Soap Challenges Starting Up March 24

March 16, 2013 by | 132 Comments

colors for pear soapAbout this time last year I began planning some Soap Challenges that ended up being extremely fun and rewarding for so many soapmakers. I was asked to do it again soon, and my reply was always the same: “Next year!”

Well, it’s finally next year, and I have a few more fun ideas in the works! It’s going to be a scaled DOWN version of what we did the first time around as far as the number of weeks we will be doing, but it will be a scaled UP version in terms of the skills involved. I have four weeks of challenges planned, two of the four I have not attempted myself, but have seen on other soapmaker’s blogs and will be learning right along with you!

Here’s the schedule:

Week One March 24th: Tiger Stripe

Week Two March 31st: Elemental Swirl

Week Three April 7th: Mica Swirl Tops

~BREAK~

Week Four April 21st: Leopard Spots

Materials needed: Aside from the usual soapmaking supplies, you will need plenty of mixing cups, micas, and either a tea strainer or a piece of pantyhose stretched over a jar of mica with a rubberband for the elemental swirl, more micas for the mica swirl tops, and piping bags or large ziplock freezer bags for the leopard spots.

These are somewhat advanced techniques, but will give everyone good practice! I will post the first challenge on Sunday, March 24th with a link to an instrucational video and some photos of examples of the technique. Participants will have until Saturday to make their soaps and post on their blog, Facebook or YouTube. I will open up a link post on Saturday for everyone to post their work.

If you are ready to expand your skills and join us, please comment below with your name, where you are from, and what you are most excited about learning!

WEEK ONE: Tiger Stripe Challenge
WEEK ONE: Tiger Stripe Link-Up
WEEK TWO: Elemental Swirl Challenge

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  1. I’ve been soaping since the Fall of 2012, so not a lot of experience but I can’t stop making soap. Not a week has gone by that I haven’t done at least 2 loaves, and I rarely do the same thing twice. I think I am most excited about learning Leopard swirl.

  6. Wow, what great, Amy! If it’s about to learn, I want to join of course! Thank you , Amy for organizing this again! Last year it was fun so I can’t wait!

  7. Yay! I’m so glad you’ll be doing this again. I was planning to try the tiger stripe next week but I’ll hold off for the challenge. I haven’t heard of the leopard spot, so I’m interested to see that, but honestly, they all sound like fun. I’ll be participating from Alberta, Canada. Thanks, Amy!!
    Eileen

  9. I’ve been making CP soap for a little over a year now. Been following your posts on FB for a while and reading the blog. Very excited to learn what an elemental swirl is! Leopard spots sound fun too!

  10. I can’t wait to do this one. The last one was so much fun and I did learn a lot of great soaping techniques.

  12. Yaaaaaay! So excited to do this and thanks Amy for organising another challenge. Two of the four are things I have been meaning to try with an idea for a special soap collection, and this will make me focus on those techniques. Haven’t heard of the leopard spots or the elemental swirl, but ready to learn and raring to go!

  13. Hi Amy, I’m looking forward to joining you and everyone again for another fun time. It was such a great adventure in soaping last year. Wow, leopard spots? Sounds really intriguing. Linda, The Scented Dove

  14. I a transplanted NY living in NC. I was amazed by all the soaps from last year’s challenge and am excited to participate in this year’s challenge! The leopard spots and tiger stripes sound like some really cool things to learn.

  15. Nicole Foote here from Indianapolis, Indiana and I am excited about learning EVERYTHING! lol! Just really ready 2 turn my skill level all the way up 😉

  16. Looking forward to being part of these challenges. New techniques always get me excited and the ‘leopard spots’ have been for a while next thing to try on my to-do list!
    Maja from Diva Soap- Macedonia!

  18. Ready and willing (Able is another question!) thanks Amy for leading us again. Can’t wait to get started!

  20. Oh great adventures in the soap challenge! Amy thank you for putting this together another year!

  21. Hi Amy- I really enjoyed following the challenges last year, and since these techniques are ones I’ve wanted to try anyway, I can’t wait to join in! Kelly, North Hill Soap Company, Bolton, Ontario, Canada

  22. I’m willing to try this! Just started making soap a few months ago, as some others have said, and I have it sitting all over the place! I’m from Yale, MI and I’m most excited about the leopard spot as that could fit into so many of my “wild” friends!

  23. Yay, Amy!
    I loved participating in your challenges last year and am thrilled you’re doing them again! Thank you for sharing your amazing talents and bringing us all together to improve our skills. I’m looking forward to all the fun!
    Cheers,
    Tracy

  24. Oh heck yeah! Outlaw Soaps is in! Since I saw the Soap Queen do the alcohol challenge last year, I’ve wanted to do this!

  25. So glad you are doing the soap challenges again Amy, really looking forward to trying these other techniques!

  26. I have been wanting to do a tiger stripe for some time now so this gives me a reason to try it, I already have seen all the techniques except the leopard spot so i guess i’m most excited about it for that reason.

  27. Looking forward to the challenge. I have never participated in a challenge before so this should be a great learning experience.

  29. …challenge, did you say CHALLENGE? I’m all in! This will be my first time participating with you and I am very excited. I look forward to learning something new every week. let’s do it!

  30. Wow, amI ever glad I found you 🙂 I’ve never done a challenge before. I’ve been making soap, mostly m&p for about 10 years but have gotten really serious about cp since getting my stick blender. This is going to be so much fun and will help to expand my horrizons 🙂 Parson House Soap & Candle Co. Mount Forest, Ontario Canada

  31. Hi, Amy! I’ve been eagerly anticipating this year’s challenge since last year when I observed from the sidelines. I’m excited to participate this year and a little apprehensive after seeing the amazing soaps that were created last year. The Leopard Spots challenge looks especially exciting! I’m in the greater Portland, OR area.

  32. Look forward to learning new techniques and adding to my soapmaking skills!

  34. Yeah! Last year was fun…looking forward to some new techniques. Will there be another swap too?

  35. Hi Amy, I am so excited that you are doing the challenges again! I live just outside Findlay, Ohio. I haven’t tried any of the techniques so I am looking forward to learning all of them.

  37. OMG I am SO excited. I missed the start of your challenge last year so I am really excited to get this one at the begining. I am most definitely in. I am Odette and I am in South Africa.

  38. I missed all the fun last year, so it sounds great. It sounds like I’m really behind the times, I’ve never heard of the Leopard Spots or Tiger Stripe techniques, but I’m sure willing to give it a go, thanks Amy for taking it on again:)

  40. Ok I’m going to give it a try. Man I just placed an order for pigments. I don’t use Mica’s only suggestions would be great thanks.

  41. Oh hooray! I’m actually going to be here from the beginning this year! My name is Katie, I’m from Texas, and I cannot wait to do the leopard spots!

  42. I’m so glad you’re taking this on again, Amy. I was a fairly new soaper when I joined your challenge last year and had the BEST time – it motivated me to soap and try new techniques and everyone was so encouraging. The “leopard spots” technique has been on my “to do” list for months, but they all sound great to me. Thank you!!!!
    ~ Suzy Whitten @ Spoonbridge Soaps; Minneapolis, MN

  46. Swirls, twirls and leopard spots, peacock ~all of it~ just soaping it up!! ~ I love it all

  47. Somewhat new to CP soapmaking, ~ 1 year now. I love to learn new techniques.
    Thanks for doing this.

  50. Hello, I would very much like to participate, but I don’t have access to micas. Can they be replaced with natural clays or sea mud? Thank you

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