Calling all cold process soapmakers! Are you tired of the same old, same old soap techniques? Would you like to put some pizazz in your soap creations? Then sign up for a new class at The Nova Studio (http://www.thenovastudio.com/) called Advanced CP Soap Designs in Loaf Molds with Ruth Esteves.
In this day long class, you will learn design techniques concentrating on the loaf mold rather than a slab mold. The techniques covered in this class are color layering (vertical and diagonal), color swirling (In the Pot and Funnel Swirls), embedding soap shapes and adding texture to the top of a bar of soap.
Originally, I started out as a Melt and Pour soapmaker, but recently have started dabbling in the cold process method by taking Lori's CP 101 Cold Process Soapmaking class in November 2007, CP 201 Layers and Swirling in January 2008 and Hot Process Soap Making (Crock Pot Method) in August 2008.
What really interested me in this class was the funnel swirls technique and the embedded soap shapes. As a melt and pour soap maker, I use alot of embedded soap shapes in my single bars and recently have started to make soap loaves. So I wanted to see how difficult this technique would be in the cold process method. Actually it was not that difficult transition there are some slight adjustments or modifications to the process. What was really great was that students got to help make some soap shapes embeds from a previously made soap brought in by Ruth.
To be honest, I really had fun assisting Ruth on the funnel swirl soap. This process was actually a two person job which I was more than happy to volunteer (I am sure with practice that someone probably can do this by themselves). When I sawthat this technique was going to be covered, I actually went online to do a search. I did find some instructions on this process, but is really nice to see it up close and personal. Out of all of the techniques I would say that the diagonal layer would probably be most difficult out of all of them. But, I would say that
someone could master it in no time.
What was really great to learn is that there is a wooden mold on the market that you can purchase that has a silicone liner. This is really great because it really saves a lot of time and patience of having to line your wooden mold with freezer paper. Also, it gives you smooth bars.
Overall, I really enjoyed the class and learned a great deal. Plus it was great to meet a variety of different soap makers in the class. The day I took the class there were only 10 student in addition to Lori being there. Which was a great number of students because everyone got to see and actually got to ask a lot of questions. The handouts were outstanding and Ruth went out of her way to send each student via email color photos of the soap in the handout. Although soap will be made in the class, you will not get to take the soap home with you that day. Ruth will cut the soap when it is ready and mail to the address you give her in class.
One of the students by the name of Lulu, who also happens to teach soap making in Southern CA, was really interesting to talk to. Since I also teach classes it was nice to compare and exchanges stories and ideas on the ride from The Nova Studio to Richmond Bart station until she had to get off at the Oakland Coliseum.
I would highly recommend this class to anyone who wants to take their CP soaps to the next level or wants to create new soaps to sell. If you are interested in this class, check out The Nova Studio's calender to see when it is offered next. Fair warning, you must have previously taken CP 101 class or the the boot camp prior to taking this class because making the soap recipe will not be covered. If you have previous CP experience but not taken the CP 101 class at The Nova Studio, I would call the studio and check with Lori prior to signing up for the class.
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