Jennfromoz
Well-Known Member
So this is my first batch ever. I guess it's not too bad for a beginner. As I said in a previous thread, the soap mixture jellied too quickly after I added the lye water. I think it was a combination of adding the lye too quickly when it was still too hot and pulsing with the stick blender too much.
Firstly I added the fragrance then separated 3 cups and coloured them while they were thickening. I really wanted to make those pretty swirls. I put the soap in the mould and plopped the coloured soap on top and swirled. I could have swirled more, but I was afraid of the colours mixing together.
Next time I'll make alot less, maybe 500g, and I will use palm oil instead of Lard. I just have to find somewhere that sells it in Australia. I will definitely have to get a thermometer. I could have sworn I had a candy thermometer, but couldn't find it anywhere.
The one thing I would like to know is, how do I slow down the jelling so that I have plenty of time to work with the designs? I am a very creative person and really want to make pretty soap. I saw one person on YouTube put the lye into iced water. Would that help?
I also just want to thank everyone for all the valuable advice you've been giving me. I feel like I have a little online community.
Firstly I added the fragrance then separated 3 cups and coloured them while they were thickening. I really wanted to make those pretty swirls. I put the soap in the mould and plopped the coloured soap on top and swirled. I could have swirled more, but I was afraid of the colours mixing together.
Next time I'll make alot less, maybe 500g, and I will use palm oil instead of Lard. I just have to find somewhere that sells it in Australia. I will definitely have to get a thermometer. I could have sworn I had a candy thermometer, but couldn't find it anywhere.
The one thing I would like to know is, how do I slow down the jelling so that I have plenty of time to work with the designs? I am a very creative person and really want to make pretty soap. I saw one person on YouTube put the lye into iced water. Would that help?
I also just want to thank everyone for all the valuable advice you've been giving me. I feel like I have a little online community.