In today's video, I will show you the process I used to make this beautiful tree picture soap!
President Lincoln's Cottage Museum Store requested that I make several soap bar designs for their shop and I jumped at the opportunity! I created several designs based on the garden and grounds, and this tree picture soap was my favorite!
I had never made a tree picture soap before, and teaching yourself to think in an extra dimension (ala, what is this thing going to look like when you cut it open??) is very different. I made sure to narrate much of the process in this video and walk you through my thinking with regard to how the picture soap would come together and look when it was cut into bars.
Looking to start making soap and not sure where to start? You can check out my earlier video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7JlAtmsIcM
but below are also some super-helpful and creative channels whose content I ADORE.
Royalty Soaps: https://www.youtube.com/user/RoyaltySoaps I mentioned in the video that I used the Royalty Soaps base oils recipe for my soap batter. It's my standard go-to recipe, and then I jazz it up periodically with additives. For this tree picture soap, I replaced some of the water with aloe vera juice.
Soap Queen TV (AKA Brambleberry): https://www.youtube.com/user/soapqueentv There is a lot to be learned on this channel, and convenient links to supplies. This is where I started out. On Bramblerry's website, you can buy pre-mixed oils (quick mixes, they're called) or entire kits to try out the process before you go all-in with 50gallon drums of coconut oil. :)
BOTH of these channels above include basic tutorials on lye safety, which are IMPORTANT TO WATCH AND UNDERSTAND prior to starting your soapmaking adventure. Please use recommended safety gear!
💥Affiliate links to some of the products I used in this video:
I know some of you will take issue with the "support of Amazon", but let's not forget that many of the sellers on Amazon are other small businesses who need a platform because their marketing budgets are small. I myself sell my handmade goods on Amazon since there are already active shoppers on the site who are not shopping on my site, or even know I exist.
SO...let's just take the below recommendations as they are intended...as a list to help you with convenient shopping options. The links below are all affiliate links and help with the support of this blog and my YouTube channel. Please know if you make a purchase through any of the links below, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks in advance for your support!❤
✔Base soaping oils:
Olive Oil - https://amzn.to/3gdvZLs
Coconut Oil - https://amzn.to/3zlHWpR
RSPO Palm Oil - https://amzn.to/358WmMi
Castor Oil - https://amzn.to/2SpKbIe
Sweet Almond Oil - https://amzn.to/3xaXR8G
✔Stick blender - my choice for new soapmakers is this inexpensive option, it's what I started with: https://amzn.to/2ShJ9Oz
I have since upgraded to a cordless KitchenAid, which I LOVE, but it's much more expensive: https://amzn.to/3gbZ1Lt
✔Make sure you use bowls dedicated to soap making, DO NOT mix and match these items with kitchen supplies. My white bowls came from Dollar Tree, but my other large mixing containers are these: https://amzn.to/3cupXUs You can also find smaller quantities of these at a hardware store.
✔Clay extruder used for soap dough: https://amzn.to/3cAzgCt
✔Mica's and colorants can be found easily at brambleberry.com and wholesalesuppliesplus.com (free shipping over $25)
I hope you enjoy the video!
Amanda