I know it is hard to believe but, by Christmas day, I was all outa soap. A month before Christmas, I was concerned that the soap would take over the house but then I really got into the Christmas groove and sold or gave away every decent bar of soap I had. Maus and I get to use the not-so-pretty ones. It felt great being liberated from all the old ones and gave me an excuse to make some more.
I made the top soap in early December. I only made 6 bars because I wasn’t sure how it would go and I didn’t want 12 bars of ugly soap. As it turns out, I love it. The little orange flecks are dried orange peel and the Fragrance Oil is Brambleberry Orange Peel. It smells just like orange peel and it behaved amazingly well in the soap batter – no discolouration and no acceleration. Luckily, I bought a big bottle. I will be making this one again.
Then I made this soap which I called Pipe Dreams. They haven’t finished curing yet. I saw the idea on this Soap Queen tutorial – alas, Anne-Marie’s look much better than mine. To get the effect, you place (vertical) lengths of poly pipe into your mould and pour white batter around the pipes. The next day you remove the pipes and then pour coloured batter into the negative space. Mine didn’t turn out perfect but I am pretty happy with them. I tackled 6 colours for the first time (which, initially, I wasn’t going to attempt but decided to live dangerously). Alas, the batter thickened so I wasn’t able to pour the colours into the spaces. Instead, I could only blob it in. Next time, next time …
The last two batches I have made since Christmas. This one I absolutely love. The fragrance is Brambleberry Sensuous Sandalwood and I used rhassoul clay as a natural colourant. I think it is a perfect match for the sandalwood fragrance. The pattern is a Taiwan swirl. It was my first attempt at the swirl and I really like it. The above photo is the cut side. The photo below shows the textured face. I like both.
This is my last effort. I made the curls when I made the white soap for Pipe Dreams. My curls most certainly leave a lot to be desired but they do look kinda nice in an abstract, free-form way. I have an idea on how to improve my curls so, if I do this design again, I will try it. I used Brambleberry Lavender fragrance oil which I quite like as it behaves and, logically, goes well with purple, my favourite colour. I think I will call these Lavender Hugs.
Thanks for humouring me and my new obsession.
Passion Fruit Garden 
Glenda you are so talented and your soaps always look really amazing and just love some of your beautiful patterns. They even look really tasty too 🙂
Ooh Moya, I wouldn’t try tasting them.
Hello, passionfruit garden. My sister Inlaw has put me on to you!! I have just started making soap and would love you to share any thoughts you have about it. Any recepies or hints would be great thanks in advance. Thanks Angela Wathen x
Hi Angela, No probs at all. If you have any questions etc send me an email. My address is pfgarden@optusnet.com.au
Hats off to you, Glenda! You really are quite the talented soap maker. Seeing what passes for artisanal soaps at our markets, yours would sell quite well at any of them. You wouldn’t be very popular among the other soap makers but you’d sell out every time you set up shop.
John you are so kind.
You just keep getting better & better Glenda. Love your personalised labels
Thanks Kay.
soap pretty darn good I reckon. We will have the next millionaire in the family. Well maybe you will be the only one.
Thanks Vick.
Every time I see a soap post, your talents as a soap maker impress me more. LOL and I’m not the only one who said that. I should read all the comments first so I don’t look like a copycat.
Happy New Year!
Hi Maureen, Thanks for your kind comments – you are allowed to copy words like those 🙂
They look fantastic Glenda.
Thanks Sue
I love reading about this soap passion of yours. Very beautiful and creative products you are generating now.
Thanks Debi. I am having fun.
I’m totally in awe of your new passion – they are all really beautiful especially the Pipe Dream ones I love those colours. You need to start a market stall. Or a shop.:)
Thanks Nancy
All hail the Queen of Soap! They look fabulous Glenda, especially the Pipe Dreams. Next year, I shall follow your example and try some of these exotic looking soaps instead of my boring plain ones. Inspirational.
Anne it would be a perfect hobby for you as you could sell the excess in your barn (and there is sure to be excess).
You’re getting very clever!!!
Thanks Kris.
Oh my, they do look super. I love how you go outside the square and have a go at something ‘different’.
Hi Yvonne. It is fun trying different techniques if a bit frustrating when you don’t quite make the mark.
I think you need to get these babies into a soap shop. They look fabulous.
Thanks Deb.
Golly Glenda, they just keep getting more and more beautiful! Cheers, Maree.
Maree, if that is the case they are like your bread.
🙂