The July/August 2014 issue of the Saponifier magazine is out!

This time, articles go well beyond the “usual” soap- and candle-making topics, to delve into the fascinating topic of handmade colour cosmetics. With a thoroughly revealing interview to Rebecca Midkiff of DYI Cosmetics and a step-by-step guide by Erica D. Continue reading The July/August 2014 issue of the Saponifier magazine is out!

Update on Kathy Neudorf’s Natural Soap Art

Kathy Neudorf’s Wild Woman Natural Skincare and her Natural Soap Art feature in the current issue of the Saponifier Magazine, together with other fantastic soap design suggestions: Transforming soap with the Embedding Technique, by Ruth Esteves Miss Betty’s avocado soap, by Cindee Smith Continue reading Update on Kathy Neudorf’s Natural Soap Art

Robert Tisserand on Essential Oil Safety

Robert Tisserand is a world-recognised expert on essential oils and aromatherapy. He has written several books on these topics and is active as an author, educator, speaker and supplier of aromatherapy products. Robert’s Essential Oil Safety book, first published in Continue reading Robert Tisserand on Essential Oil Safety

Wild Woman’s “as natural as possible” handmade soap: Part 3

(continues from Wild Woman’s “as natural as possible” handmade soap: Part 2) Q12. Any notable people, books or Websites about handmade soap you would like to mention? I learned to make soap from The Handmade Soap Book, by Melinda Coss. It Continue reading Wild Woman’s “as natural as possible” handmade soap: Part 3

The best of Patrizia and Marina’s soap kitchen just released

After years of extensive experiments with a huge range of soap formulas, Patrizia Garzena and Marina Tadiello have opened their soap kitchens to share the very best of their most successful achievements. In their new book “The Natural Soapmaking Cookbook“, Continue reading The best of Patrizia and Marina’s soap kitchen just released

Alison Part 3: Soapmaking as a business to promote positive change

Alison’s interview continues from Alison Part 2: Perfecting handmade soap… when few knew how to do it! 10. What do you like most about making soap as a job and what do you like less? I love the independence! And the Continue reading Alison Part 3: Soapmaking as a business to promote positive change

Alison Part 2: Perfecting handmade soap… when few knew how to do it!

Alison’s interview continues from Part 1: Pioneering handmade soapmaking in tropical Western Australia 5. Can you remember and would you describe your “perfect” batch and/or your “monster” batch? The monster batch is easy. There were two. The first was very Continue reading Alison Part 2: Perfecting handmade soap… when few knew how to do it!

Alison Part 1: Pioneering handmade soapmaking in tropical Western Australia

When I first came into contact with Alison, handmade soapmaking as a business was virtually unheard of in Australia. We are talking of the last millennium here: this was when, with the exception of maybe one other well-established business, Aussie Continue reading Alison Part 1: Pioneering handmade soapmaking in tropical Western Australia