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

Transparent soap the color of the sky. A crescent moon and shining star glow through a sweep of glitter stars.

This project teaches how to add cut-out opaque soap inclusions to clear bars.

Makes 1 4-ounce bar.

Materials and Supplies:
3 oz clear glycerin soap base
1 oz opaque glycerin soap base
small pinch soap glitter
2 drops blue soap colorant
8 drops soap fragrance
4 oz-capacity soap mold
microwave-safe measuring cup (2-cup size)
instant-read thermometer
small loaf pan
small moon and star cookie cutters
spray bottle filled with rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
bamboo skewers
vegetable oil in oil mister or vegetable oil
(do not use pan spray)
Instructions:
Spritz loaf pan sheet with vegetable oil.

Cut opaque soap base into 1/2-inch chunks and place in microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat in microwave for on High for 10 seconds, followed by 5 second intervals until melted. Do not allow soap to boil.

Insert 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 loaf pan. Soap should measure 1/8th to 1/4-th inch thick.

Allow to cool until nearly hard, about 15-20 minutes. Use cookie cutters to cut out small moon and star shapes from the opaque soap. Remove from pan and set aside.

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 three 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 2 drops blue colorant and mix. 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 opaque soap pieces. Spritz moon and star lightly with rubbing alcohol, and place gently on the cooled soap film. Use the bamboo skewers to make any tiny adjustments necessary. Allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

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

When inclusions 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, filling the mold 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.