*NEW*
Make Your Own Melt & Pour Soap Base
(aka: Make Transparent Soap from Scratch)

Upcoming Classes	Details	Registration Options
Sunday September 30, 2012	10 am - 1 pm (3 hours) $85 (plus $6 materials fee)	Credit Card	Sign-Up Via Mail Check
before signing up, please visit the Policies & Info Page

Learn How to Make Your Own Melt & Pour Base, from Scratch!

Did you know that you can make your own transparent & meltable soaps from scratch? Would you prefer to make your own soap rather than purchase from a store or supplier? Handmade Soaps from scratch, both Cold Process and Hot Process, are naturally opaque (i.e., not see-through), but with a few added ingredients, you can put a unique twist on your handmade soap that will set it apart from the rest.

This experimental class covers a discussion and demonstration on how transparent soap is made. It is important to understand that by sticking with mostly "natural" or "naturally-sourced" ingredients, it's impossible to achieve a very clear, hard bar of soap. Natural-ingredient transparent soaps are always going to be more amber in color, slightly milky (as opposed to crystal clear), and a bit softer than their detergent-based, synthetic counterparts. This class will focus on creating a transparent soap that is as “natural” as possible, but which employs some manmade solvents to achieve transparency. This class will include a discussion about the use of both natural and manmade ingredients in transparent soap and the trade-offs involved.

The making of transparent soap from start to finish takes longer that 3 hours, so parts of the process will be pre-made (where necessary). Each student will take home 1 large bar of soap (in a to-go container) made in the class, to cure at home and handouts which include the recipe made in class, as well as basic instructions.

Prerequisite Details: This intermediate-level soapmaking class is designed for students who have either taken our Cold Process 101 Class, the 2-day Soap Boot Camp, or who have experience making soap from scratch on their own. If you have never made soap from scratch before (cold process or hot process), you must first take our Cold Process 101 Soap Class which demonstrates soapmaking using a 4-pound batch and teaches all the basics (including lye safety) needed for all beginning soap makers.

ABOUT THE TEACHER:
Veteran Soapmaker and owner of Mission Peak Soap Products, David Critchfield began soapmaking in 1995 when his wife presented him with a beginning soapmaking book. From the early days of ugly soap and vanishing fragrances, David now makes a steady stream of fine, aromatic, handcrafted soap for fund raisers, local health food stores and specialty retailers. Mission Peak Soap is also a supplier of soap making supplies. Visit our Teacher Page to see all the classes that David teaches.