soap

My soap has separation (the oils/fats haven’t made friends with the lye). The trouble-shooting section of The Soapmaker’s Companion points to a few things. I’m guessing that I stirred the batch insufficiently, because my other factors seemed correct. I was scared to stir any more briskly, because the liquid soap was so close to the top of my bowl. Maybe hand stir it in a bigger bowl next time?

I’m disappointed.

But, when I try again and it works out (eventually), I’ll have a handy soap-slicing guide (made by B).

Botched batch

Made in the kitchen, in the morning, while wearing pajamas and bathrobe under an apron.

Here’s the soap, all tucked in.

As I mentioned, I took a class. That was great for a visual representation, but I needed some additional step-by-step help. So far, I have found these two books helpful:

1) Soapmaker’s Companion: A Comprehensive Guide with Recipes, Techniques & Know-How by Susan Miller Cavitch. This is, as-yet, a book on loan from the library. I am considering buying it.

2) Country Living Crafting Soap at Home by Mike Hulbert. This was a gift from my sister, years ago, who said soapmaking seemed like something I’d try. She turned out to be right.

I still have a few questions (what’s the safest way to clean the pot that held lye, even if I don’t intend to use it for food again?), but these books have set me in the right direction.

I’m excited to see how (if!?) this first batch turned out. Here’s a promise for a full report, even if it’s less-than-stellar.

Around five years ago I ran across a soap/lotion booth at Alpenfest in Joseph, Oregon. The products were amazing.

Fast-forward to three years ago, when we moved to Spokane. The soap-maker lives here, and sells her products locally. Could anything be better?

Well, yes, she could teach a class. For the last two nights, I have been at that class. And yes, I do feel rather fortunate.

To be fair, the soap above was not technically made by me (one of our instructors did the mixing, we did our own stirring and chose the scent…mine is orange almond).

I suspect soap-making is another situation where the process and the product are both rather lovely (like baking, sewing, gardening).

Today I feel that mixture of giddiness and trepidation that happens at the start of any new experiment. First, though, I have to find-and-purchase a kitchen scale. Wish me luck.

(And while you’re thinking about hand-made soap, click over to Amisha’s Etsy shop. She has some swoon-worthy scents going on.)