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Teardrop Flop--sort of

I knew I was pushing my luck when I tried to squeeze in some time to make a batch of soap.  But if everything went exactly as I wanted, it would work just fine.  ....Does anything ever go absolutely perfectly? So why did I think it would this time?  I guess it's just the thrill of the challenge.

I've long admired the teardrop effect in soap--this is my very favorite example.  I thought I would try it out on a batch of caramel apple soap.  The fragrance I knew would discolor to a dark brown, so I left some unscented and used a merlot mica to give the top teardrop layer a deep red.  In my mind it would be caramel-y and gorgeous and look as good as it smelled.

The problem was that the red portion was much thicker than the rest of the batch.  I had already poured the base color into the mold and was supposed to be out the door 5 minutes ago.  To put my own twist on the classic advice, "When in doubt, charge ahead."  So I just started pouring. I wasn't like I could tuck it away and come back and finish in a few hours.  Like I feared, the red soap sunk and disappeared immediately, even when I poured it gently along the surface.  I sprinkled some glitter on the top, grabbed my keys and took off.  I suspected a well-deserved flop. A classic Pinterest fail.

But imagine my surprise when I cut into it and saw a couple of bushy mustached faces looking back at me.

 And further down the loaf--

Several people have said that they look like jack-o-lantern faces, which goes just fine with a fall soap.  I can't for the life of me figure out how I managed this one.  And of course, I couldn't repeat this if I wanted to, either.

But I did try the teardrop again this week.  I used burgundy oxide for the drops and colored the rest with a smidge of cocoa powder.
Scented with Applejack Peel, a spicy apple fragrance
Not too bad for a teardrop-challenged soaper.  Next time I might even let myself try a two color teardrop.  After that, look out world.
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Comments

  1. SoapJamOctober 11, 2013 at 3:03 AM

    I've realized that soaping is best done at a relaxed pace. I tend to make mistakes when I am rushing.
    Your first try actually looks cool with those faces! And your second is beautiful! Love the rich burgundy and the gold mica top, and the tear drops are so well defined. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 18, 2013 at 10:50 AM

      Yes, I think things are guaranteed to go awry when you don't have time for them to. Thanks, SoapJam!

      Delete
  2. Donna OShaughnessyOctober 11, 2013 at 8:33 PM

    I wish I could say that rushing was always bad but unfortunately some of my prettiest soaps were the rushed ones. So no lessons learned for me! But I love your pumpkin man soaps. They make me giggle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 18, 2013 at 10:53 AM

      They make me giggle, too. I do think it might get a little uncomfortable when Mr. Jack-o-lantern or Mr. Surprised start leering at me in the shower, though...

      Delete
  3. LatherBeSoapingOctober 12, 2013 at 4:47 PM

    The faces in the soap look so cool, Amy! I especially like the surprised-looking fellow further along in the loaf. Your Applejack Peel soap turned out great, too. The teardrops are pretty, and I love the mica swirls on top!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 18, 2013 at 10:55 AM

      Thanks to YOU, Jenny! I'm not much of a video watcher, but I watched your Christmas teardrop soap video to give me some courage to try it again.

      Delete
  4. Diva Prirodna KozmetikaOctober 15, 2013 at 3:04 PM

    Hey,it's such a funny soap! All those faces...you could never do this purposely! And the second one is gorgeous, what beautiful tops!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 18, 2013 at 10:59 AM

      Thank you, Diva! It was nice to discover that I hadn't bombed the soap, even though it wasn't the look that I wanted.

      Delete
  5. Anne-MarieOctober 18, 2013 at 3:07 PM

    Even though the first batch didn't turn out how you planned, I love the unexpected effect!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Amy@10th Ave.October 18, 2013 at 4:36 PM

    Yes, me too, Anne-Marie! Who knew a bar of soap could make a nice conversation piece?

    ReplyDelete

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