Soapmaking 101

Soapmaking is unbelievably easy.  All you really need is the soap base, a glass mixing bowl, some molds, and a microwave oven.  It's really fun to experiment with colors and scents.  All the supplies are available at HM Ben Franklin Crafts. First you cut up the block of soap base.  You'll need about four 1-1/2" blocks of soap per bar (average size) you plan to make. Put the blocks in the microwavable bowl and melt for about 2 minutes at 8 power.  Next mix in about 10 drops of soap dye and then stir in several drops of soap fragrance.  Pour this colored and scented liquid soap into lightly oiled soap molds. Let the soap harden for a few hours before attempting to unmold the soap bars.

I scented my Xmas soaps with peppermint (pink swirl) and apple (seafoam green) but HM Ben Franklin Crafts has many soap scents and colors for sale.  For gift giving I chose to wrap my soap bars in cello bags (many sizes available at HM BFC) so that the scents or colors wouldn't bleed into each other. 

I found some really elegant bamboo trays at Daiso and thought that they would be perfect for holding the gift soaps.  I wrapped the trays in a washi paper that had some great raffia-like fibers in it and used raffia to tie up the package.  If you can't find interesting washi papers (check Celebrations) try using parchment paper.  I made these soap gifts for holiday hostess gifts and small 'just because' presents. It's so easy and inexpensive to make soaps that I think once you get started you'll be making them all year long for many occasions. Remember Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are on the horizon. Soaps are much loved and appreciated gifts!