I used to have a post on soap carving. I took it off to spiffy it up a wee bit. That was, oh, back in April, I do believe. Haven’t had a chance to do any of that spiffy-ing. (Is that a word???) This summer has been too wild and crazy. However, my site statistics show that people have been searching for it — to the tune of over 340 times!!! I decided I’d better re-post it.

Alas, I removed that posting so deftly that I cannot find hide nor hair of it. Guess I’ll have to start fresh.

I have memories of trying to create something artistic with a bar of Ivory soap. I ended up with a pile of shavings and several indistinguishable lumps of soap. That was an early indicator of my crafting skills and abilities . . . Those skills haven’t improved over the years. Sigh. Maybe when my grandson, Spencer, gets a wee bit older I might once again attempt this activity with him.

Until then, here are some useful links for you to enjoy:

• A hilarious article What Ever Happened to Soap Carving by Linda Godfrey
• Soap Carving Instructions and Tips by whom else but Ivory Soap
• Beautiful soap carvings done by the Carving Institute in Bangkok
• YouTube video of soap carving

Useful Ideas
(in no particular order)

• Use a potato peeler. It might be easier for little hands (and safer).
• Cut out the main design first. Add details last.
• Use a large bar of soap. It’s easier for young children.
• Cheaper soaps tend to crack and break more easily than name brand soaps.
• Melt soap shavings down and put in a mold and make a decorative bar of soap. A chocolate mold sprayed with cooking oil works well.
• Paint your carving. Give it two coats making sure the first coat has dried completely before applying the second one.
• Use an orange stick (used for pushing back cuticles) for etching in details.
• Simple pictures from coloring books can be reduced on a copy machine to be used as a pattern.
• Soap carving can lead to an interest in wood carving.

Soap-happy,
Digi-Gram