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

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

Intaglio Soap Carving

082017_22348wpThis month’s Great Cakes Soap Challenge involved learning a carving technique called intaglio (pronounced in-tal-yoh). Intaglio is defined as an engraving or incised figure in stone or other hard material. We had to apply this technique to bars of soap, carving a design into each bar. For my design, I decided to create a little landscape using various colors and carving small details into the tree and road. Carving away the top layer of soap to reveal the colors underneath was a lot of fun. :)

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Egg & Calendula Shampoo Bar

042017_21025wpIn the Great Cakes Soap Challenge this month, we were asked to create a rustic soap with packaging. What seemed like a simple and straightforward task at first has ended up being one of the hardest challenges for me. I almost didn’t make a soap, but then my chickens gave me an idea. So with their help, some favorite flowers, lard from a local farmer, and a few of my photographs, I created my interpretation of a rustic soap.  :)

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Feather Swirls in Cold Process Soap

032017_20938wpThe Great Cakes Soap Challenge this month was to create a feather swirl in cold process soap. We could make either a reverse feather swirl or a secret feather swirl or both. I decided to do both and intended to enter the natural category. Intended is the key word here. I actually made the soap in time but still managed to miss the challenge deadline. Where does the time go?  Oh well, it was still a lot of fun and gave me an excuse to make a video.  :) Continue reading