My soap research has begun! This past weekend I attended a 2-day intense coarse on soapmaking at The Nova Studio in Pt. Richmond. Many actually flew in from other areas to take Lori’s class. I met so many wonderful people! It was the most fun that I’ve had in a long time. Lori Nova, our soap expert and teacher, posted a picture of the class. Click on the picture to view it bigger.

Sorry in advance to everyone I will be probing for information to see what you like best in a bar of soap. I’ve been researching and reading up on ingredients and methods and scents, etc., but most of all what people want. Thank you to those who have already helped so much by giving me their opinions, soap samples to try and for just being supportive.

It’s not as hard to make soap as I thought, but there are many ways to make it depending on what outcome you  need. We made both cold process and hot process soap in the class. Both are somewhat similar but hot process has an extra step that speeds up the set up time and allows you to use the soap safely much sooner.

I’m picking up my final supplies this weekend and plan to make my FIRST batch early next week! Stay tuned. I’m going to document and blog the whole process.

In the words of Molly Shannon as she’s kicking her leg in the air, ” I love it, love it, love it!”

[soap bars in above picture created by The Nova Studio, half-used by me and my hubbie]