SoapHutch Über Mold

Now that I am soaping on a more steady basis, I’m finding that the molds I have been using are starting to show their wear; either getting brittle and cracking, or getting flimsy and losing their shape. It seemed like a good time to look into some long-term, good-quality, sturdy molds. As I was researching soap molds, one name kept coming up highly recommended time and time again: SoapHutch.

When I looked closer at Rich’s molds, I realized that his CraftLine Über Molds are actually a combination slab, divider and log mold, all in one...Über indeed! This way I didn’t need to choose between slab, divider or log….these molds could be configured in so many different ways; I loved that I would be investing in one mold, but getting so much versatility from that one mold. Plus, you don’t need to line them… a definite bonus!

After pouring over all of his designs, I decided that I really just needed a mini Über Mold, as I make such small batches, but I was a little hesitant to ask for smaller custom dimensions. However, Rich assured me that he considers every soap mold that he makes a custom order, so he doesn’t mind at all configuring to customer requests.

I also whined and sniveled (okay, not really, but I would have if necessary…ha!), about the possibility of a vertical divider, as I love the look of vertically divided soaps but haven’t mastered the two-handed, pouring-on-both-sides-of-the-cardboard divider yet. Rich got right to work and fabricated some clever temporary dividers, so that I can pour two different colors into a chamber and then remove the temporary divider. He designed them so that the layers can be split into either halves and thirds, very cool! So many fun possibilities, I was super excited about trying these out:

I will admit that I was a little intimidated when I pulled all the wrapping off the mold and found myself looking at 53 individual pieces! However, once I got the outer slab together, the other configurations were quite easy to figure out and fit together so nicely. The first thing I did as I was figuring out the configurations, was separated them by groups into Ziploc bags, so that it will be much easier to keep all the pieces grouped together:

(I have no idea why this picture keeps insisting on turning sideways, sorry about that!)

What I love the most about this mold is the versatility. I can use it as a slab mold or with the individual bar dividers, or I can make up to 3 different widths and lengths of logs. I can also use the dams that came with the mold to create virtually any length of log that I need, even down to test-size mini logs:

I am super impressed with Rich’s workmanship and professionalism. He was so easy to work with, and you can tell he is very passionate about his work; the pride he takes in his craftsmanship is very evident in the construction of these sturdy and versatile soap molds.  Thank you Rich, I love my new mold(s)!

Of course, for my first soap in the mold I chose to try out those vertical dividers! In my next blog post, I will share with you how I made this fun Beach Bar (which contains ocean water, seaweed and sand!):