How to Carve Soap Into Shapes

Making soap - from exquisite stained-glass, marbled, and layered soaps to soothing masseuse bars - is a tempting craft. But if you don't have time to make your own, try this.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bars Of Soap
• Kitchen Utility Knives
• Peelers
• Nut Picks

1. Buy some soap. Get some nice bars for the eventual finished product, but don't forget some inexpensive practice bars. (Ivory is perfect.)

2. Think of some simple designs that will not be impossible to carve: fish are always good, a simple bird, or perhaps just a shape, such as a heart.

3. 

   Sketch the outline of the shape on the bar with a knife or other sharp instrument such as a nut pick.

4. 

   Hold the knife in your right hand and the soap in your left (reverse this if you're left-handed).

5. Pay attention to the feel of the knife. How thick a layer can you take off at once? Where does the knife get stuck?

6. 

   Use a sharp knife to gradually shave away layers until you achieve the shape you want.

Tips & Warnings

• Take a practice run on an inexpensive bar first.
• Choose a shape that makes maximum use of the bar shape and size to minimize waste.
• Make sure your hands are bone dry - otherwise the soap will slip.
• Try a potato peeler - some people prefer the control of a knife, but others swear by a peeler.
• Always cut away from yourself - your whole hand should be behind the knife or peeler blade at all times.

[Whitehead1]

on 5/26/2008 Is there a source for beginner patterns for soap carving? I'd like to get a couple of young grandsons started on this...Thanks Whitehead1

on 11/22/2005 Melt down soap left over from carving and pour into a mould. Try chocolate moulds as they're small. Spray the mould first with cooking oil. Dry for a couple of days. Add other oils when melting: coconut, olive, tea tree, aloe vera etc.