We have moved to our new place with a rooftop balcony and eventually our Internet provider sent an engineer to activate our WiFi so we are connected again! I managed to take a few pictures of my soap for this month’s Soap Challenge hosted by Amy Warden at Great Cakes Soapworks.
The hanger swirl turned out to be more fun than I initially thought and though our moving was fast approaching I managed to make a couple of soaps. As usual though, choosing the colors was difficult. For a couple of days I hesitated between blue & purple and pink & wine red combinations but since time was running out on me, I tried both and chose the pink & merlot red combi for the challenge. One thing was clear for me from the beginning: using contrasting colors was important, probably even more important than the pattern itself. I also have to thank brambleberry.com for the information they have about the merlot mica. Even though I used their mica for the first time the info on their web site helped me get what I was going for.
I considered doing horizontal levels, vertical stripes, diagonal lines and what not but what I really really wanted to try was the secret feather swirl. I did try it and… it seems that I could not stop “on the way”and after going down through the layers I continued with a loop-like movements from down up towards the top and then from just under the top down. I imagined that this would help me create a flower-like pattern, close to the shapes of ylang-ylang and honey suckle flowers.
Here is what I got.
I was going for the asymmetric look of the soap as a whole because asymmetry is more intriguing for me and in a sense it is more difficult to achieve a beautiful asymmetric design than when you use symmetric lines.
There is a bar where the swirl is not so flower-y but I like its fluid lines nonetheless. I was also surprised to see that the drops of pink in between the lines. Again, it makes me think that in soaping you can get similar results using different techniques.
Trying the hanger swirl opened a door to so many possible designs that I cannot wait to unpack my molds, micas and lye so that I can try all these new ideas I have got.
Again, many thanks to Amy for hosting the challenge and choosing the hanger swirl! I guess there is not a single soaper participating who does not feel inspired.
Though I managed to have a look at the entries a couple of times, I cannot wait to see all the soap beauties tonight!
Maya
Beautiful Soap Maya! Great job =)
Thank yuou, Amy!
Beautiful colors and swirls! And I know what you mean about the feeling of restraint required to do the feather ……. It’s very hard to stop after just one push through with the hanger!!
Thank you, Debbie.
You felt it too? I am glad I am not the only one who could not stop with just one stroke 🙂
That seemingly simple hanger swirl has turned into so many fabulous designs this month!! I love how your soap turned out!!
Yes, it is really a kind of allmighty, isn’t it?
Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. I appreciate it as I can imagine how busy you are.
Your flower is beautiful, it opens up with great generosity! I love it. The contrast between your bubblegum pink and the merlot red is great, and well enhanced by the lemon yellow. You are really an artist!
Thank you, Madame Propre, but I really think I do not deserve your praise. I loved your work for this challenge, too, and very much hope to “see” you in July, too.
lovely design.
Thank you, Bonnie!
Simply beautiful!
Thank you, Janet!
I love the asymmetric design and wispy loops! I was not brave enough to do the secret feather- I only had a few days before the deadline and wasn’t sure it was going to come out. I’ll have to try this after seeing your soap- such a pretty effect!
Thank you, J! Please try it! It is really fun and with your new shop there is one more reason (not just for the sake of it 🙂 ) to try different techniques. I hope to “see” you in July, too. Very much hope that can spare some time for it in your busy schedule.
Another beautiful soap Maya – very well done – love it!
Thank you, Zahida!
Wow, what a gorgeous work of art! Love how delicate it looks and the colours are fabulous!
Thank you, Monica. I like the colors, too, though it took me a couple of days to gather the courage to use them 😉
What a gorgeous swirl Maya! I love the asymmetry too 🙂 The merlot and pink are beautiful together. I hope you unpack your moulds, mica and and lye soon!
Thank you, Lisa. I have been searching for the molds and the other soapy things for a couple of days and have not found them yet! Will continue searching and hope they are not in the last box I unpack 🙂
This is just beautiful, love the flower result in the design, lovely, lovely soap!
Thank you so much, Katy! It was fun making it. Still, I very much hope to find strength to stop with just one wisk next time 🙂
Love your hanger swirls and the color choice
Thank you, Cris!
I hope you’ve settled into your new home and have a perfect spot for soaping. 🙂
Your work is always beautiful and well thought out, and this latest creation of yours is no different. Good luck on the Soap Challenge! 🙂
Thank you, Silvia. I am still busy unpacking. It is amazing how much stuff we have got during the 7 years of no muving!
I am happy with the result this time. The only problem is I have so many ideas I want to try and so little time for soaping…
Gorgeous, Maya! Congratulations!
Thank you, Gordana!