Decorative Cold Process Embeds with Powdered Colorant Swirled tops

I really love to embed soap within soap as you have much more control over the outcome of a specific look you are going for.  Here I have embedded thin (1/4") sliced logs of cold process soap into a full log of soap.  You get nicely defined decorative elements that are showcased when embedded in a larger loaf of soap.  You can also so this using individual molds, but must make sure that the embed is not completely buried by the surrounding soap.

The above two soaps were created using a two step process.  First the embeds were made by using an "In The Pot" swirling technique then poured into my 15" silicone log mold - unscented.  I did not fill the whole mold, but instead formulated to fill it about 2/3 full.  Allowed that to sit for 24 hours to set before removing it from the mold.  After 24 hours (this time is dependent on your formulation - mine sets up pretty firm after 24 hours), it is removed from the mold and sliced into 6 long pieces lengthwise.

Glycerin Method Liquid Castile (100% Olive Oil) Soap Tutorial

The glycerin method for making liquid soap is quite popular as the main benefit is how it greatly reduces the time it takes to make your soap paste.  Glycerin in place of water speeds up the entire process which is very appealing to many soapmakers.  Making liquid soap using distilled water as your liquid can be very time consuming especially when working with formulas high in olive oil. These formulations high in olive oil take a very long time to trace (up to an hour for me) causing overheating of stick blenders, arm fatigue and so on.  The first time I made a 100% olive oil liquid soap, I was quite surprised (and frustrated) with how long it took.

Here is where using glycerin in place of water will be beneficial.   My 100% olive oil liquid soap using all glycerin instead of water to dissolve my KOH takes 2 1/2 hours from start to finish (not including diluting the paste).  This includes the time it took to measure out and prepare my ingredients and equipment.

So, let's get started...................... Please read through everything first before attempting this.

New Stained Glass Soap

I was itching to try something new and challenging in the world of soapmaking and decided to combine some clear glycerin melt and pour in bright colors and cold process in a way I had not done before.  I cal this soap my "Stained Glass Soap" for how the glycerin embeds are translucent enough to give the impression of stained glass windows.  I am so thrilled with how this soap came out.   The embeds were created from SFIC clear glycerin soap colored with non-bleeding colorants from Brambleberry and embedded in a basic 4 oil cold process formula.  All put together in to a 15" long log mold.  Scented with lemongrass & sage fragrance from Elements Bath and Body and finished off with a dusting of multi-colored jojoba beads.

This soap took quite a while to create but it was well worth it.  I have another loaf the the multi-colored glycerin soap and will be making another one of these in a different scent.  Thinking about a tutorial for this one too......

You can see how the light shines through in this pic that is sitting on the window ledge.

~ Faith

Resources:

SFIC Clear Glycerin Soap Base: Brambleberry

Lemongrass & Sage Fragrance: Elements Bath and Body

Non-Bleeding Colorants: Brambleberry

Copyright 2006 - 2014 Alaiyna B. Designs.  All rights reserved.  All text and images are the property of Alaiyna B. Designs.  No part of this document or webpage may be reproduced by any means without prior written consent of Alaiyna B. Designs.

Black Raspberry Vanilla Soap using a new design technique.

I just love how this new soap turned out.  Layers of ivory, black and two shades of mauve to match the lovely Black Raspberry Vanilla Fragrance Oil from Brambleberry.  

To get this design, just place a solid piece of wood, a book - just about anything underneath the edge of one side of your log mold to angle the mold.  Separate your soap into as many colors as you would like while it is still fluid (homogenized but not beyond a very, very thin trace).  Scent and color each one.  Pour the first color down the side of the angled mold, then the next color on top of the first and so on.  Keep adding colors until the mold is filled (leave a bit of soap to finish off and decorate the top).  Remove the item you placed under the one side of the mold.  Tap the mold on the table to remove any air bubbles.  Add any remaining soap to the top and swirl the top colors for a finished look.

Next time I will do this soap in various shades of yellow as it almost looks like an abstract sunshine!

You want you soap somewhat fluid, but not too fluid that the colors swirl together when pouring them into the mold.

~ Faith

Alaiyna B. Bath and Body