Soap Queen TV Episode 3: Swirling M&P

[nevas13]

Are all your liquid color on your site non-bleeding?

[soapqueentv]

@nevas13 No, some of them do bleed. We have a list of non-bleeding colors on our colorants page and it is usually mentioned in the description. Happy Soaping! Anne-Marie

[Mrssoappeddler]

Do you ever add butters or oils like sweet almond, jojoba to melt and pour soaps? If so how? How is it that they combine? I hear other soapers say that they add these to glycerin bases ( I think it is the same). Do you just measure it out and add it to the melted base?

[soapqueentv]

@Mrssoappeddler I don't recommend adding butters and oils to M&P soap bases in general. They tend to just reduce the lather and make the finished bar soft. But if you want to try it out you would melt the butter and add it to the liquid M&P soap base and mix well.

[MarMarDance101]

@soapqueentv thanks you so much I'll try that next time!

[MarMarDance101]

Is there any way to keep the soap from hardening so fast when your trying to work with it?

[soapqueentv]

@MarMarDance101 Keep it warm and covered. Cover the colors you aren't using with plastic wrap (or a lid that seals) and they will stay liquid and workable much longer!

[mukwah1111]

Hi Can you tell me why my clear M&P soap sweated after it was setup? Also, the color of the soap turned a dirty colour....why is that ?

[soapqueentv]

@mukwah1111 The dew drops or sweating on M&P soap is from the moisture in the air being attracted to the glycerin in your soap. I talk about that and how to prevent it in Episode 11: packaging your soap.

Did you use a sweet smelling fragrance in your soap? It could be discoloring from the Vanilla content. For more info about that and how to prevent it see Episode 7: how to prevent morphing and fading.

Happy Soaping

Anne-Marie

[mukwah1111]

@soapqueentv Thanks so much. You have been a great help. I really appreciate it. Yes, I used Dreamsicle soap fragrance and sooo wanted it to be orange and white (with Titanium Dioxide in the white soap base) but it came out an ugly rusty brown colour. I know it cant be avoided with vanilla scents now. Thanks again Anne-Marie !

[soapqueentv]

@mukwah1111 Actually, if you use an additive called Vanilla Color Stabilizer you can prevent those yummy smelling fragrances form turning your soap brown!

[mukwah1111]

@soapqueentv Darn! And I just completed an order with Brambleberry a few days ago ! Sheesh ! Didnt even think of Vanilla Color Stabilizer for my list. Oh well.....there's always next time. Thanks again !

[4Calicoop4]

I have watched all your videos. I love them all. I am a complete novice when it comes to soap making. I haven't even made one bar of soap yet but I am sure that is about to change. In most of your recipes you use white M&P or clear. Can I substitute your shea M&P or goat M&P for the white M&P? Will they layer just as well as the other?

[soapqueentv]

@4Calicoop4 Yes! Those will work just as well.

Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie

[polymerclayfreak]

Does melt and pour base have lye in it? In other words, is M&P different than CP( cold process)? thanks.

[soapqueentv]

@polymerclayfreak M&P does use Sodium Hydroxide to make the soap. But of course there is no lye present in the melt & pour base because it has all been saponified. The process for making M&P is pretty different and much more complex than Cold Process soap - but it's similar in some ways.

[MsTenorplayer]

I love this music!!!! It makes mefeelvlike I'm in Florida again!! what is it?!?

[mingosan2006]

is there a certain consistency that is best for swirling?

[soapqueentv]

@mingosan2006 You definitely want your soap to be thicker so that the colors don't just mix together. That's why it is so important to watch your temperatures. Melt & pour soap starts to thicken as it cools.

Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie

[mallorycl]

Thank you so much!

[CelinaDinning]

Can you use store-bought soap?

[soapqueentv]

@CelinaDinning Most store bought soaps will not melt down and re-mold nicely. Usually, they just get kind of goopy. It's best to use a soap that is meant to be melted down - which many craft stores have as well as online suppliers like Bramble Berry.

