As the Fourth of July approaches, a favorite holiday for many, I sought to create something truly special for my cherished customers. My patriotic spirit, coupled with a desire to explore new creative avenues and master fresh techniques, led me on an inspiring quest. I stumbled upon a captivating wood chip carving tutorial on YouTube, and the artistry displayed was truly remarkable. It was astonishing to witness how a simple piece of basswood could be transformed into an intricate work of art using primarily a single knife; the process looked incredibly enjoyable. This experience sparked an interest, and I am now considering taking up wood chip carving as a new hobby.

Inspired by the intricate details of wood chip carving, I decided to adapt this technique to my soap-making process. I retrieved my reliable 4 lb silicone mold, my trusted soap recipe, and my chosen colors. For a festive touch, I selected Klein blue mica and firecracker red mica, both sourced from Nurture Soap, and incorporated titanium dioxide for a crisp white. With all the colors meticulously prepared, I was ready to begin crafting the soap.

Once the soap reached the appropriate consistency, I meticulously divided it into three bowls, adding each color individually before combining them in a larger vessel. I then commenced a careful layering process, pouring small amounts of red, white, and blue soap successively until the mold was full. Great care was taken to maintain consistent stripes as I poured the mixture into the flat mold. To create the textured lines visible on what would become the top surface of the soap, I employed a fondant texture tool, adding an interesting visual element.

To ensure optimal firmness for carving, I allowed the soap to cure within the mold for two full days, facilitating easy removal. After unmolding, the soap was carefully cut into individual bars and left to further harden for several days before the intricate carving process began. This curing period is essential for achieving the ideal texture for detailed work with a craft knife.

To facilitate the carving, I sourced various wood chip carving patterns online. For tools, I utilized a craft knife set already in my possession and borrowed some clay tools from my mother. The example below illustrates one of the free patterns I found, serving as a foundational guide for my designs. These specialized tools are crucial for achieving the precision required for intricate carved soap designs.

Upon selecting a design, I meticulously traced it onto a piece of wax paper using a fine-tipped permanent marker. To ensure ease of transfer, I trimmed the wax paper to precisely fit the dimensions of my soap bars, preventing any struggle during the tracing process for the carved soap.

To transfer the design onto the soap, I carefully traced over my wax paper template with a ballpoint pen. It is crucial to apply gentle pressure during this step to avoid tearing the template or creating unwanted holes in the soap. I reiterated the tracing process a couple of times to ensure the pattern was sufficiently visible for the subsequent carving phase, enabling precise execution of the carved soap design.

With the pattern successfully transferred, I proceeded to the carving. The images below illustrate the progressive stages of the first carved soap bar. My primary tools for this intricate work were a craft knife from my set and a clay tool featuring a sharp needle point, which proved invaluable. I particularly admire how this initial piece evokes the appearance of a flag background, showcasing the potential of wood chip carving techniques on soap.

In total, I created eleven carved soaps. One served as a practice bar and will be offered as a sample to a customer. The remaining bars, along with the patterns I used and self-designed border templates, are showcased below. These intricate designs demonstrate the versatility of the craft knife and my adaptation of wood chip carving principles.

I must admit, I became so engrossed in the carving process that I neglected to photograph two of the soaps with their corresponding patterns. Nevertheless, the images below present all the finished soaps, meticulously cleaned, beveled, and beautifully presented.

This project was immensely gratifying; I thoroughly enjoyed carving these patriotic soaps. I am still deliberating which one is my favorite. I certainly intend to continue soap carving in the future, as the creative possibilities are boundless. Holidays and special events offer excellent inspiration for crafting exquisitely carved soap. Furthermore, I plan to delve into wood carving to truly refine my wood chip carving skills. I trust that this post has ignited a spark of inspiration and creativity within everyone. Go forth and create something magnificent!

Until next time,

My best!

Lisa