SMF JANUARY 2024 CHALLENGE – Mini Drop [Mini Drip] Swirl

[katili]

I photographed my second attempt yesterday so at least I can enter that and hope it counts if I don’t get a chance to make a third try. I’m still hoping to try again with an even lighter trace and cpop so it hopefully solidifies on time.

I’m excited to see everyone else’s!

 

[VikingChick]

Debating whether I'm going to enter anything. I've made three attempts, none of which look good. I do have the time to try once more before the deadline, but honestly I'm feeling pretty discouraged. I might just sit back and look at all of the rest of y'all's pretty creations!

 

[MichaelP]

You got this @VikingChick!! I'm with you on the 'none which look good' part! Maybe the veteran soapers here can offer advice if you describe the situation to them. I know that I'm still learning everything about this technique on a lot of levels. The YT video's of the pro's make it looks so straight forward, but there is quite a bit more to it I see now!!! Don't give up, you got this!!!

 

[dmcgee5034]

Awwww, @VikingChick - I hear your disappointment. You got this!

 

[VikingChick]

Thanks, guys.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

The Entry Thread has been posted here. Good luck everyone!

 

[dibbles]

Debating whether I'm going to enter anything. I've made three attempts, none of which look good. I do have the time to try once more before the deadline, but honestly I'm feeling pretty discouraged. I might just sit back and look at all of the rest of y'all's pretty creations!

If you aren’t trying to make individual drops, what works for me is using a squeeze bottle with a good amount of pressure and moving it up and down the length of the mold fairly quickly. Don’t think too much about it. I think we are so used to being slow and deliberate, and this technique allows for some freedom from that. The lines from the newly squeezed soap will drop into the previous lines. You do need thin trace and don’t worry about a mess if you overshoot the ends or edges of the mold. Sometimes it’s fun to be a little messy. I hope you find the heart to try again, because the results are such a pretty design. I get it if you have had enough, though.

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

Sign-up List for SMF January 2024 Challenge: Mini Drop {Mini Drip} Swirl. To sign up, please copy and paste these instructions and the list below into a new message. Then add your name and the next number for the next person:

1. AliOop - Great way to "drop" into 2024!
2. katili - Why not dive into something I've never done?
3. MichaelP - I agree with katili, I want to try something new and help develop my soap making skills. Looking forward to this!
4. Mrs.Z - this looks fun!
5. McKherring Farm
6. VikingChick - This should be fun!
7. VickiC
8. Blue - Fun project for next weekend!
9. dmcgee5034 - honey, I dripped the soap!
10. Tammyfarms - I made mine today. I didn’t want to enter until I knew I would be able to make soap. It’s in the mold.
11. Janesathome - Oooh, I’ve been needing a focus for a soap. My biggest challenge will be getting out to pick up squeeze bottles: minus 49 with wind chill tomorrow and my car does NOT like those temps! Hoping for some moderation in weather soon.
12. Relle - I'll try it, need to take mind of things.
13. ScentimentallyYours - making soap today and noticed there’s still time to sign up, so I’m in!
14.

 

[MichaelP]

Hi All, I need some hints. My second batch kind of worked. What I need help with is in what technique to use to get the tear shape. Mine look like balls rather than drops. Does the batter need to be thinner? I thought it was pretty thin but maybe not enough? Some of the balls look like they have a whisp coming off the top, like it was trying to form a tear but didnt'. Thanks All, and happy soaping!

 

[Mobjack Bay]

Yes, from the rules: “All eligible registrants who have signed up before the Entry thread closes will be eligible to vote, even if they do not submit an entry.”

I was typing as the last post came in - Yes, If anyone hasn’t made their soap yet, or is making another try at it, my best advice is to keep the base fluid/ as fluid as the batter you use for the drops.

added: if you know your recipe, and you know that it typically comes to trace fairly quickly, stop early and hand stir until the emulsion is not splitting and the consistency is like cream.

 

[dmcgee5034]

Hi All, I need some hints. My second batch kind of worked. What I need help with is in what technique to use to get the tear shape. Mine look like balls rather than drops. Does the batter need to be thinner? I thought it was pretty thin but maybe not enough? Some of the balls look like they have a whisp coming off the top, like it was trying to form a tear but didnt'. Thanks All, and happy soaping!

Oh this has been my nemesis on soooo many soaps. Finally got one that I’m pleased with. My batter was very thin - both in the mold and in the bottle. HTH

 

[MichaelP]

@dmcgee5034 Thanks! I'm going to go with an even thinner batter this time and see what happens!

