Confetti Creations

melt-and-pour soap recipe
by Cynthia Townley Ewer
Editor, OrganizedHome.Com

A two-in-one gift for a special little girl: colorful plastic hair ornaments encased in a bar of glittering soap.

Made with clear glycerin soap base, soap fragrance and a pinch of soap glitter, this simple soap is an excellent beginning project.

Makes 1 4-ounce bar.

Materials and Supplies:
4 oz clear glycerin soap base
small pinch soap glitter
8 drops lavender blossom soap fragrance
assorted small plastic hair ornaments
(we used spiral hair twists)
4 oz-capacity soap mold
microwave-safe measuring cup (2-cup size)
instant-read thermometer
spray bottle filled with rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
bamboo skewers
vegetable oil in oil mister or vegetable oil
(do not use pan spray)
Instructions:
Prepare the soap mold by spritzing lightly with vegetable oil sprayer and wiping nearly dry.

Cut clear glycerin soap base in 1-inch chunks. Place four ounces soap in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat on High for 15 seconds, then for 5 second intervals until soap is melted. Do not allow soap to boil.

Remove measuring cup from microwave. Stir in 8 drops soap fragrance, mixing thoroughly. Add small pinch of soap glitter, and stir gently.

Insert an instant-read thermometer to monitor soap temperature. When thermometer reads 120 degrees (or when soap forms a skin in the measuring cup), move skin aside and gently pour soap into prepared mold, filling the mold 1/4th to 1/3rd full.

Allow mold to stand for 5 to 10 minutes, until it has formed a skin strong enough to support the hair ornaments. Spritz each hair ornament lightly with rubbing alcohol, and place gently on the cooled soap film. Use the bamboo skewers to make any tiny adjustments necessary.

Reheat remaining soap in measuring cup, stir and cool to 120 degrees. Pour soap gently over hair ornaments, adding only enough soap to barely cover ornaments. Allow soap in mold to cool and form a skin for 10 to 15 minutes.

When ornaments are fairly firmly embedded in cooled soap, reheat the remaining soap in the measuring cup. Stir and cool to 120 degrees. Pour remaining soap into the mold, covering hair ornaments completely. Immediately spritz the soap surface with a light mist of rubbing alcohol to control any bubbles that have risen to the surface.

Cool soap completely before attempting to unmold. You may put the mold in the refrigerator to cool, but do not put it in the freezer. Press the mold gently with your thumb to unmold.

Allow 3 to 4 weeks for soap to cure before wrapping. Wrap completed soap with clear plastic food wrap, and attach a gift label with soap contents listed.

Makes 1 4-ounce bar.