SOAP CHALLENGE CLUB: JANUARY 2021
I’m so excited to submit my first entry for the @soapchallengeclub. One of this months challenge was to submit a geode soap. When I was thinking about what kind of crystals to make, all I could think of was frosted white geodes, that reminded me of icicles, like the ones in the middle of the ocean….. maybe like the ones the “TITANIC” crashed into that cold, dreary night. This soap is scented with "Icicles" from SweetCakes, Seaside Driftwood from @wholesalesuppliesplus, and a little lit of despair. My little boat was made from soap dough that was scented like bright hops, aged whiskey, full bodied beer and pipe tobacco smoke. The challenge criteria consisted of having a scooped out curved section (✔️)and have geodes attached (✔️) and I asked if it could have an embed made out of CP soap and Amy said “as long as it is attached at the pour, OK (✔️).
This was a fun challenge because it really took me out of my comfort zone, while still allowing me to think outside the box. All the while knowing that one slip up could cost hours of work put into it.
The first steps I used to create this soap was to set up my slab mold and cut out a shape to hollow out the geode garden. Making my Titanic boat was a challenge because I could not find my sculpting tools so I had to use my hands and a knife. I was not looking to create a masterpeice - just an slight resemblance of the Titanic... and a masterpiece it was NOT. I used clear melt and pour soap with added titanium dioxide, mica with sparkles and iridescence from @nurturesoap to color the icicle geodes. I let it set up before cutting it into sharp icicles and iceburgs. I used Amy’s recipe for a fluid, slow tracing batter bc my personal recipes all have butters and hard oils. I failed at trying to ombré pour the ocean but at least the colors are pretty..lol (Klein and Caribbean Blue from @nurturesoap, TD and activated charcoal). After I poured my North Atlanic Ocean, I made some waves and let Titanic set sail.
I used my plastic shape to scoop my curved area. Let it set up some more and then lifted it out of the slab mold.
I embedded the icicles and then secured them with colored M&P soap between some of the cracks to give some depth- in hindsight I wish I would have made the bottom portions of the geodes in a darker m&p soap from the start, so when I cut them they would have had an outline.
I think the most challenging part was cutting it and photographing it. I held my breath for each slice praying none of the geode icicles would fall off. I was surprised when only 1 did. I took 3 billion photos in 2 different shoots just to try and capture it the best and still not satisfied but time is running out and I have to cook and clean my house some time....
Things I would have done different: I would have made the placement of the boat different because we only have 1 picture to submit and its really hard to capture the Titanic and the geodes at the same time. I also wish the the water would have been a better ombré effect considering I mixed 6 colors and poured it the way I researched it; but it obviously is a technique that needs practice.
What I learned: don't be afraid to use a ruler, make sure you have everything you need before you start, don't wear a black sweatshirt while soaping (I was picking black lint off of every icicle) --and its OK to think outside the box once in a while:)
Being my first challenge I found if difficult to keep up with my steps and photograph them along the way- so I hope next challenge I will be able to get my act together for a better photo story.
Overall, I am happy with my first submission and looking forward to feedback from my fellow soapers and seeing what others have to share. Here are some other photos that might capture a better look into that CHILLY NIGHT.
