Soapmaking Book – Review and Giveaway
Check out this cute little soapmaking how-to book by Joy James, called Make Your Own Soap:
I was sent a copy of the book directly from the owner of How2Crafts.com, an innovative website with lots of great crafting ideas. They publish books on crafts that their readers vote for, and they’ve got a really neat system going where you can upload pictures of your creations and they’ll include the best ones in subsequent editions of their books. How cool is that?
The book itself really is a fabulous little starter for someone who wants to make their first batch of soap. It includes plenty of history, helpful hints, and most importantly: PHOTOS! Out of all four soapmaking books I currently own, this is the first one that has step-by-step photos of the entire process. It even has an actual picture of what trace looks like. This could have saved me from re-batching the very first batch I ever made back in November 2002! When I unmolded that very first soap, it completely crumbled. Figured out it was because I hadn’t actually stirred it long enough (I didn’t have a stick blender at that point). I ended up throwing it all back in my soap pot, left it in a warm oven for a few hours, and was able to mash it back into the mold. It turned out perfectly after that!
There are three different beginner soap recipes – including a palm-free one with reasons why some soapmakers choose not to use palm oil. She gives ideas of where to buy ingredients as well – although she lives in the UK, and most of the resources included are from there with a few others from various other countries. There is a glossary of soapmaking terms and a short section on troubleshooting. All very well put-together and easy to read. Only 44 pages!
If you would like to pick up a copy, these just became available for purchase in the U.S. at Amazon. (Click the photo of the book to purchase.) Or, if you would like a chance to win my copy, please leave a comment below with your reasons for wanting it. Perhaps you would like to make your first batch of soap and need more information, or perhaps you are a soapmaker who has a “friend” begging you to teach her and you would prefer to give her this book instead. Whatever it might be, I look forward to hearing about it! Comments will close Sunday night at 10pm CST, and I will select a random winner!
Disclaimer: I am NOT an affiliate of Amazon. I received the book from How2Crafts for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
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I’ve dabbled in soap making but really don’t have a good idea of what I’m doing. I would love to learn from this book!
I’m a soaper in the making hehe I want to get into soaping so badly. Been reading about it and I’m so eager to start!!
You got me when you said this book had pictures of every step in the soap making process. That would make my soapy beginner’s life so much easier! I’d love to win this book! 😉
I have always wanted to try soap making. With MAKE YOUR OWN SOAP I would be out of excuses. I can see myself with a new & useful hobby.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I have done melt and pour and tried to be creative, but I have so far chickened out on CP soap-making though I LONG to do so and look and look at soap blogs and photos like I’m assessing fine jewelry LOL! I would love to have this to give it a try – the step-by-step photos would be of special help – that’s how I learn as I can’t follow written instructions and videos go by too fast.
I would love to win this. I have made 3 or 4 batches of soap but just havent got it down yet. This would be good! Thanks!! Debbie
that does look like a cute little soapmaking book! I especially like the feature ofbeing able to upload photos for possible inclusion into a future edition.
I started with this magical trainning 2 years ago , M&P of course, but when my mother told me that my spanish grandmother made their soap in the old fashion way, castille soap, began to search about it, and I completely lost my mind!!! Now my daughter is begining to help me, because I´m having issues with my health, and I would love to give her a professional book, made by an expert and lovely artist!
Thank you for being there and sharing your work!!!
Liliana
Would absolutely love to give this book to my nephew who’s really into a green lifestyle. Every penny counts for him right now since he’s just out of the service & looking for work.
I started making soap recently due to infertility problems. I didn’t want to use anything that may alter my hormones. So I have been muddling through trying to make my own chemical free soap. I have made some good, some bad, but I would love all the additional help I can get!! Thanks so much!!
Great review… I love Joy’s book (don’t count me in for the draw, I already have it) and she writes simply and easily about how to make soap. She’s also a lovely lovely person and makes great soap.
Thank you so much for a fabulous review of my book. Bless you xx
I often have people ask me about making soap and I love to share but only if they are dedicated enough to do some research on their own as I did. Usually I require a read of Susan Miller Cavitch but I would probably get more takers of a shorter read. I also think that photos would be good for teaching others
I have sensitive skin & some products cause “flare-ups.” I’m interested in making my own soap to see if I can help myself by choosing the ingredients in my soap & then prevent “flare-ups”.