...and these are just some of the reasons to buy handmade...

This is a post by one of my old dance students, Bec. She reminds us about just some of the reasons why we should buy handmade.

Kayla

The Procastatrix - Why Handmade?

Online Resources

This post is for online resources and will be added to as I locate information. This post is not on the actual 'how to' make soap, but more towards information that surrounds the process of soap making and selling.

How to Create Batch Numbers
Good Manufacturing Practices

How Much Oil Do You Need for Your Mould
Calculating Oils for Mould

Registration Requirements - Australia ONLY
NICNAS

Soap Makers Guild - Insurance valid only within USA and possibly Canada
Soap Makers Guild

Soap Makers Magazine
Saponifier Magazine

Free E-Book Resources

There are a LOT of free resources out there. One of the best I have discovered of late for free e-books has been for Kindle books on Amazon. Yes, it does take a while to sort through and come up with the combinations to find related and relevant books, but when you are getting books for nix, I am not complaining!

These book only seem to be free for a short period of time (about a week or so), so if you see one, grab it and pass the link on! As of today, and I have been hunting around for about a week on Amazon, I have almost 30 Kindle books relating to soap making, essential oils, aromatherapy and natural beauty recipes.

You do NOT need an actual Kindle device, you can download Kindle Reader apps for iPad, iPhone/iPod and Android devices from Amazon. They may also even have readers for PC's and iMacs so in theory, you could print out the book.

I don't recommend going on a daily searching spree, but once or twice a week is good. Now stop reading my blog (for now) and get going over to Amazon!

Recommended keywords: soap, soapmaking, essential oil, aromatherapy bath, spa, scrub, skincare, skin care, beauty... Change the sort from "low to high".

Australian Suppliers List

This is a list of suppliers that I hunted up over the first 10 pages of a Google search. I am in NO WAY being paid, getting discounts or free/subsidised merchandise from any of these companies to promote their business. The aim of this post is to purely put resources on one page...

Simply Natural Soapmaking Supplies

Aussie Soap Supplies

Candle Supply

eBotaniq

Tanah

Buckley & Philips

Australian Wholesale Oils

My Mica Obsession

The Sticker Studio

Robyn's Soap House

N-Essentials

Heirloom Bodycare

Sydney Essential Oil Co.

Aquasapone

Southern Skies Soap Supplies

Big Tree Supplies

Green Living Australia

Pack My Product

Pure Destiny

Aroma Queen

Aromatherapy Supplies Australia

Hawbay

Auroma

Glasshouse Handmade Products

Escentials of Australia

Nizzy Moulds

New Directions

Nature's Mix

Eroma - formerly Natural Candle Supply

Aussie Candle Supplies

Essential Oils and Soap

Bath Bomb World

Bits n Pieces

Yep, it has been a little while. My soaps have been cut and curing and are now being used! Loving them madly.

My other half has banned me from starting up soapmaking until we move. Fair enough, but I am itching like crazy to make up some more but with what? I have gone on a small binge and bought some utensils, measuring jugs, gloves, glasses but still need all the other essentials like mould, cutter, oils, lye, butters, essential oils...yeah you get the drift!

With the help of friends, I am hoping to move before my birthday, that is my goal. Hands up if you want to volunteer!

Houston, We Have SOAP!

After a very painful 24 hours of waiting, my first ever soaps have been cut and are now drying in of all places, the bathroom window! My new soaps join my purchased handmade soap, where it resides after my daily rituals.

I now present to you, my soaps!

Orange, Ginger and Poppyseed

Australian Pink Clay and Lemon Myrtle

This turned out a little dryish and cracked instead of cutting.

Goats Milk Soap with Lavender and Patchouli

Honey, Almond Meal and Cinnamon with Patchouli EO

The (dirty) bathroom window ledge

Remington & Emmett - Beginner Soap Making Class

Today was my first experience at soap making. It was under the watchful guide of Cheryl and Nicki from Remmington & Emmett. We produced four batches of soap, chatted a lot with other wonderful students, some of which had driven down fromTaree just for the day.

We were given full instructions along with a booklet plus a wealth of knowledge from both wonderful ladies. Four fantastic soaps are now brewing and tomorrow will be cut and left to cure.

Lunch was a lovely vegan 'pasta'. Spiral cut home grown zucchini and carrot along with a yummy sauce made with dates, miso, tomatoes and a few other secret ingredients. The veggies looked like pasta and we all agreed it was a great way to trick kids into eating their veggies!

Angus the rooster made an appearance and it didn't take long for me to chase up the other chooks and the two Shetland ponies.

Back to soaping and the last two soaps batches of the day were made. Goats milk is certainly a challenge and mine is currently in the fridge cooling off. It was quite surprising to feel actually how hot these little boxes of smelly wonderness actually get.

Our surroundings were amazing and certainly gave us a homely and comforting bliss to enjoy our first adventures into soap making. A few of us will certainly be back for round two, to pick brains and have a great day.

Bring your men folk as this is not just a women's thing!  Book yourself and a friend in, it is seriously one fun day!

sydneysoapmaking.com