I'm New! Now What?!

Recent my friend Debbie wrote me on Twitter and told me she loved the handmade (cold process) soap I had given her for Christmas and wanted to learn how to make her own. She asked, "How do I start?" Since that's probably a longer answer than 140 characters on Twitter will give me, Debbie, this blog post is for you!

1. Read this article on the types of soapmaking. The type of soap you want to make is 'Cold Process Soapmaking.

Rebatch Soap                       Cold Process Soap          Melt and Pour Soap

2. Watch the 4 *free* videos at SoapQueen.TV on Cold Process Soapmaking.

Lye Safety
Basic Terms
Using Fragrances & Essential Oils
Using Colorants

After learning more about the process, are you still interested in moving ahead?

If yes, keep going.

If not, soapmaking is super fun! Consider a slightly less labor intense method of soapmaking - Melt and Pour soap or Rebatching soap. Kits for Melt and Pour and Rebatching are here.

3. Keep educating yourself. TeachSoap.com is a great resource. The TeachSoap forum is helpful. All of the posts here tagged with "Cold Process" add to your knowledge base and the SoapDishForum is a fantastic learning opprtounity.

4. Order a beginner kit. It has everything you need to make your first batch of soap except the Lye. Order the lye along with the beginner kit. Beginner kit is here; Lye is here.

5. Fax in your lye waiver to us at 360.752.0992

6. Get yourself to Goodwill to get a stainless steel bowl or glass bowl, a couple spatulas, spoons and invest $20 in a good Stick Blender.

7. Wait for your kit. Keep reading. Let your excitement build.

8. When the kit arrives, safety up! Goggles on! Gloves on! Cover those counters with newspaper. Lock pets outside. Children under 14 should be away from your soaping area. Find one hour of uninterupted time.

Now, get ready? Set? Soap!