Teach Soap

Hi. I am really wanting to take a soap making class and I live in Louisiana. I haven't been able to find anyone yet. Does anyone know of anyone who may teach a class in Louisiana?

Thank you,
Maranda Williams

Do what the rest of us did...
Buy a good soapmaking book and/or find a friend who soaps. Then build up some materials and some confidence and jump in with both feet. There are a lot of good people here and on other forums willing and able to help you along the way.

I know that from experience.

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- Mickey!

Thanks for the reply! Looks like I am going to have to jump in without a class! Can you recommend some good books?

Thanks!
Maranda

I'm sure some others on here can recommend some good ones.
I started with Susan Miller Cavitch's "The Natural Soap Book" which I borrowed from a friend. I know some people really like "The Soapmaker's companion" by the same author. However I've heard that some of her recipes have errors in the print and should be checked before using them. You should always run your recipe through a soap calculator first anyway (lots of free ones online). The only problem I had was that the recipe I tried from the book used 8 pounds of oils which is much too much for a first batch. A 1 pound batch is plenty to begin with and far less expensive. I just didn't know any better at the time.

The main thing is to read as much as you can about the process of soap making until you feel you understand it. It's not that complicated though you will find that not everyone agrees on everything. But why should soapmaking be any different than anything else in life? Just don't let it scare you. We all know you can do it.

Learn about the ingredients and equipment you will need and where you can get it cheap or for free. Most importantly be sure you understand the safety precautions you need to take, especially if you have kids or pets in the house. There are some videos on Youtube and LOTS of information on this and other soap making forums. Search the forums and ask questions until you feel prepared to give it a shot.

Finally, decide what you want to try (Cold Process or Hot Process?, what types of additives or scents interest you? etc). Build or copy a recipe and then jump in and make it!! Then be prepared to become addicted. It's probably already too late to avoid it.

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- Mickey!

Thank you for all the great information and encouragement! I will definitely take a look at the book you recommended.

I am definitely prepared to do a lot of research before I make my first batch. I have already started a notebook with information I have been given.

I do feel like I am addicted already, and I haven't even made a batch. This is something I have been interested in for a long time, but then along came a child and moves to different parts of the state, but now I am settled and have some time to learn! I was looking for a class just to see the process - I can learn from reading, but I would just like to also see someone make a batch!

I really appreciate you answering my post and for all the information you have given me.

Have a great day!

I've only been making soap since December but have already lost count of the number of batches I've made. I second what everyone else has said: get a good book, read until you understand the process and just jump in. Also, there are videos on youtube that you can watch to get an idea of what the process looks like (just search cold process soap or soap making). I know that helped me as I'm a very visual person. I can read a book until the cows come home but there's nothing like seeing the process done!

I have to say, though, that the best thing for me has been trial and error. I've only been making 1 or 1.5lb batches so if I mess up (which happens!) it won't be an expensive loss. I've also learned about rebatching that way There's a lot of online information as well, Miller's soap page is a great place to do some serious reading. Keep detailed notes of everything you do so you'll have them to refer back to. Most of all, have fun with it and enjoy the process. Best of luck!

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Kim

The YouTube videos also helped me a lot too. The ones that come to mind is a series broken down into the different steps of preparing your workspace, mixing and melting oils, molding and unmolding etc. Not that I would take any one source as gospel but it really did help me a lot too to see someone actually doing it so I could say "I can do that!".

If you find a couple more good online forums like this one and just follow the conversations you will learn a LOT. I'm not sure if it's ok to name other forums here so I won't, but you won't have any trouble finding them. And as KBN said, there is no better teacher than trial and error. Soap is pretty forgiving. It's kinda like pizza... even when it's bad it's still pretty good.

Oh and keeping a notebook is a GREAT idea! I'd be lost without mine. I write out my recipe and date each batch before I even start, even if it's a recipe I've used before. I then make notes as I proceed and then as I monitor the qualities of the finished soaps as they cure. I sometimes even record what others have to say about them. And I have pages of ideas for new recipes and things to try and things I've read about etc. Maybe one day I won't need it but for now it's my security blanket.

Good luck and don't forget to post pictures when you make your first batch.

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- Mickey!

There are some good books and two DVD's by Anne-Marie that I enjoy at Bramble Berry.

http://www.brambleberry.com/Books.aspx

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At night I lay in bed looking up at the stars and I think to myself.......I really need to fix my roof.

Don't forget your local library! I was able to find most of the books that were recommended at my library, and read them and returned them. If you want to keep it, you can always buy your own copy later. I got both the natural soap book and the soapmakers companion, and they taught me a lot about the process- but with every recipe, she went through the whole process again, and yes, her recipes were big, but with any recipe, you can go to www.summerbeemeadow.com and use their recipe recalculator with the size of your mold.
My biggest teacher was experience- and you always learn from your mistakes. Make your first batch plain- just oils and lye and mix and go slow, dont try to do anything fancy, just see how it works!
Good luck! It doesn't take much to get hooked!

Thanks everyone for all of the replies to my post. I am gaining so much information from reading the posts on this forum. I really appreciate that everyone is willing to share information on how to get started and is willing to help when there is a question of what went wrong!

I have been watching Youtube videos tonight - thanks Kim and Mickey! The visuals help me understand more of what I have been reading.

Redfishingirl - I have printed out a list of Soap making books that my local library has in stock and I am headed there on Wednesday!

I am happy that I have found a place I can come to when I have questions! I am so excited about this wonderful process that I am learning about!

Thanks again everyone for the advice!

Maranda

Whatever recipes you decide to do, including books, please run it through a lye calculator.
Some of the soapmaking book have mistakes in them.

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

Hey Maranda........just saw your email this morning! Sorry!!

No, I dont formally teach "classes", but I have taught several ppl how to make soap and other toiletries. Although I'm no expert of professor on soamkaing, I've got almost 10 years of experience under my belt!

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Steph
www.cajuncauldron.com

Soapbuddy - Thanks for the advice of running the recipes through a lye calculator! I will definitely do so!

Steph - Thanks for the reply. If there was a day that you would be up to me observing or teaching, I would love to meet you. I am doing lots of reading, but usually learn better and understand better what I have read by watching / doing. I, of course, would pay you.

I have a lot of contacts in the area where I live, but no one around here makes soap! Can you believe that? I have just been reading / researching and I am already hooked!

Thanks!
Maranda