Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials ~ Soapsmith's Blog

Soapsmith's Blog

Soap Rock Tutorial

Published: 11-18-2011 05:34pm
Posted In: Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials

Hello friends, I often do demonstrations at soap making conferences. One of the most popular classes is for making my gemstone soap rocks. Today's blog post is drawn from the handout notes that I offer to soap makers who attend my presentations. Through the years, I have emailed these notes over 700 times to soapers who have requested them. Today I share them with you. How to make gemstone soap rocks Yes, these are truly easy to make. Even my very first attempts came out great, yours will, too. Here's how! ... » Read More

Handmade soap, the basics, part 1

Published: 11-18-2011 05:33pm
Posted In: Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials

First in a series of educational and informational blog posts about handmade soap by Bonnie Bartley, soapsmith. Handmade soap is true soap in its purest form. True soap is the result of a chemical reaction, called saponification, between fatty acids and an alkali. Each oil, butter and fat has its own fatty acid profile that lends unique properties to the soap. For example, olive oil is high in oleic acid that is gentle to the skin, the lauric acid in coconut oil provides for a fluffy lather but can be stripping to dry skin conditions, palm oil offers palmitic acid that contributes to quality lather b... » Read More

Handmade soap, the basics, part 2

Published: 11-18-2011 05:33pm
Posted In: Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials

Handmade soap vs soap from pre-made bases You will find two basic types of handmade soap. The handmade soap that I discussed in part 1 of my blog is soap formulated and "made from scratch" by the soapmaker. The other genre of soap is pre-made bases. What is the difference? True soap created by the soap maker by formulating the recipe based on the attributes of the different oils, fats and butters can be made using many different processes. Cold process and hot process are the two main procedures for handmade true soap. In cold process, we combine our meticulously measured ingredients: oils... » Read More

Shea Butter

Published: 11-09-2011 02:06pm
Posted In: Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials

Hello friends, I will be creating a series of blog posts about the soap, bath and body care items I offer for sale. These articles will be educational in nature to offer my customers an insight as to why I choose certain ingredients and their benefits, as well as more detailed directions and suggestions for use of my products. Today's entry is about my pure natual shea butter. Shea Butter Information Unrefined Shea Butter is 100% natural and absolutely no chemicals are used in the processing. This shea butter is processed by a fair trade women’s co-op in Ghana Africa and is shipped fresh, ready ... » Read More

How to wrap handmade soap

Published: 11-09-2011 02:05pm
Posted In: Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials

Hello friends, When I teach soapmaking, I am often asked about wrapping handmade soap. Here is a tutorial on how I wrap my soap. My cold process soaps are simply packaged in cotton muslin bags with a hang tag. The folded business card size tags allow plenty of room for all the ingredients and details required for proper soap labeling as well as giving me space to tell the story of my quality formulated soap. I cure my soap between two and three months because I prefer the results I get from a long cure time. Handmade soap continues to lose moisture throughout its shelf life so I like to use cotton muslin because it allows the soap t... » Read More

Soapsmith's DOS Experiment

Published: 11-09-2011 02:03pm
Posted In: Handmade Soap Information and Tutorials

Hello friends, Soap makers face a problem called Dreaded Orange Spots, often referred to as DOS. These spots have been widely discussed for decades. As the soap ages, sometimes it developes areas of rusty colored spots. Most people consider them to be a sign of rancidy of the oils. The spots start off as small round dots and will spread throughout the entire bar over time. Dr. Kevin Dunn, known as the caveman chemist, is a professor and a soap maker. He has conducted scientific testing with his students on a number of soap making issues including the study of DOS. I attended a presentation by Dr.... » Read More

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Awarded Artifacts

Charter Artisan

Charter Artisan:

The first Pro members of ArtFire.com become charter members. This artifact represents the artisan's trail blazing nature and commitment to the ArtFire.com artisan community.
Innovator

Innovator:

Almost every day we get suggestions from our artfire.com member artisans on how to make Art Fire better. We listen to every idea for improving the handmade community. While we can’t implement all of them right away, we do try to roll out innovations from our artisans on a regular basis. If an artisan suggests something that we use to improve the sight, they are awarded the innovator artifact. The artisans with this artifact have helped to make artfire.com a better handmade artisan community.
Certified Handmade Artisan

Certified Handmade Artisan:

If you see this artifact you know that the artisan has been through a juried review process and of the items listed in their shop are made by hand by the Artisan. This artifact is the symbol of total commitment to making with your own two hands. That commitment is very special, and it deserves recognition.
Fire Mentor Artisan

Fire Mentor Artisan:

These Artisans are well versed in the process and services of ArtFire. They have agreed to help new artisans and sellers get the most out of ArtFire. If you are stuck and need to ask a quick question, or just want to learn from the best, you should contact a Fire Mentor Artisan. Fire Mentor Artisans are wonderful guides and helpful mentors in our handmade artisan community.
Maven

Maven:

The ArtFire Maven Team helps us grow and prosper as a community and marketplace. Through collaborative promotional efforts, maven exclusive product testing, and regular brainstorming and feedback opportunities, the maven team has helped to shape ArtFire into the vibrant and growing venue it is today.
Guild Artisan

Guild Artisan:

This artifact indicates that the artisan is a member of at least one trade guild. Guilds are a team system within the handmade community that provide for cooperative efforts to learn, teach, compete, and improve the community and the arts.