Soap Making

When I first started soap making I fell into this craft head over heels. I was so ecstatic to have found a hobby that was so fulfilling. I had always been somewhat crafty, but now unlike before I was brimming with new ideas. The possibilities were endless and so were the soap making supplies I could purchase if I wanted to. Look around the internet, there are hundreds if not thousands of different soap molds, fragrance oils, essential oils, base oils, colorants etc. to choose from.

Being a newbie and wanting to get started right away I really didn’t think through what I really needed now and what I could add little by little in the future. So, on a whim one afternoon I placed a massive order and amongst basic things I bought stuff I really wish I hadn’t. Curious of what they were? Here we go:

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It’s been a year since Tweak & Tinker first got launched into the wide spheres of the internet. This little soap making and skincare DIY blog has slowly gained readers from around the globe. I’m grateful for YOU, my reader, for stopping by, for taking the time to read a post (or two), for leaving a comment, for giving a thumbs up on social, simply for giving this new kid on the block a chance.

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If you’ve read my article “Soap Equipment I Wish I Hadn’t Bought Right Away” you know that I’m a no nonsense kinda girl. If I decide to spend my pennies on something it needs to deliver exactly what I want. I don’t like accumulating stuff that isn’t useful or doesn’t in some shape or form add value to my life.

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One of the most challenging things when you’re first figuring out how to make soap is – hands down – how to control trace. There’s quite a learning curve in seeing the different stages of trace in cold process soap. Your batter will normally go from emulsification to light trace (thin pancake batter) to medium trace (light pudding batter) to thick trace (pudding batter) the more you stickblend or the longer you let your batter sit….

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Let’s face it: Soap making is a finicky craft. It takes time to find a recipe and method that gives consistently good results. Even then, you just have to add one new ingredient (e.g. honey) and – boom – soap volcano.  If you manage to dodge all major soap catastrophes and get to the point where you want to try your hand at an intricate design, it’s the small details that can really make a difference….

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By now you probably have a couple of soap batches under your belt and you’re really digging this craft. Now, you want to take a step up from your plastic containers, Pringles cans (although I really still like to use them) or cardboard boxes. You’re in the market for a proper soap mold. But, oh, all the options make your head spin?

I’m here to help!…

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