[boysselle]

Hello, Senorita del jabon

Do you sell blocks of glycerin for soaps in your website? I didn't find any

Where can I find it to buy it by bulk, for just soaps ?

Thank you, preciosa

[soapqueentv]

@boysselle Yes, we do sell glycerin soap. It's called Melt & Pour soap and we have many different kinds. It's listed under Bases: Melt & Pour on the Bramble Berry site. And we sell anywhere from 1 pound to a full pallet - so I 'm sure you can find a quantity that will work for you. Thanks for your interest!

[boysselle]

Hello Beautiful Senorita:

Reina del jabon:

Can you make flowers from soaps or other figurines with/without molds?

Do you ever use bees wax in your soaps? Do you like to work with bees wax?

Which is the best base for soaps and why?

Thank you

[soapqueentv]

@boysselle You can carve soap if you want to use something other than a mold to make shapes. It's a craft with a long history in it's own right.

Beeswax can be added in small amounts to Cold Process soap - but I would not add it to melt & pour soap.

The best soap base is the one that works for you and has ingredients you like. Of course, for me that's Bramble Berry's soap bases. But then I'm a little biased. :)

[genesisygabriela]

How do you make cocao soap can you do an epi on that?

[soapqueentv]

@genesisygabriela Like a cup of Hot Cocoa? I made a Cold Process Hot Cocoa soap with soap Marshmallows on top over on my Soap Queen blog, recently. Something like that?

[qweaz987]

i have a question about the colors..

will the colors stay on ur skin if u use it in the shower?

and these soaps are safe to use on the body right?

[soapqueentv]

@qweaz987 If you use the colorants at that usage rates I recommend they will not stain your skin or shower - but if you use too much colorant in your soap that can happen. Also, all of the ingredients I use are from Bramble Berry and are skin safe and cosmetic grade and specially made to be used in soap and toiletries.

Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie

[fenaocha]

<3 the music! where did u get it?

[SparklyDiva10]

How long do you let the soap sit to dry? :) Thanks!

[soapqueentv]

@SparklyDiva10 It depends on the temperature of your room and the soap. But I would say after you have made your layers let the soap set-up for 24 hours before you try to take it out of the mold. You might be able to get it out after 3 or 4 hours, but why take the chance of ruining your masterpiece? :)

[matthewhartzell]

Me again, have you ever added juices from fruits to add scents? such as lime juice? Also where can you buy one of those soap cutters you used in your first episode?

[soapqueentv]

@matthewhartzell I answered this question for you on the Layers episode, too. But just in case other viewers want to know the answer here you go! Adding too much extra liquid to melt & pour soap can make your soap soft. So I always recommend keeping your additions to 1/2 oz. or less per pound of soap. In my experience, fruit juices in these amounts won't really scent the soap - essential and fragrance oils are super concentrated and that's why such a small amount can scent an entire bar of soap.

[matthewhartzell]

Hi, I love making soap! I was wondering if you can mix Glycerin soap with Shay butter in one bar of soap?

[soapqueentv]

@matthewhartzell Adding oils or butters like Shea butter will reduce the lather of your soap and if you add too much it can change the consistency of the soap. So, it's best to keep all of your additives to 1 tablespoon or less per pound of soap.

[matthewhartzell]

@matthewhartzell Me again, have you ever added juices from fruits to add scents? such as lime juice? Also where can you buy one of those soap cutters you used in your first episode?

[momzmoviez]

HI. Ok, me again. I got all my stuff delivered & was so excited to try this loaf. Its hardening now as I type & it looks pretty so far. I have a question: Under the ingredients list it says 1oz of Yuzu & you said you scented your whole clear base ahead of time. So, I put the WHOLE 1 oz in. (Kind of made me sad because its gone now but I knew it would smell good, lol). Then, words popped up & said to use HALF an ounce for the whole thing. Now, I'm confused & out of fragrance. :( Which is right?

