~ Great Cakes Soapworks Soap Challenge ~
By Amy Warden
OCTOBER ~ Wood Grain technique
My Entry! ~ Rain Forest Wood Soap
I used a Friends Homemade Wild Cherry Wine for my Lye Liquid. I planned on this being my base color ~ a tan/pink beige. It turned a slight orange after adding the Lye. I did not freeze it first, just chilled and kept bowl in cool water while mixing lye in.
I used 3/4 ounce essential oils. 99% was a lovely EO blend called 'Rainforest' by Crafters Choice. I added only 5 drops of Nutmeg EO, just add a little warm dimension.
Other colors created with Activated Charcoal, and Indego Powder ~ added each to one 3rd batter. I left the other portion plain color.
My oils were 100% Coconut oil, with only 1/2 oz of Castor added.
*Average combine temp was 110 degrees.
After mixing in colors by hand, the batter was thickening quicker than i expected! I kept stirring the batters to keep as fluid as possible.
I used a thin skewer to run back & forth along the 'grain' one time. Then made little circles here and there for knots.
Below are the loaf after I planed it with a cheese slicer. Then I made some bigger cuts deciding which way was best.
Another fun challenge! I look forward to seeing everyone elses soaps too!
Thanks to Amy Warden for Hosting this great learning experience!
Have a nice day ! ~ Eva
