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About this Workshop

Description

In this Workshop, Learners will discover the history of when and where the craft of ornamental flower soap-making originated and how it evolved over the years. They will get to practice their creativity playing with color combinations, using a silicon mold, and learn how to do the "ombré technique". 

The tradition of carving soap in Thailand originally started with fruit and vegetable carvings. The skill of carving fruit and vegetables into stunning shapes began in Thailand around 700 years back, in Sukothai, which was the capital between 1240 and 1350. During preparations for a major Thai festival called Loi Khratong, a servant of the King named Nang Noppamart was thinking about how she could improve on her Khratong and make it more beautiful, hoping to please his royal majesty. She chose one of her favorite flowers and used it as a base for her carving. The tradition of Loi Khratong and Soap-based Thai Lotus Flower Ornament are still witnessed today. However, with modernization, soap carving has evolved into using silicon moldings to easily make batches of this craft as a souvenir representation of traditions in Thailand.

I remember making my first molded flower soap at the Loi Khratong festival when my friend showed me how to use the molding technique to make a Soap-based Thai Lotus Flower Ornament. We added the molded soap as part of the "khratong" that we floated into the river during the festival.

I make the Thai Lotus Flower soaps for weddings, and offer workshops on this craft here in Thailand.  I would love to get together with you and share the fun and beautiful Thai tradition!

Please note: Children younger than 8 would benefit from having an adult or older sibling present with them. This workshop is great for adults too!

 

What You'll Need

GLOkit What's a GLOkit?

glokit

Thai Lotus Flower GLOkit

This GLOkit contains two bars of white "Melt and Pour" soap base from Thailand, one silicon Lotus flower mold, and one Thai wooden soap dish.

GLOkit Included
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Additional Supplies

It is highly recommended that you do this Workshop on a spacious working table. Since the soap needs to be melted and later dry out from the mold, Learners are advised to set-up their work station where there is easy access to a microwave and a refrigerator. Prior to the Workshop, it is advised to ask an adult to cut the bar of soap into small cubes of 16 pieces per bar. If you are working as a group, make sure each Learner will use different soap coloring from the other, and each Learner must have their own set of materials to avoid color and scent alteration.

Additionally you will need:

  • Soap coloring (choose 1 of your favorite color)- you can use Mica Powder or Food Coloring as an alternative
  • Fragrance oil of your choice (it is highly advised not to use perfume or cologne as it will likely make your soap seize)- you can use natural oils like lemon oil, scented olive oil as an alternative
  • 2 Small glass mixing cups with handle and spout - it is helpful to use a glass cup with handle and spout for easier pouring of the mixture into the mold
  • 2 Wooden chopsticks or popsicle sticks
  • 2 Stainless dessert spoons
  • 1 bowl of warm water
  • A hot plate or mug warmer (optional)
  • 1 Small spray bottle filled with Isopropyl alcohol
  • Old newspaper to cover your working table

 

Technical Requirements

You will need a device (computer or tablet) that is equipped with a camera, microphone, and speakers. For more information, please check out our Technical Requirements page.

Meet the Instructor

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Danica VallesterolView Profile

My name is Danica, you can call me Dani for short.  I was born and raised in the Philippines.  In 2008, my family and I relocated to Thailand and it has been my second home for the past 12 years.  I love traveling and have been to 13 countries in Asia and Europe (looking forward to add more countries in my list soon).  Aside from traveling, I enjoy doing arts and craft, cooking, watching movies, food tasting, mix and matching my clothes, shoes and bags. I come from a family of musicians and I do know how to sing, play the guitar and ukulele. I was also trained professionally in dancing (latin, afro, jazz, bollywood, street, hiphop) as well as aerial routine using the bungee cord.

Professionally, I am an experienced Human Resource Specialist, and a Project and Operations Manager.  Recently, I launched a small food business in Bangkok together with my partner and aiming to expand it into catering service.

My passion for crafting began when I was at grade school.  We have an arts and craft subject where we learned how to work on local crafting from weaving, learning how to do crochet, and using recycled materials as an ornament.  I enjoyed doing it at school and my aunt and grandma used to help me out as well in making my arts and craft projects.  It became one of our bonding moments during the weekend.

During my childhood years, my family and I would always make a Christmas Parol (it is a star-shaped Christmas lantern made from Bamboo wood, colorful crepe paper or recycled paper and small colorful light bulbs.  Parol making has been a tradition in every Filipino home and became a traditional contest done by each town, province and city during Christmas season.

In Thailand, I began celebrating Loi Khratong where the art of soap carving originated.  Loi Khratong is a festival celebrated annually throughout the Kingdom of Thailand and in nearby countries with significant southwestern Thai cultures.  It is observed every full moon of the 12th Thai month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar (this year it will be observed on Nov 1).

I want to teach everything I know about arts and craft to others because not everyone is fortunate to travel the world and I do believe that one can experience a different culture not just by visiting the country but from learning about a particular country's craft, its origin and what it signifies.  In addition to that, I get the sense of fulfillment each time I get to share my talent to others and they learn something from me whether it is related to crafting or different forms of art I do such as singing, playing guitar or ukulele and dancing.

I love making art and crafts.  To this day, my favorite materials to work with are abaca fiber which comes from a native plant in the Philippines, soy wax candles, Thai goat's milk soap-base, dried coconut shell, and recycled materials such as old newspaper or magazine, empty glass bottles and jars and old fabrics that I can use as an ornament or a bag.

I was born and raised in the Philippines and though I relocated to Thailand 12 years ago, Philippines has been my home.  My favorite thing about living in the Philippines is that I can get to the mountains or the beach, from my home, the different Fiestas we celebrate every year where we relive our traditions and we bond with family and friends and the month long celebration of Christmas Season which starts from the "ber" months (September-December).

Now that I am living in Thailand, my favorite thing about living here in my second home is that good Thai food comes handy in each corner of the street.  The vibrant and fun atmosphere of "night and weekend markets" as well as the islands and beaches across the country.

 

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Workshop Reviews

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Fun Workshop!

by Amy on

My children (ages 9 and 13) had a great time creating Thai Lotus Flower soaps and learning about the Thai culture. Dani was very knowledgeable and informative. The session kept the kids' attention and they enjoyed learning! Dani was very patient with the children and gave them ample time and instruction for them to complete their soaps! This session was fun, interactive, and interesting!

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Thai Lotus Flower