SMF Soapmaking Challenge November: Drop and Skewer

[penelopejane]

Here is my attempt that didn't work.

To me it screams lack of confidence because I didn't put enough swirly colour in and a don't like the distinct line on the top.

 

[commoncenz]

Love your tops, sens, and the pink and black combo is very pretty.

Songwind, you got such cool definition in the wispy parts of the swirls! Almost looks a bit like the high/low water outlining you get with different water content.

Took the opportunity to try out the "lace technique" using a fondant lace mat ... a modification of a technique that I saw in one of Auntie Clara's blog posts.

Man, if Songwind's and your entries are indicative of the quality of swirls we'll see this month, it should be a great challenge. I love the black/gray on a red/umber background of your soaps.

And if Songwind's greenish (Teal) color was an accident, it was a happy one ... it makes the yellow and white "Pop".

Great entries you guys!

 

[BlackDog]

Oh, Songwind! That color combo is to die for! I would never have known it wasn't exactly what you were going for! Love the thin wispies too - really goes to show that sometimes less is more.

 

[kchaystack]

I cut try 1. I am very happy with it, but want to try one more time. Lol

 

[songwind]

Songwind, you got such cool definition in the wispy parts of the swirls! Almost looks a bit like the high/low water outlining you get with different water content.

Thanks. I got a bit too impatient and soaped a little too warm, so it was thickening up on my as I poured it.

Oh, Songwind! That color combo is to die for! I would never have known it wasn't exactly what you were going for! Love the thin wispies too - really goes to show that sometimes less is more.

Thanks! I'm really satisfied with it for a first try. Next time I try I'll try to keep things more liquid so I can get the colors more interpenetrated.

 

[dibbles]

I'm going to have another try, and wasn't going to peak at the entries until I get it done, but I couldn't stand it - I had to look. Wow!

Newbie, your soaps are just gorgeous. Really, really pretty - your tenacity paid off!

Cenz, I love the tops on your soaps. Great execution on that lace technique. And the soaps are lovely as well. Some lucky people will be very happy with their gift. Glad you gave the challenge a try.

Songwind, your swirls are so pretty, and I love the way the colors turned out.

Great job guys. If these first three entries are any indication, we are in for some visual treats this month!

 

[Deedles]

The official thread for entries had opened and will close midnight CST the 23rd.

OK...call me stupid but where do I find the thread for entries?

 

[penelopejane]

OK...call me stupid but where do I find the thread for entries?

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=57332

 

[CaraBou]

What the heck happened in number 1? It's kind of angular; I can't quite figure out how you did it! It looks a little like a bird, kind of. Now I have to go look up Haida because I don't know what that is, that you were trying for.

I'm curious too. I know Haida is a style of tribal art, but ive never heard it in relation to soap, and I'm curious what the original inspiration art was[/QUOTE

Haida are a native peoples along the northwest coastline of British Columbia / southeastern Alaska. You'll recognize their art, traditionally manifested in totems. There were/are other tribes too that use the same style (for example Tlingit of SE AK), and I accidentally spoke more narrowly than I should have. But as Gigi said, there's a style there; one I adore. I do believe there's a way to soap it, and a swirling skewer would help, but I did not devote sufficient time to find it. Shame on me; it deserves a soapy medium.

The pics below are two very functional pieces of Haida/Tlingik art that I possess. The salmon is a dish towel, and the multi-creature collage is the hand bag I take to work every day with my lunch, homework, etc. If you look closely you will see life everywhere in the tote -- which is part of why I am inspired by this particular form of art. Soap swirls are probably too random to do this justice, but I do believe with thought, trial, and a lot of of luck, I could honor it in some recognizable way. Challenge or not, I'll keep trying over the years and post when I am close enough to show respect. Maybe when I'm old and gray!

 

[penelopejane]

Thanks! I'm really satisfied with it for a first try. Next time I try I'll try to keep things more liquid so I can get the colors more interpenetrated.

So you should be it is fantastic. When the challenge is closed can you please post how you achieved that? I just can't even get a swirl let alone a delicate one like that.

Very nice.

 

[CaraBou]

I didn't realize when I responded that the entry thread was posted. i MUST say - it's off to a great start! So inspiring right from the bat. Thanks guys, and good luck to all.

 

[lionprincess00]

OK...call me stupid but where do I find the thread for entries?

