LET S GET SOAPY. A quarterly publication from Soapylove for melt & pour soap crafting.

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1 LET S GET SOAPY A quarterly publication from Soapylove for melt & pour soap crafting. Summer 2010! Vintage Juice Glass Inspiration. Fruit Soap Kabobs Make Your Own Graham Cracker Mold. UV Inhibitor Juicy Striped Soap Loaf. S More Soaps New Q&A Section. Complete Resource Directory

2 Things are really heating up, and so is the soap base for Let s Get Soapy! This issue is full of great information, perfect for summer. If you sell at craft fairs, don t miss the article about UV Inhibitor. It could save a lot of your precious inventory from sun exposure! And if you love sweets (and I know you do!), you are going to love the S Mores tutorial. Not only will you make your own graham cracker tray mold, but also realistic melted chocolate and fluffy marshmallow, all from soap! For those that are fans of vintage style, the Striped Loaf Soaps are right up your alley. Inspired by old fashioned juice glasses, they combine bright glassy color with vivid thin stripes, plus there s an inspiration board to give you lots of great color combination ideas! As usual, there is even more than I can list here, so grab a glass of lemonade and Let s Get Soapy! Happy soaping! Debbie, Soapylove 2

3 4 Tutorial: Fruity Cube Kabobs 6 Fruity Color Combinations Chart 7 Prevent Fading Color with UV Inhibitor 8 Summer Inspiration: Vintage Glassware 9 Tutorial: Juicy Striped Soaps 12 Make Your Own Graham Cracker Tray Mold 13 Tutorial: S More Soaps 15 M&P Head Scratchers New Advice Column 16 Soapylove Workshop Schedule 17 More Soapylove Publications 18 Resource Directory All content of Let s Get Soapy is copyright protected. None of the tutorials or written content can be duplicated or sold without permission. However, all soap designs are free for you to make and sell. Enjoy! 3

4 Food on a stick is as summery as it gets. Combine that with the shades of fresh fruit, and you re all set! These guest soaps on a stick make an adorable presentation in any bathroom or as a party decoration. Heck, make it a party project! With all of the fun color combinations and mouth watering fruit fragrances out there, everyone will be a happy camper.. 4

Supplies: 8 oz clear soap base, cut into rough 1 cubes Yellow Lab color or Soapylove Sunshine Yellow Neon green

rubbing alcohol Pyrex measuring cup Small mixing cup Knife and cutting board Instructions: In measuring cup,

Pour a tablespoon of soap into small mixing cup and add a few drops of green colorant. Stir well.

Pour yellow soap into cube mold until 1/8 from top.

Use stir stick to slightly marble the green soap into the yellow. Allow to harden and unmold.

5 Supplies: 8 oz clear soap base, cut into rough 1 cubes Yellow Lab color or Soapylove Sunshine Yellow Neon green non-bleeding colorant Lemon fragrance oil Silicone ice cube mold Stir stick Wooden skewers Spray bottle with rubbing alcohol Pyrex measuring cup Small mixing cup Knife and cutting board Instructions: In measuring cup, melt soap base for 30 seconds in microwave. Stir and heat for 15 seconds more if not totally melted. Pour a tablespoon of soap into small mixing cup and add a few drops of green colorant. Stir well. Add 2 drops of yellow colorant to soap base in Pyrex cup, then 1/2 teaspoon of lemon fragrance. Stir well. Pour yellow soap into cube mold until 1/8 from top. Then pour a few drops of the green soap into a corner of each cube mold. Use stir stick to slightly marble the green soap into the yellow. Allow to harden and unmold. With the cube face up, poke a skewer through the soap and slide to the top. This is a great project to use up leftover soap from other projects. The key is to use clear colors with non-bleeding opaque colors. Play around with any color combination. It s fun! 5

Fruit Getting ideas for fruity color combinations is as easy as a trip to the grocery store, but if food shopping is not on your summer agenda, then here are some suggestions to get you started.

