As a former librarian, I am obviously addicted to books and have trouble being patient when I know a new book is coming out soon. This was certainly the case with the new book by Anne-Marie Faiola (AKA the Soap Queen of Bramble Berry) called Pure Soapmaking. Besides going over the basics of making natural soaps, it is jam packed …
New Online Gourmet Autumn CP Soapmaking Class
We are working on some special seasonal soapmaking courses with Bramble Berry. Our first seasonal theme is inspired by fall. It contains 5 soap designs that demonstrate one or more intermediate to advanced soapmaking techniques. Pumpkin Spice Swirl – uses drop swirl technique Twisted Licorice – layering followed by soap decorating Salted Caramel – layering with salted top Indian Corn – uses nonpareil design Turkey …
Soapmaking Favorites: Bevelers and Trimmers by LiluSoap Tools
Soapmaking Favorites Bevelers and Trimmers – I had the pleasure of meeting LiChing of LiluSoap Tools at the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild’s 2014 Conference. We had booths neighboring each other and quickly hit it off. She designed 2 stainless steel soap bevelers and trimmers. After one demonstration, I had to have it. It has become a favorite tool …
Feature Friday – Advanced Scenery in Soap
My speaking topic at the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild earlier this month was creating scenery in soap. It is based on our newly released scenery class featured this Friday. Soap Scenery goes beyond simple layering and embedding. You’ll learn to combine multiple techniques to create complex designs through step by step video demonstrations, plus we’ll explain the theory behind …
Feature Friday – Milk Soapmaking Class
Milk Soapmaking – Offered both Online or In Person Milk soaps can be tricky, but you can learn to make soap using any kind of milk while still maintaining an ivory color in this soapmaking class. This is a comprehensive, course consisting of slideshow presentations, videos, downloadable PDFs, and quizzes to highlight important information in a professional format. You’ll be …
Feature Friday – Colorants in Soapmaking Class
Online Colorants in Soapmaking – A Comprehensive Guide to Color Learn all about how to use various colorants in your soap, from natural infusions to rich micas and everything in between. This is a comprehensive course consisting of slideshow presentations, videos, downloadable PDFs, and quizzes to highlight important information in a professional format (over 3 hours of content). You’ll …
Feature Friday – Beginner Cold Process Soapmaking Class
Each Friday a different one of our products will be featured. The rest of the week, free information is provided. Online Beginner Soapmaking – Learn to Make Cold Process Soap Learn to create soap using the cold process method in this online class, from basic chemistry and recipe building to packaging your soaps. This is a comprehensive, course consisting of …
Soap Crafting Book by the Soap Queen – A Review
Photo from www.SoapQueen.com The much awaited Soap Crafting book by Anne-Marie Faiola (AKA The Soap Queen) has just been released and finally reached my home on the East Coast. I could barely wait to tear open the package and see what was inside. I’m kind of impatient with some things, and waiting for a new book or movie happens to …
Tempting Fragrances from Nature’s Garden & Fun with Soap
I just received a wonderful package full of delicious smelling fragrances from Nature’s Garden. They have been branching out more into soap making supplies, so you’ll find a little of everything. I am most impressed by the variety of fragrance oils they carry. The list seems endless. But to make things easier, they have handy little guides in PDF format to help, which …
Sinfully Sweet Soap
After Amy of Great Cakes Soapworks held her now famous soap challenges, she gave willing participants a chance to swap 1-2 bars of soap with another challenge participant. I had the chance to swap with Sindy from Sinfully Sweet Soap. Well, I sent my 2 bars of soap right before leaving for Atlanta, and when I returned I found 5 …
New Vertical Soap Mold – Swirl
I purchased the new vertical mold at Brambleberry and finally had some time to play with it. I made a batch of Exotic Amber (eo blend with frankincense, myrrh, and patchouli, among other things) with goat’s milk and shea butter. It has vanilla in it, so I had to use a stabilizer. So between the fact that it will darken slightly …
The Great Debate: Is There a Natural Preservative?
It’s time to take a look at natural preservatives and dive into the great debate within the skin care industry. A quick search on the internet will reveal articles and blogs on the subject matter, many of which are vehemently opposed to anything other than synthetic s, while others claim to have a working natural preservative. Step into the virtual …