Teach Soap

Hi everyone,

My name is Lia and this will be my very first post after lurking for weeks...lol..go me! I've never actually made any soap but I'm seriously interested and have been researching for a while. I tend to pick up a craft and do it obsessively for a month or so until I've got it out of my system then move on to another. I’m trying to hold myself back with the soaping because I know how I am with picking up and dropping crafts. Spending $50 - $100 dollars for the equipment, lye, oils and scents to do CP soap that I might have moved on from before the soaps are even ready to use sounds a little silly. Ask me how many very large storage containers of craft stuff are now stacked in the garage waiting for me to get the “itch” again!

I’ve thought about doing HP soap because I’m an impatient type of person and I want that sense of instant gratification but I want to be able to do layers and swirls and all that intricate pretty stuff! So it’s going to have to be CP for me. Anyway, I’d like to thank you all for all the great info on here and I can see this will be a great place to ask any questions that I’m sure I’ll have when I finally get to soaping.

Welcome Lia,

Im Lj, you sound like me until I started getting into making soaps. I have dabbled with sewing, machine embroidery, scrap booking, card making, baking and now soaping. Soaping seems to have stuck for me and I have been able to use my other crafting supplies when doing it so not to much is sitting in storage. Most of my baking, scrap booking, card making, and even some of my sewing supplies have come in super handy when making my soaps and making pretty packaging for them when I give them away as gifts. If I get any better at this I might even pull out the old sewing/embroidery machine and whip up a couple of cute aprons.

As for soaps have you heard of the Melt and Pour (MP) method? I found that to be a great starting point for making soaps. The initial investment to get started is fairly in expensive since you start with a base soap that has been made using the Hot Process (HP) method. At most craft stores like Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts you can find some base soap, colorants, scents, and molds to get started. Although, I must warn you the quality is not there and it is a bit pricey if you really get serious about making soaps. But nevertheless a good starting point for someone who isn't entirely sure they will like the craft or will stick with it long enough to invest in all the supplies needed to make CP or HP soaps.

You can still make layered and swirled soaps with the MP method and Anne-Marie of BrambleBerry.com has some really awesome tutorials on youtube doing exactly that with MP soap. Search "Soap Queen TV" on youtube for all her videos and some really great ideas to get started dabbling in soap crafting.

Happy Soaping,

Lj

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Lj

Hi Lia!

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Welcome!
I would start simple, til you get a few batches under your belt. HP soap still benefits from a nice cure time. Technically, it is usable after the cook, but soap gets milder and harder with a cure. There is no shortcut.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Welcome, Lia!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

Welcome aboard!