1. Am I just melting all ingredients in a pot?
In a clean poot, put a tablespoon of water, then weigh in your chopped up soap base. Melt on low, swishing as needed. Take off the heat and add the clay or micas moistened with water for colour, then oils or butters, then essential oils. Pour into your mold, then poke flowers into the soap if you are using these.
2. How do I make them that rectangular shape like in the picture above? Do you have molds? If not, what do you suggest for molds?
You can borrow fancy molds from me when you come to pick up if you like. For square or rectangular soaps, take a clean empty milk carton, taple the "roofed" end shut, and pour. When hardened, cut the soap into bars. You'll want to make sure you have made enough soap base the get the right thickness for the bars.
3. How do I get the beautiful swirly designs like in the picture!? They look awesome!
Make two different coloured batches. Half fill your mold, and let it set a bit - not too hot, not too cool. Then drizzle in your alternate colour and stir in your patterns. Frankly, it takes practice. Zinc oxide gives the milky opaque look. Micas and clays give the colour.
4. Can I pretty much choose whatever clay colours I like (based on the different properties of the clay of course). My daughter is interested in producing a yellow colour. How can I do that?
Choose the colours you like. I sell French yellow clay. mitti clay is yellowish, and I also have oxide powder. Don't worry too much about the therapeutic properties of the clay as it doesn't make much difference in a soap. You can see and choose when you come to pick up your order - just order what you think you want and we can edit your order here.
5. How do I add butters to the soap? What proportions?
To 240g of base, you can add up to 15ml. Best to start with 10ml of oil or 10g of butter. Stir (swish) it in after the melted soap comes off the heat. I premeasure these so I don't risk lewtting the soap base set while I measure.
6. Do you sell the flowers? Or do I just gather my own?
I can sell you some flowers -
or you can special order them through me (multiply posted price by 1.2 to cover my costs)
or order directly here http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/raw-materials-dried-flowers-c-13_64...
or you can buy them at Hebie's Herbs on Queen St W just East of Bathurst on the north side.
Best, Tracey
Tracey TieF
Certified Natural Health Practitioner