How to Carve a Duck Out of Soap

Carving soap is fun, easy and a safe alternative to wood carving. The softness of soap makes it able to be shaped using a number of tools, including knives, sticks and spoons. Soap carvings can be displayed or used for hand washing. Carving soap is an inexpensive craft that can be safely enjoyed by many ages.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Carving tool (knife, plastic knife, spoon, Popsicle stick)
• Newspaper

Instructions

1. Lay down newspaper before you begin so that the shavings will be easy to clean up.

2. Choose a large, soft bar of soap that will be easy to hold and provide plenty of material to carve.

3. Draw an outline of the duck's shape on the side of the bar of soap to give yourself a guide as you work.

4. Remove the soap in chips and slivers, working from the outside in toward your guidelines. Make room for mistakes and additional detail by leaving about a 1/4 inch margin beyond the outlined sketch.

5. Create the head, beak, neck, body and tail feathers.

6. Add small details, such as feather texture, by scoring the surface of the soap lightly with the edge of your stick or knife.

7. Create smooth surfaces by wetting your finger and running it over the surface of the soap.

8. Make sure to fashion the duck with a level base so that it can sit upright.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using old, dry soap that is brittle and may crack or crumble.

• Keep your hands dry to avoid slipperiness.

• Use colored soaps and different sizes of soaps to create a family of ducks with mothers and babies.

• Always carve away from your hands and body when using a sharp knife.

References

• Soap Carving Tips