Just one more experiment with soap before I put away all the equipment. I wondered if embedding a coin in soap would be different from a Lego toy? (see https://marykisner.com/making-soap-with-an-embedded-toy/) Actually, yes! The Lego toys are very light and often hollow plastic. They will float, thus the need to pour hot soap in only half-way, letting the toy float to the top and then letting it partially cool before adding the rest. That keeps the toy anchored in the center of the soap.
A coin, however, is solid and quite heavy compared to the toy. I will still need to fill the mold only half way and let it cool…at least enough so the coin will not sink to the bottom of the mold.
Bert had a bunch of beautiful shiny 50 cent pieces and was willing to share for my experiment.
I gathered the equipment…two 4-cup glass measuring cups, two saucepans, soap cutter, soap, molds and coins.
I chunked up 1 1/2 pound of soap base into each measuring cup and added a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar to the sauce pan (keeps the hard water sediment from forming on the pan and the outside of the measuring cup.) I set the cup into the saucepan and carefully filled the pan up to about 3/4″ from the top. This essentially makes a double boiler.
I turned the front burner on high to get that pot of soap going faster. I left the back burner on low because it will not need to be ready until the half-filled molds are firm.
The front measuring cup is ready to pout. I filled each mold half way and waited 30 minutes.
When the soap was firm, I placed a coin face down on top of the firm soap. I sprayed the soap with alcohol, which helps the next pour of soap stick to the first layer. I filled each mold the rest of the way to the top.
After an hour or two, I was able to pop out the soaps from the silicon mold.
Not as pretty as the original coin, but might be more useful as a novelty gift for an older child or an adult. It did appear there was an air pocket left under the coin and then all the tiny bubbles of air in the soap left it kind of cloudy.
And not as colorful as the Lego toy! That’s OK. This was all an experiment!
I have seen other embedded objects, like rose petals or small flowers. Endless possibilities for special gifts! Enjoy!
Please comment or email me directly at marykisner@comcast.net.