Brush Embroidery Soap Making | Soap Challenge Club

082019_41234wp2The brush embroidery technique was the focus of this month’s Soap Challenge Club. Brush embroidery is actually a cake decorating technique that has been adapted for soap making. I watched a lot of videos by cookie and cake decorators. It’s amazing what they can do with icing. After finding some inspiration, I decided that I really wanted to use 2 colors to decorate the soap like a cake – on 5 sides – allowing my design to flow around the soap. Well, I didn’t quite get all 5 sides done, but I was able to do at least 3 sides and managed 4 sides on one soap. I colored the soap using an oil replacement of woad infused olive oil and used titanium dioxide and indigo root for my two brush embroidery colors.  :)

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Orange & Indigo Diagonal Pointy Layers

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

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