Ginger Peach Jam Test Batch

While testing another fragrance in cold process, I didn't expect to encounter such a great chemistry experiment! I used titanium dioxide to whiten the yellow hue of the natural soap (which is caused mostly by the palm oil) and colored the other half of the swirl with cellini blue mica. I was expecting this color:... not pink and then purple! Immediately, the raw soap turned a bright pink and by the end of the day, the color deepened into a beautiful purple. When I put my used Pyrex in the sink for a rinse after I finished pouring, the pink soap leftover in the dish turned bright blue as soon as the water hit it. This is a great reminder to always do a small test batch when using a new color or fragrance for the first time before making large quantities, particularly if you intend to sell your soap. I'm curious to see if this batch will go back to blue by the end of the month-long waiting period. Either way, it smells great and will make a wonderful addition to our bulk loaf soaps for sale in the store!

Cow Soap?

Behold, the cow soap! Created by one of our enthusiastic cold process class participants on December 19th, she used black oxide and titanium dioxide to get that great contrasting swirl pattern. Simply alternate pouring the black and white and then don't touch! No swirling with the spoon-- you'll get gray. Turned out pretty cool!

We also had fun with additives such as ground green loofah and lavender buds. Remember, those buds will eventually brown over time, as will any dried plant that naturally decays. The loofah looks great and will be an awesome exfoliant.


Our next class is on Saturday, January 16th. Sign up here or give us a call at (360) 676-1030 to grab your spot! Happy Holidays everyone!

Tentative Otion Soap Weekend Intensive

We are so excited to have our Otion Soap Weekend Intensive class happening for the third year in a row. Packed with information and expert teachers, this is a small, hands on class with practical advice to provide you an excellent base of knowledge for Soapmaking and lotionmaking as well as the inspiration to take your crafting to the next level. LOOK for sign up in early January.

Tentative weekend plans

Friday 3 p.m. Beginning Melt & Pour (optional if you need schooling the basics)

End 5 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. Welcome/Get Acquainted time

9:30 Beginning Cold Process

11:30 Lunch/Break

12:30 Advanced Cold Process – swirling, layering

2:30 break

3:00 Liquid Soapmaking

5:30 End

Saturday 9 a.m. Melt and Pour Advanced

10:30 break

10:45 Melt and Pour Advanced

12:30 Lunch

1:30 Lotionmaking 101

3:30 Graduation, wrapping, cupcake celebration

Santa's Soap Shop

We've been wrapping up gift soaps like elves here at Otion and are very happy to see an abundance of eager craftspeople come in to pick up supplies for their handmade presents this holiday season. Many customers are first time soapers interested in a fun, easy soap-making method that can be done with the kids. Of course, melt-and-pour is the way to go, and soap makes the perfect gift for the kids' teachers! Others are picking up melt-and-pour lip balm and perfume base for a quick stocking stuffer project.

Here, we are putting together a special order of colorful, wrapped melt-and-pour soaps for a long-time customer. We like using clear plastic wrap as packaging so you can still see and smell the soap. Simply wrap the soap with the open end of the plastic gathered on the back, cut off the excess plastic wrap and flatten it on the back of the soap. Here's the fun instant gratification part; use a heat gun to shrink the plastic wrap to form fit to the soap. Be careful not to apply too much heat or you may stretch the plastic too thin and create a hole, or even melt the soap a bit! Then, tie a ribbon with a card for the final touch. Every extra effort is appreciated!

Please let us know how we can help you get through your Christmas crafts smoothly this year. Questions and ideas are always welcome! Happy Holidays everyone!

Pomegranate Mango Test Batch

Another delicious fragrance to test, another fun opportunity to play with color and swirling techniques. Here, I used a combination of brick red oxide and cellini red lip safe mica for the bulk of the soap, and yellow lip safe mica for that added pop of color.

I love the fireball look to the swirl pattern!

*New at Otion* We Have Soapylove!

Delectable Desserts

Set includes 20 ml each of: Chocolate Fudge, Strawberry Jam, Vanilla Frosting, Orange Sherbet, and Vanilla Stabilizer.

Chocolate Fudge: Deep rich choclatey scent with warm, milky notes.
Strawberry Jam: Just like mom's homemade preserves. It's a plump summer strawberry with sweet sugary notes for the perfect jammy blend.
Vanilla Frosting: A creamy confectionary blend, this vanilla scent has just a hint of cream cheese for a delectable and sugary aroma.
Orange Sherbet: Bright and sweet orange with dulcet vanilla ice cream makes this blend just like an icy creamsicle bar.
Vanilla Stabilizer: Use this additive in equal parts to prevent discoloration from all the sweet, vanilla notes present in these fragrances.

Sweet Treats

This kit contains: 20 ml each of Bakery Beige, White Icing, Pink Frosting, Buttercream Yellow, and Rainbow Sprinkles.


Jewelry Box

Kit contains: 20ml of Ruby Red, Fiery Fuchsia, Turquoise Blue, Sunshine Yellow, Sparkle Dust (superfine iridescent glitter)

Candy Jar

Set includes 20 ml each of : Cherry Pop, Pink Strawberry, Lemon Drop, Tutti Fruity, & Vanilla Stabilizer.

Cherry Pop: Fizzy Cherry soda pop scent has just the right balance of effervesce to sugary cherry syrup.
Pink Strawberry: Hard candy sweetness with perfectly authentic artificial Strawberry notes - just like the little candies your grandma told you'd break your teeth on!
Lemon Drop: Zingy lemony candy scent that reminds us of the old-fashioned lemonheads candies.
Vanilla Stabilizer: Use this when you don't want your soap to discolor due to the sweet vanilla notes. Use in equal parts to fragrance oil before blending into soap.
Tutti Fruity: This fruit cocktail type fragrance has notes of pineapple, peach and maraschino cherries all packed into the delicious sugary syrup.