Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Money Soap


I'm always looking for unique gifts for my male teenage cousins. They are the hardest group to shop for! Money is always appreciated, but I hate just handing over the cash. Gift certificates are great, but I ALWAYS give those. So, I have a new idea...MONEY SOAP. It's money embedded in soap. Now those stinky boys will have to wash up to get paid!

To make this soap, you will need:

1-2 drops green food coloring
paper money (any denomination)
4 oz. soap mold (I got mine at Michael's)
rubbing alcohol in a spritz bottle


Fold your money and set aside.
Cut soap into cubes and put in heat safe container. Microwave in 20-30 second bursts. Add the lime oil.

Add food coloring.

Stir.

Pour a thin layer of soap into the mold (about 1/4 inch thick) and spritz with rubbing alcohol. Let cool until a thick skin is formed.

Spray money liberally with alcohol. Spray cooled soap with alcohol again.

Pour the rest of the melted soap into the mold (you may have to microwave again) and submerge money with a toothpick. You may have to hold the money down so it won't float up. I set up a rig where I had the soap on my cutting board and I set a knife on the counter with the handle hanging over the edge to hold the toothpick in until the soap cooled completely.
Once cooled, remove toothpick by twisting then pulling out. Melt the last bit of soap and pour it over the hole. Let cool. Wrapping your soap is important to preserve it. Tear off a piece of plastic wrap and tightly wrap soap.
Cut any excess plastic wrap.
Use an embossing heat tool to "shrink up" the plastic wrap to create a nice sealed package.
You'll end up with a beautiful bar of soap that everyone will want!
A bagalope would be the perfect way to package this up! Easy and creative!

Check out more fun and easy projects on Poppies at Play!

4 comments:

  1. Wow Elsa, that is so interesting!! You are absolutely right, I have a really hard time shopping for that age group. The money doesn't get ruined or anything?!? That's so cool.

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  2. Nope, the money stays intact...just like when it gets washed in the washer accidentally!

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  3. I think this is an awesome idea! I actually think I will have to do this for some of my teen nieces b-days! I linked at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com Grab my "featured" button!

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  4. My sissy, so creative and innovative! I love it. Wow you are just getting featured everywhere!

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