METHOD 1: Melt & Pour (Easiest, Most Translucent)

This is what most people use for stained glass because:

✓ Naturally translucent/transparent
✓ Remeltable (forgiving for mistakes)
✓ No saponification wait time
✓ Holds crisp lines perfectly

What you need:

Clear glycerin melt & pour base (can be all-natural)
Black melt & pour for outlines
Soap colorants (micas, oxides)
Squeeze bottles or piping bags
Loaf mold or slab mold

All-Natural M&P Options:

Stephenson Organic Melt & Pour
SFIC Natural Clear Glycerin Base
Look for bases with: glycerin, coconut oil, palm oil (sustainable), water

METHOD 2: Cold Process (Your Tallow Base - More Challenging)

This is MUCH harder but possible with your tallow soap:

The Challenge:

CP soap is naturally opaque
You need VERY high water content to get translucency
Takes 4-6 weeks to cure before it becomes semi-transparent
Less forgiving - one mistake means rebatch

How to make CP translucent:

Formula adjustments:

Use 40-50% castor oil (creates translucency)
Add 50-100% extra water (makes soap "see-through" when cured)
Use minimal titanium dioxide
Soap at very low temperatures (90-100°F)

Example Translucent CP Recipe:

40% Castor oil
30% Coconut oil
20% Olive oil
10% Tallow (for hardness)
40% lye concentration (lots of water)
Cure 6-8 weeks minimum

What You Need for the Technique:

Squeeze bottles
Small piping bags or bottles
Sculpting tools or skewers
Slab mold or loaf mold
Freezer paper

Ingredients for Black Outlines:

Activated charcoal (all-natural black)
Black oxide (more intense, also natural mineral)
Make outline soap THICKER (less water) so it holds shape

Colorants for "Stained Glass" Effect:

Best for translucency:

Micas with transparency (not opaque ones)
Liquid soap dyes (if using M&P)
Oxide colorants (very small amounts)
Natural options: Alkanet root (purple), annatto (yellow/orange), spirulina (green)

Step-by-Step Process:

For Melt & Pour (Recommended):

Make black outline soap:
- Melt clear M&P base
- Add activated charcoal
- Pour thin layer (1/4") in mold, let harden
- Pipe/squeeze black lines to create "cells" for colors
- Let harden completely
Fill colored sections:
- Melt clear M&P in separate containers
- Color each batch (blue, red, yellow, green, etc.)
- Pour carefully into each "cell" between black lines
- Use squeeze bottle or pour from measuring cup
- Squeegee top to smooth
Let harden & unmold:
- Wait 2-4 hours
- Unmold and slice
- Each slice shows the stained glass pattern!

For Cold Process (Advanced):

Make black outline soap first:
- Make small batch with charcoal
- Use THICK trace (like mashed potatoes)
- Pipe into mold to create cells
- Let sit 12-24 hours until firm
Make colored translucent soap:
- High castor, high water recipe
- Divide into colors
- Pour at THIN trace into cells
- Spray with alcohol between pours to prevent separation
Cure 6-8 weeks:
- Wait for translucency to develop
- Soap will become more see-through as it cures

My Honest Recommendation:

Start with all-natural Melt & Pour for stained glass technique:

Why:

✓ Immediate results (no 6-week wait)
✓ Can be all-natural (organic glycerin bases exist)
✓ Forgiving (can remelt mistakes)
✓ Actually looks like stained glass (translucent)
✓ Crisp, clean lines
✓ Less waste/frustration

Keep your tallow CP soap for:

Regular bar soap
Swirls and layers
Embeds in M&P stained glass (best of both worlds!)

Hybrid Approach (Best of Both Worlds):

Make tallow CP soap embeds + M&P stained glass:

Make small tallow CP shapes (stars, hearts, flowers)
Cure them 4 weeks
Embed them IN the M&P stained glass cells
Result: Natural tallow soap pieces suspended in translucent "glass"

This gives you:

Your beloved tallow formula
The stunning visual effect
All-natural ingredients
Easy technique

Shopping List for Stained Glass M&P:

2-3 lbs clear glycerin M&P base (organic/natural)
1/2 lb white M&P base
Activated charcoal (for black lines)
3-5 mica colors or natural colorants
Squeeze bottles (3-4)
Loaf mold or slab mold

How to Make Your Own Melt & Pour Base

You essentially make hot process soap with extra glycerin and solvents to create the translucent, remeltable properties.

