Art Club How-To: Carving a Soap Turtle

How to Carve a Soap Turtle

1Have you ever looked at a plain bar of soap and pictured a turtle hiding inside it? In our art club, we carve small animals out of soap, and a turtle is a great first project. Soap is soft, so you do not need sharp tools. A plastic knife, a craft stick, and a toothpick will do the job. Ask an adult to stay nearby while you carve.

2Before you begin, cover your table with newspaper. Unwrap the bar and set it flat in front of you. Next, use the toothpick to draw a large oval on the top of the soap. Add a small circle at one end for the head and four little bumps for the legs. Press lightly, because these lines are only a guide.

3Now you are ready to carve. Hold the soap in one hand and the plastic knife in the other. Shave off thin slices from the edges, working toward your lines. Carve slowly and take off only a little at a time. If you cut away a big chunk, the soap may crack, and a cracked turtle is hard to fix.

4Psst! Here is a trick that Mr. Fennimore, our art teacher, showed us. Turn the soap over and carve the bottom flat, so your turtle will not wobble. Then use the craft stick to press a pattern of small shapes across the top of the shell. Oops! Did a leg snap off? Don't worry. Just carve that side into a flipper instead.

5When the shape looks right, it is time to smooth it. Dip a finger in water and gently rub the rough spots. Do not soak the soap, or it will turn soft and slippery. Let your turtle dry on a paper towel for a day.

6Finally, give your turtle a face. Poke two tiny eyes with the toothpick, and draw a smile under them. Hooray! Your soap turtle is finished. Save the shavings in a cup, because you can use them to wash your hands. Our club made turtles in October, and now we are carving owls.