Orange & Indigo Diagonal Pointy Layers

/ Holly / 23 Comments

072019_38982wpIn this month’s Soap Challenge Club, we learned a new technique called pointy layers. Our guest instructor was Teri Endsley of Tree Marie Soapworks. Teri has a wonderful YouTube channel and makes the most beautiful soaps. The pointy layers technique involves pouring lines of very fluid soap as close as possible to the layer below, while also leaving gaps of color showing (these form the points). Controlling trace and having a nice long spout were essential. In my attempt to get a swept look to my pointy layers, I decided to try a diagonal pour where I tilted my mold.

A big thank you to Teri for sharing this technique with us and to Amy Warden for hosting another fun Soap Challenge Club.  :) Continue reading →

Mango Banana Smoothie Soap | June 2019 Soap Challenge Club

/ Holly / 15 Comments

062019_37995wpThis month’s Soap Challenge Club involved incorporating food and drink into our soap recipe. Our soaps could be entered into either the regular category (partial liquid replaced with a drink, some food used in the recipe) or the advanced category (100% of the liquid replaced with a drink, use 1 part food per 8 parts base oil, and use natural colorants, etc). I decided to try the advanced category and see what I could come up with.  :) Continue reading →

Video: Pour/Pull Through Soap Making Technique in a Log Mold

/ Holly / 3 Comments

052019_37190wpAs I said in my last Soap Challenge Club entry post, I made two attempts at the pour/pull through technique. For this attempt, I used a larger screen from the same storage basket and cut it to fit my log mold. Our guest instructor, Joanne (Nature’s Potion Handmade Soaps), and host, Amy Warden, also used screens, so I wanted to try this size, too. I love the designs this technique produces. However, I definitely should have poured my soap a bit differently, as you’ll see that the end bars look just plain weird. Kind of reminded me of teeth or something. LOL If you’d like to see how I made it, I’ve posted it below along with the recipe and other information. :) Continue reading →

Closing the Online Soap Site

/ Holly / 29 Comments

Making soap is something that brings me an immense amount of joy. I can get lost in the recipe formulations and endless ideas of colors and swirls and scents. It is absolutely an escape and creative outlet for me. Like most hobby soap makers, we always end up with extra bars and hate to see them go to waste. Up to now, we’ve had an online site to sell those extra bars. I always hoped that someday (kápia méra!) my hobby would turn into an actual business. Unfortunately, that just isn’t to be. With my health issues (I have Crohn’s disease going on 35 years) and the cost of selling the bars online for just a small hobby (the subscriptions and fees were more), we’ve decided to close the site.

We really appreciate all the friends, family, and people who found us online and tried our soaps. All the sweet comments about how much you liked the soap have meant the world to me. I’m going to continue making soap for my family whenever I can, participating in soap challenges as much as possible, and posting here and on Facebook when I make something or create a video.

Thank you so much for the support! ❤️

Holly