SMF February 2021 Challenge - Circling Taiwan Swirl

[Misschief]

Well, mine is out of the mold and cut. It didn't match my vision, that's for sure. I think trace is the most important thing for this technique; my batter was too thin. I wanted to layer the purple and the white but, instead, that part became more of an ITP swirly bit (not sure how else to describe it). I'll give this another try later this month.

 

[SPowers]

My first attempt didn't yield the results I was hoping for. I too put too much space between the 'back and forth' of the skewer. The fragrance I used had no vanillan but dicoloured to yellow which I thought I could adjust with td but that didn't work. The cut looks reminiscent of a Taiwan Swirl but not really imo. I may have photographed them upside down... I'm not sure!

 

[KimW]

Here’s the cut of my Flaming Taiwan Swirl soap (thanks @KimW!). The pattern on the interior cut is quite different from the top, which I think means the batter was getting a bit too thick for a circling Taiwan swirl.

That might just be the prettiest soap I've ever seen.

 

[Jersey Girl]

First try in the mold. My batter thickened up pretty fast halfway through the pour even though I used a generally well behaved FO ...Juicy Apricot from NS. And I forgot how extremely messy this technique is and the amount of clean up involved. Lol Just might have to do another though! Choosing colors is one of my biggest challenges. I don’t know why but it is!

 

[Mobjack Bay]

That might just be the prettiest soap I've ever seen.

I think the pair of soaps on the left are smiling at you

 

[KimW]

I think the pair of soaps on the left are smiling at you ❤

Haaaa - you're right! I see it!

 

[dibbles]

Here’s the cut of my Flaming Taiwan Swirl soap (thanks @KimW!). The pattern on the interior cut is quite different from the top, which I think means the batter was getting a bit too thick for a circling Taiwan swirl.

View attachment 53843
View attachment 53844

It is fabulous! Perfect flames on the inside.

Well, mine is out of the mold and cut. It didn't match my vision, that's for sure. I think trace is the most important thing for this technique; my batter was too thin. I wanted to layer the purple and the white but, instead, that part became more of an ITP swirly bit (not sure how else to describe it). I'll give this another try later this month.

View attachment 53853

I do like the ITP swirl look to this.

My first attempt didn't yield the results I was hoping for. I too put too much space between the 'back and forth' of the skewer. The fragrance I used had no vanillan but dicoloured to yellow which I thought I could adjust with td but that didn't work. The cut looks reminiscent of a Taiwan Swirl but not really imo. I may have photographed them upside down... I'm not sure!

These are so pretty! I do think you are right that a tighter back & forth will get the look you want. It seems like you had the right trace.

 

[KimW]

So there I was..."Beeswax to anchor the dividers on the bottom"..."hmmmm - more beeswax I think, and some up the sides couldn't hurt"...two pairs of pliers later..."hmmmm - maybe a hair dryer to melt the beeswax"..."Maybe I should hit it again with the hair dryer, just to make sure..." Dividers out, swirl done..."hmmmm...the mold is getting really hot...doh!" How did I make it into adulthood?!

 

[GemstonePony]

First attempt for the challenge failed. The batters were pretty thick and I didn't get my color placement precise. Still pretty, I still love them, and I think it should make nice soap, but it's not the smooth, graceful swirl that I want. FO Blackberry Amber from BB, so I'm calling it Blackberry Tie soap.
Photos of bottom and cut. The sparkle is Snowflake Sparkle Mica.

 

[violets2217]

So my 2 attempts were an unholy mess, but turned out ok! My first got way thick and my swirler was to thin so it didn’t circle swirl as much as I wanted! Plus I cut by hand and mangled most of the bars! So I added a wire to a coping saw I found a neighbors yard sale and traded for 3 bars of soap! Lol then I built a wooden cutting guide that I may try and jimmy to double as a slab loaf cutter. I think I like my second attempt better...
So This is my first try:

 

[SPowers]

These are so pretty! I do think you are right that a tighter back & forth will get the look you want. It seems like you had the right trace.

Thank you! I forgot to take a pic of the wet soap but I know it was definitely not a tight enough design. I made attempt #2 today - I like the colours a lot more but hope the navy stays true. Much tighter design but still not sure it's tight enough. I used a popsicle stick and I felt all thumbs - think I need something longer... we'll see what the cut yields!

I used a new FO called White Tea & Pear from Nurture and it's really nice. No acceleration or discolouring.

 

[linne1gi]

I just made my Taiwan swirl soap and it's been awhile since I've done a Taiwan swirl - wow, I forgot how messy it is! I had the darnedest time getting the dividers out. I finally had to go hunt down some tweezers to get a grip on them. I tried out a new fragrance oil called Earth Meets Sky by Nurture Soap and I was quite pleased with it - no acceleration, no ricing and it smells amazing.

 

[SPowers]

So there I was..."Beeswax to anchor the dividers on the bottom"..."hmmmm - more beeswax I think, and some up the sides couldn't hurt"...two pairs of pliers later..."hmmmm - maybe a hair dryer to melt the beeswax"..."Maybe I should hit it again with the hair dryer, just to make sure..." Dividers out, swirl done..."hmmmm...the mold is getting really hot...doh!" How did I make it into adulthood?!

Had a good laugh... thanks. At first I thought beeswax might be a good idea - on second thought... I always have the layers leak at the botton!

 

[linne1gi]

My first attempt didn't yield the results I was hoping for. I too put too much space between the 'back and forth' of the skewer. The fragrance I used had no vanillan but dicoloured to yellow which I thought I could adjust with td but that didn't work. The cut looks reminiscent of a Taiwan Swirl but not really imo. I may have photographed them upside down... I'm not sure!

I love those colors!

 

[SPowers]

I love those colors!

Thanks!! My luck with indigo hasn't been great - more grey than navy but fingers are crossed. I forgot I even had the olive colour which I love too!

Oops - thought you were referring to batch 2. The colours on the first batch are looking quite dull now. The FO say no vanillan but colours to yellow which I think affected the final product. :-(

 

[linne1gi]

Thanks!! My luck with indigo hasn't been great - more grey than navy but fingers are crossed. I forgot I even had the olive colour which I love too!

I have had the same problem with indigo - I am just now getting it to be the color I want. Woad is also a nice purplish blue color.

 

[SPowers]

I have had the same problem with indigo - I am just now getting it to be the color I want. Woad is also a nice purplish blue color.

I will have to check that out. My one and only indigo soap was a beautiful navy on top but the rest of the soap was dark grey. Crazy!

Update: Bought the ebook... just need to read it now.

 

[linne1gi]

I will have to check that out. My one and only indigo soap was a beautiful navy on top but the rest of the soap was dark grey. Crazy!

I bought Jo Haslauer's ebook on natural colorants and wowza, it's fantastic. She explains how to use each colorant to its most vibrant.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I just made my Taiwan swirl soap and it's been awhile since I've done a Taiwan swirl - wow, I forgot how messy it is! I had the darnedest time getting the dividers out. I finally had to go hunt down some tweezers to get a grip on them. I tried out a new fragrance oil called Earth Meets Sky by Nurture Soap and I was quite pleased with it - no acceleration, no ricing and it smells amazing.

Lol...I said the same thing about the mess! Earth Meets Sky is one of my hands down favorite FOs. Love love love it!

 

[SPowers]

I bought Jo Haslauer's ebook on natural colorants and wowza, it's fantastic. She explains how to use each colorant to its most vibrant.

Thanks so much - I will definitely check it out.