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Monday, January 29, 2018

Impression Mat Part 2

So I am pretty pleased for a first attempt. Pictures below.
 What would I do differently next time?
I would use a disposable cup to mix in, I generally am a big one to reuse things, but this was messy! I would also use something that had more of a pronouced design, in other words, this was thin, I would have had a better mat with something that wasn't as fine as this was. Pretty happy though!

This completed mat.

Soap made with a little color, to highlight the impressions.



Soap with no color.

I hope the information provided will inspire you to make your own mat! For further reading, check out www.Auntclara.com, her instructions are fabulous! 

Monday, January 22, 2018

DIY Impression Mat for Soap ( part 1 )

So I have been using impression mats for ages, I usually get the silicone ones made for fondant (cake or candy use) They are gorgeous but not cheap! I love the way the soap picks  up all the intricate details, like this. you can also put some colored  soap "batter" into the impressions with a spatula for another pretty effect.
I have wanted to try my hand at making my own for ages, but was actually a little intimidated, I mean it's an expensive experiment of you mess it up! I finally got brave and ordered the two part silicone mix from Brambleberry. 
You can purchase additional information on how to mix the 2 part silicone from Brambleberry, it's more for doing a 3 dimensional mold rather than a flat impression mat, but I would recommend you get the additional instructions, it helps the (dreaded!) math that you will need to get the solution in the right proportions.
You'll want to use something with some texture for your mat, I used a vinyl table runner and cut it to size, this one came from eBay.

Once you have it all mixed, you'll want to do a nice job taping the lace to the bottom of the mold, if you don't do a good job the silicone will go under and you'll make a mess! Here it is all poured, I used the soap mold as my "box" since that's the exact size it will need to be. By the way, it really doesn't smell bad, I was expecting it to be bad! I also wasn't sure what to expect as far as the texture of the wet silicone, it actually reminded me of marshmallow cream, do they even still make that? 
I also used a level, otherwise you'll end up with a mat that's way thicker on one side that the other. We live in a cottage that was built in the late 40's and as with most older places, it has settled with time, so have I for that matter! 
After it's made, you'll need to let it cure for 24 hours, then, hold your breath and unmold it! Next installment will be how mine turned out and what I would do differently. Stay tuned!

Monday, January 15, 2018

Market Props

So I change the apprearance of my table pretty frequently. If you have a Market that you do regularly, you know it's important to have things of different heights and textures for visual interest, These are some of the things I currently have on my table and they are each cool for one reason or other. The silver tray came from a shop in downtown Antioch ( G Street Mercantile ) one of my favorite huntings grounds. The wire Loofa Bar holder came from a lady in Brentwood who was retiring her shop and I snagged that for $5. The wooden things were all made by my husband from repurposed wood, mostly pallets, those are my favorite because they were made with love. (the white square is velcro, I attach the price sign with that )  Do you have a favorite item on your market table?




Monday, January 8, 2018

Clip Boards

If you guys are as crazy as I am about organizing, I am sure you frequent Pinterest for cool new ideas. I saw this idea there and had to do it! You get inexpensive clip boards, in my case I used the little ones. Cover them with your fave Washi Tape ( it's like Japanese Masking tape with cute designs printed on it. Etsy has a great selction) and voila! I use mine to remember what supplies to order, what soap to make for the week, which candles and which things I need to print for the week, labels etc. So cute!



Monday, January 1, 2018

Happy New Year

Don't you love the new year? I do, so full of promise and possibility, like a new morning, but 
turbo-charged!
I didn't miss last years goal by much, this year I will 
CRUSH my goals! 
Here's wishing you a happy and healthy New Year, may you achieve all your goals!