Turn Plain Soap Into Art With This Simple Technique | Cold Process Soap Making

Can a simple bar of soap become a piece of art? Today I’m experimenting with a technique inspired by traditional intaglio printmaking, using handmade soap as my canvas! 🎨 Want to create your own soap designs? I make custom 3D-printed soap stamps, available in my Etsy shop! 🛍️ Shop Hudson Valley Soapery: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HudsonValle... For this project, I’m taking inspiration from three incredible artists: Alexander Calder, Keith Haring, and Joan Miró. I started with simple white cold process soap bars, created recessed designs using stamps, and filled those impressions with freshly made colored soap batter. (I ended up adding a bit of colloidal oatmeal to my batter so you may see some chunks of that when I pour- it got mixed in with my colors) Once the colored soap had firmed up slightly, I carefully cleaned the surfaces with a palette knife to reveal the artwork underneath. I love the idea of taking something as ordinary as a bar of soap and turning it into something unexpected. Soapmaking is an art form in itself, and this was such a fun way to explore that idea! In this video, you’ll see the entire process, including the little imperfections and challenges that come with trying something new. I hope this inspires you to experiment with your own soap designs! This recipe uses five oils to create a bar with a combination of creamy and bubbly lather. Main Bar and Details use same recipe. Total Oils: 2,500 g Oils: Olive Oil – 25% | 625 g (pure/light/extra light- make sure it’s not green in color or your bar will not be white. Coconut Oil (76°) – 30% | 750 g Castor Oil – 5% | 125 g Lard – 30% | 750 g Sweet Almond Oil – 10% | 250 g Lye Solution: Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) – 359.22 g Distilled Water – 610.67 g Sodium Lactate (naturally derived liquid salt) 1Tsp or 1 Tsp pp of oil Recipe Settings: Superfat: 5% Water-to-Lye Ratio: 1.7:1 Fragrance: Follow manufacturer guidance Total Batch Weight: 3,469.89 g Micas from Mad Micas Fragrance: sea salt & sage ❤️ If you enjoy creative cold process soapmaking, please like, subscribe, and join me for more soapmaking adventures. PHOTO CREDITS Alexander Calder — Photograph by Carl Van Vechten, 1947. Library of Congress, Carl Van Vechten Collection. Public domain. Keith Haring — Photograph by Rob Bogaerts / Anefo, 1986. Dutch National Archives, via Wikimedia Commons. CC0 (Public Domain). Joan Miró — Photograph by Carl Van Vechten, 1935. Library of Congress, Carl Van Vechten Collection. Public domain.