TGQ "Just for FUN"

[Soapmistress]

Good Morning Gentlemen,

I hope everyone had a joyous and Happy New Year! Now I'm one of those folks who like to look back on the past year and think about where I'd like to see things improve in my life.....not just in business, but "me" as a person. One thing I decided right off the bat is that I do not spend enough "fun" time over here.

And while in the end this is about soap.....but I thought it might be interesting for you to see the process. OK.....I see I can only upload five photographs at a time, so we'll do this in segments....like a mini series

First let me say that I no longer make soap from my home basement, after 4 years the business had taken over our home, and when the little house next door came up for sale, my sweet Husband made the downpayment ( cuz he was tired at looking at our home decor of Black and Decker shelving )

These pictures are from the "Little House" which is right next door. And I love it! I can walk right over with my cup of coffee, and its nice and quiet...and far more organzied than how it was here at our home.

Photograph One:

• These are the wooden molds I use to pour the soap into. Each has a lid and after the soap is poured a lid is placed on top and then the molds go under an insulating blanket for 24 to 48 hours.

Photograph Two:

• Gathering up all the supplies to make my lye solution

Photograph Three:

• Melting the oils on the stovetop under gentle heat. My preferred formula is soybean oil, food grade A Olive oil, Coconut oil, Castor and Palm oil.

Photograph Four:

• Mixing the lye INTO the distilled water "and NEVER the other way around"....the solution becomes immediately hot....up to the boiling point, but doesn't boil which is kinda cool, if you look close you can see the condensation from the heat on the glass. When first mixed I have on goggles, and rubber gloves because the lye solution is caustic and gives a nasty burn, especially if it gets on your face

Photograph Five:

Because my method of soapmaking is known as "Cold Process" the oils are heated under gentle heat ( no smoking oil here! ) just until melted. Then that boiling hot lye solution is placed into a cold water bath to lower the temperature down to my preferred range.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask or make any comments.


Soapmistress