's for the birds! Was the

burn on your arm bad? I mean, did it leave a scar, or red mark, or

anything like that?

 

Well, all in all, it turned out great. No injuries, and it just

looks so gosh darn pretty! And I've learned quite a bit, just from

doing this first batch. Like, I'm already thinking ahead to the

next time and things I will do differently. I really, really

can't wait to try a goats milk soap with shea butter added.

Anything special I should know substituting milk for water? I've

plugged in a recipe at The Sage's Lye calculator, but all it

recommends is " 10-15 oz " liquid for the amount of fats I typed in.

I'm like, ok, which is it? 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 oz? I mean,

that's a big spread!

 

thanks for your feedback!

Christy, the new " soaper "

Yea, I'm officially a soaper now!!

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Christy,

What delightful babble, I felt as if I was right there with you

Thank you for sharing your experience and keep it up..

C-M