6 Fruit Getting ideas for fruity color combinations is as easy as a trip to the grocery store, but if food shopping is not on your summer agenda, then here are some suggestions to get you started. Finding great fruity fragrances to match is lots of fun, too! Majority of color (clear FD&C color) Color accent (non-bleeding) Green apples Bright green Neon yellow Purple grapes Purple Royal blue Oranges Orange Neon orange Lemons Yellow Neon green Limes Bright green Neon green Pink Grapefruit Clear yellow Warm pink Peaches / Apricots Peach Salmon Watermelon Red Green Mango Yellow Orange Pineapple Yellow Green or orange 6

The first time I sold soaps at a craft fair I was so excited to have such a colorful display. But a few hours later, I was watching the colors vanish before my eyes!

It s a strange creamy powder and there s little talk of it online. So I got myself a jar and tried it out. Here s what I did: Before Covered The big reveal! Yikes!

Next, I dissolved a pea sized scoop of the UV Inhibitor powder in alcohol (this does not work very well, by the way. Dissolve it in your fragrance oil and it will dissolve completely and invisibly).

7 The first time I sold soaps at a craft fair I was so excited to have such a colorful display. But a few hours later, I was watching the colors vanish before my eyes! Little did I know that the sun was fading my colors. Don t let it happen to you! FD&C colorants are wonderful. Often referred to as Labcolors (which is a brand name), they are crystal clear, a snap to use, and you can create any shade under the rainbow with a few basic colors. However, they bleed when used in layers or embeds, and they are sensitive to light. There s a product available for Soapmaking called UV Inbibitor. It s a strange creamy powder and there s little talk of it online. So I got myself a jar and tried it out. Here s what I did: Before Covered The big reveal! Yikes! First I melted 8 ounces of clear soap base. I colored it all with a few drops of turquoise blue Labcolor, then I filled one mold cavity with the blue soap. Next, I dissolved a pea sized scoop of the UV Inhibitor powder in alcohol (this does not work very well, by the way. Dissolve it in your fragrance oil and it will dissolve completely and invisibly). I stirred this solution into the remaining melted soap and filled another mold cavity. I labeled my pop sticks With UV or No UV. Next I put my soaps on a plate and set them out in the sun. I covered half of the bars with construction paper and left them there for a few hours. I was shocked to see just how much the color had bleached out of the soap without the inhibitor! It was 100% colorless! You can see how effective the inhibitor is. There was no difference in color between the part in the sun and covered. I highly recommend having this useful ingredient in your soap supply box. Your soaps will thank you! 7

8 Summer Inspiration: Vintage Glassware When Summer comes around there is something so refreshing about stripes. From nautical themes to awnings, stripes seem to say get outside! These summery vintage glasses are a great source of color and design inspiration. For a list of the shops that carry these vintage glasses, check the Resource Directory on page 18. 8

Layering is one of the classic glycerin soap techniques, and in a loaf mold you can make a lot of soap in one project which is perfect for summer festivals and party favors.

9 Layering is one of the classic glycerin soap techniques, and in a loaf mold you can make a lot of soap in one project which is perfect for summer festivals and party favors. This bright and happy style combines crystal clear yellow layers with vivid primary shades. Scented with Lemon fragrance and cut into petite guest bars, these would make a very cheerful (and stylish!) little gift. 9

Supplies: Flexible loaf mold (4 lb is a good size) Clear soap base (amount depends on capacity of loaf pan.

fragrance oil (do not use essential oil since it will probably burn off) Large chef knife, cutting board, spray bottle with rubbing alcohol Microwave, rice cooker, or crock pot Pyrex measuring cups

Using a rice cooker or crock pot is a very efficient way to do this so your soap is ready when you are. You can also put the soap base into a large pot over medium-low heat on your stove.

