I watched your video and LOVED it. I haven't gotten into watching all the soaping videos that are out there (only watched Patti Flynn once or twice cutting with those glorious cutters she has...) as I don't want to spend MORE time on the computer than I already do blogging and emailing!!! But, you may have just gotten me addicted... a couple of things I notice we do differently. I noticed you do not seem to worry at all about temperatures. I am forever checking the temperature of my lye mix and oils and trying to get them the same. Another thing. I usually gradually pour the lye in so that the temps go up slowly. Then gradually pour the lye mix into the oils. Looking at you and your gorgeous looking soaps, maybe what I am doing is not necessary? Your way just looks easier and less time consuming. Do you worry at all about Temperatures? Do you think it affects the final bar? Also, I have been challenged with oatmeal. It usually gets rough and exfoliating in my bars. I tried blending it with milk once and it was not scratchy but bumpy. What the heck was that oatmeal goop that you poured in? I would love to find a way, like you, of adding the properties of oatmeal to a soap but without bumpy or scratchy. Thank you!!!!! xo Jen
Hi Jen! Aww thanks for the sweet comments. Lots to say here:
First - I don't know how long you've been soaping so forgive me if I oversimplify for you. As you get experience with soaping, you realize that all the hubbub over temperatures is really not necessary. I soap at room temperature. It's just easier for me. As you go along you get a feel for what's cool enough without thermometers etc. I soap with frozen liquid so, by default, it's instantly room temp right after melting. No fuss no muss. :)
I also find the adding the lye painstakingly slooooooowly is pointless too.....for me. My batch sizes are always the same, my liquid (goat milk, almost always - or gm with some carrots, for instance)amounts are always the same, and I really dont have any trouble at all just dumping it all in there. I've done both and dumping works just as efficiently. It doesn't affect the final bar in the least. I do take care to make sure it's dissolved completely. Now if you're working with milks and they aren't frozen solid, you risk burn more that way (say with slushie but not frozen milk) which is why you see more soapers adding a little at a time. Many dont freeze solid. I'm a milk soaper. I don't use water as my liquid. With water, you can mix with your lye and walk away for an hour....or throw it in the fridge for a bit. As long as your hand doesnt feel warm on the pot, you're good to go. :)
As for the oatmeal. I used colloidal. Same thing you use for poison ivy. I premix it it with a little water or oil to get the lumps (AHA!) out. :) You can also use baby oatmeal - that doesnt scratch either. :) Regular oatmeal is just to scratchy unless you grind it to a powder, maybe. I mix it with a little of my liquid beforehand just because it ensures that the little powder pockets are all mixed well and you dont have to spend forever trying to mix it into your soap.
I hope I've answered your questions! :) Great to "meet" other soapers! Glad I can help. :)
I watched your video and LOVED it. I haven't gotten into watching all the soaping videos that are out there (only watched Patti Flynn once or twice cutting with those glorious cutters she has...) as I don't want to spend MORE time on the computer than I already do blogging and emailing!!! But, you may have just gotten me addicted... a couple of things I notice we do differently. I noticed you do not seem to worry at all about temperatures. I am forever checking the temperature of my lye mix and oils and trying to get them the same. Another thing. I usually gradually pour the lye in so that the temps go up slowly. Then gradually pour the lye mix into the oils. Looking at you and your gorgeous looking soaps, maybe what I am doing is not necessary? Your way just looks easier and less time consuming. Do you worry at all about Temperatures? Do you think it affects the final bar? Also, I have been challenged with oatmeal. It usually gets rough and exfoliating in my bars. I tried blending it with milk once and it was not scratchy but bumpy. What the heck was that oatmeal goop that you poured in? I would love to find a way, like you, of adding the properties of oatmeal to a soap but without bumpy or scratchy. Thank you!!!!! xo Jen
ReplyDeleteHi Jen! Aww thanks for the sweet comments. Lots to say here:
ReplyDeleteFirst - I don't know how long you've been soaping so forgive me if I oversimplify for you. As you get experience with soaping, you realize that all the hubbub over temperatures is really not necessary. I soap at room temperature. It's just easier for me. As you go along you get a feel for what's cool enough without thermometers etc. I soap with frozen liquid so, by default, it's instantly room temp right after melting. No fuss no muss. :)
I also find the adding the lye painstakingly slooooooowly is pointless too.....for me. My batch sizes are always the same, my liquid (goat milk, almost always - or gm with some carrots, for instance)amounts are always the same, and I really dont have any trouble at all just dumping it all in there. I've done both and dumping works just as efficiently. It doesn't affect the final bar in the least. I do take care to make sure it's dissolved completely. Now if you're working with milks and they aren't frozen solid, you risk burn more that way (say with slushie but not frozen milk) which is why you see more soapers adding a little at a time. Many dont freeze solid. I'm a milk soaper. I don't use water as my liquid. With water, you can mix with your lye and walk away for an hour....or throw it in the fridge for a bit. As long as your hand doesnt feel warm on the pot, you're good to go. :)
As for the oatmeal. I used colloidal. Same thing you use for poison ivy. I premix it it with a little water or oil to get the lumps (AHA!) out. :) You can also use baby oatmeal - that doesnt scratch either. :) Regular oatmeal is just to scratchy unless you grind it to a powder, maybe. I mix it with a little of my liquid beforehand just because it ensures that the little powder pockets are all mixed well and you dont have to spend forever trying to mix it into your soap.
I hope I've answered your questions! :) Great to "meet" other soapers! Glad I can help.
:)
You are too funny. I loved it and it just goes to show that we all get a little clumsy now and again in the soap kitchen.
ReplyDeleteLots of good info you provided in your previous comment. :)
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