Soapy Saturday October 17th, 2015: Colors!

I've been wanting to do something non-bookish on the blog but couldn't think what. I'm not much for cooking, I can't garden worth a darn, and I don't sew, knit,or do anything creative. Then I remembered that I make soaps, bath salts, and sugar scrubs, and that's both creative AND crafty. Every other Saturday, or when I remember :D, I'll share some photos and recipes and chat a bit. I'm by no means an expert, it's a casual hobby, though for a few years I did have an online store. I still sell if you ever want to place an order.

Colors! So much fun with colors. I get to let out my inner child and color mix and play. It's art, it's science, it's fun.

You can buy a three pack from Michael's and Jo Ann Crafts has some colors but to get the most colors and best variety, shop online. Colors come in liquids, pigments, and powders. It's amazing how many shades of yellow there are and I own daisy patch's worth of them, lol. I've used liquids and powders but haven't yet used pigments. I may someday but I need to use some of what I currently have before investing in new colorants.

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT use food coloring. Not only will the color bleed from your finished product, but every time you use the soap, the color will stain your skin. I know, I've done it. :( You need to purchase colorant that is labeled for cosmetic use or skin use. 

See that soap in the post image? That's gold glitter in clear glycerine. I could have used less but this was one of my first times using glitter as a color and not as an accent and I was still learning. When using colorant, in any form, start small. You can add more if need be but diluting is trickier. If your color is too strong, melt down the colored soap but add in some chopped uncolored glycerine, a cube or two at a time until you get your desired color. When I say uncolored glycerine, I don't mean clear, but more of the same soap you used before  you colored it.

For liquid colorants, start with 1 drop per melted ounce, then stir and see if it's the color you were aiming for; for glitter and powders, use a small pinch in  your melted soap, then stir and see if you need or want more. Make sure your soap is completely melted before adding colorant and hold off on the fragrance until you're satisfied with the color. It'll be easier to fix any mistakes that way.

When buying color from a new vendor, don't go crazy; buy only one or two to check the quality. I made the mistake of buying a multi-pack from a new vendor and discovered that the colors bleed, even though the manufacturer claimed they were soap-grade. They wouldn't refund my money so I no longer shop there.

Liquid colorants from 3 different vendors

Now, to mix colors. Go crazy! LOL But you might want to have lots of shot glasses or custard bowls available; glass is best as plastic is more likely to stain. When trying to create a color for the first time, you might want to do it minus the soap. Once you have the color you want, prepare your soap and add the color in.

Color mixing does have some principles to it. Want to darken your color, say from bright blue to navy blue? Add a drop of black, stir, check color, add more if needed. Need to lighten the color? Add a little bit of white glycerine, or, if you have any, white powder.

Want to use multiple colors in a soap design? Not sure how to mix and match colors? Try a color wheel.

Now go have fun with colors!

Some online vendors; I do not have affiliate links.

Brambleberry
Candles & Supplies
Nature's Garden (on my list to try)
Wholesale Supplies Plus (I haven't used them before so I can't vouch for quality)

Some of the fun you can have with colors. :)

 

 

The purple, burgundy and raspberry pink are my on creations. The brownish soap is clear glycerin with chamomile seeds, and the gold coyote paw is actually a yellow liquid.