Lye based forumhttp://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=57332

 

[gigisiguenza]

I'm curious too. I know Haida is a style of tribal art, but ive never heard it in relation to soap, and I'm curious what the original inspiration art was[/QUOTE

Haida are a native peoples along the northwest coastline of British Columbia / southeastern Alaska. You'll recognize their art, traditionally manifested in totems. There were/are other tribes too that use the same style (for example Tlingit of SE AK), and I accidentally spoke more narrowly than I should have. But as Gigi said, there's a style there; one I adore. I do believe there's a way to soap it, and a swirling skewer would help, but I did not devote sufficient time to find it. Shame on me; it deserves a soapy medium.

The pics below are two very functional pieces of Haida/Tlingik art that I possess. The salmon is a dish towel, and the multi-creature collage is the hand bag I take to work every day with my lunch, homework, etc. If you look closely you will see life everywhere in the tote -- which is part of why I am inspired by this particular form of art. Soap swirls are probably too random to do this justice, but I do believe with thought, trial, and a lot of of luck, I could honor it in some recognizable way. Challenge or not, I'll keep trying over the years and post when I am close enough to show respect. Maybe when I'm old and gray!

Carabou that's the style I was thinking about I love tribal art and I hope you find a way to represent it in your soaps, that would be awesome

 

[gigisiguenza]

So I tried a second attempt, using naturals this time. I dunno if it went as well as the first attempt, but I've got my fingers crossed. I will say I'm.sick of powdered colorants being obstinate and not mixing well. I really need to get a badger. If I had a significant other I'd put it on the xmas list for sure LOL

 

[songwind]

So you should be it is fantastic. When the challenge is closed can you please post how you achieved that? I just can't even get a swirl let alone a delicate one like that.

Very nice.

No need to wait, though I'm not sure I can be of much help.

I basically did the same thing that is in the example video. I poured 2/3 of the mold with the base color, then dropped my other colors. I did one high drop (alternating colors for each side) and a lower drop, to try to get the colors to "stack" a little. Then I filled the rest of the way with my base.

Swirled with a bamboo skewer, about 1/8"/3mm wide. I mixed it up a bit, sometimes clockwise, sometimes counter-clockwise.

The base was getting pretty thick, probably medium trace. That's the only way I deviated from the instruction video. Maybe that's why the swirl pattern is that wispy?

 

[MrsSpaceship]

Songwind, those colors are out of the park gorgeous! *drool*

Sometimes I wish that we could turn this into a soap swap as well so I could get firsthand smells and feels.
I need to prettyfy my soap and take photos, I've just been getting home after dark as of late which isn't conducive to good photos...actually having me take them isn't conducive to good photos either. Maybe I'll get my hubby to do it for me.
Who knows, maybe I'll get one more try in before calling it good.

 

[Cactuslily]

I should stop looking...THe more I look, the more intimidated I become. Newbie, would you be willing to share what you use to get your red? Everyones pics are so lovely. I know there isn't a "prize" for first place, but be warned, if there was a ****y prize for last place, I'd smoke you all! Back to the drawing board...

 

[newbie]

I used paprika-infused olive oil, paprika itself, a little bit of red brick oxide and my FO is Vanilla Rosewood, which discolors but has not completed its discoloration yet. It looked about the color of tomato soap made with milk while in batter form, partly because of the FO. I was pretty worried when I poured it because it looked not at all like I thought it should, very opaque, but it turned out nicely.

Nice drop action there, DeeAnna! Once I got it, it was unmistakable and so different from my first 4 dang tries.

 

[Sonya-m]

Loving the entries so far!!

I NEED to get my soap on!! It feels like a very long time since I made soap. Hopefully this weekend, though it will be a one attempt challenge for me this month.

 

[DeeAnna]

CactusLily -- My entry was try #4 out of 5 tries. If I could say I nailed this swirl 5 times out of 5, then I'd feel like I could brag about my skills, but I know I'm definitely not there! I have to say that there's nothing like practice to get better, however, so give it a try. I'm glad I entered the challenge -- I think am starting to get a tiny sense of what it takes to do this kind of thing. I'll confess when I submitted my entry, my pulse spiked pretty high -- that was a high anxiety moment for me. :sick:

Newbie -- Thanks for the encouragement! I took better pics of my other tries -- will get them posted in this thread for feedback.