I have been wanting to make my own soap forever, or at least for the last year or so. Like most things that I am interested in, I research like crazy, get all excited about the new adventure...and then let my inspiration and motivation fizzle out before I even get started. One of my goals for 2011 is to actually stick my neck out there and try new things, even when I am scared or overwhelmed at the thought. So far I am off to a great start, and my soap making adventure is underway!
My friend Sarah and I have been talking about making soap together for a while, but we have never gotten around to it (are you seeing a trend here?!). The stars aligned for us last week though, so I headed out to her farm for a little soap making 101. I have to say, the whole process is SO much easier than I ever imagined it would be! I think part of my problem is that I read so much that I get overwhelmed at all there is to learn - soap making is a great example of that. It has always sounded so much more complicated than it actually is. It probably helped a lot that Sarah is a really wonderful teacher, and explained everything in great detail. I wish I would have taken pictures of the process, but I was too busy asking questions.I will make sure to take some next time to share.
We made one batch of soap together, it is a coconut scented goats milk soap, with dark purple swirls through it. Sarah poured it into a mold for me, and after 24 hours I popped the soap out and cut it into bars. Its still really soft, and will take about 3 weeks to fully cure. I don't know if I can hold out that long, it looks so pretty and smells so good!
Our one batch made 9 bars, I just love the swirls that Sarah ran through them:
I am heading out to her farm again next week, this time to make a batch of oatmeal and honey goats milk soap...it sounds like the most soothing soap for dry winter skin. Later next month, my friend Linda and I are heading out for a soap making class at the farm that I get milk from. I have been buying soap from the woman who is teaching the class for a while now, and not only is she super nice but her soap is creamy, sudsy and smells divine. All the things I look for in a good home made soap and I cant wait to learn her secrets.
After that...the sky is the limit! I am looking forward to experimenting with all sorts of crazy combination's - soap made with beer (I bet Matthew would love one with hops in it)? Kombucha soap? Soap infused with veggies and flowers from our garden? The possibilities are endless, and I cant wait to share my creations!
My friend Sarah and I have been talking about making soap together for a while, but we have never gotten around to it (are you seeing a trend here?!). The stars aligned for us last week though, so I headed out to her farm for a little soap making 101. I have to say, the whole process is SO much easier than I ever imagined it would be! I think part of my problem is that I read so much that I get overwhelmed at all there is to learn - soap making is a great example of that. It has always sounded so much more complicated than it actually is. It probably helped a lot that Sarah is a really wonderful teacher, and explained everything in great detail. I wish I would have taken pictures of the process, but I was too busy asking questions.I will make sure to take some next time to share.
We made one batch of soap together, it is a coconut scented goats milk soap, with dark purple swirls through it. Sarah poured it into a mold for me, and after 24 hours I popped the soap out and cut it into bars. Its still really soft, and will take about 3 weeks to fully cure. I don't know if I can hold out that long, it looks so pretty and smells so good!
Our one batch made 9 bars, I just love the swirls that Sarah ran through them:
I am heading out to her farm again next week, this time to make a batch of oatmeal and honey goats milk soap...it sounds like the most soothing soap for dry winter skin. Later next month, my friend Linda and I are heading out for a soap making class at the farm that I get milk from. I have been buying soap from the woman who is teaching the class for a while now, and not only is she super nice but her soap is creamy, sudsy and smells divine. All the things I look for in a good home made soap and I cant wait to learn her secrets.
After that...the sky is the limit! I am looking forward to experimenting with all sorts of crazy combination's - soap made with beer (I bet Matthew would love one with hops in it)? Kombucha soap? Soap infused with veggies and flowers from our garden? The possibilities are endless, and I cant wait to share my creations!