Coffee Bean and Vanilla M&P–A tutorial

A while ago I bought a book Called Soapylove and made one of her soaps for a Valentine post. I loved the soap projects so much I decided to do another one.

Last year I saw some chocolate transfer sheets and thought I should be able to use them for something soapy. I am no baker, so not knowing what to do I tried to rub the transfer onto the soap. Not a great result but it did work. It seemed like a lot of work for a mediocre result. So I put the sheet away and figured I would give it to a friend of mine who does chocolate workshops, and that was the end of it. Or so I thought. Debbie Chialtas from Soapylove creations has a really neat and easy way to use the transfer sheets.

You will need:

• A mould – I used a silicone one
• Clear Glycerine soap base – M and P. The amount is determined by how many you will make and the size of your moulds
• Spraying alcohol
• Fragrance oil – I used a Coffee bean and Vanilla combination 
• Jugs, stirrers and or spoons, transfer sheets

 

Method:

• Melt your clear base in a jug in the microwave in short bursts, making sure it is not too hot
• Prepare your transfer sheet by cutting it to fit the base of your mould
• Place the transfer in the mould, shiny side must be facing down. i.e. you will pour the soap onto the rough side. If you run your finger over the sheet it will feel slightly rough. Debbie attached her sheet to the mould with sticky tape. I did not as it is quite difficult to tape a round mould
• Add your fragrance oil to your melted, cooled soap
• Pour the soap carefully onto the transfer sheet
• Spritz the soap with rubbing alcohol to remove bubbles
• Now you wait - approximately 30 – 40 minutes, depending on how large the soap is
• Once the soap is hard  remove it carefully from the mould 

• Carefully peel back the clear layer of the transfer
• You have a pretty soap with a picture/ design on it

The transfers are printed with food colouring so I am guessing if you have multi coloured designs the colours will eventually run or bleed

 

Technorati Tags: Riverlea Soap,M&P Soap

Riverlea Soap

 

The Agony & the Ecstasy–last chance

 

		Faux Funnel pour last chance VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I am impatient and the thing I find most difficult in soap making is the waiting. Waiting for the soap to be hard enough so you can take it out the mould. I tend to make soap in the afternoon for this exact reason. I then can sleep away the waiting time and it is not so agonising.

I had a lot of fun trying this technique AGAIN. But I think this will be the last time I try it  (probably not) as I am ALWAYS disappointed with the result. It looked so beautiful while I was making it and then I cut it!

 

Riverlea Soap

Technorati Tags: Riverlea Soap,Cold process soap,Handmade soap,Faux funnel pour

Training in the Eastern Cape

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Last year I held a Melt & Pour soap making course at Just Boutique. I met a really inspiring young lady called Karen who sent a mail to all her friends about her experience at the workshop.  A friend of hers, called Lucy, contacted me and said she would love us to come and teach some rural community ladies how to make soap so they can then sell it to the surrounding game lodges. What a great idea. Lucy works for the Angus Gillis Foundation.
So I am off to Grahamstown on Wednesday for a few days of intensive soap making. This will be quite a challenge as the ladies first language is not English and chemistry knowledge will be minimal at best.
They will learn how to make Cold Process soap from scratch, re batching, Melt and Pour.

 

Riverlea Soap

Market feed back

 

Hi Odette

Just to let you know that I love your soap. I don't think I've ever been so keen to wash my hands.

I have tried many soaps in the past but found them all the same. Yours have something special. It brings a feeling of something wholesome and pure.

This might sound corny but something in your soap resonates with something deep in my soul. Maybe it's the country.

Look forward to buying lots more next time.

Be blessed,

Cesaltina

 

 

What a nice comment!

Riverlea Soap

Technorati Tags: Riverlea Soap,cold process soap,handmade soap

Making Vintage Rose soaps–Part 3

Technorati Tags: Riverlea Soap,Cold process soap

You may have seen part 1 and part 2 of this journey. It started with wanting to make round soap and it morphed into the vintage soaps. Anyway I am still on the search and I think that this is the way I will continue to make them from now on. Sometimes the simplest route is the best route! Why we try to make things harder for ourselves I have no idea… or maybe it is just me that does that..

Prepare your moulds: I used a stainless steel pipe and a plastic drain, down pipe.

 Place a sheet of plastic on the bottom/ outside of the moulds and tape it down really well.. I also put a lid inside as well to prevent any leakage..

Then: take a sheet of PVC. For those of you who don’t know what that is – it is a medium thickness, clear plastic like sheet. Roll it up and place it inside the tube. It is now lining the inside of the tube. Stick the join down with tape.

Make your soap as usual and remember to wear your safety gear – the 3 G’s – Goggles, garment & gloves.. Once you have made your soap and are at trace,pour the mixture into the moulds. Make sure they are standing securely – you don’t want them to fall over.

 

Leave the soap to gel and set and don’t be impatient like me. The soap was still warm when I tried to peel the PVC sheet off it. So it was a little sticky and left the outside of the soap a little pitted. Never mind it’s handmade and not perfect.

 

Riverlea Soap

Making Vintage Rose soaps–Part 3

Technorati Tags: Riverlea Soap,Cold process soap

You may have seen part 1 and part 2 of this journey. It started with wanting to make round soap and it morphed into the vintage soaps. Anyway I am still on the search and I think that this is the way I will continue to make them from now on. Sometimes the simplest route is the best route! Why we try to make things harder for ourselves I have no idea… or maybe it is just me that does that..

Prepare your moulds: I used a stainless steel pipe and a plastic drain, down pipe.

 Place a sheet of plastic on the bottom/ outside of the moulds and tape it down really well.. I also put a lid inside as well to prevent any leakage..

Then: take a sheet of PVC. For those of you who don’t know what that is – it is a medium thickness, clear plastic like sheet. Roll it up and place it inside the tube. It is now lining the inside of the tube. Stick the join down with tape.

Make your soap as usual and remember to wear your safety gear – the 3 G’s – Goggles, garment & gloves.. Once you have made your soap and are at trace,pour the mixture into the moulds. Make sure they are standing securely – you don’t want them to fall over.

Leave the soap to gel and set and don’t be impatient like me. The soap was still warm when I tried to peel the PVC sheet off it. So it was a little sticky and left the outside of the soap a little pitted. Never mind it’s handmade and not perfect.

 

Riverlea Soap

Support the local Dargle Market 4 March

Hi guys it  is that time again - Dargle Market

 

 

The Dargle supply/ general store is having a local market on Sunday 4 March 9-11:30am. Drive along the R103, past Midmar Dam and continue to the Dargle rd, turn left and drive until you get to the Dargle store on the left hand side.

They are hoping to make people more aware of our local areas and to support local businesses. Riverlea Soap will be there – please come and support us. You can also have a lovely lunch at Ill Postino Pizzeria

 

 

or Piggly Wiggly on the R103

 

 

 

www.riverleasoap.com