Thursday, April 30, 2009

Special Issue is Coming Along!

The cover is done and many articles have been written! The upcoming special edition of Let's Get Soapy is packed full of tips, great inspirational collages for both texture and packaging ideas, cystal clear photos, and even a guest article from Erin of Naiad Soap Arts! You will love what she has done with the featured technique - how to make your own texture sheets.

I have 2 more full tutorials to go: the Peace & Quiet Bars and a beautiful (yet unnamed!) soap featuring a hand painted design within the bar. The eZine will be ready by late May, so make sure to sign up for the Soapyclub to be notified of the special early bird discount, which only lasts one week before the eZine is at regular price.

To see the current issues available, go to the Let's Get Soapy shopping cart. There are even lots of a la carte tutorials!

I'll keep you posted with new photos from the articles being written, so stay tuned!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Special Soap Lab eZine Coming!

Scheduled to be available June 1, a special edition of the Let's Get Soapy eZine will be available, focusing exclusively on modern and sophisticated soap making techniques from The Soap Lab. You will learn how to
  • create your own custom texture sheets which work for both MP and CP soap making (see example in photo above using an antique batik stamp),
  • engrave soaps for beautiful encased relief designs,
  • find inspiration in fashion
  • and much more!

There will be full tutorials with step by step photos, loads of tips and techniques, and the complete supply directory to tell you where to find everything you see. Make sure to join the Soapyclub so you won't miss the special early bird discount. I will be posting sneak peeks of the articles here as well, so check back often!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Amazing Soap Artisans

Flickr is one of my favorite resources for examples of gorgeous soap creations. There's a group simply called "Soap" with over 1000 members from all over the world. Today I want to show you some of the images that have really stuck with me.

First is from Bathing in Luxury. Hiromi is the artisan behind these cold process soaps, and she calls this creamy bar "Downfall", which smells like a sparkly Gin and Tonic. I love the snowy white color and the beautiful iridescence that she added. See more of her pics in her Flickr set or you can buy one and see more in her Etsy shop.

Next is a very striking line of soaps from Gloi Locks Bath and Body. With names like Satyr, Envy, and Depravity, her soaps are dark and mysterious. The labels are stained with coffee and her boxes are also completely hand made. Check out her gorgeous photos in her Flickr set or shop for some of her creations on Etsy.


Last, but not least, are these amazingly realistic soap stones. Each one is handmade by Soapmystic in Deutschland. She puts these stones on ropes for a very pretty presentation, and has many other very eye catching and beautifully simple designs. To see more, check out her Flickr set or find these stones as a gift set on her website.

Do you have some favorite soap designs or soap makers you would like to share? Please leave a comment here! Thanks!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The 1st Video Tutorial from The Soap Lab!


You asked for it, you got it! I hope you enjoy this tutorial on how to make the Parson's Soap Blocks. Try it - you'll like it!

If the video is getting a little cut off on the right when you view it here, go to YouTube to view it in full size.

If you have any questions, please leave it here in the comments and I'll reply. You might be helping someone else with the same question! Thanks!