10 Supplies: Flexible loaf mold (4 lb is a good size) Clear soap base (amount depends on capacity of loaf pan. See first step for instructions) Yellow Labcolor (or Soapylove Sunshine Yellow) Non-bleeding liquid red colorant Non-bleeding liquid blue colorant Non-bleeding bright liquid yellow colorant Lemon fragrance oil (do not use essential oil since it will probably burn off) Large chef knife, cutting board, spray bottle with rubbing alcohol Microwave, rice cooker, or crock pot Pyrex measuring cups Melt enough soap base to fill your loaf mold to 3 1/4 deep. To determine this quantity, fill mold with water to 3 1/4 deep then pour water into a large measuring cup. Using a rice cooker or crock pot is a very efficient way to do this so your soap is ready when you are. You can also put the soap base into a large pot over medium-low heat on your stove. Meanwhile, fill your mold with water to make a 1/2 deep layer. Pour this water into your measuring cup and note quantity (mine was 1/2 cup, or 4 oz). Once it is all melted, color and fragrance the soap right in your melter or pot. 1/4 teaspoon of yellow color and 2 Tablespoons of fragrance oil is a good start. Adjust to your own preference. Now pour 1/2 layer of clear yellow soap into mold. Allow to harden. Put enough hot yellow soap into the measuring cup for 1/2 layer. Stir in a few drops of bright yellow colorant (go strong since this is a thin layer in the loaf). Spray hardened soap with alcohol and pour 1/2 of this bright yellow soap into mold. Check temperature. When pouring layers, make sure your soap is never more than degrees. Allow to harden, pour 1/4 thick layer of clear yellow, allow to harden, and pour remaining bright yellow soap (always spraying with alcohol between layers!!) 10

Alternate 1/4 thick stripes, coloring with blue colorant and then red

Pull edges around the loaf until all sides are detached.

out. With a chef s knife or a soap slicer, slice off the angled ends of

11 Alternate 1/4 thick stripes, coloring with blue colorant and then red colorant. Refer to my photo to check your layers. Allow soap to harden overnight. To unmold, pull an edge away to create an air pocket in the mold. Pull edges around the loaf until all sides are detached. Now flip mold upside down and press with your entire hand until soap falls out. With a chef s knife or a soap slicer, slice off the angled ends of the loaf. Use a ruler to mark all of your bars so they are equal in width. Slice carefully. For guest sized bars, cut the angled ends off each slice, then cut in half. Voila! The cuttings make great samples for customers at fairs. They can also look and smell the soap samples instead of handling the actual bars for sale. 11

Supplies: Amazing Mold Putty Timer Smooth rolling surface Rolling pin Saran Wrap and tape Box of Graham

of 3 squares. Place a generous sheet of Saran Wrap on your work surface and tape down the corners.

Now mix! Minute 1: Mix 2 balls of putty together until no streaks remain. Use entire package.

When it s big enough, pick up entire sheet of Saran Wrap and invert putty onto crackers.

crackers will break) and tuck firmly against the sides.

12 Supplies: Amazing Mold Putty Timer Smooth rolling surface Rolling pin Saran Wrap and tape Box of Graham Crackers Prepare work area: Lay graham crackers face up to the side of your work area so you have 3 rows of 3 squares. Place a generous sheet of Saran Wrap on your work surface and tape down the corners. Set timer to 3 minutes. You have 1 minute to mix, 1 minute to roll, and 1 minute to lay over the crackers. Now mix! Minute 1: Mix 2 balls of putty together until no streaks remain. Use entire package. Minute 2: Use rolling pin to roll to approximately 1/4 thickness. It will stick to the Saran Wrap. When it s big enough, pick up entire sheet of Saran Wrap and invert putty onto crackers. Minute 3: Use your hands to firmly smooth the putty onto the crackers (don t press too hard or the crackers will break) and tuck firmly against the sides. Smooth and smooth until you feel like you ve made contact with all surfaces. Now let it cure for 30 minutes. Remove from crackers and rinse to get rid of any crumbs. You re ready to make Soapy S Mores! 12

Soapy S Mores If you love realistic dessert soaps, this is for you! Every part of this project looks like the real thing.

