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Make It Easy:  I love making soap!  |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 11 2008 : 9:17:48 PM
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I love it! It is so much fun! Seriously- if I could just make soap all day every day- I would! I love watching the oils change at the addition of the lye. I love how they change even further as you get closer to trace...and I especially love all the fun things you can do with it after trace. Colors, scents, marbling, different molds and ways to process the soap. Milling- rebatching learning more each time you make it!
Speaking of which- I have my Kitchen-Aid doing all the muscle work for me while I type this so I had better go check to see if trace has been reached yet!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 07:21:32 AM
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Alee,
Good for you. I havent yet tried it. I dont know what I am waiting for. I guess since I get great soap from other farmgirls I havent tried it yet.. I think I will make a new years resolution.. TRY to make my own soap... * you know I will be calling you if I need some help*
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Circumstances made us FRIENDS; MaryJane's has made us SISTERS :) |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 07:35:15 AM
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Sounds good!
I was trying a new recipe last night and it came out beautifully--- but very soft. So I re-batched it this morning and am currently curing it in the oven to see if that helped. The good thing about soap- you rarely have a total loss. If nothing else it might just have to cure for a LONG time before use! LOL
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 4:42:54 PM
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Alee, My son called from Denver. His family's gifts arrived today. He openned the outside box and said "Boy, Something really smells good inside".. I told him NOT to open until Christmas.. I know he is going to love the shaving soap!
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 5:10:10 PM
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Yay Cheryl! I am so glad! I hope he enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it for him!
My Brother-in-law told me that next time I make shaving soap he will hook me up with some ultra premium ultra slippery Australian Clay! I am excited!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 7:41:28 PM
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Hey Alee - I just learned how to make soap this year - I love it!! I'm looking forward to january so I have some time:)
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
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whymsicalmysfit
True Blue Farmgirl
52 Posts
jaime
malden
washington
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 8:23:15 PM
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I have been makin soap for 4 yrs now , it is my escape so Alee its nice to hear someone love soap making as much as me my dear friend who taught me has been a soap maker for 25yrs! she did it with no electricity for 20 of those yrs in her cabin! I have used handmade soaps for 15yrs or more and i cant imagine my life without them oooh we should have a soap makers trade! I love to use other soapmakers lovely soaps...think about it, I will say right now its slim pickins but not for long!! Im always busy either making soap, spinning yarn, or felting something but i must say HANDMADE SOAP is my favorite creation!! Hey alee have you ever felted your soap? its really fun for kids and it scrubbs you as you use it.. its real cool try it sometime, at first people are afraid of "furry soap" but once you tell them what it is they cant resist and they just have to try it out!
"May all your weeds be wildflowers"
www.northnature.com |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 01:26:50 AM
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Alee - I totally agree!! I could make soap every day and never get tired of it. Every batch that I do I can hardly wait to unmold it - it's like unwrapping a present at Christmas. I love other people's soap too and buy it quite often - I like using something besides my own once in a while.
Handmade Soap and More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 06:19:32 AM
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Hey alee cutie pie! I just made my first batch of soap-its curing right now! Do you share recipes-love to expand! Just did cold pressed with oatmeal and cinnamon. I'd love to use differant scents and do marbleing. A little nervous tho that my first batch will suck and I'll give it up.....scared of the lye too!!!LOL!~ Hugs Alee!
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 10:51:13 AM
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Mima - everybody has to have a batch that sucks! That's part of the initiation process into soap making!! Just kidding! I still get a sucky batch every once is a while - like my ugly lavender soap. The soap is great but the color is horrible. Lye is scary but once you make your first batch you'll be ok. Having a healthy fear of lye is a good thing because it is nasty stuff. I broke out in a cold sweat the first time I poured the lye into the water!!
We need to do a soap swap - maybe after the first of the year. That is always fun.
Handmade Soap and More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 11:38:16 AM
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Thanks for the encouragement Kay!!!!!I'll send you some if it turns out!!!! Hugs!(A swap would be fun!)
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corporatefarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
389 Posts
Tamara
Pikeville
TN
USA
389 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 10:31:19 AM
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Alee- How wonderful making soap sounds. I am dying to try my hand at it but there is no one teaching classes around here. Is there any place that provides step by steps on line?
THANKS!!!!!!!
Tamara
http://smallfarm.about.com
The earth is in our hands - please use a gentle touch
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
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homemom
True Blue Farmgirl
1593 Posts
Ruth
Warwick
RI
USA
1593 Posts |
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farmmom22
True Blue Farmgirl
616 Posts
Tammy
Scottsville
KY
USA
616 Posts |
Posted - Dec 17 2008 : 09:12:44 AM
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Hey you soap making divas! I have always wanted to make my own soap, but I need some resources to get some supplies first. Anyone have any good catalog/internet suppliers they are willing to share? Thanks, Tammy 
Best farm wishes |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Dec 17 2008 : 09:50:48 AM
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Tammy- The great thing about soap is that you don't need a lot of special supplies. Try making a few batches first to see if you like it- and then you can start ordering some of the specialty things.
