It’s really incredible how fast word spreads on the internet, and exciting to see how contagious inspiration can be! Last month my husband showed me a video posted on Facebook, originally uploaded by “Non ci posso credere.” (Click here to view the video. It’s SOOO cool!) It showed artists pouring paint down a column creating the most amazing swirled designs. Then on March 14 I shared it on the Soapylove fanpage, and the response was thrilling!
The very next day Amanda Griffin, author of the great CP eZine “Lovin’ Soap”, posted a FULL TUTORIAL showing how to do it with cold process soap (including her recipe), and coined the term “Column Swirl.” She will be posting it for The Soap Queen very soon, but here’s a sneak peek. I love all of her beautiful colors!
The next week, Erin Pikor of Naiad Soap Arts posted her soapy experiment using this method, using all natural colorants. More gorgeous results! (Click here for her post).
Then Holly Port of Lotion Bar Café (click here for her post), and finally David Fisher, writer for About.com wrote about this new technique here.
Thank you so much, Becky. I just had my first batch sieze on me last weekend, so although I’m psyched about trying this technique, I’ve been a little nervous. These links are immensely helpful, though.
What kind of thing is best to use as the column.. Just a piece of wood from a hardware store? or is there something different/better/easy to make at home?
It is so much fun and I don’t think you can ruin it.
I’ve tried it at home, WOW!! I don’t how to make lots of colors on it.
I wonder if you could get something that looks like this by adding layers from the outside in…..does that make sense at all?
I’m totally going to try this next week at Otion! It looks like so much fun.
Could you add glycerin to the melt and pour to give yourself more time with the colors? Kind of like when you make Jelly Roll soap. Haven’t tried it, but it’s the first thing that came to mind.
I tried to do a column swirl, but had problems with my soap getting too thick. Next time I will use a different recipe. I also had trouble finding something suitable to use for a “column”. What do you use for the column???
Here is another blog from Soap and Restless for colors that look awesome. Half way down the page!
This is so fun and it really has caught on. Here are some posts beginning in April on the Teach Soap Forum for you.
You’ll see other color samples threw page 57 so beautiful!
OK, forgive my ignorance, why couldn’t you use this technique with MP?
Love it! Gotta try it!
Melted melt and pour soap is so thin. Chances are the colors would just blend into each other. However, I think it could be done if you poured at the right temperature…that might take some experimenting.
Woo hoo I can’t wait! I can always count on you to bring us new fantastic ideas for new soaping techniques! I wish your intensive soap weekend was closer… the flight from West Australia would be just killer!
But no matter where we live we love seeing all your ideas (and fantastic videos!) Keep em’ coming!
Just tried the column swirl going to cut my bars tomorrow. I’m excited to see how it turns out. I had no problem doing this technique by myself. i used the clemintine cupcake frag so it smell delicious.
I love clementine cupcake too. Good luck cutting your soap. So exciting!
I saw this technique on youtube, presented by Sergio Marsala, from VillaFortuna.
Melt and pour would be a little tough. Give it a try and keep us updated =) I would try pouring the soap around 125-130 degrees. You’ll definitely need it on the thicker side so it doesn’t just blend in with the other colors.
So Cool! Can’t wait to try it. Been wanting to make tie dye soaps for so long and this looks like the best way to do it. Thank you!
Column Swirling/swirl is the term so many use for the last few years when using paints at a few collages.. It isn’t a made up word. Very pretty and i love the colours.. lets try ti in wax too..
There are so many possibilities! Cake batter would be SO much fun. I hope we get to see pictures if you give it a try (hint).
LOL! Maybe once the weather cools off. I don’t bake much in 90 degree weather!
I just did a post on this yesterday as well and can’t remember where I saw it.