It s a great intermediate project that makes 9 yummy looking soaps. Have fun!

base S Mores fragrance oil Graham Cracker Tray Mold (from page 12) Hand mixer 2 Pyrex measuring cups Knife and cutting board, heat proof measuring cup Spray bottle with rubbing

13 Soapy S Mores If you love realistic dessert soaps, this is for you! Every part of this project looks like the real thing. From the melted chocolate covered crackers to the ooey gooey marshmallows, your friends will be amazed that they re soap! It s a great intermediate project that makes 9 yummy looking soaps. Have fun! Supplies: 2 lbs clear soap base Soapylove Bakery Beige colorant Liquid brown oxide colorant Liquid black oxide colorant Ground apricot seeds 2 Tablespoons unscented liquid soap base S Mores fragrance oil Graham Cracker Tray Mold (from page 12) Hand mixer 2 Pyrex measuring cups Knife and cutting board, heat proof measuring cup Spray bottle with rubbing alcohol Melt 1 1/2 cups (12 oz) of clear soap base. Stir in a few drops of Bakery Beige colorant then add brown oxide, a drop at a time, until you have a nice graham cracker color. You want the color to be very opaque so don t be shy with the colorant. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of apricot seeds and pour 1/2 of your mixture into graham cracker tray mold. Allow to harden and put aside remaining soap for later. 13

In a separate measuring cup, melt another 1 1/2 cups of clear soap base.

Stir in 1 tablespoon of fragrance oil. Allow to cool in cup until thick but pourable.

chocolate soap on top in irregular streams.

the graham crackers. Now unmold the graham crackers and cut into squares.

For the marshmallow, melt 4 oz of clear soap base.

Use a hand mixer to whip the soap until you form soft peaks.

14 In a separate measuring cup, melt another 1 1/2 cups of clear soap base. Color with brown oxide and a few drops of black to get a nice dark chocolate color. Stir in 1 tablespoon of fragrance oil. Allow to cool in cup until thick but pourable. Spray graham cracker soap (still in mold but hardened) with alcohol, and pour chocolate soap on top in irregular streams. Go back and forth creating a very lumpy layer of chocolate soap that completely covers the graham crackers. Now unmold the graham crackers and cut into squares. Repeat so you have made 2 sheets of chocolate covered graham crackers. For the marshmallow, melt 4 oz of clear soap base. Stir in 2 tablespoons of liquid soap base. Use a hand mixer to whip the soap until you form soft peaks. If it gets too stiff or dry, you can reheat it for 20 seconds and rewhip. Spray 9 crackers with alcohol and spoon marshmallow generously on each one. When all are topped, spray remaining crackers with alcohol and place on top of fluff, pressing lightly. Allow to dry overnight and wrap! 14

I asked the Soapylove Facebook Fans for their questions about glycerin soap crafting and I got a lot of great inquiries! Here are some of my favorites: Q: What's the best packing material?

I have also seen wax paper work very well. To minimize sweating, put your soaps into ziploc bags until you re ready to wrap them. Avoid anything absorbent such as paper and fabric.