Basic DIY M&P Recipe (Makes ~2 lbs):

Oils:

Coconut oil: 227g (35%)
Castor oil: 195g (30%)
Tallow: 130g (20%)
Stearic acid: 97g (15%)

Lye Solution:

Lye (NaOH): 102g
Distilled water: 244g

Additives (what makes it M&P):

Glycerin: 195g (30% of oil weight)
Sugar solution: 65g sugar dissolved in 130g hot water
Alcohol (190 proof or 91% rubbing alcohol): 97g

Process:

Make hot process soap:
- Mix lye + water, let cool
- Melt oils to 160-180°F
- Combine, stick blend to trace
- Cook in crockpot on low 1-2 hours (until paste tests clear with zap test)
Add transparency agents:
- While still hot (170°F+), add glycerin
- Stir in sugar solution
- Add alcohol slowly (will bubble!)
- Stir constantly for 20-30 minutes
Pour and cure:
- Pour into molds while still liquid (150-160°F)
- Cover and let cool 12-24 hours
- Cut into blocks
- Cure 2-4 weeks for best translucency

Why It's Translucent:

Glycerin = solvent that clarifies
Sugar = additional solvent
Alcohol = dissolves soap crystals
High castor oil = naturally more translucent
Stearic acid = hardness without opacity

HOWEVER... The Reality:

DIY M&P is honestly quite difficult.

Recommendation: For stained glass, buy organic/natural M&P base. Save your energy for the actual art!

Black Outline Curing Time - CRITICAL INFO

This depends on which method you're using:

FOR MELT & POUR (What she's likely using):

Curing time before etching/adding colors:

StepTimeWhat's HappeningPour black outline0 minPipe/pour black M&P linesInitial set15-30 minBlack firms up enough to touchReady to fill30-60 minBlack is solid, won't move when you pour colorsFully hardened2-4 hoursReady to unmold/cut

Answer: 30-60 minutes before adding colored soap

How to test: Gently press the black line with your finger - if it doesn't dent or move, you're ready to fill!

FOR COLD PROCESS (if going that route):

Much longer:

StepTimeWhyPour black outlineDay 0Thick trace CP soapInitial setup12-24 hoursNeeds to be firm enough not to blend with new soapReady to fill24-48 hoursBlack is solid but soap is still "raw" so new soap will bondFull cure4-6 weeksFor use/translucency

Answer: 24-48 hours before adding colored CP soap

Critical timing: You want the black firm enough to hold shape, but still "raw" enough (uncured) that the new colored soap chemically bonds to it. If you wait too long (more than 3-4 days), the sections might separate.

The Actual Stained Glass Technique Timeline:

Using M&P (Recommended):

Day 1 - Morning:

Pour thin layer of clear M&P in mold (base layer) - wait 30 min
Pipe black outline lines to create cells - wait 30-60 min
Pour colored M&P into each cell - wait 2-4 hours
Unmold and slice - DONE!

Total time: 4-6 hours from start to finished soap

Using Cold Process (Advanced):

Day 1:

Make black outline soap (thick trace)
Pipe into cells
Let sit 24-48 hours

Day 2-3:

Make colored translucent CP batches
Pour carefully into cells at thin trace
Let saponify 24-48 hours
Unmold carefully

Week 6-8:

Soap is finally cured and translucent enough to see effect

Total time: 6-8 weeks from start to usable soap

Pro Tips for Timing:

M&P Stained Glass:

Don't rush the 30-60 min wait - if black is too soft, colors will blend
Don't wait too long - if black is completely cold, new layers won't stick well
Sweet spot: Black feels firm but mold is still slightly warm

CP Stained Glass:

Test firmness: Black should feel like firm cheese (not liquid, not rock hard)
Spray with alcohol between pours to help adhesion
Work fast once you start pouring colors - you want them all poured within 30 minutes

What Does "Etching Out" Mean?

I think you might be asking about two different techniques:

Technique 1: Flat Pour (No etching)

Pour black lines on flat base
Wait 30-60 min
Pour colors between lines
Slice - each slice shows pattern

Technique 2: Sculpted Cells (Actual etching)

Pour thick black layer (1/2")
Wait until firm (1-2 hours for M&P, 24 hours for CP)
Carve/etch out cells with tools (like carving pumpkins!)
Fill carved areas with colored soap
Slice - shows 3D stained glass effect

Is this what you meant? For the carved method:

M&P: Wait 2-4 hours before carving
CP: Wait 24-48 hours before carving

My Recommendation:

Start with M&P method:

Buy 2 lbs clear organic M&P base
Buy 1 lb white M&P base
Make black from white + charcoal
Practice the 30-60 minute timing
Perfect your technique
THEN try DIY M&P or CP if you want

Top Online Suppliers (US-based)

1. Stephenson Personal Care (Industry Standard)

Website: stephensonpersonalcare.com
Best for: Certified organic bases
Popular products:
- Crystal OPC (Organic Clear) - USDA certified organic
- Crystal OREF (Organic Clear Extra Firm)
- Crystal OST (Organic Suspending - for embeds)
Ingredients: Organic coconut oil, organic palm oil, organic glycerin, organic shea butter
Where to buy: Directly or through retailers below

2. Wholesale Supplies Plus (WSP)

Website: wholesalesuppliesplus.com
Carries: Stephenson organic bases, SFIC natural bases
Pros:
- Fast shipping
- Small quantity options (1-2 lb blocks)
- Frequent sales
Price range: $6-9/lb

3. Bramble Berry

Website: brambleberry.com
Carries:
- Stephenson Organic Melt & Pour
- SFIC (Soap & Fragrance Institute of California) natural bases
Pros:
- Excellent for beginners
- Great tutorials
- Samples available
- Reliable quality
Price range: $7-10/lb

