Kiss Pour Winners
December 2024 Soap Challenge
The Kiss Pour technique is inspired by a fluid acrylic paint technique and was introduced to the soapmaking community by Joanne Watkins. She was our guest teacher for our first Kiss Pour challenge several years ago, and it was so fun, I decided to bring it back! Not only does it create dramatic designs in soap, it’s a quick and mesmerizing pour, which is perfect for end-of-year hectic schedules.
You can get your hands on the updated Kiss Pour tutorial in our Tutorial Shop. I’ve also added a new tutorial on how to control trace this week, as we are heading into a new year of challenges that will focus on getting back to basics.
We love having Majestic Mountain Sage as our returning sponsor each December, as they always bring the Christmas spirit! They are providing $100 gift certificates for the grand prize winners in each of the competitive categories, as well as the Sponsor’s Choice prize in the bonus category. Second and third place winners in the competitive categories will receive $50 and $35 gift certificates!
If you haven’t heard of Majestic Mountain Sage, I’d be surprised! They are a woman and family-owned and operated, full-service supplier of raw materials to the handcrafted soap and cosmetics industry since 1996! MMS was one of the original sponsors when I first started the Soap Challenge Club in 2013 and have continued to support the Club every year since.
I’m ready to announce our winners now, and if you read all the way to the bottom, you’ll also discover what the January through April challenges are and who is sponsoring!
Winners Category
Grand Prize
Ebb & Glow
Second Place
Celestial Skies
Recognition Awards
Best Technique
Criteria Thin, feathery swirls with interlacing, unmuddied colors
Name Robin Grieco
Location Arizona
Link Instagram
Grapefruit Bergamot Kiss
Best Presentation
Criteria Well displayed soap with interesting presentation and excellent photography (focus, lighting, etc)
Name Marty Johnson
Location Minnesota
Link Instagram
Juniper Kiss
Best Use of Color
Criteria Well-mixed, contrasting colors in a beautiful color palette
Name Shannon Barsi
Location Canada
Link none
Flowers in the Wind
Advanced Category
Grand Prize
Aquarell
Second Place
Name Rachel Kendell
Location Utah
Link none
Prize $50 gift certificate
Elderberry and Evergreen
Third Place
Rolling in the Deep
Recognition Awards
Best Technique
Criteria Thin, feathery swirls with interlacing, unmuddied colors
Name Alice Bui
Location Canada
Link Instagram
One Last Kiss
Best Presentation
Criteria Well displayed soap with interesting presentation and excellent photography (focus, lighting, etc)
Name Debbie Klimko
Location Wisconsin
Link Instagram
Love Potion
Best Use of Color
Criteria Well-mixed, contrasting colors in a beautiful color palette
Name Hayley Moeller
Location Australia
Link Instagram
Aurora
Regular Category
Grand Prize
Oceanic Enigma
Second Place
Name Maria Jesús Tarraga Ros
Location Spain
Link none
Prize $50 gift certificate
Arco Iris
Third Place
Butterfly Kiss: Monarch Meets Blue Morpho
Recognition Awards
Best Technique
Criteria Thin, feathery swirls with interlacing, unmuddied colors
Name Janeen Kerian
Location Nevada
Link none
Stellar Agate
Best Presentation
Criteria Well displayed soap with interesting presentation and excellent photography (focus, lighting, etc)
Name Ella Joseph
Location New Hampshire
Link none
Majestic Mountain Fog
Best Use of Color
Criteria Well-mixed, contrasting colors in a beautiful color palette
Name Fiona Bougourd
Location Guernsey, Channel Islands
Link none
Zephora
Bonus Category
Sponsor’s Choice
Name Wan-Ting Su
Location California
Link Instagram
Prize $100 gift certificate
Feedback “The bright and cheerful wisps of color was a boost of sunshine that made me smile just by looking at the soap! This soap will be a mood booster in any bathroom!.” -Andee Howard
Wildflower
Great job to all our winners, as well as everyone else who participated in the challenge this month! If you would like to see the rest of the entries, check out these links.
That’s a wrap for 2024!! Who’s ready to jump back in? If you’d like to sign up for the entire year of challenges in 2025, registration for that option only will open Saturday, December 28 and remain open until Monday, January 13 at 2pm CST. This is the ONLY time full year registration will be open. Registration fee is $170 for the entire year (2 months free!)
If you prefer to get started with January only or just January through April, that registration will open on Monday, January 6 and remain open until the 13th at 2pm CST. Registration fee for January only is $16.95, all four months is $61 (10% discount).
Check out the Upcoming Challenges page for more details and sign up to be notified as soon as registration opens! Here’s what we have lined up for the first four months:
January Wall Pours, sponsor: Custom Craft Tools
February Impression mats, guest teacher & sponsor: Amy Bautista, Elysian Acres Soap
March Brush Embroidery, sponsor: Bramble Berry
April Beach theme soaps, sponsor: Nurture Handmade