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12/16/2017

Art Deco Mountains

15 Comments

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  This entry is the last Great Cakes Soap Challenge, and I will miss these dearly!  I will need to find a way to self motivate myself to keep up the challenge of making something new every month :)  I like sharing my adventures in soap making, so check back each month to see what I'm up to.

The challenge this month was making soap with straight lines, guest instructor Toni Watt of White Milk Soap and Candles.  I have some experience in this realm, as I have made my Candy Cane soaps and the Colorado Flag soap using this technique in the past.  However, while making these, I wasn't entirely concerned with perfectly straight lines.  So, I wanted to play with tiny lines and lots of layers to see if I could pull it off.
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I was inspired by this op art photo I found on the web, and was wondering if I could do something similar, but it ended up being a bit more time consuming than what I had this week.  All kinds of holiday things going on today :)

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However, I started with this idea in mind, and got a good way along in the design.  When I realized how tired I was and that I was at a point in which all the layers were light colored, I decided to just put a darker swirl layer on the top to finish it off.

My recipe was not a quick mover, which was problematic, as well as trying to figure out the angles and calculating out the amount of soap batter for each layer.  But, this was a real challenge for me, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.  Here are some progress photos.
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Angled the mold for the first layer
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The angle worked well. First layer, easy peasy!
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This is the second angle. Had to place a foam board to create an additional wall - made a mess with the cocoa butter to hold it, but it didn't show up in the final product :)
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Better pic of the second angle layers with the foam board
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And, then I stopped taking pictures...this was a long process...

I put the mold in a 175 degree F oven, and turned it off to leave over night. It did not really gel well all the way through, in my opinion.  And, since my broiler element went out this week while baking cookies, I'm not sure if it was that or me. The oven did get warm, but I'm not sure if it was up to temp.  I've never done a real CPOP soap before, so it could totally just be me, will have to try it again now that the element has been replaced.
And, here is the final product - I absolutely love how they came out!  Scented with my Stress Relief blend, they remind me of skiing at night - something I did years ago during one of our Tenth Mountain Hut trips.  Gotta love Colorado!!!  Certainly something everyone should get the chance to do once in their lifetime - if you like skiing!!!
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15 Comments
Amy Warden link
12/16/2017 01:24:16 pm

Wow!! I'm not even sure how you did that! Even with the photos, I'm really scratching my head. It's crazy cool! I hope you do find time to experiment with new techniques once the challenges are over. You are such a creative soapmaker!!

Reply
Taralyn
12/16/2017 02:20:36 pm

Thank you Amy! I'm always inspired to try new things, but you have been the reason they come to fruition. I really struggle with the "completion" part of a project. The deadlines are what do it for me :) Thank you soooo much for all you've done for the soapmaking community over the years. Because of you there is a treasure trove of information on different soaping techniques out there for people to keep learning.

Reply
Eva link
12/16/2017 01:29:46 pm

Such a neat pattern! I like the swirls in the top area, it adds to the design. Great job : )

Reply
Taralyn
12/16/2017 02:21:37 pm

Thank you Eva! I really like the way the swirls add to it too :)

Reply
Love Your Suds link
12/16/2017 01:32:51 pm

This is such a cool design, Taralyn! Well done :)
– Belinda

Reply
Taralyn
12/16/2017 02:22:04 pm

Thank you Belinda!

Reply
Amy link
12/16/2017 01:48:12 pm

What a detailed and intricate design! Fantastic job!

Reply
Taralyn
12/16/2017 02:22:39 pm

Thank you Amy! It turned out better than I thought it would :)

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Cara
12/18/2017 11:23:34 pm

Way cool - way to go!

Reply
Taralyn
12/20/2017 05:52:35 pm

Thank you Cara!

Reply
Debi Olsen link
12/19/2017 10:37:08 am

Taralyn, this design is absolutely fabulous!!! I love your take on our beautiful mountains. I still can't really figure out how you did it, but on this one, I'm not sure I really want to ruin the magic! Great job!

P.S. Your Colorado flag soap is so awesome!!
P.P.S. Do you mind sharing where you got your incredible acrylic mold??

Reply
Taralyn
12/20/2017 05:58:23 pm

Thank you Debi! That means a lot coming from you - you are so inspiring :)

The mold came from soap making resources - link here
http://www.soap-making-resource.com/acrylic-soap-molds.html

I really like it. Downside is that you need to make sure it is fairly tight or thinner soap batter will escape. And, sometimes getting the log out is a bear. I put it in the freezer for a short time, and let it come back to room temp a bit, then it slides out pretty easily. But sometimes I still fight with it :) But it makes nice smooth sides, and is a good size - I get 16 bars from the mold I have. Easy clean up though! And, no need to line...

Reply
Debi Olsen link
12/21/2017 11:13:39 pm

That is so kind of you say, thank you!
I was afraid you were going to say got your mold from SMR. I sure wish I would have snagged some before they closed down! :(

Nicole Lankenau
12/20/2017 10:06:31 am

I love how you made these look like mountains! Very cool idea, it came out nice :)

Reply
Taralyn
12/20/2017 06:00:03 pm

Thank you Nicole! I didn't start out with mountains in mind, but the final product was all mountain in my mind :) I'll definitely try this again with intentional mountains!

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    Taralyn

    Colorado Artisan, making beautiful hand-crafted soaps with all natural ingredients.

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Our soaps and body care products are handcrafted the old-fashioned way, in Boulder County, Colorado by your local Soap Making Artist, Taralyn.  Small artisan batches allow for considerable attention to detail during all stages - soap making, hand cutting, six week cure time and hand wrapping - an extensive journey that nurtures the formation of the perfect bar of luxury soap.  And to make it even better, we will deliver to your door!  Shop by Signature or Artisan, by scent families, ingredients or by name.  So much to explore!  Check out our collections today!
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  • Home
  • SHOP ALL
    • Soap of the Month
    • All Soap A to Z
    • Signature Series Soap Bars A to Z
    • Signature Series Literary Inspired
    • Artisan Series Soap Bars A to Z
    • Soaps by Recipe/Ingredients >
      • Specialty Recipe Soaps >
        • The Bee's Knees
        • Coffee Bar
        • Gardener's Companion
        • Gentle Face Bar Argan
        • Gentle Face Bar Almond
        • Shampoo >
          • Dog Shampoo Neem Oat
    • Soaps by Fragrance Family
    • Soaps by Fragrance Source
    • Limited Edition Bars A-Z
    • Limited Edition Soaps by Collection
    • Cleaning Time!
    • Bargain Basement
  • Man Cave
  • Bath & Spa Accessories
  • Nourish
  • Say It With Soap
    • Wedding Soap Favors
    • Baby Shower Soap Favors
    • Other Life Celebrations
    • Custom Promotional Soap Favors
  • Wholesale