I’ve added a new category to my Etsy shop called Spa Cubes. It is inspired by this new mold I purchased from Bramble Berry.

It makes smooth 2.5-inch cubes of soap holding 5 ounces of soap by volume. I love the modern look.

My first effort was this soft aqua blue soap scented with a spa-type fragrance.

I used an all-natural shea butter base so they have a nice creamy lather.

I can’t wait to try different fragrances and colors and see the cubes all piled up together.

Click here to view them in my Etsy shop.

I made this bright and colorful soap using a kit I purchased from Wholesale Supplies Plus.

It took several hours but the results were well worth it. Here is what I did.

First, I cleaned and disinfected my work area. Then I spread out wax paper as a surface to work on, and then I laid out my supplies.

The kit comes with extra clear melt and pour soap base. Each layer takes about 10 ounces of soap. So, I cut the soap base into small easy-to-melt chunks. Then I placed them in a double boiler and melted them over a low heat.

While the clear soap base was melting, I mixed the color for the first layer. I took 1/8 of a teaspoon of the first fluorescent color powder and dissolved it into 1 ounce of liquid glycerin.

When the soap was fully melted, I removed it from the heat and mixed the color solution into the clear soap, stirring gently until the color was incorporated into the soap.

Next, I scented with the first fragrance. The kit comes with four colors and four fragrances.

When I was satisfied with the scent strength, I poured the soap into the loaf mold. Then I spritzed the top with rubbing alcohol to remove any surface bubbles. I let the soap rest for about an hour until the layer was completely hardened.

I repeated this three times with the three different colors. Each time I poured a new layer, I spritzed the solid layer with rubbing alcohol so the layers would adhere together. The best temperature to pour the soap is between 125 and 130 degrees F. Any hotter and the new layer will melt into the previous layer. Any cooler and the soap will start to solidify and not be completely transparent.

After I had all four layers poured into the loaf mold, I let it sit overnight. The next day I released the loaf of soap from the mold and cut into one-inch slices.

I think it came out beautifully. This soap is now available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

One of my favorite ways to relax is to use some of my handmade spa treatments while listening to soothing music. My stress melts away with each note.

I’m working on a line of spa-inspired products for my Etsy shop, so my most-listened-to relaxation music pieces are on my mind.

I’d like to share with you some of my favorites:

Cry Of The River – Nature Meditation by Ma Jana
This is my absolute favorite relaxation music. It contains three tracks each about 20 minutes long. I find the sound of running water very relaxing and the tinkling music makes me happy and peaceful.

Inner Peace and Ocean Suite by Steven Halpern
I discovered Halpern while listening to the spa channel on satellite radio. Both of these albums are very comforting.

Classical Healing by Tom Barabas
This disc is full of beautiful piano music. I love to listen to this when I go to bed. It helps me sleep.

Mediation Music of Ancient Egypt by Gerald Jay Markoe
This is very different from the others listed here. When I listen to this music, my imagination transports me back to ancient Egypt. I love this disc.

Into the Blue: Music for Deep Sleep by Underwater Sound Specialists
This is very relaxing. You hear lapping water sounds and soft, mellow music. The track is over an hour long and available on Amazon.com for only $0.99

Gathering Leaves by Kevin Keller
Eleven sophisticated short pieces of pretty, calming music.

Anna Moffo: Songs, Op. 34, Vocalise No. 14 – Rachmaninoff for Relaxation
I don’t have the whole album. I downloaded track 4. It’s seven minutes long and simply beautiful.

Come With Me, The Musical Sea of Tranquility by Chris Valentino
This is a single one-hour-plus track with soothing ocean waves and gentle harp music.

Relaxing Sounds – Relaxing Day at the Spa
Eleven tracks of spa-inspired moments. You can download some of the tracks for free on Amazon.com.

I purchased the flexible silicone mold on ebay.com. You can find all kinds of creative soap molds on ebay. Mine has four cavities, two Kitties with bows and two with flowers. The hair accessory part of the mold does not sit flat on a table, so it’s hard to fill in the bow, let it harden, and then fill in the rest of the soap. So, I make the basic soap and paint on the bow or flower after.

I start with a white low-sweat melt and pour base which I purchase from brambleberry.com. This is my favorite melt and pour soap base. It doesn’t “sweat” after you pop it out of the mold. It also provides a rich, creamy lather, and is a beautiful bright white color.

There are two ways you can melt your soap base: in the microwave or on the stove top in a double boiler. I prefer the double boiler method. I feel I have more control that way.

Before I begin, I always disinfect my work space. Then I put down wax paper to protect the area and make cleanup easier.

First, cut your soap base into small cubes with a soap cutter or a knife. It’s easier than trying to melt a big chunk. Put the burner on low heat and watch your soap slowly melt. Stir occasionally with a plastic spoon. When it is completely melted, remove the soap from the heat and stir until the temperature lowers but don’t let it harden. Add the fragrance with a dropper. For this soap I use a cinnamon sugar fragrance oil also from brambleberry. It smells like a yummy cookie.

Stir and add the fragrance slowly until you get the right scent strength. You don’t want it too overpowering. But if you use too little, it will dissipate.

Now, you’re ready to pour the soap into the Hello Kitty mold. Save a little extra to use later for the bow or flower decoration. Spritz the soap with alcohol to remove any bubbles. Wait for the soap to completely harden.

When you’re ready to pop the soap out of the mold, bring the extra soap back up to melt. Add a non-bleeding red soap color to get the desired shade of pink. Then take a small paint brush (I actually use an eye shadow brush), dip it into the pink soap and paint onto the Hello Kitty. You’ll probably need to add several layers to the bow/flower to get the right look. Allow to dry.

For presentation, I put my soaps in a clear cello bag and tie with a pretty ribbon. It makes a cute little gift.

I hope you enjoyed this post. You can follow the same basic instructions to make any melt and pour soap project. Just change the scent, color and mold.

“I can’t think of any sorrow in the world that a hot bath wouldn’t help, just a little bit.”

– Susan Glasee