Cover Image: Complete Guide to Soap Carving

Complete Guide to Soap Carving

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This is such an interesting and inspiring book.
I've had a go at soap carving a few times over the years and the results were so-so. However, now that I've read Janet Bolyard's detailed how-to then I'm sure my next attempts will be much better. The author describes the tools you need (and most of which you can make for yourself) and how to go about carving in a methodical manner. There are lots of lovely projects in the book, each one clearly described and illustrated with photos.
The Ivory soap that she recommends as best for the job isn't something you find on European shelves, so it might have been useful for we non-US readers to have a more detailed listing of other soaps to use instead. Other than that minor point, which is something that trial and error on the carver's part will quickly sort out, the book is excellent. .

Was this review helpful?

#CompleteGuideToSoapCarving #NetGalley

Complete Guide to Soap Carving is a wonderful find! This book takes you step by step not only through carving, but correcting errors and making tools. I think this would be an ideal present for anyone with children, anyone who needs to strengthen their hands, anyone who wants to do something fun. Such an ideal craft!


I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Was this review helpful?

Because of my love of all things crafty, I am always on the lookout for new projects outside my comfort zone. I have been sculpting in clay for 10+ years but i had never heard of soap carving so I was intrigued. This book is a great introduction to soap carving that has tons of photos showing step by step instruction not only for carving but also how to make the necessary tools (she also shows how to make tools for children without sharp points). Bolyard includes lots of templates and explains how to use them as well as how to make your own. Don’t fear making mistakes because Bolyard has you covered here too as she details a technique to fix them.

No need to worry that a project might be too complex for a beginner - the book has separate sections for beginner and advanced. There are lots of cute projects including a teddy bear, seahorse, penguin, cat, butterfly, beautiful rose and much more. And if you want to have your carved soap on a rope, Bolyard shows you how to do that too. In the advanced section, Bolyard explains another technique called Melt and Pour which allows you to create thin slices, which works great for flower petals, and sharp angles.

This is a fun book that will keep you busy for hours on end. And, if you don’t want to use Bolyard’s technique for fixing your mistakes with the slurry meld method, just take the soap with you next time you shower! Nothing has to go to waste here!

Thank you to Fox Chapel Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Complete Guide to Soap Carving: Tools, Techniques, and Tips by Janet Bolya is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. This is such a delightful and informative beginners book on carving soap! It really is complete! It starts by telling a brief history of soap carving, contests of soap carving, then it gets you right in to what you need as a beginner. It shows you step-by-step in how to make your home made tools even! Later it shows you how to safely use professional carving tools too. Different soaps are discussed, how to fix mistakes, how to transfer a pattern, carve, tools needed, how to paint and finish for gifts, and so much more. All of these are shown step-by-step with pictures. Several step-by-step projects to completion are shown with lots of pictures too. There are lots of pictures throughout this book. There are patterns for the projects in the back of the book. In the end of the book the author explains what soaps worked best for her and what worked best for the delicate flower carvings. Just to make this an even better book, there is also a section, complete step-by-step with pictures, on how to make your our soap blocks! I found this an excellent book! Filled with pictures and step-by-step everything to do with soap! The author really didn't want the reader to get it wrong!

Was this review helpful?

This book teaches the reader how to carve soap. The author started by demonstrating how to make simple, wooden carving tools from popsicle sticks. (These are safer to use than wood carving tools.) She also explained how to select soap for carving and the basic carving techniques. She provided illustrated step-by-step instructions on how to make 26 different soap sculptures like the ones on the front cover. She included templates in the back of the book for the animals and objects in the projects.

Most of these projects created 3D sculptures, but a few involved simply carving a shape into the front of the soap. Many of the projects were beginner projects, but she also included more advanced projects. This looks like a fun craft to try and it doesn't take a lot of time or expense. Most of the projects take 15 to 45 minutes, with a few of the more advanced projects taking an hour or two. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in carving soap to make cute, stylized animals and objects.

Was this review helpful?

I do enjoy various crafts, but have never tried my hand at soap carving. Looking at what can be achieved in carving out soap, has made me want to give it a try. I do like the thought that making your own tools out of lolly sticks and like, as it would save a lot of expense. The instructions are clear and easy to follow and there are tips on what to do if you make an error. Recommended. A craft that would suit young children as well as adults.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review.

Was this review helpful?