Monday 8 December 2014

Details, details

I love the details when making MP soaps. Well it's really a love hate relationship, I love the way it looks if it turns out.

This dove doesn't need a lot of detailing, but the parts that do, are very persnickety. I've changed the way I do details now, which is probably less efficient in some ways, but when I'm not in the mood to use the injector tool, makes sense. I just pour the detailed portion soap as close to the area as I can, and hope it doesn't overflow too much. I let it set and then use the scraper to clean it up. It was easier that way when I'm soaping in the kitchen because of the lack of workspace.

Taking pictures of a white object with a white background makes me realize I need better lighting.

Well on the bright side, craft fairs are over for another year, so I can take a break and spend time on other things, like staring at the insides of my eyelids on the weekends instead.

A great big thanks to my friends who helped me with the shows: Christina for carting my displays back and forth and helping with set up and take down, and to Teresa for helping with the last craft fair, making the kids smile by giving them "reindeer food" and talking up my soaps.

Are you running around for the holidays or taking it easy? Have a great week!




19 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Hi Monica! Had to delete the first comment I made because I hit the "comment" button too fast! Ha!
    As I was saying, I lOVE seeing all the soaps you create- you're so detailed and talented....
    The HOLIDAYS??? Busy like everyone---glad to have the season here though because it's one of my favorite times of the year. How about you?

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    1. Don't you hate it when your fingers work on their own accord? ;)

      You're so sweet Carrie, I'm not as talented as many others, but I do enjoy the challenge of trying to make these soaps my own.

      You must be crazy busy with all your family, but that's a good thing right? I'm not too bad, or maybe I just haven't acknowledged it yet, but I don't have a lot of people I feel the need to share the season with.

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  3. Grrr! I hate my computer.

    Anyway. Let me try this again.

    Your soap is beautiful, the detail is amazing! Working with M&P requires a lot of patience that you must definitely have because your soaps always turn out so pretty.

    How did the craft fairs go? I hope all were a big success!

    Not ready for Christmas, as usual. I think I need to start planning for Christmas in January, just to make sure I'm ready when it finally arrives. LOL!

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    1. Is it your computer, or is it blogspot?

      Thanks for coming back to leave a comment, sometimes I just give up when it eats my comments.

      That's so sweet of you to say Michelle, but I think it's just a different type of patience to make MP soap vs. CP soaps and I don't get the beautiful effects from MP that you do with your CP.

      The craft fairs were hit and miss this year, but at least it ended on a positive note.

      Oh if we were only organized enough to start in January to plan for December, right?

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  4. It's actually a pretty good idea to use the scraping tool! So glad that Christina and Teresa could help you. They are both just too, too sweet.

    Don't forget to use non-fair times to work on other aspects of the biz. :)

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    1. It's certainly easier to clean the scraping tool than it is the injector. Yes, they were both so very helpful and kind. I do have some amazing friends.

      I'll get you to nag me to get my other stuff for the biz done, okay? ;)

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  5. I still have to do much in this year,so,as for me, holidays are not approaching!
    I like the way you deal with details, I do the same, when make Hello Kitty soap. I also find it easier and simpler,than using injection tool, as you said.
    You could place this beautiful white dove (is it a dove?) against black background, so it would stand out and the reflection would be decreased!
    Lovely work, indeed,Monica!

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    1. Are you in denial about Christmas approaching Maja? ;)

      Your Hello Kitty soaps are soooo adorable! I know of a few people who'd love those.

      I do have a picture of the dove on a darker background, and you're right, I should use that picture instead of this one. Good thinking Maja!

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    2. Not any more! Now, when the streets are decorated and entire city got illuminated, I can't pretend it's not around the corner! Dunno, my feelings are mixed, it's not fair to feel older,just after I turned new age.

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    3. And now with less than a week to go, you definitely can't ignore the fact that Christmas is just about here. You are still very young and beautiful.

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  6. What a pretty soap, Monica! The details on the dove look great. I'm glad that your shows went well and that you have a break now just in time for the holidays. Christmas is pretty hectic for us this year - we're in the process of moving so we've got a million things to do in the next few weeks. We're still planning to get home for Christmas, though, and I even managed to get some holiday shopping done!

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    1. Thanks Jenny! The detailing isn't as bad as some others, but when you over pour like I did, you still have to spend time scraping up the excess. I'm so relieved to have a break, not that I work all that hard, but it's still nice to have downtime.

      I hope you find some time to take a break through all the craziness around this time of year and I so appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog every week, despite all the stuff you have to do.

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  7. The small details make the big differences, Monica!
    Love the dove, so pure and delicate! I wonder where do you find all these different molds!
    I hope you had a lot of visitors during your craft fairs!

    Now take your time to relax and enjoy this period of year. What are your plans for Xmas?

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    1. You're right Nat, as the saying goes, the devil is in the details. Is it hard to find moulds where you live? I'm close to Brambleberry, so I go to their store a lot and living in a fairly large metropolitan area, there are quite a few places to shop for soaping supplies.

      I think I'll have a quiet Christmas as usual, how about you?

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  8. I always thought that it is easy to work with M&P soap but I changed my mind when I started making glycerin soap. It is not so easy at all especially when it comes to small details. This dove turned out grate and luxurious, I really like it!

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    1. If I was making my own glycerin soap like you do Gordana, I'd think I was superwoman. :) You create amazing works of art with your soap and I think the fact you make your own from scratch is way more incredible than anything I could do.

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  9. This dove is absolutely gorgeous! And your soap has a nice satin finish, I love it!!

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    1. Thank you Madame Propre! I really appreciate the peaceful look of the dove and the shine on it makes it some more ethereal.

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