Here is what you need to make a basic batch all of which you can find in local grocery or department stores:
1 scale that measures ounces accurately- digital is best but I use a non digital. Make sure the ounce reading is easy to see- don't use one that is more geared towards pounds.
1 large pot that is glass, plastic or stainless steel. Aluminum around lye soap is a huge no-no!
Spatula and spoons, glass measuring cups.
Stick blender ($10 at Wal-Mart or Target)- This isn't essential but you will have to stir for quite some time (30 minutes possibly more) without it
Some sort of molds- glass or ceramic loaf pans work great- silicon bake ware as well.
Veg oils or lard. You can buy them usually at the store. The "holy trinity" of soap making are Coconut oil, olive oil, and Palm Oil.
However, the recipe I made last night had: Soybean oil, canola oil, castor oil, olive oil and coconut oil. I think this is going to my best one yet!
The "MMS Lye Calculator" is the one I use to make new recipes. It tells you how much lye to use per batch.
www.millersoap.com has some great recipes that are tried and true.
And of course you need lye. You can find it at ACE Hardware and often the smaller hardware shops. Look in the drain cleaner aisle for a cylinder container that says somewhere on the label "100% Lye". Mine is white with red writing.
It's really easy! If you get into the more complicated soaps with shea butter and other things in it, the you can order those types of things online.
I hope that helps!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Old Spirit
True Blue Farmgirl
1498 Posts
Rae
MN
1498 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 08:39:07 AM
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Hello all!! I made soap once and really enjoyed it. The year I had it my hands were never dry in the winter!!! I need to get busy and start making it more often. I found my recipe for the first time in the Readers Digest Book and now of course my mind just went blank as to the title :-(
Nice to know I have somewhere to go with questions now!!!
Merry Christmas everyone :-)
Ra
I love living in the country!! |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 09:01:59 AM
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Oh Cool! I really want to make my own soap. Good for you Alee for being such a crafty smart woman.
What is you favorite scent so far?
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Mud Hen Queen
MJ's Heirloom Maven's Librarian
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farmmom22
True Blue Farmgirl
616 Posts
Tammy
Scottsville
KY
USA
616 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 10:24:14 AM
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Thanks Alee! When you say stick blender do you mean like an immersion blender? And can I get a MMS calculator somewhere like Ace or will I need to order it online?
Best farm wishes |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Shirley
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Shirley
Olympia
Wa
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 12:59:13 PM
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But to all you new gals making soap. Never use the utensiles or containers that you have used for soap, for food. I have all my soap stuff in plastic bins. I do use a large container to melt the oils in, that I use for soup. but never use it for the lye stuff. I get these heavy plastic containers like restaurants use from Cash and Carry to mix and measure in.Been using them for years and they work very well.
Shirley |
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corporatefarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
389 Posts
Tamara
Pikeville
TN
USA
389 Posts |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 1:16:18 PM
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Thanks SOOOOOO much to Alee and the others for starting to guide us homemade soap newbies. I am hoping to try a batch after Christmas! Right now I need to get the oils..........
Tamara
http://smallfarm.about.com
The earth is in our hands - please use a gentle touch
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 12:49:30 AM
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My scale is a digital postal scale. Much more accurate for me to read. My dream scale is an Escali - about $50. My daughter has one and I borrow hers - it is so accurate. If you're going to spend money anywhere I recommend spending it on a good scale. If your measurements aren't right then your soap will not turn out right.
The stick blender will be your best friend! I want a Cuisinart because they are more heavy duty but the one I have now works great. I think it's an Oster and I've had it for about 2 years. One word of caution - do not run your stick blender continuously when trying to get your soap to trace. You will burn out the motor. Blend for a minute then turn it off and stir with the blender. Keep repeating this process until the soap traces.
What Shirley said is so true - everything for your soap making should be kept just for that! I have a big plastic pitcher for my lye. It is labeled with a black marker saying LYE - DANGER. I keep the spoon and the thermometer in the pitcher when it is not in use. I have an 8 quart stainless steel stock pot, glass measuring cups, stainless steel spoons, and a silicone spatula. All of the items are stored in the stock pot when not in use. Another thing that is great are those little glass measuring jiggers. They work wonderful for essential oils and fragrances.
Handmade Soap and More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
Edited by - therusticcottage on Dec 19 2008 12:54:04 AM |
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ThePixiesPlayhouse
True Blue Farmgirl
127 Posts
Terri
Biggs
CA
127 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2008 : 1:54:32 PM
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I love making soap. It's like my zen time to myself......LOL. I only soap when my daughter is gone, and it's quiet in the house.
I was scared to death my first time making it.........but once I got over the first batch, it's super easy.
Just remember to wear eye protection, gloves, long sleeves, and shoes......and you should be good. |
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Make It Easy: I love making soap! |
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I love making soap!
