Everyday Beauty, Health and Living

I have always wanted a nice wooden soap mold for crafting my handmade soaps.  So I came up with this simple idea and design inspired by the Japanese method of woodworking.

sakurasoapmoldcompleted

The idea is to not use any nails to hold it together.  But to have exact measurements in order to attach the sides together, much like a jigsaw puzzle.  Since you can take it apart and pack in flat, it can also be stored away easily.

As I was inspired by the Japanese woodwork, I gave it the name “Sakura” which is the name of the Japanese cherry blossom.  I have to thank S for letting me use his carpentry tools and advice on cutting and measurements.

sakurasoapmold1

If anyone is interested in attempting to make their own wooden soap mold, I hope the plan illustrated here with measurements are clear and easy to understand.

I got my lumber at Lowe’s for about $3.  I even had some wood left over to make a lid too.

Finally, I still need to drill a hole for a dowel to hold the bottom in place with the sides.  In the meantime you can still use a clamp to hold the bottom in place.

The real test will be when I finally get to test it out on my soap.  Hopefully real soon!


Japanese Woodwork

The Japanese method of woodworking is considered to be one of the best ways to build homes.  The method specializes in the methods of post and beam style.  For furniture construction, they are skillfully crafted and emphasizes vertical and horizontal lines.

This Japanese way of building is very different from the modern western construction that we see here in the U.S.  I suppose this method takes more time, but it is one I think should be considered when constructing a new home.

Above are samples of Japanese method of connecting woods.  Photos here from Takumi Company.

The Takumi Company of Seattle, Washington has been in business since 1987.  They offer full design, engineering and construction services using the ancient tradition of Japanese woodworking.

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