Reopening on Saturday, January 23, 2021!

Closed Wednesday, January 13 through Friday, January 22 as a COVID-19 precaution.

A student from the 1/10/2021 Soapmaking 101 class has tested positive for COVID-19. The student currently has no symptoms and infection may have occurred after the class. Regardless, we are obligated to acknowledge the possibility of exposure. As a precautionary measure, the Soapmaking Studio will be closed for 10 days. The Soapmaking Studio will reopen on Saturday, January 23. While closed, we will still answer the phone and ship items purchased online. If you have any questions, please call the Soapmaking Studio: (619) 668-1435.

Closed Tuesdays, Thursdays, and holidays.

Additional Closures:

Monday, January 18, 2021 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
Monday, February 15, 2021 (Presidents' Day)
Wednesday, March 31, 2021—close at 2:00 pm (Antibacterial Soap Live Q&A with Kerri Mixon)

Coronavirus Policies

We Care About Customers' and Students' Health

We care about the health and safety of our customers and students. In accordance with https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/, which forbids gatherings without safety modifications, the Soapmaking Studio classes have undergone temporarily modifications to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults and people with severe underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By attending a Soapmaking Studio class you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. Please familiarize yourself with our Temporary Modifications to Classes. Our online store remains open and compliant with San Diego County Health Orders, including the public posting of our Social Distancing and Sanitation Protocol and Safe Reopening Plan.

Order online or call during business hours to place and pay for your order and shipping. If you have any questions, please telephone the Soapmaking Studio: (619) 668-1435.

Forming a Legal Business Entity to Sell Soap

Sunday, January 24, 2021, at the Soapmaking Studio

Start a Business to Sell Soap and Cosmetics!

Come learn the proper steps to starting your own business in Soap Business 320, Forming a Legal Business Entity to Sell Soap. This 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. Attend in person or online. Register for Soap Business 320.

Packaging and Shipping Soap Worldwide

Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the Soapmaking Studio

Ship Handmade Soap Faster, Cheaper, and Safer!

Soap Business 340 presents students with information necessary to successfully ship soap domestically and internationally. Students learn how to package soap to prevent dents and damage, how to use biodegradable shipping materials, how to meet United States Customs requirements for shipping commodities internationally, the fastest shipping methods, and how to get discounted shipping rates, including discounts on US postage. Also, learn to ensure successful deliveries by verifying recipient addresses in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. Students are invited to bring recipient address information and finished labeled bars of soap that are ready to be shipped, in order to correctly pack and secure the soap for shipping during the class. During the class, if time permits, students may purchase a shipping label and schedule a carrier pickup. Register for Soap Business 340. Attend in person.

Web Design and Internet Commerce

Sunday, January 31, 2021 at the Soapmaking Studio

Sell Soap and Cosmetics on the Internet and Improve Search Engine Rankings to Increase Sales!

For an inspiring Sunday afternoon: Soap Business 350 is designed for both students who currently have confusing or low-performing websites and for students who do not have websites. In this understandable and thorough class, learn about domain names and hosting packages. Also, learn to create your own website for free, optimize keywords, rank high on search engines, and verify your site code is valid. Finally, setup PayPal payment buttons and start selling on the Internet. Minimize your expenses and maximize profit in Soap Business 350. Attend in person.

Bath Bomb Class

Sunday, February 7, 2021, at the Soapmaking Studio

Learn the Chemistry and Techniques to Make Bath Bombs without 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. Also, learn to make greywater-safe bath bombs without oil or sodium-based salts, which can kill plants when introduced into greywater systems. Students take home bath treats made in class. Attend in person or online. Register for Bath Bomb Class.

Lotion Making Science

Sunday, February 14, 2021, at the Soapmaking Studio

Understand How to Make Perfect Lotions, Creams, and Other Emulsions!

In this beginning-through-advanced Lotion Making Science class, take a scientific, hands-on approach to learning different methods and techniques for making lotion. Students learn to make small, test batches of lotion and how to increase the recipe to make larger batches. Gain confidence by learning how a batch of lotion that has separated or gone wrong can always be salvaged. Understand the importance of emulsifiers and emulsification systems: what they are and how they work. Perform scientific test experiments to prove whether or not common lotion ingredients (such as lecithin, polysorbate, and stearic acid) act as emulsifiers. In this Lotion Making Science class, students compare four (4) different emulsifiers in performance challenges to determine which emulsifiers cause soaping (white streaks during application), which emulsifiers are better for the face (non-comedogenic), which emulsifiers are water miscible (and better for use in hair conditioner), and which emulsifiers are considered natural ingredients (and widely accepted by modern consumers). This class also briefly covers labeling requirements, preservatives, and professional lab testing. Students make lotion in class and receive four (4) different lotions to take home. Attend in person or online. Register for Lotion Making Science class.

Beginning Cold Process Soapmaking

Sunday, February 21, 2021, 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.

Soapmakers' Luncheon

Sunday, April 11, 2021, at Marie Callender's Restaurant

Network with Southern California Soap and Cosmetic Crafters!

This luncheon is open to all soapmakers and makers of personal care products, whether professional or novice, whether cold/hot process method or "melt and pour." The Soapmakers' Luncheon is open to the public and attendance is free, just pay for anything you order from the menu. Our friendly soap meetup group is casual and provides a means of networking with local soapy artisans. Attend this creative handmade soaps and DIY bodycare meetup group luncheon at any level: Professional soapmaker, hobbyist soaper, or beginning crafter. The soap lunch venue is Marie Callender's restaurant on Alvarado Road in San Diego at 2:00 pm. Map & Directions. View the Soapmakers' Luncheon Agenda.

Marie Callender's Restaurant
6950 Alvarado Rd
San Diego, CA 92120

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, January 10, 2021! The next Soapmaking 210 Advanced Cold/Hot Process Soapmaking will be Sunday, March 28, 2021. 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 Standard Shipping or free Store Pickup.
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.