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the suggestive banana

I knew that finishing Amy Warden's soap challenge this time of year would be difficult, but I didn't realize that the pace of my life would speed up to the point of it being impossible.  But it has, although I will be finishing the challenge soaps on my own time.

I've noticed that in the middle of all the glitter and faux funneling the soap itself often gets lost somewhere.  Every time I get into a foo-foo soap phase I end up balancing myself by swinging to the other side of the pendulum with simple, naturally colored soaps.  And then I wonder why in the world I ever bought that jar of glitter in the first place....

I had some oils measured and ready to be soaped about a week ago but I just couldn't decide what to make since I'm caught up on my staple soaps.  As I write, I'm pretty sure that I overlooked something, but I'll pretend for now....  I saw a mention of banana soap on Facebook (thanks Amy!) and that was just the inspiration I needed.  I dashed down to my workshop with my polka-dotted banana and here is my result.


























Check out the weird blurry effect on the end slice.

Isn't it just the coolest soap?  I love the freckles and even the frosty, ashy tops.  It's made with mostly olive oil with banana and oat flour for additives.  I used homemade kefir for the entire liquid amount and I can only imagine how good it will feel.

Comments

  1. Love banana too, I think it will be delicious on the skin.
    And it's true, nature has a lot to offer for soapmakers.

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  2. This looks wonderful and I've seen a few soapers do this technique. I'll have to try it at some point.

    Michelle

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  3. the freckles are from the banana? cool!!

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  4. Yep! I increased my banana puree this time; I put 1.5 oz. of banana in my 18 oz. batch of soap.

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  5. Love the banana soap! very simple and elegant beauty!

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  6. Lovely soap, I will have to try it also:)

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  7. I love it!! I am kidding you not, I have been staring at this lonely banana that I put in the fridge a couple days ago and kept telling myself to soap it but I didn't have the courage. Your soap is fantastic! I love the freckles :)

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  8. How did the kefir work with the lye? That is quite interesting, and I would have never thought to incorporate it into a soap. Beautiful!
    Caitlin

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  9. Ok... so I was watching a video on youtube on a teach soap series and she made banana soap. Hers came out really brown but yours isn't. Wondering what you did differently. Want to share?

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  10. Obviously life has taken over my ability to keep up with my favorite blogs...your banana soap looks fabulous! I am happy to inspire. :)

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  11. @Caitlin--my kefir was a little grainy and I thought I might have trouble getting it to dissolve, but when I added the lye it turned as smooth as milk...it worked perfectly!

    @Kim--I add the lye very slowly when I make 100% dairy soaps. I set my bowl in an ice water bath and take 10 min. or more to add the lye so it doesn't turn that gold/bright orange color that sometimes happens. I also didn't add any fragrance that could cause discoloration. Maybe those are the reasons? I'll have to look up the video to compare the differences.

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