Soap that looks like river rocks

[milky]

I have this idea that I want to try and I'd love to have some help brainstorming how to do it. It's probably been done before but I couldn't find what I was imagining anywhere.

I'd like to make soap that looks like river rocks and then make cairns with them. Just think it'd be neat. I'd probably shape them by hand when the batter is still soft. Not sure how to get the right colors and texture though. Maybe an in-the-pot swirl of neutral hues and a little sparkle.. Would it work to intentionally rice the batter? That's probably too advanced for me though.

hmm... let's see if this photo works. Found a pic of soap posted by newbie under "browsing soap pics." It has the idea but is less realistic than I was thinking.

 

[artemis]

Like this? https://youtu.be/8CsZKuSqhO0

 

[newbie]

Do you have some pictures of the stones you'd like to copy? There is a such a huge variety of rock colors and textures that it would be easier to brainstorm about a general look.

 

[DeeAnna]

You can make fairly convincing "rock" soap by doing a rebatch with soap shreds.

I have also taken the scraps and trimmings of freshly made soap and mashed them into a patty. If the soap trimmings have a variety of colors, the patty ends up looking a lot like stone.

Floating rock soap: http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showpost.php?p=584849&postcount=5
How I did it: http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showpost.php?p=583348&postcount=119

 

[maya]

You can make fairly convincing "rock" soap by doing a rebatch with soap shreds.

I have also taken the scraps and trimmings of freshly made soap and mashed them into a patty. If the soap trimmings have a variety of colors, the patty ends up looking a lot like stone.

Floating rock soap: http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showpost.php?p=584849&postcount=5
How I did it: http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showpost.php?p=583348&postcount=119

Gorgeous!

 

[milky]

Wow, thanks for the links!
DeeAnna, your rocks look amazing! Great idea for floating soap, too! I doubt I'll ever have enough scrap bits to use so I'll have to make some special. Using shredded soap really worked for that granite texture. In my head I was thinking of making different soaps to look like granite or marble of coordinating colors. The Youtube video will be a good idea if/when I get a scary FO reaction. For marble, I'm guessing that layers and mica lines might do the trick, and then being careful while shaping.

Here are a couple of pictures that I like for inspiration:

 

[cmzaha]

Instead of a frying pan I did mine in the microwave and yep the soaps float.

 

[DeeAnna]

Oh! I should try that, Carolyn. Thanks for the tip!

Milky -- your granite stones have a finer grain than the rocks I used as inspiration. You'd get that fine texture if you grate various colors of soap with a fine grater -- maybe a grater meant more for Parmesan cheese rather than the coarser one I'd use for cheddar or mozzarella.

 

[cmzaha]

I still had to add in a little water at times when the top look dry, like you a tbs at a time. I also used a hdpe bucket for melting. Actually mine float upside down because I did not rebatch enough and had to add a layer of new soap. I also microwaved in 1.1.5 minute incrememts