4. Nature's Garden

Website: naturesgardencandles.com
Carries: SFIC natural bases, some organic options
Pros:
- Competitive pricing
- Bulk discounts
- Good variety
Price range: $5-8/lb

5. From Nature With Love (FNWL)

Website: fromnaturewithlove.com
Carries: Stephenson organic bases
Pros:
- Bulk organic options
- Other natural ingredients too
- Good for one-stop shopping
Price range: $6-9/lb

6. Amazon (Convenience)

Search for: "Stephenson Organic Melt and Pour"
Brands to look for:
- Stephenson
- Life of the Party (SFIC)
- Crafters Choice
Pros:
- Prime shipping
- Small quantities
- Read reviews
Cons:
- Slightly higher prices ($8-12/lb)
- Quality varies by seller
Price range: $8-12/lb

What to Look For:

True "Organic" Bases (Certified):

Stephenson Crystal OPC - This is THE gold standard

✓ USDA Organic certified
✓ Cosmos Natural certified
✓ Palm oil from sustainable sources
✓ No SLS/SLES
✓ Vegan option available

"Natural" Bases (Not certified but clean):

SFIC bases - Very good quality, natural ingredients

✓ No detergents (SLS-free)
✓ Glycerin, coconut, palm oils
✓ Not certified organic but clean formula
✓ More affordable than certified organic

Product Recommendations by Type:

For Stained Glass Soap:

Clear/White (organic) from Stephenson Crystal OPC, online @ Wholesale Supplies Plus & , Bramble Berry
What to order for stained glass:
- 2 lbs Stephenson Crystal OPC (clear organic) - $16-18
- 1 lb Stephenson Crystal OSW (white organic) - $8-9
- Activated charcoal (for black) - $3-5

Ingredient Comparison:

Stephenson Organic (OPC):

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Organic Coconut Oil
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Organic Palm Oil (sustainable RSPO)
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Organic Glycerin
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Organic Shea Butter
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Purified Water
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Sorbitol (from organic sources)
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Sodium Hydroxide
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Hybrid Method: CP/HP Base + M&P Colors

The Setup:

Make carved base: Your tallow CP soap (or any CP/HP soap) - black or white
Carve the design: Wait until firm, carve out cells
Fill with colored clear M&P: Buy just clear organic M&P, add colors, pour into carved cells

Why This is GENIUS:

✓ Use soap you already know how to make (your tallow recipe!)
✓ Only buy clear M&P (cheaper - just 1-2 lbs needed)
✓ Best of both worlds: Natural CP base + translucent M&P colors
✓ Easier carving: CP soap carves beautifully when timing is right
✓ More forgiving: If carving goes wrong, rebatch the base
✓ Your formula: Keep using your beloved tallow soap

The Process - Step by Step:

Step 1: Make Your Carving Base (CP or HP)

Best soap for carving:

Option A: Your Regular Tallow CP Recipe

Make it BLACK with activated charcoal (1-2 tsp PPO)
Or leave WHITE/CREAM (natural color)
Pour into slab mold 1-1.5" thick
Make it WIDE and LONG (think sheet cake pan)

Easier-to-Carve CP Recipe

If you want soap that's specifically easy to carve:

Firm Carving Recipe:

40% Tallow (firmness)
30% Coconut oil (hardness)
20% Olive oil (workability)
10% Castor oil (smooth carving)
5% superfat
33% lye concentration (firmer soap)

Pour into the slab about 1-1.5" deep

Makes soap that:

✓ Holds crisp edges when carved
✓ Doesn't crumble
✓ Not too hard, not too soft
✓ Perfect "carving window", within 12 to 36 hours (18 to 30 specifically good)

Prepare Carved Soap for Filling

After carving (same day):

Let carved soap sit another 12-24 hours
- Firms up more
- Surface oxidizes slightly (helps M&P stick)
- Cells dry out
Optional: Spray with alcohol
- Helps M&P adhere to CP
- Cleans any soap debris from carving
Keep at room temp
- Don't refrigerate
- M&P bonds better to room-temp soap

Fill with Colored M&P

What to buy:

2 lbs clear organic M&P (Stephenson OPC)
Soap colorants (micas or oxides)
That's it!

Process:

Melt M&P in microwave:
- 30-second bursts
- Stir between
- Don't overheat (160-170°F max)
Divide and color:
- Pour melted M&P into separate containers
- Add colors (mica, oxide, natural colors)
- Blue, red, yellow, green, purple - whatever you want!
Pour into carved cells:
- Pour slowly to avoid air bubbles
- Fill slightly overfull
- Spray with alcohol if bubbles appear
- Let each color set 10-15 min before adding next (if cells touch)
Let harden completely:
- 2-4 hours at room temp
- Don't rush this!
Smooth the top (optional):
- Once M&P is hard, you can:
- Leave as-is (textured look)
- OR plane/shave the top flat with knife
- OR pour thin layer of clear M&P over everything