New Supplies and My First Order!

I know I promised a post about face masks but that can wait. My package arrived today! I had been out on a wonderful day off from work, enjoying the sun, poking around craft stores, buying my kitty presents, and when I got home my mom immediately pointed out the package that had come in the mail. (I think she just wanted to know what was inside). The amazing Brambleberry was speedy again! Though I probably won't be buying any essential oils from the store, I have found that their fragrance section is very extensive. It helps that she is all about soap making herself. It was one of the only places I could find a good raspberry scent.

When I first made my Hello Kitty soaps a very close friend of mine, the one who got me my job actually, immediately commented that she wanted some, she wanted to buy some, and here have some alcohol so I can get you so drunk you will sign a lifelong contract with me. (I am very susceptible to vodka. Yumm.) She also let me know that she loves raspberry vanilla. It's kind of her thing. At the time I had been awaiting the arrival of my friend from Virginia and knew I would have no extra money to spend, but I found the vanilla in Seattle and a few days ago finally put in the order for the Sun-Ripened Raspberry fragrance oil. Two ounces was very inexpensive and, like the wonderful company they are, on top it I was given a free sample a Dark Rich Chocolate fragrance oil that I am really excited to use with my vanilla.

The raspberry is so big! (And the chocolate is very small.)

I also read up on colourants, not wanting to use food colouring anymore. Translucent soap bases are very good for mica powders that are, apparently very pretty and shimmery. It doesn't work as well in other bases and I really like the look of translucent in the little molded pieces so I thought mica would be perfect. Plus I have always wanted to try it. I picked a Merlot colour for it's deep red violet as opposed to the other red that was very orange. I thought it suited her and raspberry a lot better.

 

Before checking out I threw on ten eye droppers for cheap, not wanting to cross-contaminate. They're so big! I love it.

 I don't know why they're glowing. No, they're not magical.

Overall I only paid about twenty dollars, and that included shipping.

I could not wait to get started. So I didn't.

 

I was a little apprehensive about the mica at first, worried I was going to use it wrong or waste it or ruin my soap altogether. But I added it little by little as the soap melted. It seemed really chunky at first but quickly dissolved as I stirred it in. Already it was pearly and gorgeous. I added a good amount of raspberry, wanting it to be my most prominent smell and then a bit of the vanilla for an undertone. I could use vanilla all day it smelled so wonderful. However the mix wasn't strong enough and I had to add a bit more of each. I'm still not sure it's strong enough but the smell does come through. My family all really loved it. I still might add more next time. After that everything was the same as my original Hello Kitty soaps. I poured it into the molds wising I had some alcohol to burst the few airbubbles but that was just me being a perfectionist (It will be included in my next supply buy.). While shopping I had picked up a silicone mold originally intended for little brownie bites that I intend to use for little square soaps and my roommate begged me to use the extra to make her a couple of squares. I was happy to oblige.

Leaving it to set in the open on the counter, I made and ate some dinner (and got to use some of the onions from the garden!) and when I was all finished they were ready to pull from the molds.

I wish you could really see how beautiful the colour turned out.

With flash so you can see just how shiny they are.

The little squares turned out wonderful as well. I knew I would love this tray.

I am so beyond proud of what I have made tonight. My favourite by far. The recipe was all mine and turned out almost perfect. The only change I plan to make is to up the amounts on my scents. I hope Alyssa loves them because I know I do. Now I just have to figure out fair pricing. Who knows? Maybe I will be selling even more soon.

♥ Amanda Leigh