GrandmaArial Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 The first two are both sweet potato. The first is desert theme. Scented with mesquite smoke (which I made by smoking mesquite and pumping the smoke through water), sage, rosemary, purple prickly pear FO and a couple drops of other floral FOs. The second is the deserrt version, with “baklava” FO (smells like butter to me) and “oatmeal scotchie” FO and infused cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg oil. The third is beet and rose petal soap. I was expecting it to keep a little color from the beets or I would have added a little red oxide I think. I was interrupted as I was getting ready to swirl, just a couple minutes but long enough it was getting thick when I got back so I just dumped everything together and tried to beat it into submission and slammed it in the mold. The rose is rose petals I infused in olive oil I thin used to make the soap with. I drained the petals out and ground some fresh up to add to the soap. this may be really ugly but it feels very very nice! And surprisingly the rose scent held pretty well.Last is my latest attempt at eucalyptus soap. Instead of using EOs I used eucalyptus and spearmint leaves. Ground them up and infused in OO as above with the rose petals. No interruptions so I had time to swirl. This one is strong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBE Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Ah.... they look wonderful. How do you get your soaps looking so shiny??? I like that. They look "clean". Love the idea of smoking mesquite. What an idea!!! LMAO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandmaArial Posted December 30, 2007 Author Share Posted December 30, 2007 The eucalyptus looks so shiny because I had just rinsed the ash off about a half hour earlier. It was still damp. It will stay with a bit of a glossy look to it, though not so shiny as it is in that picture.And Donna, get your mind away from bongs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerinarkansas Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Those are sooo cool and orginial. Can I come live with you so you can teach me to make soap? I love all your ideas and interesting ingredients. Ginger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandmaArial Posted December 30, 2007 Author Share Posted December 30, 2007 Do you do dishes and windows? Vacuum? How about laundry? I’ll set up the spare room for you! LMAO. Ginger, I know you can do it… and if we lived close enough you know you would be invited… so just pretend one of the pros are with you and do it. You’re sensible. Follow the basic precautions with the lye. Once you get a little experience with it, a feel for the oils I bet you’ll come up with some great combinations, great soaps! And probably a lot prettier than the beet/rose soap! Ok, so anything will be prettier than that, LOL. BTW, it needs a name. Anyone have any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairieannie Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 I always feel like I've stepped into a earthy/hippie shop when I look at your soap pics. I LOVE the natural look you get and I bet it smells soooooooo good at your house!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Here I was just wondering if you're an experimental cook at heart lol. I can't even imagine pumping smoke through water (except via a bong lol), but I must say what a creative way to make soap. Now what will each attribute add to the soap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenniejr Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Here I was just wondering if you're an experimental cook at heart lol. I can't even imagine pumping smoke through water (except via a bong lol), but I must say what a creative way to make soap. Now what will each attribute add to the soap?That is what I am wondering too! You are very creative .... and your soaps look wonderful!! btw: did someone say "BONG"??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandmaArial Posted December 30, 2007 Author Share Posted December 30, 2007 …and I bet it smells soooooooo good at your house!!As a matter of fact… the basement, where I soap, smells wonderful! LOL. The curing closet is the best place to be, though it makes it hard to smell any individual soap. I also dry and store my herbs and botanicals in there. Hubby is convinced I’m going to poison him every time I go down there to get herbs to cook dinner! LMAOHere I was just wondering if you're an experimental cook at heart lol. I can't even imagine pumping smoke through water (except via a bong lol), but I must say what a creative way to make soap. Now what will each attribute add to the soap?Yes, I am an experimental cook, and just like with the soap, some experiments work, others… fail miserably! LOL. How ever you should try my “white forest chiffon cheesecake”. Made with white and dark chocolate and cherries, in a sinfully rich chiffon, it is total decadence. How ever, the mocha tortonis I made for the feast of the seven fishes this year were less than successful. Every year I design a new recipe for Christmas Eve. For next year I am working on a chocolate, caramel, with pecans cheesecake. I think vegetables bring a combination of fibers, proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins to the party. Many people think sugar boosts lather, and it may, but it also feeds the skin. A poultice with sugar or honey (be careful with honey, that the patient is not allergic) can help a wound heal (and is commonly used in geriatric nursing for bedridden patients in treating decubitus ulcers). Proteins (like silk) are commonly used in soap and bed and bath products, not only do they give the product a wonderful texture but also provide amino acids for cells to repair themselves with. But I think the fiber probably gives it the most. Both hard fiber and soluble fiber. I have noticed that the vegetable soaps are considerably more emollient than the same recipe with out the vegetable added, but also seem to “clean” better and I think that’s from the fiber. I have not found any information