Painted Soaps

I'm in a swap where I have to send a home made gift. I often like to send stampers something I have painted (figuring they could have stamped it themselves). So, here's one of my favorite gifts to paint: soaps.

I simply buy cheap square flat soaps (cheaper has less perfumes and gunk in it so the paint will stick better). I wipe the soaps off with rubbing alcohol. I spray a coat of sealer on the soap (gives the paint something to hang onto). Next I paint my design with acrylic paints and let it dry. Finally, I put about 10 coats of gloss laquer on top of the soap. You can actually use these soaps as they will lather from the bottom and the laquered painting will stay on thru many, many washings.

I've been experimenting with stamping on soaps (used paint instead of ink, used tissue paper, stamped ink right onto soaps, etc.) but I haven't found a technique that is as beautiful as these (yet!).

Enjoy!
Michelle B.
“Queen of the Scene”