As a soap maker, I know that I need to follow the IFRA maximum usage rates in my soaps. However, I did not know what IFRA meant. It turns out, it means International Fragrance Association. And from their website, I quote what their standards mean, in short: "To ensure that you and your family can… Continue reading Pumpkin patch Soap and IFRA rates
Whenever I find myself in a carnival setting, if there is a vendor that sells candy apples, you can be sure I will be buying one. Unlike caramel apples, candy apples have a hard shell that makes them a bit difficult to eat. Yet, the sight of a candy apple triggers a memory in me,… Continue reading Caramel Apple Soap
Peach cobbler is a popular dessert in the South. There are two ways to make it, one resembles a pie, with a pie crust on top. And another looks like a cake. This latter one is my favorite version. It is usually served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and that was the inspiration… Continue reading Peach Cobbler Soap
I had been considering making a portrait style soap for a while, but hesitated because I could not figure out how. I have done some painting style soaps before, like the Starry Night, the Sunflowers or the Puzzle Soap; however, I did not think the heavy texture of those soaps would translate well into a… Continue reading Frida inspired Soap
One of my favorite shows to watch, is the Great British Bake Off. Though it has been renamed to Great British Baking Show when it airs in America. As a rule, I do not like watching reality tv or competition shows. There is too much drama and backstabbing among the contestants. But this show (and… Continue reading Soap Bonsai
I bought this pineapple fragrance formulator a while back and wanted to test it before using it in a blend. It smells just like pineapple, or pineapple candy, and has stayed very strong in the soap after 6 weeks. Pineapple is one of my favorite fruits to eat; however I cannot eat more than a couple… Continue reading Pineapple soap
One of the things I liked growing up in El Salvador, is how accessible buying fruit that is already peeled, cut and ready to eat was. When I was in middle school, right after class, by the school doors, there was a plethora of vendors selling candy, cookies, watermelon, mango, and a variety of fruit already cut… Continue reading Mangonada Soap
āIf you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. ā- Vincent Van Gogh Lately, I have been contemplating the idea of making dividers for scenic soaps, rather than using the sculpted layers technique (soap scrapers). I have come to realize that I… Continue reading Starry Night Soap with dividers
I find soap challenges to be, well, challenging. One of the reasons why I like to participate in them is because it forces me to try a technique I may not attempt otherwise. I made this soap for the monthly challenge from the soapmakingforum a few months ago. Usually I do one attempt at a… Continue reading Nautilus Soap
I like making an ocean or beach themed soap every summer. This year, however, I did not want to repeat any of my past ocean soap designs, and did not want to represent the sand either, the way I did with the Seashell soap or the sea life soap. I wanted this soap to be… Continue reading Making a Wave Soap
Soaps by Glenda 