15 I asked the Soapylove Facebook Fans for their questions about glycerin soap crafting and I got a lot of great inquiries! Here are some of my favorites: Q: What's the best packing material? Mine seem to sweat no matter what I use. A: For glycerin soap you need air proof and water proof wrapping. The most common materials are saran wrap and shrink wrap. I have also seen wax paper work very well. To minimize sweating, put your soaps into ziploc bags until you re ready to wrap them. Avoid anything absorbent such as paper and fabric. Q: I'm having issues getting a non-bleeding red that is RED enough, without going opaque. A: I m afraid that if you want clear red, then you need to use FD&C colorants which will bleed. My favorite red colorants (non-bleeding liquid red from Bramble Berry and Tomato Red from TKB Trading) are both opaque liquids. If you use a light hand, then you can make a translucent color but they won t be totally clear. Q: Can you use non-flexible pans to make molds? I am on a limited budget and I have large metal and glass pans but was wondering if there was any way to use them without them sticking. A: Where there s a will, there s a way! I also pondered this and realized that if you line your mold then you can get soap out of a rigid or glass pan. Good liner materials are: parchment, freezer paper, and saran wrap. I tried an idea recently in my metal muffin tin: lining each with cheese cloth to create a rustic effect. I kind of liked it! If you have an M&P Head Scratcher, write me at debbie@soapylove.com and it might be picked for the next issue of Let s Get Soapy! Thank you Facebook fans!! Please join the fun at See you there! 15

16 Soapylove Workshop Schedule Come join me in person and let s make beautiful soaps together! December 5, 2010 Soapy Holidays Gift Workshop: 5 Fun & Festive Melt & Pour Soap Projects at The Nova Studio in Point Richmond, CA Get ready for the holidays with this great hands-on workshop where you will make 5 original Soapylove projects, perfect for holiday gift giving. Or make them for your family - can you imagine how impressed your guests will be to see these soaps in your bathroom at the holiday party? No experience is necessary to create these adorable gift-worthy soaps. New classes are scheduled often, so stay up to date by visiting the Soapylove Daily Ditties Blog at 16

More Soapylove Publications If you love glycerin soap crafting, then you must have the

With 25 full length tutorials and 12 project variations, (including the coveted Neapolitan

Organized by technique, it covers everything from embedding to using unusual tools from

Find signed copies and links to online retailers worldwide at www.soapylove.com.

17 More Soapylove Publications If you love glycerin soap crafting, then you must have the Soapylove book! With 25 full length tutorials and 12 project variations, (including the coveted Neapolitan Soap Pop), this will be your ultimate MP reference. Organized by technique, it covers everything from embedding to using unusual tools from other crafts. Soapylove has 124 pages loaded with gorgeous color photos and tips galore. Find signed copies and links to online retailers worldwide at Published by North Light Books. If you have enjoyed this issue, there s more! Go to to find 5 other wonderful issues packed with tutorials, trends, tips, product reviews, and complete resources for all supplies. 17

18 Resource Directory Page 5 Fruity Soap Kabobs Items: Soap base, yellow colorants, lemon fragrance oil From: Item: Lime non-bleeding colorant From: TBKTrading.com Item: Silicone ice cube tray From: Bed Bath and Beyond Items: UV Inhibitor From: Page 7 UV Inhibitor 1. Polkadotcrab.etsy.com 2. Theginghamowl.etsy.com 3. Chikkie55.etsy.com 4. 5gardenias.etsy.com Page 8 Vintage Glassware Page 10 Juicy Striped Soaps Items: Soap base, mold, all colorants except non-bleeding yellow, fragrance oil From: Item: Slicker Yellow Gel Tone From: TKBTrading.com Page 12 Graham Cracker Tray Mold Items: Amazing Mold Putty From: Michael s Craft Stores in the polymer clay aisle Page 13 Soapy S Mores Items: Soap base, colorants, apricot seeds From: Item: S Mores Fragrance Oil From: Saveonscents.com 5. Kitschcafe.etsy.com 6. Hollieshobbs.etsy.com 7. Agoodvintage.etsy.com 18

DIY Shaving Cream. Ingredients:

DIY Shaving Cream. Ingredients: DIY Shaving Cream Ingredients: 1/3 cup coconut oil (solid, not fractioned) 1/3 cup shea butter ¼ cup sweet almond oil 4-6 drop tobacco bay leaf fragrance oil Plastic bale jar Tools: Microwave-safe bowl