Our Soapmaking Supply Store is Open and Classes are in Session!

Our physical store location is open and classes have resumed. Check the Soapmaking Studio hours. View the schedule of classes.

Additional Closures:

Sunday, May 9, 2021—closed (Mother's Day)
Monday, May 31, 2021—closed (Memorial Day)

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 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.

Our store offers free pre-paid carry out service for those who wish to remain in their vehicles. Simply choose "store pickup" during online checkout 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, May 2, 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.

Water Substitution in Soapmaking

Sunday, May 23, 2021, at the Soapmaking Studio

Springtime Special Edition Class with Puréed Berries and Goat Milk to Replace the Water in Soap Cupcakes!

In this special version of Soapmaking 225, learn to make the wildly popular soap cupcakes! In the class, we will use puréed Berries for the cake portion and goat milk for the frosted tops of the cupcakes. Students 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 two different batches of soap: Puréed berry soap for the bottom cake portion and goat milk soap for the top frosting portion of the soap cupcakes. Attend in person or online.

Cultivating, Drying, and Adding Herbs to Soap

Saturday, May 29, 2021, at the Soapmaking Studio

Grow Herbs and Plants for Your Own Local Area to Use in Soap!

Soap Garden 224 covers how to select appropriate plants for your area, including growing in containers versus in the ground. Learn which plants do best in soap and how to prepare them. This class includes a mini field trip through the Soapmaking Studio's aromatic plant garden. Students will learn to prepare dried lavender and other herbs for use in cooking and in soap. Students receive fresh herbs. Register for Soap Garden 224.

Coloring and Scenting Soap

Sunday, May 30, 2021, at the Soapmaking Studio

Learn How to Distill Essential Oils and Learn Advanced Soap Coloring Techniques

Come 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 set up during the class so students can see how essential oils and hydrosols are distilled from plants. Students will be taught how to distill essential oils from plants using a large pot with an inverted lid. Learn how to calculate the maximum allowable fragrance content per the IFRA and review FDA findings for soap and cosmetic colorants. This class also features a demonstration of a popular advanced soap swirling technique. Attend in person or online. Register for Soapmaking 220.

Aromatherapy Natural Perfume Class

Sunday, June 6, 2021, at the Soapmaking Studio

Make Aromatherapeutic Perfume from Essential Oils and Take Them Home!

In Aromatherapy Natural Perfume Class, learn the basics of aromatherapy and natural perfumery. Unveil the secrets of blending essential oils by using scent categories and fragrance notes. Design custom fragrances from essential oils aromatherapeutically created to inspire specific emotions and memory triggers. Learn the different techniques for blending perfumes in a base of natural grain alcohol, in a base of jojoba oil, and in a base of cyclomethicone. Create your own natural essential oil perfumes in the class and take them home. Register for Aromatherapy Natural Perfume Class.

Bath Bomb Class

Sunday, June 13, 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.

Mask Making Class

Sunday, June 27, 2021, at the Soapmaking Studio

Come Have Fun Creating Clay Masks, Fruit Peels, and Other Facials!

Learn how to formulate effective spa-quality facial treatment masks. In this Mask Making Class, learn the importance of natural chemical exfoliators. Understand how alpha and beta hydroxy acids naturally exfoliate skin without scratching and learn why exfoliation is essential for minimizing wrinkles and pigmentation. The lecture includes a complete review of the function of healthy skin and what to expect from masks containing clays or fruit acids. Also learn how to preserve, package, and label mask products for resale. During the lab portion of the class, students make 3 different masks containing clay and spirulina, puréed pumpkin and natural fruit acids, and collagen peptides with niacinamide to take home. Attend in person or online. Register for Mask Making Class.

Beginning Cold Process Soapmaking

Sunday, July 11, 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.

Intermediate Gel Soapmaking

Sunday, July 18, 2021 at the Soapmaking Studio

Make Thick Gel Soap for Antibacterial Hand Soap or Rich Shower Gel!

Soapmaking 216 is an intermediate-level soapmaking class to teach students to make gel soap using the hot process soapmaking method. Gel soap is thicker than liquid soap and requires different ingredients to prevent a film or skin from forming on top of gel soap. Unlike liquid soap, which must be dispensed from a foam pump, gel soap is easily dispensed from any pump bottle. Gel soap may be used as shower gel, body wash, face soap, hand soap, or bubble bath. This class includes information on a simple FDA-approved ingredient for making antibacterial gel soap. Each student receives a bottle of gel soap made during the class. Attend in person or online. Register for Soapmaking 216.

Soapmakers' Luncheon

Sunday, October 10, 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, July 11, 2021! The next Soapmaking 210 Advanced Cold/Hot Process Soapmaking will be Sunday, August 29, 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.