two-day course

make your own natural soaps

venue: Windmill Hill City Farm, Bristol

Learn to make your own soaps, and have total control over the pure, fresh, natural ingredients that go into them. If you love herbs, spices and mixing up concoctions in your kitchen then you will love soapmaking. It’s a fascinating and rewarding process, and quite addictive once you get started.

The course is run by professional soap-maker Maxine Clarke of Caribbean Paradise Soap Studio, and covers both hot and cold-process soapmaking and re-batching, providing a step-by-step guide to making your own natural soaps using wholesome raw materials and some basic equipment found in your kitchen. There will be discussions and demonstrations on using and adding colours, botanicals, bases and essential oils.

Everyone will have the opportunity to make two batches of soap that they can take home to cure and use. By the end of the two days you will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to craft beautiful soothing soaps to meet your own needs.

The course covers:

  • health & safety
  • base ingredients & equipment
  • blending essential oils for fragrance and therapeutic value
  • techniques to add colour and interest
  • practical soapmaking exercises
  • moulding, cutting and packaging soaps
  • creating and personalising your own soap formulations

more on natural soaps


how to book:
  

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arrive:
  
for a 10am prompt start each day
depart:
  
after the course finishes each day at 5pm
directions:
  
click here for a map and directions to Windmill Hill City Farm
what to bring:
  
work clothes; pen and notebook; packed lunch (if you're not using the cafe)
let us know:
  
if you have any special needs
price:
  
£130 (includes £10 for materials for products to take home)
Refundable up to two weeks prior to course (minus £30 admin fee)
No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of course
lunch:
  
bring a packed lunch each day, or you can get lunch at the cafe
car sharing:
  
visit our car sharing forum to offer or request a lift
 

 

 

 


a range of natural soaps that Maxine will show you how to make

 

 

 

 


 

 


Maxine hand-cutting a block of soap for a professional finish

 

 

 


 

 

 


some ingredients waiting to be added to re-batch soaps: cinnamon leaves, paprika, turmeric, tarragon, cayenne pepper, coconut and parsley