Holiday Gift Soap

Jean Vavra demonstrates how to create your own festive holiday gift soap.

That's Clever! : Episode HCLVR-365 -- More Projects »
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Although Jean Vavra, of Torrance, Calif., once aspired to a career as a journalist, she has since found true happiness tapping into her creative roots. Her crafty talents include knitting, jewelry making, soap making and candle making. She especially loves finding creative ways to incorporate photos of her young boys into her craft projects, as seen in her embossed photo holiday soaps paired with her festive holly leaves.
Materials:

glycerin soap base
clear soap base
green colorant
pine fragrance
silk holly leaves
clear Chinese takeout container to package the petals
photo printed on embossing paper (use computer and printer)
text printed on embossing paper (use computer and printer)
cello for wrapping the gift basket
basket container or napkin covered plate
bow
double boiler
stove or microwave
stirring tool
square soap molds
spray bottle with alcohol
scissors or shears
ladle
bowl with water
platter covered with wax paper

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Figure A
Steps:

1. Melt soap base in double boiler on the stove or in a microwave. Add color by stirring in a few drops of green liquid colorant. Stir in a few drops of pine fragrance.

2. Ladle the soap into the molds (figure A). Be sure the molds are on a flat surface. Spray the surface with alcohol to remove the bubbles. Let set for 24 hours.

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Figure B
3. Remove the soap from the molds by pressing the mold from the back with your fingers.

4. On a computer, design images or text and print them on embossing paper. Cut them out. Soak the images in water for 30 seconds. Slide the images off the paper onto the top of the soaps (figure B). Let dry.

5. Wrap the soaps with clear cello wrap. Place the soaps into a basket or on a napkin covered plate for gift giving.

6. To make the holly leaves, melt clear soap base in a double boiler on the stove or in the microwave. Add fragrance and stir.

7. Cut the individual silk holly leaves from the stem. Drop them into the melted clear soap.

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Figure C
8. Remove the leaves from the soap mixture with your fingers and place them on a wax paper covered platter to dry (figure C). When dry, place them in a clear Chinese food container. Place the food container in the basket or on the plate. Top with a bow.
Guests
Jean Vavra
Website: www.NaturalSelectionBathAndBody.com Also in this Episode
That's Clever! : Episode HCLVR-365
•Handmade Holiday Cards: Snowman, Gingerbread Man, Reindeer
•Metal Reindeer Sculpture
•Holiday Gift Soap
•Angel Art Stick