Come clean for the holidays: Make soaps for gifts

Hoping to make gifts by hand, but stuck with two left thumbs? Here's an easy craft from Leah Kramer, founder of Craftster.org and author of "The Craftster Guide to Nifty, Thrifty and Kitschy Crafts" (Ten Speed Press, 2006).

Items needed:

Large block of transparent or opaque melt-and-pour unscented soap (available at most craft stores)

Soap molds or chocolate molds (also available at craft stores)

Petroleum jelly

Microwave

Glass measuring cup

Disposable chopstick

Knife

Fragrances, colorings or decorations

1. Coat the molds with a very thin layer of petroleum jelly.

2. Place block of soap on a cutting board and carefully cut into ice-cube-sized chunks. Place them in measuring cup.

3. Place measuring cup in microwave and heat on high for 30 seconds. This melts the soap into liquid. Stir with chopstick, making sure it's fully melted. If necessary, continue heating for 15-second intervals until fully melted. (Melting time will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave. Consult melting instructions on soap package.)

4. Carefully remove bowl from microwave, and use chopstick to stir in any combination of ingredients, customizing batches of soap for each person on your gift list. Fragrances, colorings and herbs are all possibilities. The Web site teachsoap.com offers information on safe possibilities.

5. Stir the melted soap with the chopstick to cool it slightly, until you notice a very thin skin forming on the top. Then pour it into the molds until it reaches the top of the cavity. (Pouring in very hot soap could warp the molds.)

If you're using transparent soap and wish to embed something in it, pour half the melted soap into the mold, then add the item or items — flowers, tiny plastic toys, etc. Then fill the remaining space in the mold with more melted soap.

6. Allow the soap to harden completely, which takes about one hour at room temperature. Then pop the soap out of the mold.