Hands-On Lab: Cold Process Soap Making

Upcoming Classes	Details	Registration Options
Saturday August 21, 2010	2:30 - 4:30 pm (2 hours), 6 people max $99 (plus $30 materials fee)	Credit Card Essential Oil Blend: Lemon & Litsea Cubeba Sweet Orange & Cinnamon Anise & Lavender Peppermint & Eucalyptus Bitter Almond (Benzaldehyde) Lavender & Pine	Sign-Up Via Mail Check
Saturday November 20, 2010	2:30 - 4:30 pm (2 hours), 6 people max $99 (plus $30 materials fee)	Credit Card Essential Oil Blend: Lemon & Litsea Cubeba Sweet Orange & Cinnamon Anise & Lavender Peppermint & Eucalyptus Bitter Almond (Benzaldehyde) Lavender & Pine	Sign-Up Via Mail Check
before signing up, please visit the Policies & Info Page

No more excuses! You CAN make soap & we will guide you!

Perhaps you are a little apprehensive about working with sodium hydroxide. Or your kitchen is a bit too small or a bit too occupied for a safe and focused soapmaking session. Or maybe you just don't want to deal with ordering all the supplies - you just want to go somewhere, make soap, and take it ALL home with you! Then this hands-on experience was designed for you! If you have taken our CP 101 class and/or the 2-Day Soap Boot Camp but have yet to take the leap to making your first batch on your own, this soap lab will give you the confidence to do it yourself.

Under the careful supervision of Nova Studio teacher Ruth Esteves, YOU get to make the soap. We will supply all the raw materials and ingredients that you will need - the few things you need to bring are listed below. These are things that you will be able to use for future soap making adventures on your own. You will be given instructions, a recipe sheet to follow, guidance and one-on-one help with questions, fears or doubts.

The best part is that you will go home with the 4-pound batch of soap that you made in class (yields about 18-20 bars of soap), all bundled up so you can finish the curing process at home. The materials fee (paid in cash on the day of class) covers everything described below. You will also have the opportunity to purchase soapmaking supplies from the teacher after the class (cash/check only).

NOTE: To allow for more personal attention, there will be a maximum of 6 people for each session.

WE WILL SUPPLY:

• A container to mix your soap in
• Base oils: blend of coconut, palm, castor and olive oils
• Anti-oxidant (already added to the oil mixture)
• Distilled water
• Sodium hydroxide (aka lye)
• Materials for lining your molds (depending on the type of mold you bring)
• Plastic wrap for the top of the mold (optional: to avoid soda ash)
• Additives like poppy seeds, oatmeal, calendula, tapioca pears, parsley, coconut, apricot kernel, etc.
• Tested essential oil blends (your choice from below):
Choice 1: Lemon & Litsea Cubeba
Choice 2: Sweet Orange & Cinnamon
Choice 3: Anise & Lavender
Choice 4: Peppermint & Eucalyptus
Choice 5: Bitter Almond (Benzaldehyde)
Choice 6: Lavender & Pine

STUDENTS NEED TO BRING:

• Stick blender (aka Immersion Blender) for mixing. We recommend the "Proctor Silex" from CVS.
• Gloves & goggles (we will have some to share but you will probably want your own)
• Non-aluminum mixing spoon (for mixing lye/raw soap)
• Spatula; high-heat silicone is best (a flimsy/cheap one might melt)
• Soap mold large enough to hold 6 pounds of raw soap or 20 bars (a simple shoe box will do)
• Cover for your soap mold (lid to shoe box, piece of thin wood, or stiff cardboard)
• 2 old bath towels or blankets for wrapping your soap (in the mold)

Optional: If you prefer to use a scent combination other than what is provided, you are welcome to bring your own essential oils, colors and/or additives to further customize your soap. There will, however, be NO discount off the materials fee if you choose to bring your own ingredients.

NOTE: This is an age 18+ class since making soap from scratch involves working with lye (aka sodium hydroxide). To take part in the hands-on portion of the class, please wear or bring a long-sleeved shirt. You'll also need rubber gloves and safety goggles. There will be several pairs of goggles and gloves to share, but if you prefer your own please bring them to class.

ABOUT THE TEACHER:
Ruth Esteves started making handmade soap in 2006 as another in a long line of hobbies. But since then she has gone from whipping up quick melt-and-pour soap gifts for her friends to designing and selling her own cold process soaps online through her company, Sirona Springs. Trained as a laboratory research scientist, Ruth finds that soapmaking is the perfect blending of chemistry and art. Ruth is also a member of the Handcrafted Soapmaker's Guild. See our teacher page to view Ruth's current classes.