What it does
The shape of the handmade soap adopts the style of a hydrangea. The inside of the soap contains hydrangea petals and incorporates the scents of different hydrangea flowers, making the handmade soap more abundant.
Your inspiration
I'm someone who quite likes buying handmade soaps. When purchasing them usually, I've noticed that although there are many designs, there aren't any that are both good - looking and nice - smelling while also promoting the excellent traditional Chinese culture. After learning about some cultures, I found that the scent and appearance of hydrangea flowers quite meet my requirements, so I chose them
How it works
1. Molding and Shaping Technologies - Mold Casting: Silicone or other suitable materials are used to create molds in the shape of hydrangeas. Melted soap base or cold - process soap ingredients (a mixture of oils, lye, etc.) are poured into these molds and allowed to solidify. For example, multi - petal molds can be designed to accurately replicate the segmented structure of a hydrangea. The molds can be split into several arc - shaped parts, corresponding to different petal sections of the hydrangea, ensuring that the handmade soap has a clear hydrangea - like outline after molding. - Hand - Carving and Finishing: If there are minor defects in the molded shape or if you want to enhance the textures (such as the winding lines and petal patterns on the hydrangea), when the soap is semi - solidified (has a certain hardness but is still workable), carving tools can be used to manually carve out more realistic hydrangea textures.
Design process
Conceptualization First, I defined the goal: to create a hydrangea - shaped handmade soap model with Rhino that showcases traditional cultural elements. I studied the structure of hydrangeas, their petal shapes, and color distributions. I also referred to the cultural meanings of hydrangeas in traditional Chinese culture, such as being a symbol of love and cultural heritage, to infuse cultural connotations into the design. 2. Sketching and Reference Collection I sketched the basic outline of the hydrangea - shaped soap on paper, determining the overall spherical shape and the arrangement of petals. Then, I collected real hydrangea photos and traditional hydrangea handicraft images as references. These references helped me understand the details like the curvature of petals, the interlacing of textures, and the color gradients, which were crucial for accurate 3D modeling. 3. Rhino Modeling - Basic Shape Creation In Rhino, I started by creating a sphere using the “Sphere” command. This sphere served as the basic framework of the hydrangea - shaped soap. Then, I used the “Divide” command to divide the sphere into segments, which would help in creating the petal - like structures later.
How it is different
1. Deep Cultural Connotations Most handmade soaps on the market focus on shapes or scents, while hydrangea handmade soap integrates traditional Chinese culture. The hydrangea symbolizes love and good wishes in Chinese culture. By taking the hydrangea as design inspiration, this soap allows consumers to not only cleanse their skin but also experience the charm of traditional culture. It goes beyond an ordinary cleaning product to become a cultural carrier, carrying emotional value that ordinary soaps lack. 2. Unique Three - Dimensional Design Common handmade soaps often feature simple geometric shapes or basic animal/plant motifs. In contrast, hydrangea handmade soap imitates the three - dimensional form of hydrangea flowers. Through professional mold casting, hand - carving, and other techniques, it restores the details of layered petals and winding vine patterns.
Future plans
1. Expand Product Line：Launch derivative products like hydrangea essential oils and dried flower crafts to meet diverse needs. 2. Deepen Cultural Integration：Carry out DIY soap - making experience activities and collaborate with cultural institutions to hold themed exhibitions for cultural promotion. 3. Optimize Product Quality：Improve craftsmanship and raw material control to enhance petal integration and usage effects. 4. Broaden Sales Channels：Expand sales through online platforms (e.g., live commerce) and offline channels (e.g., scenic area cultural stores).
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