 

[katili]

Getting my photos ready to post, it doesn't look like I'll be able to squeeze one more attempt in before the deadline, *but* I will be giving this technique another try some time!

 

[CLMP]

I'm feeling a little better so I just finished pouring my oils if all goes well with my health I will sign up on Wednesday just in the nick of time I have to wait till Wednesday morning to make my batch because I will be to busy tomorrow so I hope nothing goes wrong till then! I'm wondering if I should cut my pipette for my squeeze bottles on a slant or should I just snip the end of it straight to get the rain drop look? Oh And I love everybody's soaps so far very nice!

 

[Mobjack Bay]

@CLMP Cutting on a slant will affect the size/area of the opening and the orientation of the tip might become important (e.g. is the point on the leading edge, trailing edge, etc.). I don't think it's necessary, but haven't tried it.

 

[dmcgee5034]

@CLMP - I cut straight across this time. I’ve tried slanted before, but straight worked for me this time.

 

[Cindy D.]

Sign-up List for SMF January 2024 Challenge: Mini Drop {Mini Drip} Swirl. To sign up, please copy and paste these instructions and the list below into a new message. Then add your name and the next number for the next person:

1. AliOop - Great way to "drop" into 2024!
2. katili - Why not dive into something I've never done?
3. MichaelP - I agree with katili, I want to try something new and help develop my soap making skills. Looking forward to this!
4. Mrs.Z - this looks fun!
5. McKherring Farm
6. VikingChick - This should be fun!
7. VickiC
8. Blue - Fun project for next weekend!
9. dmcgee5034 - honey, I dripped the soap!
10. Tammyfarms - I made mine today. I didn’t want to enter until I knew I would be able to make soap. It’s in the mold.
11. Janesathome - Oooh, I’ve been needing a focus for a soap. My biggest challenge will be getting out to pick up squeeze bottles: minus 49 with wind chill tomorrow and my car does NOT like those temps! Hoping for some moderation in weather soon.
12. Relle - I'll try it, need to take mind of things.
13. ScentimentallyYours - making soap today and noticed there’s still time to sign up, so I’m in!
14. Cindy D. I actually had time to make soap!

 

[dmcgee5034]

Everyone’s entries so far are lovely!
@Cindy D. - is that the same soap? It looks light blue in the pic with 4 bars and so white in the pic with 3 bars - either way, it’s so pretty!

 

[McKherring Farm]

Well....here's my first attempt. Hopefully, I will "drop" another one later today. I learned many things with this attempt. First...it seemed like I had a LOT of layers of colors at the top, but....clearly I stopped too soon. And yes, I could see it wasn't very deep in the mold but boy, those squeeze bottles of mine....ugh. Speaking of squeeze bottles, that set went in the trash! I got a different type to try tomorrow. Second..."just below the surface" isn't very deep. Really not deep at all. I didn't need to squeeze quite so hard. Lol. Third...trying the nifty, curved syringe that came from the dentist after wisdom tooth removal (never used it) won't work unless the batter is very, very, very thin. I do love the colors and the scent - Bergamot and Lime essential oils. And finally, I know I will be trying this again. and again. All the entries are beautiful.

 

[CLMP]

Sign-up List for SMF January 2024 Challenge: Mini Drop {Mini Drip} Swirl. To sign up, please copy and paste these instructions and the list below into a new message. Then add your name and the next number for the next person:

1. AliOop - Great way to "drop" into 2024!
2. katili - Why not dive into something I've never done?
3. MichaelP - I agree with katili, I want to try something new and help develop my soap making skills. Looking forward to this!
4. Mrs.Z - this looks fun!
5. McKherring Farm
6. VikingChick - This should be fun!
7. VickiC
8. Blue - Fun project for next weekend!
9. dmcgee5034 - honey, I dripped the soap!
10. Tammyfarms - I made mine today. I didn’t want to enter until I knew I would be able to make soap. It’s in the mold.
11. Janesathome - Oooh, I’ve been needing a focus for a soap. My biggest challenge will be getting out to pick up squeeze bottles: minus 49 with wind chill tomorrow and my car does NOT like those temps! Hoping for some moderation in weather soon.
12. Relle - I'll try it, need to take mind of things.
13. ScentimentallyYours - making soap today and noticed there’s still time to sign up, so I’m in!
14. Cindy D. I actually had time to make soap!
15. CLMP- I got something cooking in the oven lol.