Made my first batch of soap, have I messed it up?

[VivaLeBeaver]

I think I took them out the moulds slightly too soon as a couple of them cracked but that's ok.

I've put them in a cupboard to let them rest for a few weeks and took a peek today. Have noticed that with the cracked ones I can see White crystals in the middle, it almost looks like the caustic soda granules but a bit flufflier.

I'm worried they didn't dissolve properly, though there was no sign of crystals when the soap base was liquid and it traced ok. I used cows milk rather than goats milk if that might have upset it?

Soap is six days old now.

Sounds lush - thanks

I've looked for forums in the past, but not found anything particularly interesting - think I've been spoiled by this place

I'm, guessing you've got the Miranda Coss book (some serioulsy gorgeous pics there).

If you are serious about making soap, you need to trydifferent recipes, changing one ingredient at at time to see how each change feels on your skin, how it stands up long term (does it get DOS - dreaded orange spots), isit a hard bar, soft bar .....

You need to check your temperatures too while making the soap. Some soapers soap at high temps, some at lower (esp if using honey).

However, you could do a lot worse than the following-
equal amounts of coconut oil, palm oil and olive oil. Your lye, water, smellies and colourants (if usung any). this is a good recipe as a base from which to try and see which works best for you, but to be honest is a nice enough bar in itself without changing anything.

I've never put beeswax into my soap as I'm not sure it adds anything to the final bar [hhmm]

Now, if this was a forum, I would be demanding pics of your new soap, heehee, us soapers do love pictures of soap.

I can do photos

Looks a lovely creamy colour!!!! I've never soaped with honey (I like neither the smell nor the taste so we never buy it). I have a feeling, from other soapers, that it might darken a little, but not sure. Certainly looks good for only your 2nd ever soap! Well done xx

I once had that Miranda Coss book, but I can't find it for the life of me. I used to make the one she called 'Spicy Mint Big Boy' mostly because the name amused me so much .

Does anyone have a good recipe for a lavender and oatmeal soap? I keep saying I make some to give to teachers as a Christmas present.

Do you think if you were a teacher (maybe some of you are) you'd be happy to receive handmade soap? I posted on MN a while ago asking this very question. Lots of teachers seemed quite disturbed at the idea.

Teacher presents is a good idea.

I've spotted this recipe today, I know its only melt and pour but it looks amazing!

www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk/recipe_cake_soap.htm

As a teacher, I was lucky enough to teach a child whose family kept bees and made a variety of products. I got a basket for christmas/end year with honey skin care products, beeswax candles and actual honey. I loved it! Love the homemade soap idea.

I feel reassured now - and I think there's time to make a few batches if I get my act together (after being inspired by Viva to dig out my equipment). And I can involve the girls (once I've done the lye bit) they can stir and add the essential oils.

I've found this soap-making forum. Any good?

Also, I've never used a stick blender to get my soap to trace. It is the blender end (that liquidizes everything) or the whisk attachment you use?

I use the blender end - easier to immerse so you're less likely to flick unsaponified lye over your favourite shirt. Ahem.

Slapmeonthepatio - I'm probably preaching to the converted here,but even when doing the stirring bit, your girls will need to wear goggles and gloves. I've had some soap batter splash up on my face and it is stingy but I was wearing goggles at the time.

And my son's nursry teacher got handmade soap at the end of term at the summer; guess what she's getting this year . not sure if she liked it or even knew that it was handmade my be, but i reackoned it was better than a box of chocs.