![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_4894-wr.jpg)
We just celebrated the Snowflakes Festival in Stanthorpe, which was truly wonderful. But in many of Australia, these melt-and-pour soap snowflakes are as close as you will get to this winter wonder. Give them a go. They are an easy first step to soap making. What You Will Need:
Equipment:
- Stainless Steel Knife
- Microwave safe dish
- Chopping Board
- Soap Mould (I had snowflakes at home, but any Christmas theme will work perfectly)
- Silicone Spatula
- Mini measuring spoons or regular measuring spoons (I forgot to put them in the picture, so be more organised than me!)
Ingredients:
- ΒΌ tsp Cambridge Blue Mica
- 15-20 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil or Lemon Myrtle
- Melt and Pour Soap – SLES and SLS Free
- Ethanol in a spray bottle
- Champagne Mica (Optional)
Instructions:
1.) Layout all your equipment on your table surface. The melt and pour melts quite quickly, so it helps to have everything there.
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/STep-1-1.jpeg)
2.) Cut your Melt and Pour Soaps into roughly 1-inch cubes.
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-2-1-1.jpeg)
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-2c-1-2.jpeg)
3.) Melt in the microwave for an initial 45 seconds, give it a stir and put it in for another 45 seconds. If there are still little lumps, pop it in for 10 seconds, and that should do the trick.
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-3-1-1.jpeg)
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-3b-1-1.jpeg)
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-3c.jpeg)
4.) Now, add your colour and essential oils. Always add colour first; the essential oils will accelerate the setting process and mix well. Then add the essential oils and mix again.
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-4-1.jpeg)
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-4b.jpeg)
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/STep-4c.jpeg)
5.) Spray your moulds with a spirit of ethanol and pour. Once your moulds are full of soap, spray with more ethanol to eliminate excess bubbles.
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-5-1.jpeg)
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-5b.jpeg)
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-5c.jpeg)
6.) All done! Store in a cool, dry place for 24 hours. After 24hrs, you can gently remove the moulds. You can definitely keep them as is, they look absolutely stunning, but I decided to dust the top with Champagne White Mica to get a beautiful gold effect. Try to leave for one week to cure.
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-6-1.jpeg)
![](https://livingsimplywithvalerie.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Step-6b.jpeg)
As always, live well.
Valerie