Welcome Soapmakers and Cosmetics Crafters!

The Soapmaking Studio homepage lists upcoming San Diego and southern California soapmaking events; for a complete list, view the schedule. Check the Soapmaking Studio hours.

Closed Tuesdays and September 4, 2017 for the Labor Day holiday.

Bath Bomb Class

July 30 at the Soapmaking Studio

Learn how to Make Bath Bombs without Greasy Oil!

Learn how to create active treats for the tub. Students learn the secrets of making exceptional bath bombs, bath fizzy tablets, and bath salts. While most easy recipes include the simple process of creating bath fizzies using saturated fats as a sealer to prevent reaction to air, this Bath Bomb Class includes the advanced technique necessary to create bath fizzies without oils, so they won't leave a dangerously greasy bathtub the way oils do. The class also includes an exposé on clean water-soluble colorants versus water-dispersible colorants that may leave a gritty coating inside the bathtub. Students take home bath treats made in class. Register for Bath Bomb Class.

Heart ♥ Attack Weekend

August 11 - 13 at the Soapmaking Studio

One spectacular weekend crammed so full of soapmaking classes and business classes, it may give you a heart attack!

Friday, August 11:

♥ Soapmaking 101 (Beginning Cold Process Soapmaking) at noon.

Saturday, August 12:

♥ Soap Business 320 (Forming a Legal Business Entity to Sell Soap) at 10:00 am.

♥ Soapmaking 220 (Coloring and Scenting Soap) at 1:30 pm.

Sunday, August 13:

♥ Soapmaking 210 (Advanced Cold/Hot Process Soapmaking) at 10:00 am.

♥ Soapmaking 225 (Water Substitution in Soapmaking) at 2:30 pm.

View the schedule for more details. To better plan your trip to the Soapmaking Studio, refer to the location page for hotels and weather.

♥ Soap Labeling and Marketing & ♥ Coloring and Scenting Soap

August 12 at the Soapmaking Studio

♥ Soap Labeling and Marketing

Two classes in one day! First, learn the grizzly details of the new 2015 soap labeling laws and learn how to label your soaps to meet the labeling requirements of the five government agencies that regulate soap labels. Soap Business 330 is an intermediate business class that covers the federal and local regulations for labeling soap. Students learn to distinguish soap from cosmetics or drugs and their appropriate labeling laws. This class also presents several inexpensive and effective marketing tips to promote the sale of handmade soap. Students are encouraged to bring a sample soap label for discussion and critique during the class.

♥ Coloring and Scenting Soap

In the afternoon, learn which colorants and scents are safe for use in soap and learn how to add them to cold process soap. An essential oil distilling unit will be running during the class so students can see how essential oils are distilled from plants. The class also includes instructions on how students can easily distill their own essential oils at home using a spaghetti pot in place of a still. Learn how to calculate maximum allowable fragrance content and review FDA findings for soap and cosmetic colorants. This class also features a demonstration of a popular advanced soap swirling technique. Register for Soapmaking 220.

♥ Advanced Cold/Hot Process Soapmaking & ♥ Water Substitution in Soapmaking

August 13 at the Soapmaking Studio

♥ Advanced Cold/Hot Process Soapmaking

Two classes in one day! In the morning, learn which oils have similar fatty acid profiles and can be substituted for one another, what types of lather come from which soapmaking oils, how to correctly use antioxidants (such as ROE or vitamin E), how handmade soap differs from commercial soap chemically, and some basic soapmaking chemistry in the popular Soapmaking 210 class. Each student receives five small bars of soap: One of olive oil, one of coconut oil, one of palm oil, one of meadowfoam seed oil, and one of castor oil, so the student will be able to understand and appreciate the qualities of each type of oil when used in soap.

♥ Water Substitution in Soapmaking

In the afternoon Soapmaking 225 class, learn the tricks and special techniques to substituting the water portion of cold process soap with goat milk, heavy cream, yogurt, buttermilk, fresh juices, wine, spirits, and of course beer. During this Soapmaking 225 class, we will make a deliciously tempting spiced apple cupcake soap with goat milk frosting.

Forming a Legal Business Entity and Shrink Wrapping Soap

August 27 at the Soapmaking Studio

Forming a Legal Business Entity to Sell Soap

Two classes in one day! Come learn the proper steps to starting your own business in Soap Business 320, Forming a Legal Business Entity to Sell Soap. The morning business class focuses on the necessary licenses and permits required to sell soap and handmade cosmetic items, as well as product liability insurance available to soapmakers. It also covers how to choose an effective business name and how a company's name directly affects search engine rankings. Register for Soap Business 320.

Shrink Wrapping Soap

Later the same day, learn to shrink wrap soap effectively and affordably in Soap Business 335 Shrink Wrapping Soap. There is a specific plastic film for cold process soap, a different film for melt and pour soap, and a different shrink film that is biodegradable. Come learn how to use all of them. Register for Soap Business 335.

Beginning Cold Process Soapmaking

September 10 at the Soapmaking Studio

Learn How to Make Cold Process Soap with No Cure Time!

Soapmaking 101 is a beginning-level soapmaking class designed to teach students to make soap by hand at home. The main focus of this class is the "cold process" soapmaking method; although the class does briefly describe "melt & pour" soap crafting. After learning soapmaking safety, students learn to formulate soap recipes and calculate lye quantities without using a "lye calculator." The objective of Soapmaking 101 is to have students understand saponification values and be comfortable creating their own soap recipes at home. Students make cold process soap during the class session and take home a bar.

This class is also available online: Description of Online Soapmaking 101.

Soapmaking Classes

Soapmaking Classes are Fun, Understandable, and Affordable!

Learn how to make soap at the Soapmaking Studio in San Diego County, California!

Soapmaking 101 Beginning Cold Process Soapmaking has been a huge success and fills weeks in advance; the next class will be Sunday, July 2, 2017! The next Soapmaking 210 Advanced Cold/Hot Process Soapmaking will be Sunday, August 13, 2017. Soap Garden 224 Cultivating, Drying, and Adding Herbs to Soap and Soapmaking 220 Coloring and Scenting Soap are both available and open for registration. Our popular Soapmaking Supplies are now available for shipping.
Please check back because classes are added and website sections are updated on a regular basis. Email info@soapmakingstudio.com with any questions.

View soapmaking classes, the schedule, or store hours.

Classes are held at a private home occupied by a pet cat. If you are allergic to cats, please contact info@soapmakingstudio.com prior to enrolling in a class.