Inspiration

Eday

don't know why, but i am loving this photo of Eli - it has a kind of surreal feel to it; don't you think? 

Imitation is flattery, right?

I recently stumbled upon the cutest soap named surfer girl from the soap store  bodygoodies. I have been working on designing a coconut soap and loved the look, so I thought I would give it a try. After all, imitation is a form of flattery, right?  Actually, I do think finding unique soaps and and attempting to recreate the techniques helps me become stronger so that I can work to develop some of my own designs.

The first step in this process is to make small round soap spheres and then coat them in a contrasting color.  In this soap, brown and white were used to give the soap a faux coconut look.  After the balls are made, you pour a layer of the first color and let it set until it is firm enough to hold the weight of the spheres.  Then, simply place the sphere in the soap – pressing a few down so that they don’t all fall in the same line.  Then pour the second color on top.  When the soap is cut – the cross section of the sphere is seen as cute little circles.

Of course, it took me three tries to even come close to what I wanted to achieve:  The first attempt I poured the soap at too hot of a temperature and the white and brown balls melted into a mushy mess.  The second attempt went better, but I was using a loaf pan (like a bread pan) and when I cut the soap into traditional slices, most of the ball affect was missing and I simply had a two toned soap.  The last attempt, I used a brownie pan and then cut into squares -  whew, this time it came out.  I just wish I could cut straight!

Overall, I am happy with the effect.  However, I am going to keep on tweaking and try to use smaller spheres.  I also want to try out a few different color combinations and I want to figure out a way to get a true cube cut.  Hopefully, the end result will be more uniquely mine. 

This soap is scented with a coconut and lime scent, but unfortunately, the coconut didn’t hold is dreamy scent very long.  I have to say, though, the lather is amazing on this bar.  As always, if anyone wants one of these bars, let me know and I will be happy to send one off to you.