@FragranceGuy I'll comment here on soaping with lard. I would have never thought to do it b/c I learned from the Soap Queen and was lured in to buying all of the exotic butters and oils in the recipes in her books. It wasn't until joining this forum and reading about lard soaps that I decided...
Maybe they are behind due to the holiday - and they are on the other side of the country in Washington and possibly the busiest soap supplier--- but I hear ya. This isn't the first time I have seen complaints like this either. I don't even order from them anymore because their shipping costs...
I have been there!!! I tried to do that lazy susan thing too and was only sort of successful after the third batch. I don't even want to think about my first one it was hideous and I cried! Way too advanced for the newbie I was at the time. I think soaping on the cooler side, using a well...
Hey there math ace. I have never tried it with M&P. But I do know that mica is beautiful inside the M&P soap itself :)
I googled this question though and found a couple of links for you to get started.
http://www.thumbprintsoap.com/create-mica-swirls-on-top-of-glycerin-soap-bars/...
I think that adding things like purees, herbs etc only add to the aesthetic value- they don't make a difference in the soap for the most part. Purees can work well but I'd google that or search this forum for how to successfully use them. I have seen beautiful soaps made with ground herbs, but...
Thank you! I find that micas are best to get that 'glittery' look on the top. Mica is almost always mixed with a lightweight oil and drizzled on the top of the soap. Then, a chopstick or skewer is used to swirl in the mica. If you search Google for "how to swirl micas in soap" or something...
Yes, for sure. Curing is super important for a few reasons. That is interesting though - about the melting bars. I wonder - are you are using a soap dish that allows the CP soap to dry between your showers? Our CP soap lasts for a a few weeks.
Thanks all. Relle, I used Rustic Escentual's White Linen - totally opposite of this design so I'm not sure that helps ;) After I cut it, I kept thinking of art deco colors.