YES Café – DIY Soap

Why was there a bunch of people sitting around a black electric furnace, handling chemicals? Why were there molds in the shapes of butterflies, hearts, bees, leaves and roses on the table? What about those brown flasks and packed powder? Why were these chunks of colorful soft ceramics on the table? Why were those people meticulously staring at these chunks and trying to shape them using tools?

This photograph is telling something even more interesting. Why was he brushing that small leaf with a toothbrush?

If you are interested in knowing the answers to these questions, then you should definitely come to the Roots and Shoots Restaurant on 15^th floor of the Oceanic Building on May 14^th. Yes Café 6 will have activities all afternoon.

The name of the activity was called DIY workshop. This crafting opportunity attracted many Roots and Shoots volunteers. Those who attended quickly began creating their own creations: carrots with faces, dice carved with names, and cell phone chains, just to name a few. For an afternoon, everyone returned to their childhood, playing with small pieces of soft ceramics to create little trinkets.

Besides soft ceramics, we also made soaps and leaf bookmarks. Everyone could add whatever color and flavor they desired to the soap. The soap was then gradually crafted until the mold, then removed and put on table for other people to appreciate.

Making leaf bookmark was more difficult and required a great deal of patience. The only step was to constantly brush the leaf with a toothbrush in order to remove the color, but the veins could be easily damaged in the process. However, after countless failures, everyone succeeded in making a transparent leaf bookmark.

Pictures are stronger than words. These were our products!

Cute plants and animals

Over-grilled grilled mushrooms…

Beautiful leaf bookmarks!

Close-up of the artistic soaps!

Author: Yang Lu  Photographer: Rebecca

(Translated by WFLMS Crunchy Zoo Language Club)