The essential factors to modern soap making are:

Base oils
Additives like herbs or preservatives among others
Colorants

Base oils will serve as the main ingredient of handmade soap, and are referred to as carrier oils or fixed oils.  The type and class of oil used has a certain effect on the curing and saponification processes.  Also, with the total look and particular feel of the soaps.  Base oils may be one, two or more of the following:

Almond oil
Apricot kernel oil
Avocado oil
Castor oil
Cocoa butter
Coconut oil
Jojoba oil
Mango butter
Olive oil
Palm oil
Palm kernel oil
Shea butter
Vegetable oil
Vegetable shortening
Wheatgerm oil

Additives are used to characterize ingredients not necessary for the saponification process, but are essentially added to soaps in tracing.  Most common soap additives used worldwide according to their group classifications are:

Emollients
Honey
Glycerin

Oatmeal
Essential oils

Cedarwood
Eucalyptus
Ginger
Grapefruit
Lavender
Tea tree

Herbs

Calendula
Chamomile
Lavender
Rose
Peppermint

Oils

Evening primrose oil
Vitamin E oil

Others

Aloe vera
Clay
Coffee
Kelp

Preservatives

Grapefruit seed extract
Honey
Tea tree essential oils
Vitamin E oil

Scrubs

Almond meal
Cornmeal
Loofah
Oatmeal/oat bran
Pumice
Rice

Colorants:   There are lots of the additives and essential oils, as well as herbs, will naturally supply with color to your finished products.  Part of the charm and allure of these soaps are its shapes, colors, and scents.  However, some makers add separate colorants to their products.

Procedures:

(Preparations)
1)Carefully choose recipes and double check measurements and calculations.
2)Lined the mold with plastic wrap.
3)Set out and arrange all the needed ingredients.
4)Prepare and measure correctly the additives.
5)Cover space area used for easy cleaning afterwards.
6)Ready yourself by putting on gloves, goggles and other important safety measures.

(Lye and water mixture)
7)Measure the lye properly and put the correct measurement into the designated container.
8)Then, measure the desirable amount of water for the lye mixture.
9)Carefully add the water to the lye.
10)Stir in the mixture making sure the lye dissolves fully.
11)Set in some place for it to cool, and can reach up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
12)Check in the lye solution temperature every once in a while to ascertain it fits in the allowable temperature.  (Note: do not lean so much into the mixture as lye fumes can burn the throat and mouth.)

(Oils and Fats)
13)Weight out all fats and oils in your list.
14)Put them all together in a stainless pot and heat on a burning stove, keeping to low heat.
15)As all the oils and fats are well melted and blended, set it aside and leave to cool.

(Combination: Lye Solution and Oils)
16) Check again the lye solution if it has cooled down appropriately.
17)And then check also the oil temperature.
18)Make sure to match the two temperatures within two degrees of each other.
19)As soon as they reach the correct temperature ranges, slowly pour in the lye solution to the oil in the pot while continually stirring.
20)Continue to stir until the two mixtures are really well blended.  (Note: the mixture should appear more opaque and creamier as you keep on stirring it.)
21)Once desired color and mixture is achieved, carefully put the additives and stir to thoroughly mixed it.

(Mold)
22) Position the mold in the most suitable manner so as not to trip it when the soap mixture is poured in.
23)Slowly pour in the mixture into the mold.
24)Level the surface using a spoon, adding a little pressure to press the entire contents without any plausible space for air within the soap mixture to prevent bubbles formation in the finished product.
25)Wrap mold in a towel or blanket, placing it in a draft-free, or warm area.
26)Let it cool for more than 24 hours without anyone touching it.

At first, soap making is really crucial and can be tricky.  But when you get the hang of it, you will eventually get used to the process and even master the skills.  The same can be said with candle making.  Procedures and proper calculations and measurements must be followed to achieve desired output.

Candle Making

Materials:

Melting system such as the double boiler
Paraffin wax
Vybar
Stearic acid
Candle mold
Mold seal
Wick
Color block or dye
Fragrance oil
Pouring jug

The following is a basic step-by-step guide in candle making.

Melting Wax (Note: This can really be dangerous, utmost CARE is a MUST.)

1)A fire extinguisher is important in melting wax for candles and read its instructions very carefully.
2)Do not leave unattended melting wax.
3)The use of double boiler is highly recommended to evenly distribute heat, thus, preventing dangerously heated temperatures.
4)Use electric stove if possible as it does not have flames.
5)Keep a thermometer on hand to constantly monitor wax temperatures.

(Double boiler)
6)A large old pot can be used to hold the pouring pot.
7)Put water into the old pot before putting in the pouring pot.  Two inches of water will do.
8)Boil.
9)Place directly the pouring pot into the boiling water.
10)Adjust the heat to a simmer.
11)Periodically put on water in place of the evaporated liquid.
12)Let the wax melt in the pouring pot while constantly monitoring the temperature.

(Wick)
13)Harden the wick by placing it into the melted wax.  When bubbles start to appear, it indicates that the wick had absorbed enough wax.
14)Pull the wick from the mixture and then dry it flat.  Do not touch it for the wax is too hot.
15)Once hard, carefully place it in the middle of the mold with the tip inserted into the mold’s small hole.
16)Secure the end with a pencil or anything to hold it in place.

(Mold)
17)Once the required wax temperature is attained, add the necessary additives.
18)Before pouring into the mold, add desired fragrance oil.
19)Stir for about two minutes but not too vigorously to avoid extra air into the wax mixture.
20)Once all is set, pour into the mold making sure the wick is on the center.
21)Let it dry.  Once dried enough, remove the mold and you already have your dainty, scented candle.

Both of these procedures, either in soap making or candle making, will be eventually mastered in time.  You will gradually learn a lot of things and more techniques and essential elements along the way.  By then, you will be able to make and produce more fascinating and charming products that you will be very proud of.  Soap and candle making are the best ways to enhance your creative minds and playful spirits.

Tags: candle making, handmade-soap-recipe, how to make soap, soap and candle making, Soap making

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 6th, 2010 at 9:12 pm and is filed under Make Soap. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.