The Beauty of You Tube

I love You Tube. Since I am a visual learner, I have learned so much by watching other soap makers on You Tube.

The first soap making videos I ever watched were of the Soap Queen (Anne Marie) of Bramble Berry fame. I learned all of the basics that I needed to get started.

I then discovered Emily Shieh of Shieh Design Studio: http://www.youtube.com/user/shiehdesignstudio. I love her soaps and I love to learn from her. She is a bit self deprecating and always funny. Her soaps could not be more amazing!

I recently found Celine of : http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSoaperstar.
She is incredible too! The soap pictured at the top is a technique that I learned from her. I have tried this 3 times now and each time I get better! I am no where as good as either of these "soap stars," but I love that I am improving and gathering pieces of wisdom. Thanks to all the soap makers who take the time to make these videos; they mean the world to me.

I also had a happy accident! I was sent the wrong fragrance oil from Bramble Berry. I had ordered Crisp Apple Rose, but was sent Crisp Anjou Pear. Well, I am pretty easy going, so I kept it (at a discounted rate). My kids went crazy for it because it smells like a Jolly Rancher candy, but I don't have any scents like this and I think it will be great for Spring.

I was trying to figure out how to get a pear green color. I have limited funds for soap making, so I really have to work with what I have, I never am exactly sure what color I will get unless I am duplicating a recipe, so I was free-styling this effort.

I started with a base that included green chrome pigment. The only time I have used this, I achived a forest green, so I only used a touch. I made the bottom layer a muted green. For the next layer, I added a touch of Lab Colors in Lime sorbet and then for the final layer I added more, which is what you see in the photo. I can't wait to cut this bat, but I am happy with the intense pear green of the top layer. Photos to follow soon!