[soapqueentv]

@momzmoviez You should heck out the first video in the melt and pour series where I talk about how to use fragrances. In general, I recommend using .25 oz per pound of soap - but you can use more or less depending on your personal preference.

We include a full ounce of fragrance in the kit in case you like stronger scented soap or might like to use the extra for another project.

You should have received instructions with the kit - drop us an email at Bramble Berry if you didn't get those.

[momzmoviez]

Hi. I'm brand new to making soaps (made my first M&P bar 5 days ago). Now after watching this (which I am SO happy I found you), I'm wanting to take on this challenge. But being so new to it all I was watching it amazed thinking "how can she heat up so much at once?" & "how hard is the skin suppose to REALLY be"? etc. I've made one bar at a time so this looks really amazing to me but I

[soapqueentv]

@momzmoviez You can melt as much soap as you can use in one sitting! For really big amounts - like when I'm teaching a class - I will use a slow cooker to melt the soap. Just remember to not let the soap boil or overheat. You will have to experiment with the timing, temperature and feel of your soap to learn the perfect time to pour. Use the blowing technique to test the surface and then just try it. The great thing is that you can always melt it down and try again. :) Happy Soaping!

[rabbiaj]

can you use somthing other than alchohol

[soapqueentv]

@rabbiaj Not that I know of. The rubbing alcohol breaks the surface tension - popping any bubbles and helps the layers stick together. That said it isn't essential and many people make M&P soap without it. You might just have some little bubbles in the bottom of your soap and some of your layers may not stick together perfectly. So if you don't want to use rubbing alcohol I would just skip it. Thanks for your question!

[soapqueentv]

cmg111177 - If you keep your soap covered as you work it may stay melted depending on the room temperature and your working speed. If it does solidify you can just pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds to loosen it up again.

Melt & Pour is very forgiving that way!

Have Fun!

Anne-Maire

[soapqueentv]

wdbreezy - That's fabulous! It sounds like you had alot of fun. The time it takes for the thin film to form varies depending on a bunch of different factors, so that's why I recommend just watching it and testing it.

Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie

[cmg111177]

How do you keep the whole 2 pounds melted though this whole process?

[soldner234]

Nice thanks for your ideas.

[wdbreezy]

Well, I winged it with the help of my daughter who's the color expert and artist in the family.

We used the Bramble Berry swirled loaf kit and had a *blast*!! Our soap turned out beautifully and we now have all sorts of ideas dancing in our heads for more soap. Thanks for your inspirational videos and a fantastic website that provides high quality soaping products.

Honey soaps are next on our list!

[wdbreezy]

I know the first layer needs to harden (video said 5 minutes) and I'm wondering how long it takes thereafter for a "thin film" to form and would that be needed for all remaining layers? If you mix all your clear soap in the beginning does it start to set or will it remain liquid throughout the process?

I'm new to this and mistakes can be so discouraging, so I'm trying to fend them off with knowledge!! Thanks....

[soapqueentv]

Ha Ha! you guys are hilarious!

VNSW - I promise, in person the mica is so sparkly and pretty you would not mistake it for mold. :)

Gotta love the Bramble Berry Yuzu fragrance!

Thanks everyone,

Anne-Marie

[VNSW]

it looks more like mold then pixie dust....Still love the vid. tho

[uglygirlpower10]

once she puored the pink it didnt loof like mold nice video you are a very good soap maker anne marie : D

[manaposh]

pass along the yuzu pipe, yo! :D

[nursethalia]

Anne-Marie, you are amazing! These episodes are ridiculously handy for the novice soaper :3

[soapqueentv]

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm so glad you like it.

[JeneenD]

You have done it again, love the idea...gonna have to watch a couple of times to get the concept, but I cant wait to give it a try!

[pouletauxframboises]

extrêmement intéressant! I will try! merci beaucoup pour l'idée!