Soap Making Classes

Dear Readers, 

I'll be teaching  classes on soap making over the next two months.  I teach this class for Walter State Community College for both their TAG program and their Kids College program.  I've had students travel from all over Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Arizona, Virginia and West Virginia to learn soap making with me.

My class will teach you how to make soap in your own kitchen! You will learn the basics of soap making with easy step-by-step instructions that walk you through the simple art of  making your own batch of soap! I also show you what equipment you’ll need and probably already have!  

I teach you about SAP values and why they are important, what lye calculators are and how to use them (and why they are so important!), what lye discounts are and why you need to understand them and what “percentages” mean. This combined knowledge not only helps you understand the soap making process but it gives you the skills to evaluate any recipe you find online or in a book so that you can determine if you would like to use it....no need to waste all those ingredients to discover you don’t like that particular recipe. Even more important, it gives you the skills to create your own unique recipes!

After I cover the basics, we delve into the fun! I teach you what superfatting is and how to do it so that you can create that luxurious soap you’ve been dreaming about! You will learn how to color your soap naturally, how to use essential oils and how to create your own blends of essential oils easily and test them inexpensively!  You will have the opportunity to create your own essential oil blend in class. I also guide you through the properties and “notes” of essential oils. 

You will learn about absolute oils, butters and clays and why and how to use them.  I’ll teach you about soap molds and help you find them...in your own home!  There are over a dozen “tried and true” recipes for soap including many basic recipes along with recipes for Castile, a shaving soap, a milk soap, and more!

I have included both a “tips” section and a “troubleshooting” section to help you salvage any “mistakes” that might happen, I have shared my list for recommended reading and online sites that teach more about soap making so you can continue your adventures.  I give you my list of resources for purchasing ingredients and even recommend software for soap makers!

I’ve done all the “wrong” things according to other soap makers! I have shared my secrets, shared many short cuts, given you great recipes, shared my list of resources, essentially shared it all! 

You will get to touch and sample basic oils, fine oils, clays, butters and even an essential oil or two! 

My class is 5 hours long.  You will make two batches of soap, a simple batch of soap and a more complicated batch usually involving a special coloring technique. Yummy herbal snacks will be served between the two batches. The cost of the class is $40 and includes my book "Soapmaking Made Simple" which sells for $20. You will go home with one bar of any of my soaps or shampoos that you desire.You will also be given special contact information so that I can continue to mentor you and answer questions as you make soap in your own home.

My next classes are scheduled for Saturday October 16, Friday November 5th, and Saturday November 13th.  I keep my classes small (5 to 12 students) and spaces usually fill up fast. Please contact me to make a reservation.

Come join me and learn how to make soap for gifts, for the holidays and for your own family!

Blessings!