Prophecy (A Study in Ash)

[eugenia]

Made this EO blend last night. It's colored with alkanet root powder.

Most of the batch got severe ash.

Here's the batch:

Here's a closeup of the ash:

Lastly, the cut bars. The one in the center did not get the ash. Surprisingly, I prefer the ash bars. Luckily for me, most of them did get the extreme ash.

The blend is patchouli, sandalwood and ylang ylang. I surmise with a name like Prophecy, I was asking for trouble, LMAO!

[diamondk]

Very nice and I like the look of the ash ones also.

Now since I am trying to get my soaps made to sell one of these days my question will you leave as is or will you use the alcohol to clean them up? TIA

[eugenia]

I never take it off.

[Kaybee23]

I really like the swirls, and don't think the ash is that bad. I do remove mine, but with everything, it is a personal preference. Just curious though, did you use rice bran in this recipe?

[gingerinarkansas]

I think they look great...ash or no ash and they have to smell fab with that combo. Ginger

[ladysj]

That is beautiful!! I think I like the ash better. I had some lavender that I cut it off of and now I wish I hadn't lol.

[SoapInTheCity]

Seems to me that usually I only get ash spots like that, when I don't make soap in a loaf type mold........I thought it was just my 'loaf mold curse'...

I think they look great!!

[eugenia]

Just curious though, did you use rice bran in this recipe?

10% mango butter

5% palm

15% coconut

15% PKO

5% castor

5% babassu

10% avocado

35% RBO

I use RBO in all my recipes with the exception of castile and I rarely get ash. Not quite sure why I got it this time. Batch was insulated with a towel and a heavy crib quilt over that. I did cover the soap with saran warp, but I usually do.

[Darwin]

I also like the look of the ashed bars.

[mystical_angel1219]

Pretty soap, ash and all- in fact, I think the ash gives it character.

I am an ash HATER. I never had ash like I did for the Goddess swap. Man, I was so aggravated.

I love the scent combo- sounds very lush and earthy- Hippy Chic .

[Crafty1_AJ]

Kewl soapies!

[myst25872002]

In the mold your swirls almost look like filagree leaves. I like it with the ash myself. Very pretty

[thecandlespastore]

Gorgeous soap! The ash looks nice on it, as long as it does not zap, then cool! I leave my ash on most of the time. My slabbers almost always ash while my logs never ash. Go figure!

[Scented]

Now see I can't really see the dang ash, but I like the bars either way. Interesting that you have it covered and draw ash. I'm sure you're no peeker as you've stated many a time before, so curious what else could cause it.

[diamondk]

I get ash sometime if I use Saran wrap but if I use the press and seal I don't. My saran wrap just doesn't stay put.

[Carrie]

I get ash on every batch of soap. I also use RBO in every batch except Castille. Even my castille ashes. Maybe it's the altitude...

Hey e, very pretty soap, make sure you don't send me any.

[lindsaycb]

i like ash too myself. Pretty soap~

[Brenda]

Pretty bars...ash or no ash! I love the color you've achieved. :smiley2:

[AnitaG]

I like it.

[cactuscandles]

wow you guys sure make some purdy soap

[maryann]

I like the ash covered soaps too-

[dublon]

OMG... ash or no ash!!! They are gorgeous!!! Love the swirls!!!

Absolutely beautiful!!!!

[Sally]

Dunno anything about soap making so ash is another mystery to me.

They look fab & must surely smell gorgeous with that blend.

Sally.

[macnmyer]

E that soap is beautiful and the scent must be out of this world.

[benthere-donethat]

A question about alkanet root: I've read suggestions about mixing alkanet root with the lye water or with the oil, but that won't allow me to swirl it...did you just add the alkanet root straight to part of the lye/oil mixture?