Depressed? Lather Up With a Bar of Soap!

soaparticle.pdf

Want to see a funny article from 2003? Click on the link and be happy - not depressed.
Have a great weekend!
Ri

Swirls Contest

http://saponifier.com/?p=808

Want to see some amazing soapmakers swirl techniques? Enjoy! What are your favorites?

Abby's Enchanted Cottage

Look for my soap cakes and other soaps in Abby's new location on Upper Front Street in Binghamton in the Cup of Joe building. Lots of bling in there for gift giving. Opening February 12.
Getting ready for Valentine's Day?
Maria

HSMG Featured Me!

Maria Gelnett — Hooked on Soap

Like many Guild members and volunteers, Maria Gelnett’s future as a soapmaker began from a preference for handmade things and curiously attending a soapmaking class. Ten years ago, when she wanted to give creative handmade items to use in gift baskets, Maria decided to attend a local soapmaking class. The process and camaraderie of the class, coupled with the aromatherapy and health benefits of using natural soap, was enough to capture her attention. One decade later, and Maria is still hooked on soap.

Today, Maria and her family own and operate Angelicglow Handcrafted Soaps (www.angelicglow.com) in the Greater Binghamton, NY area. When she is not busy with her utility career and community service, Maria teaches soapmaking classes throughout Upstate New York; and, in a weird twist of fate, she now teaches the very same class she initially took back in 1998, expanding it from introductory to advanced soapmaking classes at three local community colleges.

One of the best resources Maria says she came across as a new soapmaker was the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild, which she learned about through the Central New York Soapmakers Group. For soapmakers just starting out, Maria recommends joining a local soapmaking group, reading books, taking classes, and learning as much as possible before experimenting with soapmaking. And of course, join the HSMG!

Maria joined the HSMG because it provides valuable member benefits, like Certification, and industry-focused information, liability insurance, and the networking that occurs at events like the impressive Annual Conference at which she volunteered as ground crew at Vermont 2008. In July of this year, Maria was appointed to the Board of Directors, and is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Programs & Services Committee.

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Editor’s Note: This blog entry was authored by Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild member Melissa Romano. If you would like to contribute to the HSMG blog, please contact Maria Gelnett - Chair, Programs and Services, at mgelnett@soapguild.org.

Free HSMG Soapmaking Journal

To promote the handcrafted soap industry;
to act as a center of communication among soap makers; and
to circulate information beneficial to soap makers

Interested in a free Journal full of great information on soapmaking and then some. Vendor discounts, passionate stories, great ideas, believe me, alot is put into the HSMG Journal. I work with the dedicated individuals who want you to enjoy, learn and succeed. If you would like a free Journal, just email me your home address at mgelnett@soapguild.org.

Enjoy your no lotion need soap everyday!
Maria

Looking for Fresh or Frozen Goat's Milk

Hey Everyone,
Want to barter for soap supplies? I've lost my contact for goat's milk to be used in classes. The powder or concentrate Meyenburg brand works too but just prefer the fresh. Remember what goat's milk is good for:

Goat milk contains caprylic acid, which promotes a low ph to your bar of soap, and offers gentleness to even the most delicate skin. It brings a creamy, moisturizing feel to the skin.

Keep on soaping!
Maria

Master class on Sunday, February 8

Putting together a Master class on Sunday, February 8.

It includes:

Natural colorants
Marbling
Layering
Soap cakes
Enrichiched whip
Discounting

Got a favorite wine or beer. Yep - it makes a great soap with the vegetarian recipe.

Stay soapy!
Maria

Class Openings

Classes almost every Sunday through February 15. Make your sweetheart some Valentine Soaps. New fragrances are here: Mocha, Raspberry, Nag Champa and more. Sundays, 1-4 pm in my home at Chenango Forks. It's dry skin season and time to get glycerin rich soap on your skin.
Maria

pH Testing of Your Soap

Submitted by fellow soapmaker, Karen:

Testing the pH of your soap is very simple. You need to use a wide range pH strip, which is nothing more than a very small strip of paper that changes color when exposed to an acid or a base. The strips come with a color chart that you compare the color of the strip to which is how you determine what the pH of the soap you are testing is. They can be purchased from:

http://sciencekit.com/wide-range-ph-test-strips/p/IG0024657/

These strips will test a wide range from 1 to 14 which is what you need for testing soap. The strips are very inexpensive, $1.50 per vial of 100. They can probably be purchased from some soapmaking suppliers well. Test your soap pH when just removing it from the mold. Wearing gloves, moisten the soap with water (distilled water is good but not necessary) and rub it into a thin liquid paste into which you dip the pH test strip. Compare the color of the pH strip to the color chart that comes with the strips to determine the approximate pH of the soap. Ideally the soap will test in a range between 7 and 10 and can be handled with no problem. If the soap tests above 10, just let it set for a few days and test it again. By then it is usually fine. Readings above 12 are reportedly not safe for handling or using, but will often gradually decrease to within a usable range over time.