Back in March of this year, I participated in the Soap Challenge Club which was about the Clamshell Technique taught by Teri from Tree Marie Soapworks. My husband and I did three attempts at it, and then it occurred to me that a similar pouring technique could produce something similar to the pattern of peacock feathers. (the way they overlap each other). Since this was just a theory, I decided to try it in a small mold first. I am glad it was just a small mold because it took a long time to pour and I found it repetitive and boring. It took around 30 minutes once I started doing the actual pour, for a 4″ inch mold. If it had been my regular 10″ mold, it would have taken over an hour!
Recently I watched a video of a similar pour that seems to be more time efficient. You can see it here.
I chose a well behaved fragrance for this soap (NG Cucumber Melon), and while it did behave well, it seems to have faded after 5 months (it was out in the air in my curing rack). Perhaps the soap should have been wrapped or boxed or used sooner. I gave away two bars and have kept the remaining two.
For colors, I used some enviroglitters so that there would be some sparkle, similar to the iridescence of peacock feathers.
Check out the video at the bottom of the page to see the process!
Below is the recipe and materials / supply list:
Recipe Totals
| Liquid Required | 4.48 oz | 127.02 g |
| NaOH Weight | 2.24 oz | 63.5 g |
| Oil Weight | 16 oz | 453.59 g |
| Fragrance Oil Weight | 0.48 oz | 13.61 g |
| Superfat | 5% | |
| Total Batch Weight | 23.2 oz | 657.72 g |
Recipe Oils, Fats and Waxes
| Oil | % | Ounces | Grams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olive Oil | 39 | 6.24 | 176.9 |
| Tallow Beef | 26 | 4.16 | 117.93 |
| Coconut Oil, 76 deg | 23 | 3.68 | 104.33 |
| Castor Oil | 6 | 0.96 | 27.22 |
| Shea Butter | 6 | 0.96 | 27.22 |
| Total | 100 | 16 | 453.59 |
Colorants
Fragrance
1 oz of Cucumber melon
Mold
Equipment
This is the standard equipment I use
From there, these pour pitchers came very handy:
**Some of the links are Affiliate links, and they are for products for which I will receive a small percentage back if you make a purchase using them, which helps keep this blog running. However, I did not receive any incentive for purchasing them.
Soaps by Glenda 