Introducing the Weekly Soap Challenge

March 16, 2012 by | 83 Comments

This challenge is open to any soapmaker who would like to participate. The goal is to push ourselves to try new methods and techniques, and it will be more fun if we do it as a group. If you are new to soapmaking, this will be a great way to improve your skills. Seasoned soapmakers will enjoy it too, I’m sure! I know that many of you do not make soap, but you appreciate a good handmade soap, so I hope you will find this interesting as well.

Each Sunday I will post a new soapmaking challenge, such as mixing your own essential oil blend or doing a certain swirling technique. Then on Saturday, I will do a link-up deal so participants can share their results via their own blog post, or upload a photo from your computer if you don’t have a blog. You can choose which challenges you wish to participate in – I have at least 20 ideas for different challenges so far, and we can also work in a soap swap as well for those who are interested.

Tomorrow I will make the first challenge soap with a video, and then post it on Sunday. It will be a swirling technique, and that’s the only hint I’m going to give right now!

I’ve had some questions about supplies, and really that depends on which challenges you choose to do. You can use any recipe that works best for you for most of these challenges. Most of the techniques will be using the cold process method, and quite a few will involve colorants, so you might want to have some of those on hand. Natural or not – whichever you prefer to use. Same with scents – you can use essential oils or fragrance oils.

Please take a few moments to comment
1. if you are interested in participating, and
2. what level of soapmaker you are – beginner, intermediate or professional.

I’ve already heard from several email subscribers, so if you’ve already replied, you don’t need to do it again. This will help me in designing the challenges to meet the needs of the group. (If you have a request for a certain technique, you can let me know that too.) This is NOT a commitment!! It’s for FUN, so only do the challenges you want to participate in. It’s never too late to join in – simply start wherever we happen to be!

If you are planning to participate and haven’t subscribed to this blog, either via RSS feed or by email, you will want to do that so you don’t miss out! The RSS feed is located at the bottom of this post, and the email subscription form is in the right sidebar.

I’m so excited about getting started!!!
Click Here to see the challenge for Week 1.
Click Here to see the challenge for Week 2.
Click Here to see the challenge for Week 3.
Click Here to see the challenge for Week 4.
Click Here to see the challenge for Week 5.
Click Here to see the challenge for Week 6.
Click Here to see the challenge for Week 7.
Click Here to see the challenge for Week 8.
Click Here to see the challenge for Week 9.
Click Here to see the challenge for Week 10.
Click Here to see the final challenge (Week 11).

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  2. Looking forward to participating. I am a beginner! I need all the challenges I can get. I have to learn to step out of the box…and enjoy. I love making soap, but sometimes I get nervous which zaps the enjoyment.

  6. Count me in! I’m more than a beginner…probably coming into that intermediate level. Looking forward to getting challenged!

  8. What a great idea!! Count me in, although I won’t be able to participate for the first few weeks. I’ve been soaping for years, but feel I still have a lot to try–so I’d consider myself between intermediate and professional.

  12. Hi Amy,
    I’d love to participate when I can. I’ll be out of town next week so will miss the first challenge. I’m probably somewhere between beginning and intermediate. Still haven’t mastered feathery swirls yet. But I do like a challenge so this should be fun!

  16. I’d love to do this, but my health will dictate if I am up to the challenge every week. I am a professional soaper, though I still have many techniques that I have yet to try so I am looking forward to this .

  17. Oh I’d love to be in it… not sure when I’ll be able to join in (dependent on access to kitchen/work/yadda/yadda/yadda) but I’d love to join some of it.

    Celine, I’m interested and my level is ….??? Who knows!

  18. Yes, I’m interested too. I have been making CP soap for about 18 months, and sell at craft fairs, but haven’t done much with colours or different techniques. I may be limited in the soapmaking supplies that I can use, but will do what I can! I may ask if you might be able to suggest an alternative in the event that I do not have something.

  25. This sounds like a lot of fun! I’m in. You’d consider me a pro, I guess. I consider me a constant student =)

    Dawn

  26. I’m in! I consider myself between beginner and intermediate as i tried milk soap,, in pot swirl, made different recipes i designed myself. Next i wuld like tilo try blending my own mix of eo, swirl differently and try new colours like mica or dye. I have been soaping for about 5 years now. I made something like 30 batches if soap or so

  28. I would love to participate. I have been making soap for over 10 years but still consider myself a beginner because I am always learning something new about soap making!

  34. Oh yes please! I would love a challenge and it will give me a chance to make some new soaps, its very quiet round here at the moment! Professional and very keen to have a go, thanks for setting this up!

  36. Yes I would like a chance to learn more. I would say I’m an intermediate. Lets get started!!!!!!!!

  37. Hy Amy,
    my english is very bad you now that… I think I understood, can I to register to take part?
    I’m intermediate level !

  39. I would love to try this sounds like fun and looking forward to seeing everyones soap!

  41. Hmmm. I think I’m a Professional Intermediate, but could try that 5 color swirl even though I’ve never done anything like that. Sign me up.

  42. Amy, I’m interested and intermediate, but having a few health issues so may not be able to do them all but would love to try!

  43. I’d love to be a part of the challenge , sounds like fun. I’m professional I guess because soaping is also my business, but I wouldn’t call myself an expert, still learning all the time, x Linda, The Scented Dove

  44. I’m in! This looks like a fun challenge and I need a kick to get back into production mode. I’m calling myself an intermediate soaper.

  45. Wow! It took a long time to get to the bottom of this list! I’m in as an intermediate soaper. This will keep me soaping–I have a bad habit of making lots of soap before the farmer’s market starts, and then slacking off. Now I’ll have a good reason to keep going! Thanks for doing this, a swap sounds fun too!

  46. I’m intermediate always looking for inspiration. I’m sure this will be fantastic

  47. I’m interested! I am a beginner so I love the idea of trying new techniques now to add to my soap foundation. Look forward to the sharing and feedback.

  49. I’m interested! I’d say I’m between a beginner and Intermediate. This is great Amy, thanks for doing this!

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