Project designed by Mary O'Neil.
Materials:
generic soap without labels or imprint
rubber stamps
dye-based inkpad
white tissue paper
paraffin wax
double boiler pot
rubber gloves
flat paint brush
acrylic matte varnish
Note: This project requires you to heat wax. Never melt wax directly over heat as it can ignite. Always use a double boiler when melting wax.
Steps:
- Ink the stamp with permanent dye inkpad and stamp onto tissue paper (figure A). Color the image with colored pencils if desired then spray with a matte varnish and allow to dry.
- Cut out the image as close to the stamp outline as possible. Position the cut out on the soap as desired and coat very lightly with an acrylic varnish, like Liquitex. This will protect your design from any water later.
- Heat water to a boil in a double boiler, then reduce the heat to low setting. Break paraffin into small pieces into the top pot of the double boiler. Heat the wax until it melts completely.
- Put on gloves. Dip the flat brush into the wax and spread the wax over the stamped tissue on the soap (figure B). Seal by coating the stamped image with wax 1/8-inch past the perimeter of the tissue. Use light coats of wax.
- Package to make a lovely gift.
Tip: If using soap that has an imprint, peel the imprint from the soap with a potato peeler before adding the image. Smooth soap with wet finger to hide peel marks.
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