I think for all of us, our very first batch/bar of soap will always be a wonder - a work of art for us. We're amazed that we could combine this lye and these oils and come out with soap - real soap. But there are some soap makers who take their soap making craft to higher levels - making a real art out of their creations - for all of us. For some "art" is embodied in the inspiration behind the soap, for others it's in the why they make the soap, for others it's in the design or packaging of the soap. Author and proprietor of Soapylove Debbie Chialtas has collected 24 soap makers' stories in her book "The Art of Soap" - and whatever sort of soap maker you are, I promise that you'll find some kindred spirits in this book. Page after page I kept reading of other soap makers who had said and felt the same things that I had as I started making soap. I'm sure you will too.

More About The Art of Soap

The Art of Soap - When Does Soapmaking Become More than Just a Craft? originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 17:40:08.

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I made a batch of cold process shaving soap today. (You can make melt and pour shaving soap too...) Before I made the soap though, I was looking at various shaving mugs to pour the soap into. I love to have a set of mugs ready and then just pour half of the fresh soap into the mugs - and half of the soap into a 3" PVC tube to use as "refills". Imagine my delight when I found a whole gallery of various historical antique shaving mugs featured on my friend and colleague Pamela Wiggins' Antiques site here on About.com. (I must admit, the batch of soap was delayed for an hour or so while I looked at shaving mugs, vintage valentine cards and Christmas collectibles.) I've always said that packaging and presentation can make or break a soap - at least from a retail sense - so why not dress up your shaving soap in a marvelous mug?

Special Shaving Mugs for Special Shaving Soap originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 00:05:50.

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In all the years I've made and sold soap, the most popular of all time have been these Layered Melt and Pour Valentine's Day Soaps. No matter what exotic ingredients I may have used, or what complex essential oil blend I created...these were still the most popular.  It probably has to do something with the funny text, the bright colors, the fun Valentines Day fragrances, that just delighted folks. They're really easy to make...and if you use a high quality melt and pour soap base, they can be just as good (well...almost just as good) as your "from scratch" soaps. And you'll be certain to delight your family, friends, spouses, significant others - or customers with them.

• Valentines Day Soap Projects

Melt and Pour Soaps for Valentines Day originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Thursday, January 26th, 2012 at 23:22:39.

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If you've been feeling a bit mighty and magnificent lately...if your confidence and enterprising energy have been burning brightly...if you've got a passionate fire in your heart...then you might just be ready for the Chinese Year of the Dragon. Feisty and gifted, full of energy and self-reliance, the Dragon is one of the most magical of the Chinese Zodiac symbols - and I've created some essential oil blends inspired by this Dragon energy.

Essential Oils inspired by the Year of the Dragon

Custom Essential Oil Blends Inspired by the Chinese Year of the Dragon originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 at 23:15:52.

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Some Wild Candles! originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 at 01:34:36.

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Most of us in the Northern Hemisphere are in the middle of some really cold January weather. I debated whether to feature the Peppermint Ice Soap project, or the Ice Candles. The Ice Candles won. At least the candles will add a bit of "warmth" to the house. But take your pick. Grab some of that January ice and enjoy. Maybe next week, I'll make snowball candles...

Icy Soap and Candle Projects originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Monday, January 16th, 2012 at 22:00:20.

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The new year usually brings a desire to try some new recipes...or to try some ingredients I haven't tried in a while. Well this past weekend, it was clay...not the kind you make cups or pots out of, but the kind you make soap with. I've used clays in shaving soap recipes but clay is a wonderful additive for every day soap too. The first time I made soap with clay, I couldn't pick just one though, I ended up making four batches using kaolin, bentonite, rose and rhassoul clays. I cut the normal size bars in four pieces, and then assembled a full "bar" of the four different varieties. They came out wonderful! I love the silky creaminess of the soaps...and the super clean feeling they leave. Try out one of the clays featured in my Clay Soap Sampler recipe.

Adding Natural Clays to Your Soap Recipes originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Friday, January 13th, 2012 at 00:38:08.

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Over the years, as candle and soap makers, we accumulate a lot of stuff - ingredients, tools, molds, colors, print outs, idea files, examples. Some of it we use, some of it gets stored away for a great "some day." Well whether you use it every week, or once a year, it's important that your soap and candle making supplies are well organized and well cared for. Some ingredients expire - and a tool is no good to you if you forget that you have it, or can't find it when you need it. Here is an updated list of some very useful resources and articles I've found - my Top Articles to Help You Get Your Craft Room More Organized!

Getting Organized for the New Year originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Monday, January 2nd, 2012 at 22:36:11.

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