Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Swirly Girl

Back in April, I was lucky enough to attend a seminar taught by Lori Nova. She is one of the soaper rock stars that I'd learned about when I was doing my bubble research. Lori is out in California and she owns The Nova Studio, where she teaches the craft of soapmaking and other bath & body techniques. She is knowledgeable, nice & super sweet!

Her seminar was fantastic. She took all of us in the room (about 75 for the 2nd seminar) through the step-by-step process of creating CP soap. From oil temps to colorants & fragrance options all the way to the actual swirl, she was thorough and clear. She also answered a lot of questions. It was a great class! BTW, isn't her apron darling?

Armed with the packet that Lori handed out and a picture in my mind's eye, I decided to give it a go. I chose to go very basic with a Lavender bar. Have you all tried BB's Lavender de Provence? It's soo yummy. I've never been a Lavender lover, but this is just perfect. Anyway, here's a look at my first batch. Although I would use a darker color next time, I'm so psyched about the actual swirl. I wish I'd taken a picture of my novice batch from last winter. ick.

My Love You Lavender Swirl will be available on Etsy by June 20th. ;)

10 comments:

Kelley said...

It's gorgeous...
Can you believe that in all my years of shopping at BB I have never really
looked at all the essential oils...
Now I am going to have to give that Lavender de Provence a try!
Wishing you a wonderful day!

Joanna Schmidt said...

Thos eare beautiful, Heather! Well done. They look like the soap I reviewed of Lori's. My swirl attempt didn't swirl, AND it blended and made a very strange color. :/ hmmmph.

egassner said...

Looks great Heather! I've seen lots of Lori's soaps and think the swirls are amazing! Yours are not too far off :D

Suds to Love said...

Looks awesome Heather! The seminar paid off big time.

Hildie said...

I'm such a bad swirler! She needs to do a DVD! I'd kill to make great soap like that.

Sherrie said...

You turkey! I just got your giant box of all sorts of beautiful treats in the mail! You totally and completely did not have to do that. :) I'll try to post about it tonight. Thank you! And the swirls are lovely!

Anonymous said...

I am sooo envious (but in a good way...LOL!) that you got to do one of Lori's workshops. I drooled over her website for a whole day one day and was so sad that I can't possibly to her workshops in the near future.

Your soaps are so lovely! I can't believe it was your first try with that technique.

Heather@Twin Birch said...

You guys are all so sweet! :) Thanks for your nice words! I wish we could all go to Lori's bootcamp together! That would be a hoot!

Heather@Twin Birch said...

Hey Sherrie! I haven't been called a turkey since the late '70's! I'm glad it got there! :)

Lori at The Nova Studio said...

hi heather! congrats on your successful swirled batch - well done!!! hopefully i'll get it together in 2009 to finally make a swirling video. i've made some really great swirled soaps lately and also been having fun with artistic layers/textures. most of the coolest soaps come from my CP 201 class - where i make an 8 lb batch, then separate it into 2 - then make a swirl with one and a layer with the other. i'll make a resolution to get my soap techniques out there to all you who want it in 2009. also working on my "coloring with confidence" presentation for the may 09 palm springs HSMG conference. i hope to see you all there!!