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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  3. I would like to learn how to add fruits to soap. I have been soaping for about a year.

  4. I’m in. I’m excited to join. I watched last year and couldn’t wait for the next challenge. Thanks
    Tania

  5. I loved all of the soap challenges last year count me me for a couple this year…good to see you back on yt.

  6. Hi Amy I’m from Fresno Cal! Was waiting for you to do another challenge and I love all the techniques you listed.

  7. I’m going to try and play catch up after Easter. I am going to be on our first family vacay till then. 🙂 Have fun everyone!

  8. These are all new techniques for me, so I’m looking forward to all the challenges. 🙂

  11. I’m most excited about all the different techniques listed above. All but one are new to me. Its always great to push yourself and try new things.

  13. Hi, I am Dana from Worcester, MA. I would love to participate. I love challenges! I have only ever done a tiger stripe swirl, so this will be an opportunity for me to learn a lot. Looking forward to it! I will probably post my challenge soaps on both my blog and my YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/danahuff).

  16. Hi Amy! I’m Patti from Bend, OR. I’m excited to try some more soap challenges! I haven’t been challenging myself lately and am in need of some soap inspiration. Thanks for doing this again!

  17. Steven from Florida here. OK I am in. Looks like fun trying some new things. Been wanting to do the mica swirl as it is.

  19. Hi, This is the first time I’ve seen this soap challenge. I may have to skip this Sunday, Hopefully not, but I’m in. I’m from Toronto Canada by the way. 🙂

  20. Hi, I’m Lorna from the south east of England. I’ve been watching soap makers on youtube do the challenges and want have a go myself this time 😀 Looking forward to trying the elemental swirl and the leopard spots 😀

  21. I am from Minneapolis, and I’m excited to try all of them, but especially the zebra swirl and mica tops. Thanks for doing this again!

  22. I love watching your videos. I need to brush up on some of my skills and I think this will be a perfect opportunity.

  24. I would love to join your challenge! I missed the one last year and I have been waiting for another! Please count me in!

  26. Hi there! I’m from Upstate New York and have never used micas before. I watched last years soap challenge unfold and vowed to jump in the next chance I get. I think I’m ready to rock the cold process way!

  28. I’ve been a quiet “youtube stalker”/fan until I saw another challenge pop up – I love love love to watch your videos and draw inspiration from this and a new challenge is Soooo exciting! Please oh please count me in – I’m out in Trinity TX and I have just been dying to try the leopard spots and the elemental swirl!

  29. Oooohhh… I have a question though…can we jump ahead a little on our own? I have baby goats coming towards the end of the challenge and a goat show too….so it is cheating if we make stuff ahead of time??? Oh no….Leopard Spots is the week of the goat show too and that’s the one I have been saving “Love Spell” for!

  30. @Bobbie – That’s up to you! You’ll have the benefit of seeing my attempt and possibly some extra tips if you wait, but I’m not going to tell you when you can make soap! 🙂

  32. Thank you Miss GreatCakes 🙂 🙂 🙂 The only one I will be off on is the Leopard Spots…but I’ll be patient and tag along right on time for the rest of them 🙂 Happy dance so excited!

  33. I would love to join the challenge. I have never been a part of one and it looks like alot of fun! I’m currently in upstate NY. Looking forward to learning new techniques and playing more with soap!

  34. Hi Amy, I’ve been soaping for almost a year and I’d love to take part in your challenge. I love learning new techniques and am looking forward to working with colours in new and exciting ways. I’m from Oakville, Canada.

  35. I am so excited to do this again! I was only able to do four or five challenges last time, but I hope to be able to do all four this time! I have really wanted to try the tiger stripes and mica tops, but they all sound fun! Oh, and I’m from Nampa, Idaho!
    Thanks for doing this again! 🙂

  36. I think I’m most intrigued by the leopard spots soap. I can’t wrap my brain around how that would work. I’m outside of Nashville btw. Can’t wait to try these new to me techniques! 🙂

  39. Hi, I’m Shari from Vanceboro, North Carolina. I wanted to do last year’s challenge but had too much going on. This year, I’m really looking forward to learning the elemental swirl, tiger stripes and leopard spots. I’ve done mica swirls before, but it will still be fun! Thanks for doing this!

  40. I’m going to try my hardest to participate this go-around! Would it be cheating for me to participate in the first one? LOL

    Amy, you already know this, but I’m from Kansas, too. 😉

    I’m totally excited for the leopard spots, that’s something on my must-try list!

  42. Hi Amy,
    I do not know all the methods you are talking about marbling !
    I would love to join you again for this new session, I discover the extent and as if it is not too late to register!
    thank you very much

  43. Hi my name is Dorothy and live in Oklahoma but grew up in Abbotsford, British Columbia. This is my first soap challenge and I am really looking forward to learning these new techniques. Will give it my best shot.

  45. Hi there, I’m from just outside Toronto in Canada. I’m just excited to take part in this, this year and see what cool stuff Amy thinks up for us to do 🙂

  46. Hi Amy, I’m Linnea from Manassas Virginia. Ive been following your Blog for some time now. You are very inspiring so I said HECK YEAH!!!!! I am doing this. Cant wait to see all the great soap!

  47. Amy love love your blogs and challenges. I am so going to give each one a try but I am not sure if I can get each one done on your shedule. I am moving from Kansas to Oklahoma the week of the mica swirl, but I am going to give it my best shot. I have been soaping for almost a year and I love it. now to go mix my oils for the tiger stripe.

  48. I’m in! Becca from SC here- I’ve never heard of an elemental swirl, so I’m pretty excited to see what that is 😀 I watched last year’s fun from the sidelines and can’t wait to be part of the fun this time around 🙂

  49. Hi Amy, Becky from Belleville, IL (Heirloom Soapworks) So excited that you’re leading another challenge! I am MOST excited about the Leopard Spot technique -I’ve seen these soaps, and would love to add the look to my lineup -just in time for my shop/studio opening later this year! 🙂

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