Teach Soap

Hi y'all. I am new here and need lots of suggestions. I'm teaching a short class over the summer. The class is a science enrichment class for 3rd-5th grade girls. It's going to be a Spa Science class. I'd like to make several things over the week including

Clear soap -body scrub-lip balm-bath salts/bomb-and perhaps perfume. I want to teach them about scents, and colors and how to add them without them being overpowering.

I am overwhelmed and having a hard time narrowing down my options!
What type of equipment do I need? I am probably going to have 12-15 girls in the class and they will work in groups of 3 or 4.

How much fragrance, essential oil would I need?

What supplies should I have?

HELP!! Thanks!!

Welcome!
If each girl makes approx. 4 oz. bar, you would need about 4 lbs. of MP soap (allowing for some spillage) and enough molds for that many girls. For the molds you could use any type of plastic that can withstand some heat. Check in the toy section of your local store. As far as scents or colors, you could order samples from BrambleBerry; our forum owners. Not all fragrances are the same. Some are very strong and you would use less. On average, you would need 0.5 oz. of a fragrance oil per lb. of soap. I would suggest getting a small, portable scale. Is there a microwave available?

I would research here on the forum just one thing right now til you are comfortable with it. MP is usually pretty safe, since there is no lye involved.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Yes I will have a microwave and probably a double burner hotplate ( I am hoping I will be in the school science lab so I'll have pyrex mixing utensils, pipettes, and about anything I need.)
I will stick to the melt and pour because I'm not mixing lye with kids...
I was looking at the sample package so I can 'play' with it before I attempt to teach it.

Do silicone pans work for soap? The dollar store near my job has a case of mini loaf pans at a dollar each, I thought they might make a good 'mold'

I am so excited about this class but was warned to keep the cost low as this is the first time it's going to be offered they aren't going to make a huge investment.

MP soap is harder to melt without overheating using direct heat. You could make a double boiler, but it will take longer for the MP to melt. Glass cups and the microwave would be the best choice. Definitely get a sample package to play with. It will give you a better idea what to expect.

Yes, you can use silicone pans. Just make sure that they are sturdy/thick enough to stand on their own, so the melted soap won't overflow. it will take some time before they are hard enough to take out of the mold. Sometimes a freezer or a fridge helps.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I don't want to be rude,but I think that you need to learn how MP soap is made first. It's easy,but you need to know everything about it. Before you can teach anyone else. Even if they're still children. You have to try to be as professional as you can when teaching them. What's going to happen when they ask you a question? If that was my child going to your class I am expecting that the person who is going to teach my child knows well what they're doing. Especially if I'm going to pay for the class,well even if it was free.

iteachabcs123s-
Just know that many of us on this forum are here to help!! And we wouldn't be as far along in our journey with m/p if it wasn't for everyone being on here with the sense of support. You keep asking your questions. One thing that you may not be aware of is Soap Queen TV. These short but informative video clips by Ann Marie of Brambleberry will also give you a wealth of knowledge. Consider it a 'cliff notes' version of getting a sense of all this.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl= ... BUQqwQwAA#

I think it's commendable that you are taking time in your life to teach 3-5th grade girls. I'm sure the experience alone will be memorable. And what girl (I'm just guessing since I do have children but they are identical boys) isn't going to be excited about soap/lip balm/bath salts when they leave the class.

I hope I've given you some help here with the link to the clips. I've attended a 101 m/p class taught by The Nova Studio and it's pretty clear what Lori (the owner) and Debbie (Soapylove who teaches there as a guest teacher) does to have everything in order before the class starts. I'm happy to share those observations if that helps you be really ready to have fun!! E-mail me at asliceofdelight@yahoo.com. We can exchange phone numbers and you can then call me direct.

My best
Hilary

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http://www.asliceofdelight.etsy.com

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Sarah x

To:Iteachabc123s, I'm really sorry for the way I told you those things. I was not being snarky. I just wanted to give you my opinion. I wasn't thinking about the way to speak to you and try to help you with what I could.
How someone said to watch SoapQueen on YouTube you will learn alot from her. There's also forums like this one. To ask questions and blogs to learn from. SoapyLove also has some great books on how to make the soap, you can learn a whole lot from her. Her web page is SoapyLove.com you probably want to check her out. Also on web pages where you order things for your soap sometimes they have helpful information.

I'll definitely agree that this forum has helped many new beginners such as myself learn so much about MP. Along with watching Soap-Queen TV, I would also encourage purchasing Soapylove's Ezines. One of the issues shows you how to throw a Glycerin Soap Party. I believe you can purchase them off her website (www.soapylove.com) or through Brambleberry.com

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Iteachabc123s-
MissRhosie makes an excellent note about Debbies specific e-zine with the glycerin party. That would be a great 'lesson guide' for you to narrow down how to likely keep it simple. As for the Soap Queen TV videos - keep in mind that as you watch them she builds on the basics and moves onto some pretty neato techniques. Don't be intimidated - those will be best for yourself when you are 'hooked'. The process of the girls picking the colors and fragrances alone and keeping the soap to one color and then pouring it into their one cavity soap bar each will be exciting enough.
Best to you

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http://www.asliceofdelight.etsy.com

Hello Iteach!
You have come to the right place for lots of advice and helpful soapers!

I saw that ascliceofdelight and MissRosie recommended my eZines (thanks you guys!) and wanted to mention that I made a video about having a soap party which you might like:
http://www.youtube.com/user/soapylovevi ... z3RRJ_1vYQ

I hate to make this sound like a shameless plug, but since I made the video, we have come out with the Jewelry Box colorant set which has all of the colorants (and glitter!) from the video. This would be a quick way to have a great selection of mixable colors. Plus you could get the Candy Jar Fragrance Set. After that, soap base and molds would be the other soap supplies you need for a great M&P learning day! You can find both sets here: http://www.brambleberry.com/Soapylove-C269.aspx

I'll stay tuned to this topic if you have any other questions. I LOVE teaching and have hosted several kids' parties, so I'm happy to help!

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Debbie Chialtas

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Hey Y'all

I think I am a soap addict already! I am totally sleep deprived because if I am not working I'm on-line reading, watching great soap videos and drooling over all the awesome stuff y'all have made!

If I weren't working at a very busy tax office right now I'd probably figure out a way around the filters on my work computer and be researching it then too!
Thank you EVERYONE for the great advice and warm welcome! I am going to order a few things to work with here at home and then make up the order form for the school to order. I will be working in Utah for the summer and I live in Tennessee so I won't be able to take anything from home with me and very little back home too.

I think the soap party is the way to go and with the kits they can individualize the soaps without me investing a fortune in stuff I can't take home if it's not used.

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Debbie Chialtas

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