It’s really incredible how fast word spreads on the internet, and exciting to see how contagious inspiration can be! Last month my husband showed me a video posted on Facebook, originally uploaded by “Non ci posso credere.” (Click here to view the video. It’s SOOO cool!) It showed artists pouring paint down a column creating the most amazing swirled designs. Then on March 14 I shared it on the Soapylove fanpage, and the response was thrilling!
The very next day Amanda Griffin, author of the great CP eZine “Lovin’ Soap”, posted a FULL TUTORIAL showing how to do it with cold process soap (including her recipe), and coined the term “Column Swirl.” She will be posting it for The Soap Queen very soon, but here’s a sneak peek. I love all of her beautiful colors!
The next week, Erin Pikor of Naiad Soap Arts posted her soapy experiment using this method, using all natural colorants. More gorgeous results! (Click here for her post).
Then Holly Port of Lotion Bar Café (click here for her post), and finally David Fisher, writer for About.com wrote about this new technique here.
Not only is it super cool how exciting it is to get inspired, but also how great the soap community is! Everyone wanted to share their discoveries and projects with each other, and keep spreading the word about this new method. Now if someone can just figure out how to do a column swirl with MP! 😉
Does anyone have a recipe they like to use for this technique? I haven’t actually seen a video of someone instructing soapers how to measure out/mix colors and fragrance and then pour down the columns, so my first concern is that I wouldn’t be able to get everything done quickly enough (before the soap hardens). I can definitely envision “soap on a… uh, column.” 😀
Good morning, Leah!
With a column mold, you can really use any tutorial or recipe that you want. The only thing you would need to do is to make sure you are using oils that don’t trace as quickly and have all your ingredients setup before hand. Here are a couple of blog posts that Anne-Marie has made that needed more time to play with and could definitely work for a column pour:
Peacock Swirl in Cold Process: https://soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/peacock-swirl-in-cold-process-soap-video/
Impressionist Soap: https://soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/impressionist-soap-tutorial/
Three Color Mantra Swirl: https://soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/three-color-mantra-swirl/
And here is a great post on tips to have the most time out of your soap:
In-the-Pot Swirling (Cold Process): https://soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/in-the-pot-swirling/
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. 🙂
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much, Becky. I just had my first batch sieze on me last weekend, so although I’m psyched about trying this technique, I’ve been a little nervous. These links are immensely helpful, though.
I totally understand! I remember the first time my soap seized, I was totally nervous to make soap again. But, I know you can do it! And we are here to help you with any questions that you have. 🙂
-Becky with Bramble Berry
What kind of thing is best to use as the column.. Just a piece of wood from a hardware store? or is there something different/better/easy to make at home?
Thanks!!
Hi Megan!
When Kat from Otion did the column swirl, she used a cardboard box for her column. Basically, you can use anything that works for you! You can check out Kat’s column swirl attempt here:
http://www.otionsoap.com/blog/2011/06/22/kats-column-swirl-attempt-1-2/
I hope this helps!
~Becky with Bramble Berry
Tried it and turned out beautiful. You can see it on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/user/DesertMoonBathNBody?feature=mhee
It is so much fun and I don’t think you can ruin it.
Wow. They turned out beautiful! Great job =)
Courtney from Bramble Berry
I’ve tried it at home, WOW!! I don’t how to make lots of colors on it.
I wonder if you could get something that looks like this by adding layers from the outside in…..does that make sense at all?
That sounds like an interesting technique and you might need an extra hand to pour the soap from all sides. If you give it a shot keep us posted =)
Courtney from Bramble Berry
I’m totally going to try this next week at Otion! It looks like so much fun.
Could you add glycerin to the melt and pour to give yourself more time with the colors? Kind of like when you make Jelly Roll soap. Haven’t tried it, but it’s the first thing that came to mind.
I tried to do a column swirl, but had problems with my soap getting too thick. Next time I will use a different recipe. I also had trouble finding something suitable to use for a “column”. What do you use for the column???
Here is another blog from Soap and Restless for colors that look awesome. Half way down the page!
http://soapandrestless.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html
This is so fun and it really has caught on. Here are some posts beginning in April on the Teach Soap Forum for you.
http://www.teachsoap.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3390&start=765
You’ll see other color samples threw page 57 so beautiful!
OK, forgive my ignorance, why couldn’t you use this technique with MP?
Love it! Gotta try it!
Melted melt and pour soap is so thin. Chances are the colors would just blend into each other. However, I think it could be done if you poured at the right temperature…that might take some experimenting.
Courtney from Bramble Berry
Woo hoo I can’t wait! I can always count on you to bring us new fantastic ideas for new soaping techniques! I wish your intensive soap weekend was closer… the flight from West Australia would be just killer!
But no matter where we live we love seeing all your ideas (and fantastic videos!) Keep em’ coming!
xo
Kim
Just tried the column swirl going to cut my bars tomorrow. I’m excited to see how it turns out. I had no problem doing this technique by myself. i used the clemintine cupcake frag so it smell delicious.
I love clementine cupcake too. Good luck cutting your soap. So exciting!
Courtney from Bramble Berry
I saw this technique on youtube, presented by Sergio Marsala, from VillaFortuna.
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mksRfX-9Qgw
Great stuff Debbie 🙂 I’ve had this on my list to try for a while now, and I just never get to it. I was a bit underwhelmbed by my funnel swirl attempt, and this so rocks :). MP – Hmm.. I am sure you can do it, maybe 2 more pairs of hands to pour simultaneously 🙂
Melt and pour would be a little tough. Give it a try and keep us updated =) I would try pouring the soap around 125-130 degrees. You’ll definitely need it on the thicker side so it doesn’t just blend in with the other colors.
Courtney from Bramble Berry
So Cool! Can’t wait to try it. Been wanting to make tie dye soaps for so long and this looks like the best way to do it. Thank you!
Column Swirling/swirl is the term so many use for the last few years when using paints at a few collages.. It isn’t a made up word. Very pretty and i love the colours.. lets try ti in wax too..
and many have done it with batter for cakes too.. the ideas are endless
Very cool! Poured pigments: the new meme! Maybe I’ll do it with cake batter. ;D
There are so many possibilities! Cake batter would be SO much fun. I hope we get to see pictures if you give it a try (hint).
Courtney from Bramble Berry
LOL! Maybe once the weather cools off. I don’t bake much in 90 degree weather!
Cool! I want to try it now! 🙂
I just did a post on this yesterday as well and can’t remember where I saw it.
Look forward to the video.