This post makes no sense unless you followed the Shell Soap Saga of 2017 on my Instagram stories. For anyone already familiar: we had to recreate the memory—and we did it by making shell soap–inspired chocolates. Yes, chocolates that look exactly like the pastel shell soaps from the 1980s. If you grew up spotting those shells in your grandmother’s bathroom or remember picking shaped soaps from baskets at the mall, this is for you. I had so much fun making these and laughing at how realistic and ridiculous they look.
Quick recap for anyone asking “what is this?” and to close out the investigation. While in Palm Springs we were talking late at night about those ubiquitous 80s shell soaps that every grandma seemed to have. We all clearly remembered buying shaped soaps from wooden baskets at the mall, but no one could agree on which store sold them.
Some people suggested The Body Shop—whose 90s employee confirmed they sold shaped soaps but not shells. Others guessed Crabtree & Evelyn or Pier 1. A few remembered JC Penney, which felt familiar to me. Several followers helped by finding a shell soap manufacturer that reportedly wholesaled to JC Penney, suggesting the soaps may have been sold near towels rather than in baskets. Meanwhile I realized I was likely thinking of two separate memories: buying shell-shaped soaps at a department store like JC Penney (possibly in the towel section) and buying other novelty-shaped soaps from The Body Shop (displayed in wooden baskets). That explains the mixed recollections.
If you’re still with me—thank you. Many of you asked for a final answer, so that’s my conclusion unless clear photographic proof appears. Now, on to the tutorial.
DIY Shell Soap Chocolates
Total Time: One Hour
Supplies
Candy melts in pastel shades (we used light pink, blue, purple, green and white).
Shell molds (two-part molds work best).
Microwave-safe bowl.
Spoon.
Small wooden or wicker baskets for presentation.
Raffia or excelsior for filling the baskets.
Plastic wrap for packaging.
Directions
1. Melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring until smooth. For soft 80s pastel tones, mix roughly one part color candy melt with three parts white and adjust to taste.
2. Pour the melted candy into the shell molds and chill in the refrigerator until set.
3. Pop the shell halves from the molds and clean up any imperfections. These will become the bottom halves of your 3D shells.
4. Repeat the melting process for the remaining halves. Pour into the molds, then chill just until partially set. Place a previously made shell-half on top of each partially set half, aligning the edges so the two pieces form a complete shell. Return to the fridge until fully set.
5. Remove finished shells from the molds and trim any excess with a butter knife for a clean edge.
6. Wrap each shell in plastic wrap and nestle them into small baskets filled with raffia or excelsior for gifting or display.
Thank you to everyone who helped dig into this mystery—grandparents were called, parents were messaged, and former mall employees were consulted. You all went all out, and I love that so many of you were just as invested. Our memories may have been messy, but the hunt was the best part. May the Shell Soap Saga rest in peace… until the next nostalgic mystery.
p.s. If you like soap-shaped treats, there’s a Birthday Cake Soap project that’s fun to check out.