Teach Soap

Hello everyone...I am in desperate need of help-- I got an order from a friend for soap favors for her son's graduation. She wants little mini mortar boards (graduation caps) complete with tassel. I immediately tried to find a grad cap mold which basically doesn't exist except I did find one by Wilton and another one that comes in hard plastic. The trouble is, when I went to make samples to show her, the bottom part and top were ok but the tassel is in 2 pieces and I can't figure out how they go together. Does anyone know where I can get a decent grad cap mold? preferably 3d. I think it would be easier to paint the tassel after it's out of the mold but I have never had good luck with paint- it peels off, and needs so many coats, it's hardly worth it. So I guess I am really asking 2 questions: where can I find a grad cap mold? and what do you guys use for paint so that it stays on? Thank you so much in advance. (I know there are people who make molds if you give them an object but I don't even have an object--)

How about an oreo mold like one of these?
http://shop.spinningleaf.com/Graduation ... k-2044.htm

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Genny

Don't know if this is better than the Wilton one:

http://www.fancyflours.com/product/3D-G ... arty-theme

So hard to tell from the pictures. There was one reviewer (used it for chocolate) who said it was really easy to do. Dimensions suggest it's quite large, so may be more than you want/need

2-7/8" by 3/8", 2.25" by 1-1/8". Weight per piece: 2.8 ounces (in chocolate)

Connie

Call me "dog on a bone" ...

There's this one from First Impressions, but it's not 3-D. Their molds are all silicone and really easy to use.

http://www.firstimpressionsmolds.com/mn ... 12x12.aspx

Had another thought, too. You can use Bramble Berry's round ball silicone mold

http://www.brambleberry.com/Small-9-Bal ... P5472.aspx

fill it only half way to get a half ball shape. Then do a flat sheet of soap poured into a silicone brownie pan or just pour it on waxed or butcher paper (pour to about 1/4 inch, I would think). You can cut the right size squares from that to be the top of the mortarboard. For the tassel, you can use soap frosting, piped through a plastic bag with a small icing tip. Tassel will be difficult if you want it to hang off the side - easily broken, I would think. Or, you can "press" soap frosting through a garlic press to get long strands (but you'd have to work really fast).

Other way to do the tassel would be to use liquid candy (sold in tubes) - it's just sugar water with a thickener in it.

If I have some time, I'll try doing some tomorrow and see if it works.

Connie (can you tell I'm procrastinating doing a huge soap order?)

Be aware that First Impression Molds are almost all very shallow. It might be fine for this cap. but I didn't care for the molds that I bought because they were really shallow.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Thank you Connie, Genny and Irena for all the wonderful ideas. I am going to do some experimenting tomorrow based on your suggestions ands see what I come up with. Really like the idea about the frosting- that would solve a multitude of problems.
Thank you again..you guys are the bomb!

Mae -
Had a chance to throw it together - no cleanup on the soap or on the photos, but you get the idea. I didn't have supplies in the house for frosting. But, tried regular paper for these figuring you could use water dissolving instead. My fringes are a mess, but it was done really fast. Also tried just a soap tassel. Also tried to "fringe" it but no go - doesn't really work since it becomes so brittle. At least with the paper they won't break off.

The half rounds and the tops seem to work well. I cut the very top off the round ball so the "board" would adhere more easily. Tried to bevel the edges of the boards but, again, really quick just using a knife.



Make sure we see what you eventually come up with.

Connie

Thanks so much Connie. I see what you did and I think I can do that- the trick will be the tassel but I'll figure something out- either the frosting or the paper idea. Something will work. I so appreciate you taking time to help me. I will be sure and post pics when I get it all done. thanks again- you are an angel!

You're very welcome. Good luck.

Sorry pictures are so small - it's the first time I've used the "new" Photobucket. In preview mode they were huge If you want bigger pictures, I can send them to you privately.

Connie

Thanks Connie. I think I have a pretty good idea. I made some samples and will photograph them tomorrow and I'll post them asap. Thanks again for all your help.

I can't wait to see this photographed. Also, so impressed with how many people jumped into help find the perfect mold for this project =)

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Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie
blog: www.soap-queen.blogspot.com
supplies: www.brambleberry.com

i know I may be a little late but I just got a WSP thing on my email with a whole Kit on graduation cap soaps and wanted to share with you it is on page 9

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Anna Rose @-}--
blog

thanks so much again everyone...yes, Anne Marie. You are right. So many people jumped in to help me. I feel so blessed!

thanks Rosie for the link--so far, it has the best tassel of all the ones I've seen.

I am getting ready to make them this weekend...will post pics

THANKS AGAIN !!!!! you all are amazing

ok, I'm back...this time with a different question. I made some sample grad caps and my customer decided on a design she liked. But, her son's school colors are purple and gold and I had made them sort of a dark blue. I used BBs color blocks for MnP, the ultraviolet blue. To get to the deep color she wants, I had to use 4 blocks to make only 6 of them! She wants 40...at this rate, I'll go in the hole with what I have to spend on color blocks. I tried the deepest blue mica I had- even tried to throw in some red so it would turn purple--disaster! The mica wouldn't dissolve, it was a mess. I was going to post pics but not quite there yet. Also- because of the gold tassel-- they have to be non-bleeding colorants. I'm totally clueless...help! (thank you)