A hands-on soapmaking experience by Olive & Tallow Studio

FROM OILS TO BAR

A Beginner's Introduction to Cold Process Soapmaking

A hands-on soapmaking experience by Olive & Tallow Studio

Have you ever wondered how simple oils and fats become a beautiful, handcrafted bar of soap?

Join us for a hands-on introduction to the traditional craft of cold-process soapmaking. We'll explore the science behind saponification, learn how oils and fats work together, discuss lye safety, and make a batch of soap from scratch.

No previous soapmaking experience is required.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Your workshop registration includes everything you need for the experience:

🧼 Hands-On Soapmaking

You'll make your own batch of cold-process soap during the workshop, with step-by-step guidance throughout the process.

🧪 Learn the Science

Discover how oils, fats, water and sodium hydroxide come together through saponification to create soap.

🌿 Explore Ingredients

Learn the role different oils and fats play in a soap recipe, including cleansing, hardness, conditioning and lather.

⚗️ Lye Safety

Learn the fundamentals of safely handling sodium hydroxide, including proper protective equipment, preparation and safe soapmaking practices.

📖 Your Beginner Soapmaking Guide

Take home a beginner-friendly guide covering the fundamentals of cold-process soapmaking, ingredients, equipment, safety and the curing process.

📝 Your Recipe & Batch Record

You'll receive your recipe and a batch record so you can document your soapmaking experience and keep track of your formulation.

🧼 Your Handmade Soap

Take home the soap you make during the workshop to cure and enjoy once it is ready.

🎁 Olive & Tallow Studio Extras

You'll also receive helpful resources to continue learning, including basic troubleshooting and beginner soapmaking tips.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

By the end of the workshop, you'll understand:

• What cold-process soap is and how it is made

• The chemistry of saponification

• The role of oils and fats in a soap recipe

• How sodium hydroxide is used safely

• The basics of soap formulation

• What superfat and lye concentration mean

• How to recognize emulsion and trace

• How fragrance and essential oils are incorporated

• Why handmade soap needs to cure

• Basic soapmaking troubleshooting

WHAT YOU'LL MAKE

You'll create a beginner-friendly soap recipe using a carefully selected combination of oils and/or fats.

During registration, you'll select your preferred base:

VEGAN SOAP
A plant-oil-based formulation.

TALLOW SOAP
A traditional formulation featuring beef tallow.

Please choose carefully. Your soap base selection cannot be changed after registration.

BEFORE YOU REGISTER

This is a hands-on class, so please come prepared to participate.

Age Requirement

Participants must be 16 years of age or older.

Participants under 18 must have the required parent/guardian authorization.

Safety

Because this workshop involves sodium hydroxide (lye), safety procedures are an essential part of the class.

Participants will be provided with required protective equipment and must follow all safety instructions.

Please wear:

• Closed-toe shoes

• Long pants

• A shirt with sleeves

• Clothing you don't mind getting messy

No children under 16 or pets are permitted in the workshop.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Your soap will be freshly made at the end of the workshop and will not be ready to use immediately.

Cold-process soap requires time to complete its cure. You'll receive instructions explaining how to care for your soap and when it will be ready to use.

Because handmade soap is created in a live chemical process, the appearance of the finished soap may vary. Each batch is part of the craft—and that's what makes handmade soap unique.

CLASS DETAILS

Class: From Oils to Bar — A Beginner's Introduction to Cold Process Soapmaking

Location: Olive & Tallow Studio

Duration: Approximately 3 hours

Experience Level: Beginner

Price:  $120 — Standard Workshop

$115 — Early Bird 

Class Size: Limited to a small group to provide individual, hands-on instruction.

YOUR REGISTRATION INCLUDES

✓ Hands-on instruction
✓ All soapmaking ingredients
✓ Vegan or tallow soap option
✓ Required safety equipment
✓ Your handmade batch of soap
✓ Beginner soapmaking guide
✓ Recipe card
✓ Batch record sheet
✓ Curing instructions
✓ Basic troubleshooting guide
✓ Olive & Tallow Studio educational resources

No experience or equipment is required. Everything you need for the workshop is provided.

READY TO MAKE SOAP?

Come curious.

Learn the craft.

Make something with your hands.

FROM OILS TO BAR
Cold-process soapmaking for beginners

Olive & Tallow Studio

500 g