I'm trying to post this for everyone to see.  I'm very new to this and
not sure I'm doing it right.  If you have any questions just let me know!
 I'm always glad to help.  

For those of you who have commented on my name, Thyme For Ewe is the name
of my business.  I make this soap professionally, along with beeswax
candles.  

Allow yourself 90 minutes to do this the first time.  It's easier every
time.  I make six batches in four hours now.

Homemade Soap

Equipment:
Stainless steel stock pot 
half gallon glass jar
rubber spatula or long handled wooden spoon
scale that will weigh up to 38 ounces
thermometer, meat or candy is fine
mold with cover, I recommend a heavy plastic mold the size of a large
shoe box if you     intend to make soap only occasionally.   I use
industrial plastic
sheet of freezer paper
two large towels or a blanket
***safety glasses
***rubber gloves


Ingredients:
12 oz lye (Red Devil, found beside Draino, do not use Draino)
32 oz water (My well water is hard so I buy it)
24 oz coconut oil (health food store)
24 oz olive oil (do not use virgin, the less pure the better)
38 oz vegetable oil (Crisco solid, not liquid oil)

4 oz fragrance/essential oil if desired
botanicals if desired  ie:  8 oz pulverized oatmeal or 4 oz cornmeal or 2
oz dried herbs/flowers

Dissolve lye in water.  This is best done under an exhaust fan or
outdoor.  Stand back and avoid fumes.  Set aside to cool.  In the
stainless steel stock pot melt the Crisco and coconut oil.  Add the olive
oil and allow to cool. 

Grease your soap mold now.  Some soap makers prefer silicone spray but my
purpose in making my own soap is to avoid using things like that.  I use
Crisco.  Fit the freezer paper into the bottom and two sides of the mold
to make removing the soap easier.  Grease the paper.

When both the oils and lye mixtures have cooled to 90* you are ready to
blend.  You can speed cooling by using a sink of cool water and setting
the mixtures in to cool.  If one cools too much you can warm it in a sink
of warm water.

You need to have 10-40 minutes of uninterrupted time now.  Slowly pour
the water/lye mixture into the oils. You'll quickly see a reaction.  Stir
in a consistent manner.  Don't beat as you would eggs but stir quickly
enough to keep the mixture in constant motion.  If you're creating
bubbles in the mixture you are going too fast.  Continue
to stir until the soap "traces."  You'll feel a slight difference in
consistency as the soap begins to saponify.  When tracing has occurred
you'll be able to drizzle a small amount of soap back onto the top of the
soap in the pan and it will leave a trace before sinking back into the
rest of the mixture.  After a batch or two you'll recognize when tracing
has occurred by the feel of the soap while stirring.

If you want to add botanicals/grains to your soap now is the time to do
it.  Remove one cup of soap (doesn't need to be exactly a cup, whatever
it takes to mix with the botanical/grains) and stir in with whatever
you're adding in a separate bowl. Oatmeal makes a nice complexion soap,
corn meal adds texture to scrub dirty hands.  As soon as it's mixed pour
it back into the pan and stir.  If you're going to add essential or
fragrance oil pour it in slowly now. Continue to stir until well mixed
then pour into prepared mold.  Cover mold, wrap it in towels or blanket
to keep warm and leave it undisturbed for 18 hours.  No peaking!  The
soap will rise to approximately 160* and then cool down.  Don't uncover
until it's cooled.

Allow soap to sit in the uncovered mold for 12 hours.  Loosen sides and
turn over onto a clean sideboard.  You should cut your bars from the
large mold within three days.  You can cut it at any time but three days
seems to be a good window.  The soap doesn't become difficult to cut and
smaller bars cure faster.  Allow to cure 3-6 weeks before using.  




