Thank you for finding your way here! If you would like to view a video to see the process I use, you can go there now: How to make soap with the Maker's Blend

What you’ll need:
2 - 5 lb Soap Molds or individual cavity molds
Mixing Bowl | Scale | Stick Blender | Goggles |
Gloves | Spatula | Small Glasses or Bowls | Paper Cups
112 oz (7 lb jug). Beekeeper’s Wife Soap Blend
15.7oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
23 oz. Distilled Water or Ice
3.5 oz. Fragrance/Essential Oil (check IFRA usage rates for what you choose to use)
10 oz Coconut Milk or Goats Milk for a non vegan version (optional)
1 medium pinch silk (optional)
2.5 oz honey (optional)
Any skin safe colorant (optional)
10 tsp. Sodium Lactate (optional)

Mango Maker's Blend Ingredient list:
Rice Bran Oil, Coconut Oil, Mango Butter, Sweet Almond Oil & Castor Oil.

This batch is calculated for a water to lye ratio of 1.5:1 and 6% super fat.
Follow these steps: These steps are beginner friendly and written to make into separate batches if you only have 1- 5 lb mold. Just divide everything by 2.
(2) 5 lb loaves of soap. You can split this
I get 32 - 4.5 oz bars cut 1” thick out of 2 - 5 lb molds. That is the standard size of a typical artisan soap bar.

FRAGRANCE PREP: In a glass container, weigh out the Fragrance/Essential Oil and set aside.
COLORANT PREP: this step is optional. Measure 1 teaspoon per lb of oils of Mica to 1 tablespoon lightweight liquid oil. I use a small amount of oil from my batch. Mix well in a paper cup.
MILK PREP: Weigh out Coconut or Goat Milk in container. Milk is optional but coconut milk lends wonderful properties to your soap and is vegan.
HONEY PREP: this step is optional. Weigh out 3 ounces from the total 20 oz of distilled water and warm for 20 seconds in the microwave. Add the honey and stir to fully dissolve.

Goggles, Gloves and long sleeves on for SAFETY!!

Slowly and carefully weigh and add lye to the distilled water. I use a stainless steel milk frother for my lye solution. Gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved. Optional: Add a pinch of tussah or mulberry silk and sodium lactate to help the bars harden more quickly. You can also use the ice method. Weigh ice at the same water weight and then add the lye. Stir and let fully melt.

If using honey, once the honey water has cooled completely, carefully add to your lye water and stir to blend well. It will heat up a bit more and might discolor a bit. This is a normal reaction. You can also add this to your coconut milk and blend well. That is what I do most of the time. Keep in mind that if you are doing intricate swirls, your batch may heat up quicker when using this method.

If the soap blend mix is not clear, warm it until it’s completely clear. During colder weather, I place my jugs in a soaping bucket and fill with hot tap water. It only takes about 10-15 min to melt. Shake well and make sure the bottom of the jug is clear.
Once the lye and oils are room temperature or between 80-100 degrees, slowly add the lye water to the oils. Blend until your oils are emulsified. (no free oil floating on top and the bell of the stick blender remains coated with soap)
Add all of the fragrance/essential oil and coconut milk. Add any colorant you want to use.

Stir or whisk everything in thoroughly until you have the desired trace you want for your design. Be careful with stick blending at this point so you don’t accelerate your batter. Be very careful not to pour too thin. That can cause issues. Know what trace is before you start and watch for it carefully.

Gently pour the batter into your mold.
Now for the fun part! Decorate the top of your soap with texture, botanicals, swirls or even bio glitter.

Insulate and cover the loaf for 18-24 hours – due to the honey and coconut milk, you may need to vent the top of your loaf so it won’t overheat. I check for hotness about 10-20 minutes after pouring to see how it is doing. The fragrance you choose can affect gel phase so keep a close eye on it until you know it is safe. If you see it starting to get “puffy” on top, take the cover completely off and let it cool. If you don’t, it could crack!
Unmold and cut into bars then let them cure for 4-6 weeks for a hard and long lasting soap.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the process!