Really Bad Soap

 Because not every batch can be a good one!

The night before last I made a batch of soap and just knew something wasn’t right. It didn’t gel properly and the seizure it had was truly something to behold.  This is from a tried- and- true recipe, but the fragrance oil was new. It was bad, but I was hoping to save it.

So, today I decided a rebatch was in order. I cut up the soap, threw it in the soap pot and tossed it back in the oven.

Once it melted down, I went ahead and added in a bit more FO. Hurm. That’s not pleasant. What would cover up that smell? Maybe I can save it and just use it around the house, so let’s try this. Nope. How about this? Naw…I know! This one.

Great- now to slosh it into the molds and I’m done.

Ah, the trials and tribulations of being a soap maker.

I’m proud to introduce you to my newest creation…

Looks like .. uhm .. like spoiled rocky road ice cream. And the scent?

Dead on for flea shampoo.

Current Score

Soap Gremlins: 1

Natural Magic Soaps: 0

Science In Action

My daughter, a 5th grade student, has decided on her science project-

Saponification Experimentation: The Effect Of Soap On Our Environment

Her project basis is simple; she’s taken four liriope plants and is watering each with a ’special’ water.

Even though the project has just begun, I thought I would share it with you since the results so far were surprising, even to me!

She started the process by grating up two seperate bars of soap, a Dove white bar and a bar of Natural Magic Soaps Goat’s Milk soap.

The soap shreds were then weighed and added to distilled water. Each bottle was shaken the same number of times to help the soap dissolve.

We were all quite surprised at this point to see what happened to the water:

She also gathered up a jug of unfiltered well water and a bottle of purified spring water. These two bottles will be used as well, to create her ‘control’ group.

 

The water with the Dove soap in it is so cloudy that Samantha says she feels sorry for the ‘Dove’ plant; it looks like it’s being watered with milk.

Since she’s on day two of the experiment, there aren’t many results to share just yet. However, as her research comes in, I’ll be sure to update!

The New York Times

I was interviewed by the NY Times for an article that is in today’s Sunday magazine. You can also read it online!

The article mentions Natural Magic Soaps, Craft Revolution and the Indie Friendly Directory!

Read it online here: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/03/magazine/03wwln_consumed.html

On The Drying Rack…

On The Drying Rack

I started by infusing some freshly harvested Tuscan Blue Rosemary into a base of Sweet Almond Oil. As it slowly simmered behind me, the aroma began to change my mind. Originally planned as Rosemary Mint, the oil was just too good on its own to dilute with peppermint. The aromatic oil even held its scent throughout the mixing process! I finished it off with a gentle swirl of French Green Clay.

The result:

Tuscan Blue Rosemary Soap that smells good enough to eat.

In the Soap Pot

Today I’m working on that Hot Apple Pie. I think I’ll use some of my organic tangerine essence honey to give it a bit of color.

Deals

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Custom Soap Molds = Discounted Soap For You!

My dad took the time to make me some custom soap molds. Here’s a peek at one of them:

This weekend I got to try my first batch in the new mold. Sadly, I didn’t quite calculate the mold volume correctly, which resulted in some irregular bars. The recipe has been adjusted accordingly, but now I have a batch of wonderful Tequila Sunrise soaps which is smaller than my normal bars. Here they are in all their short but colorful glory:

The base is a Soy/Coconut/Sweet Almond blend that I love and the scent! It is absolutely amazing! It’s a blend of citrus and honeysuckle with just a hint of musk that smells like a summer day.

As much as I hate to part with them, when these little beauties are all cured and ready to ship, they’ll be available on the web site for only $4.00 per bar!

In the meantime, I have some freshly harvested Tuscan Blue Rosemary infusing in a bath of Sweet Almond Oil in preparation for tonight’s soap: Rosemary Mint. Then, on to the Pina Colada and the Hot Apple Pie (winner of the ‘pick the scent’ contest!)

In The Soap Pot

This weekend my soap pot is going to be so busy it might just have smoke coming off of it! Stay tuned over the next few weeks as these soaps make their debut!

Tequila Sunrise
Pina Colada
Frosted Cranberries
Jeweled Citrus
Chocolate Mint

There is only one problem- I can’t decide on the final soap. So, I thought I would let YOU decide! Which should it be? Here are the choices:

• Hot Apple Pie
• Vanilla Dreams
• Butter Cream Frosting
• Tranquil Waters
• Coconut Lime Verbena
• Willow Whispers
• Water Blossom & Ivy
• Blackberry Tea
• Coconut Lemongrass
• Hazelnut Cream
• Southern Breeze
• Grapefruit & Jasmine
• Raspberry Sorbet
• Cucumber Coconut
• Garden Bouquet

Rest assured, the others WILL make it to the product line; however, the one with the most votes will be up first! Hit ‘reply’ and cast your vote today!

And just a reminder- ALWAYS free shipping on orders over $25! So shop now!