Soap Making Boot Camp ~ 2-Day Weekend Intensive ~with Lori Nova & David Critchfield ~

This unique 2-day intensive soap making workshop covers 4 individual classes (and then some) on making natural soap from scratch. Day 1 will start with the basic prerequisite Cold Process / CP 101 Soap Class, taught by Lori Nova, which covers all the basics and more that you need to know to make soap from scratch; a little history and chemistry, necessary equipment and ingredients, lye safety, tested essential oil scent combinations, using herbs and clays for color and/or texture, and using cosmetic-grade pigments..

After a 1-hour lunch break (bring a brown bag lunch or dine at one of the local restaurants with the other students), we'll have a brand new class, Cold Process Part II (or CP 201) which will cover more intermediate detailed information about CP soap like intermediate design techniques that rival any commercial soaps you see in stores, including how to make layers, embed soap, and swirling to impress. (See Lori Nova's award winning swirled CP soaps here.) The CP 201 class also includes more recipe ideas and scent combinations, how to use an on-line lye calculator if you need to change the recipe and getting you more comfortable with choosing oils & making your own recipes.

Day 2 begins with Lori's Crockpot Hot Process (HP) Soap Making Class. HP is another method of making soap completely from scratch. It differs from the CP method in that heat is applied to complete the saponification process before the soap goes into the mold. The result is a fantastic bar of soap, very similar to what you get with the CP method, with one big benefit; the soap is ready to use immediately (although it's a good idea to allow the soap to dry out for up for at least 1-2 weeks). There are several additional considerations when it comes to coloring and scenting HP soap versus CP soap (like HP soap usually only needs half the amount of scent, so you'll save money there). We'll discuss the pros and cons of both methods so you can decide which is best for you.

The second half of Day 2 (after a 1-hour lunch break) will be taught by soapmaker savant David Critchfield. David has been teaching his world famous Big Batch / Production CP Soap Class at The Nova Studio for a few years now, and his class is always a big hit. It's a *must take* for anyone in, or considering going into, the soap business. While demonstrating his budget method for making batches of 100 bars at a time, he freely offers tips, tricks, and practical advice about selling soap as a business. His willingness to share this valuable information is worth the price of the boot camp alone.

Other than the materials fee (which is due in cash on the first day of class), you don't need to bring anything with you. You will take home thorough handouts, which include tested recipes & instructions and 4 amazing bars of handmade soap. Soap Intensive students also receive a personalized frame-worthy certificate of completion.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Since this is different than our one-day classes, the CANCELLATION POLICY is as follows: If you need to cancel *for any reason* let us know as soon as possible. If we CAN fill your space (assuming the class is full), you will receive a refund of your payment minus a $100 non-refundable deposit. If we cannot fill your space, unfortunately there will be no refund OR future class credit given. If you cannot make the workshop, you have the option of sending someone else in your place, just let us know.

ABOUT THE TEACHERS:
Lori Nova is the owner of The Nova Studio and David Critchfield is the owner of Mission Peak Soap Products. Lori & David have each been teaching soap making classes for about 5 years. In early 2006 they joined forces and designed the wildly popular 2-day Intensive Soap Making Boot Camp. Both Lori and David are proud and active members of The Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild.

$325 (plus $35 materials fee)