DIY Network

Basic Melt-and-Pour Soap Learn the basic melt-and-pour soap making technique. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-115

Guest Anne-Marie Faiola joins host Jennifer Perkins and demonstrates how to perform a basic melt- and-pour soap technique. She talks about the different types of soap bases available and melting soap in a double boiler. Anne-Marie also talks about soap scent and color and then she and Jennifer pour their melted soap base into Hawaiian shirt molds.

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	Guest Anne-Marie Faiola shares the basics of soap making and different techniques, such as using soap paint...
	and how to emboss designs into your soap.
	Figure A

Basic Melt-and-Pour Soap

Project designed by Anne-Marie Faiola

Materials:

Mica (soap colorant) or food coloring
glitter (optional)
fragrance oil or essential oil
Hawaiian shirt mold
clear melt and pour base (Stephenson brand)
glass Pyrex measuring cup
microwave or double boiler
alcohol in spritzer bottle

1. Melt and pour (MP) is just that easy—apply heat to melt the base and pour it into a mold. If you purchased a high quality base, you will have a uniquely shaped bar of soap that you can make in just minutes.

2. The artistry is where you really get to add a piece of your own creativity.

   Fun Idea: A fragrance can be added to make a nice bowl of small, individual soaps for your guests.

3. Melt the melt-and-pour base in a glass container, usually a measuring cup, in your microwave, or on a stove with a double boiler (a homemade one is easy to make with a pot in a pot). Do not boil the soap, just heat until melted.

4. Once melted, thoroughly mix in the color and then add fragrance to suit your taste. Do not inhale too deeply or you will flood the nose uncomfortably.

5. Pour your now colored and scented soap into the mold (figure A) and let the soap set up overnight. Any extra soap can be poured into anything flexible enough to allow removal later.

   Note: You can use plastic packaging from products that have a cover and cardboard backing—just take off the cardboard backing.

6. Let your soap sit overnight so that it will be hard enough to pop out easily. MP is sticky until it sets up so don't get in a hurry to remove the soap or you risk stressing or ruining your expensive mold. Remember, the mold costs several dollars and the soap is worth a few cents—besides you have to wait overnight.

RESOURCES :

Soap Mold/Base/Colorants/Lip Balm Cases/Paints/Soap Stamp--Mica
Bramble Berry, Inc.
Website: www.brambleberry.com

GUESTS :

Anne-Marie Faiola
Bramble Berry, Inc.
Website: www.brambleberry.com