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Saturday, October 15, 2016

Rain Forest Soaps ~ Octobers Wood Grain Soap Challenge

~ Great Cakes Soapworks Soap Challenge ~
By Amy Warden

OCTOBER ~ Wood Grain technique


My Entry! ~ Rain Forest Wood Soap


I used a Friends Homemade Wild Cherry Wine for my Lye Liquid. I planned on this being my base color ~ a tan/pink beige.   It turned a slight orange after adding the Lye. I did not freeze it first, just chilled and kept bowl in cool water while mixing lye in.

I used 3/4 ounce essential oils. 99%  was a lovely EO blend called 'Rainforest' by Crafters Choice. I added only 5 drops of Nutmeg EO, just add a little warm dimension. 
 Other colors created with Activated Charcoal, and Indego Powder ~ added each to one 3rd batter. I left the other portion plain color.
My oils were 100% Coconut oil, with only 1/2 oz of Castor added. 
*Average combine temp was 110 degrees.



After mixing in colors by hand, the batter was thickening quicker than i expected! I kept stirring the batters to keep as fluid as possible.


I used a thin skewer to run back & forth along the 'grain' one time. Then made little circles here and there for knots.

Below are the loaf after I planed it with a cheese slicer. Then I made some bigger cuts deciding which way was best.

 Some finish cuts shots

Another fun challenge! I look forward to seeing everyone elses soaps too!
Thanks to Amy Warden for Hosting this great learning experience!

Have a nice day ! ~ Eva

16 comments:

  1. Pretty! What a great thought to add the wine for the base color- super creative!!

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    1. Thank you Sara! I was hoping it would be more red/pink, but oh well! It was fun and I alway learn something :)

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  2. I LOVE that rainforest blend, but it does set up fast!! You have some really neat looking "knots" in your soap - congrats on a successful all-natural soap!

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    1. Thank you Amy! This was my 1st test of the Rainforest blend. I like it really well too once I soaped with it! I will know next time to plan for acceleration. I had so much fun tho : )

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  3. Very nice job and good looking soap. Well done and good luck !

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    1. Thank you Marie :) I like this technique. I look forward to trying again.

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  4. How great that you used wine - I haven't soaped with wine in ages. That is a perfect combo to go with wood soaps! (I was thinking of beer, but had already made my beer soaps for the season.)

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    1. Thank you Sly! It was my first try with Wine, and I like it! I am making myself try more sources of natural coloring. I love these challenges and learn alot from others including you : )

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  5. What a beautiful soap, Eva! The addition of the wine gives a very alluring and sultry impression to the soap, too. I'm not sure if the fragrance matches that description but the colors and design definitely do, in my opinion at least ;) ! Very well done!

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    1. Thank you Debi! The Wine lightened up more than I expected, but hey it's part of learning! The EO blend is very nice ~ definitely woodsy. Love your artsy soaps btw. :)

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  6. I think my fave picture is the solid block after you've planed it - it reminds me of a big block of wood just waiting to be crafted, with all sorts of beautiful coloration throughout. Which isn't to say the bars aren't nice - they are. There's just something so woodlike about that one, like waiting potential. Love how you were able to personalize it further with the wine!

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    1. Thank you Nathicana! I almost hated to cut up the block myself! It would be fun to made a block to make a 'wood carving', hmmm, maybe someday :)

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  7. Nice job - thanks for showing your process. The wine is a creative idea! Pretty soaps, and nicely planed :).

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    1. Thank you Ann! I like this method, hope to use it again soon ;)

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