Hi everybody! You may have recently seen Anne-Marie’s post about my Bicycle Soap which I made just for the Soaper’s Showcase at the HSMG Conference in Denver earlier this month. I wanted to use as many techniques as I could to wow the crowd, and I’m thrilled to say it did win for Best M&P Appearance (thank you, Conference attendees for your votes!!), and now I will show you how I did it.
First I printed out a bicycle graphic on soap embed paper using a laser printer. I neatly cut it out, leaving about 1/16″ of white space all around. It doesn’t have to be perfect since the white paper becomes translucent in the soap.
I poured 1/8″ layer of clear soap base into a basic square mold. With a small, flat paintbrush, I mixed green chrome oxide with a drop of liquid glycerin. I painted wispy grass on the hardened layer of clear soap. I let it dry completely.
Next I poured about 1/8″ layer of clear soap onto the painted layer and placed my bicycle into the hot soap. I allowed that to harden then painted more grass. To embed my marbled clouds (I used pearly white mica and clear soap to make a marbled soap sheet then cut out clouds using some fondant cutters), I poured another thin layer of clear soap and put my clouds in. For more dimension I let that set, then set another layer of clouds in yet another layer of clear. (How many layers are we up to now? I lost count!)
At last, we’re ready to make the sky. I mixed blue non-bleeding colorant with pearl mica and stirred it into clear soap base. I poured 1/8″ layer into the mold, then propped one side onto a notepad to make the sky only cover 1/2 of the mold. Finally I topped it off with white scented soap on a level surface. Voila!
This is certainly an “art piece” and not one that I would make to sell. I made another to give to a celebrity designer that I might meet this week which will probably be my last one. But I’m thinking about some variations – this diorama idea has so many possibilities! Can you tell I’m addicted to glycerin soap? I love it!!
gorgeous…and thanks for sharing
Debbie you have out done your self once again – I expect nothing but wow factor from you and you deliver everytime!!! Love your work and thank you to Anne-Marie for giving us such great insights!
Another little work of art! And you used so many great and creative techniques! Thank you for sharing, and congrats on the win!
Wow magnifique!!! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful ideas!!
Hi everyone! I just got back from a trip to NYC and am thrilled to read all of your enthusiastic comments! I’m so glad you all like the project, and I look forward to seeing how you will interpret the techniques for your own projects. Let’s keep that M&P love flowing! 🙂
Yes, that’s correct! I had a sample from long ago, but it’s the same.
Yes! It is the Heavy Duty Square. I had a sample that was only 1 cavity, that’s why it looks different.
I believe it’s the same one. I’m hoping Debbie chimes in to confirm but the mold came in the Grab Bags as a single mold so my guess is that is where Debbie got it but let’s wait for her to confirm before I send you off to buy it =)
This bar of soap is amazing. You really know how to work magic with M&P.
When I clicked on the basic square mold it was a four cavity put your picture shows it as a one, does Brambleberry/Otion have the one in this picture?
this project totally rocks and rolls!
The clouds and the grass are to die for Debbie!
Thank you so much for posting your artistic finery.
I have envisioned clouds in my designs many times but couldn’t quite wrap
my mind around how to make them dimensionally.
The possibilities are truly endless.
You ladies are extraordinary!
Is that a Heavy Duty Square mold Debbie? I can’t tell for certain.
Is that a Heavy Duty Square mold Debbie? I can’t tell for certain.
You will LOVE MP when you start. I make both and have wonderful experiences with both types of soap. And, you got the right book to start with – that’s for sure!
It is so generous of Debbie to share that information with us – I agree =))
Those extra layers really make the 3D effect just pop (!!)
You and me both! =)
Can you believe how many layers it is? It is so beautiful and complex.
Can you believe how many layers it is? It is so beautiful and complex.
I did buy the SoapyLove book. It’s very nice. I’ve been flipping threw it over and over, getting inspired, yet I haven’t ordered any M&P yet. I do want to start M&P, but I’m doing CP right now. 🙂
Wow, that is amazing and the level of detail is great. Thanks for sharing the technique with us. It’s gorgeous. Where did you get the cute molds?
Debbie, thank you so much for your generosity and the encouragement you share with each and every one of us! You soap is truly a work of art and inspiration!
wow! I almost guest it all right. I knew the bike had to be water soluble paper. But I didn’t know how the sky was done. very nice.
Incredible!!!
It’s wonderful, you are an Artist Debbie ^_^
I am in awe of this soap! I really like the 3D effect it has as you look at it! Definitely too artsy to use! 🙂
You are an amazing soap artist!
Es espectacular…Mis felicitaciones por ten bella obra de Arte…Son maravillosas un gran saludo!!
Carla D Mendez M
Thank you so much!! Thanks to everyone for their very nice compliments!!
Thank you! I may not meet him but the soap will be going to his studio, so I hope he likes it!
Very cool, Debbie! I love it.
Super excited for you to meet your celebrity designer this week!
Wow … just amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this, Debbie, as I was very curious how you made this soap. And congrats on your Best M&P Appearance win at the Conference! 🙂
I am just in absolutely awe of the amazing artistic soaps Debbie makes!
Amazing!!! I knew it was a work of art, but couldn’t see all the dimensions from the photo.