on it but I think the fiber works like microscopic exfoliants, debriding the dead skin and allowing the tissue better access to the oils and nutrients. The spices I think should help to stimulate circulation at the surface, at least that’s what I hope. The mesquite is purely for ambiance. I wanted to give it a southwestern feel. The sage is relaxing and the rosemary is, of course, antioxidant and antimicrobial. The florals, well, I just like them, LOL, though I really believe the soaps I add a lot of oil infused with petals are nicer, often more emollient, and develop wonderful textures. Rose is the most dramatic example of this. The soaps I make with large amounts of rose infused oils come out with a particularly soft “feel” and an appearance much like polished stone. As for bongs, yes, the set up I used was essentially a bong. Just think, if I hadn’t grown up in the 60s I probably wouldn’t have thought of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerinarkansas Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 Yes, I can do about anything except cook and make soap and it sounds like you've got that covered. I do plan on trying soap in the new year and I want to make earthy, natural soap with herbs and healthy things so I may be needing your advice on some things. Your soap is really awesome. Ginger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnitaG Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 Wow what different soaps. They look great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandmaArial Posted January 1, 2008 Author Share Posted January 1, 2008 Yes, I can do about anything except cook and make soap and it sounds like you've got that covered. I do plan on trying soap in the new year and I want to make earthy, natural soap with herbs and healthy things so I may be needing your advice on some things. Your soap is really awesome. Gingerok Ginger, come on up, you clean, I’ll cook and soap. Won’t last long though, I have 2 dogs, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and a husband who are all slobs. No one wipes their feet here, LOL. And it will take you about 2 batches to get you on the soaping wagon and you will run away from me and start making soaps that make me look like a piker! So save yourself a back ach and order some lye and pick up some oils. Pick a simple recipe for your first try. Wear your gloves, mask and goggles. Toss any critters, kids, and husbands out the door, and turn the phones off. I know you can do it Ginger. Plan simple, but have an extra bowl and color ready in case you decide to try a swirl your first time. I think most of us do, LOL. I know you’re going to make great soap… as soon as you start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerinarkansas Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Since my son moved back home, I getting to deal with a slob. I forgot how bad he was at not picking up after himself when he was still living at home. I'm going to try soaping in 2008. Does it matter what the room temp is when you make soap? My work area is out in the shop and sometimes it's too cool to pour candles without turning on the heat but I wasn't sure if soap had a room temp issue. Thanks for the vote of confidence...I'm gonna do it. Ginger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandmaArial Posted January 1, 2008 Author Share Posted January 1, 2008 My soaping space is in the basement now, and it can get cold down there. I am having more trouble with ash now than I did before, and had to set up a heater in the curing closet to try to combat it. But I have also noticed some batches come out of “bed” (I use an old ice chest to put the soap in as soon as I pour) with serious ash when it’s cold in the room when I make it. Many people don’t mind ash, and it isn’t going to burn your skin off or anything like that, but I don’t like it. If you don’t want to gel it will probably help, though, haveing the room so cool. I can’t not gel, it always gels no matter what I do, so if you don’t want to gel you’ll have to ask someone else, LOL. It will probabaly take longer to trace though, so you might want to start with your oil and lye on the warm side, well, warmer than room temprature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandlekrazy Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Your vege soaps are all awesome, so I'm sure the sweet potato is also great! They all look and sound wonderful...so does the cheesecake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandmaArial Posted January 1, 2008 Author Share Posted January 1, 2008 Your vege soaps are all awesome, so I'm sure the sweet potato is also great! They all look and sound wonderful...so does the cheesecake!Awww.. Thank you. I think the one you’re really going to like is the new improved 24 carrot gold. The texture, the scent, and the appearance combine to create an almost magical ambiance. It’s still too young to take to the tub yet, but initial tests show it to be as good as the original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 You always inspire me so much GrandmaA. I need to get my work shop cleaned out and get to soaping now that I'm back in town and my vacation is over. Gorgeous, gorgeous soaps. :cool2::cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb31apb Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Funny GA, I kinda like the rose one the best. It looks more natural than a pink colored rose soap. I'd certainly wash with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandmaArial Posted January 8, 2008 Author Share Posted January 8, 2008 Funny GA, I kinda like the rose one the best. It looks more natural than a pink colored rose soap. I'd certainly wash with it!Well, it is certainly nateral! The scent has compleatly faded, but I have to admit I still like it. It's good soap with a good feel to it. I even caught my husband useing it the other morning and he has been busily trying to convince me to not try anything new, that I only need the bay rum soap for men... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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