Monday, January 13, 2014

Natural Blue Colorant - Indigo

I usually use artificial colorants for my soap because I can achieve so much more design wise with the vibrant colors synthetic micas can offer.  I'm not opposed to using natural colorants but the problem is they tend to fade in time.  It's fairly easy to find natural colorants for the color of red, yellow and green, but it's hard to get a good blue.  Indigo has long been used in Asia as a natural blue dye, it produces an earthy muted blue instead of vibrant eye catching blue.  It's more like a pair of stone washed dark blue jeans.
This is my first soap of the year 2014, after not soaping for more than a month.  I thought, why not start with something new too?!
The Indigo I got is not the typical powder form, it has been pre-treated with lye water then dehydrated to crystals.  Typically if you get Indigo powder you have to infuse it in oil and strain it out to prevent speckles, or if you like the speckle look add directly into soap.  Pre-reduced Indigo crystal is more concentrated than Indigo powder.  It had been reacted with lye water already, meaning what you see is what you get after adding it to soap batter.  All you need to do is dissolve it in a little water then add it to the batter.  I have to say it is very potent.  I only used a pinch and after forcing gel, it is as dark as my jeans!
Side note: it really stinks when adding to water... but no smell after saponification, phew~

12 comments:

  1. Another gorgeous soap, Emily! And thanks for explaining the pre-reduced indigo. That sounds so much easier to use. I must get some.

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  2. Wow, what a wonderful blue...I often use ultramarine for my blue in soaps. For other colors I like to use iron oxides or clays.
    Where can I buy your special indigo?

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    1. I bought mine from an online group buy, I have no idea what is the supplier of this indigo crystal.

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  3. Such a beautiful color and soap design!

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  4. Gorgeous color and design! How do you achieve the painted look of the top surface?

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    1. You can either dust the mica on top when the soap is wet or paint it on with rubbing alcohol when it's hard.

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    2. Thank you. Your works are stunning. :-)

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  5. That's such a lovely shade of blue! Indigo has been on my "must-try" list for awhile, and seeing yours makes me want to try it even more!

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  6. Where do you buy your micas? I like to make soap just as a hobby but the place where I get mine arent nearly as vibrant as yours.

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    Replies
    1. I get my micas from either The Conservatorie or TKB trading

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  7. can you name the site of the online group buy? does your soap leave any type of blue on the washcloth?

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