Natural Soapmaking

"I knew absolutely nothing about hand-milled soap making or soap making period and I picked this book up, read it cover to cover and enjoyed it all. I then bought my supplies (the very few I didn't already have in my kitchen) and some ingredients for two of the receipes and the rest is history. My teenage daughter and I spent the weekend making soap and we had a blast! All the steps in this book worked perfectly, although at first we struggled with the amount of time to melt the soap. Eventually we got it though and within a weekend we had our kitchen full of a variety of shapped soaps that began the curing process. I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn't have the interest in creating soap from scratch (mixing with lye, etc). It has beautiful pictures and many creative ideas for wrapping. Love this book!"
~ Written on 2008-08-10

"If you want an easy way to personalize soaps for gifts or make other "spa" product for yourself and others this is a great starter book. It is well illustrated, great packaging ideas and label templates. Easy recipes to follow. It is exactly what I was looking for since I dabble in lots of crafts and am an expert at none!"
~ Written on 2007-11-02

"I have to disagree with the previous reviewer about this book. I totally agree that it is definitely not a book for Soapmakers who use Hot or Cold Process Soapmaking like I orginally wanted, but it was certainly very helpfull. Her tips for making Hand-Milled Soap from store-bought soap was excellent. I currently live in the Caribbean where you can't find anything quite easy. I found a Hypo-Allergenic Soap Bar called Pure & Natural that was perfect. Matter of fact, I made one of her recipes yesterday using a PVC Mold, and it came out beautifully. As far as using Petroleum Jelly to release the Soap from the mold, it worked like a charm, just like she indicated in her book.

There are alot of recipes in this book that can be used in regular soapmaking. I also love the idea that the book also has recipes and teaches you how to make Bath & Massage Oils, Solid Massage Oils, Bath Salts & Fizzies, as well as packaging and decorating your handmade items.

Thumbs up for Marie."
~ Written on 2007-09-19

"People who really make soap - and contrary to what others have said, it is far from an arduous or time consuming process, should do themselves a favor and pass on this book. Natural soapmaking means using lye and oils, not breaking down someone else's soap and reconstituting it.

Waste of money. "
~ Written on 2006-11-16

"Even though this book is entitled "Natural Soapmaking" it really refers using items such as herbs, etc in your soaps and not to the cold process you would doing when making soaps with lye (which can take a month to cure). These are easy receipes for someone just starting out and want to learn creative ways make soaps which gives you immediate results. It gives good instructions and information about aromatherapy, what different colors mean and what certain herbs to enhance your soaps. Although, she recommends putting Vaseline in the molds to assist with the releasing of the mold - you really do not need to do that! As long as you wait for the soap to harden completely that step is unnecessary! And for the cold process/lye makers you may want to pass on this one because you may be disappointed! It is a great addition to your Melt and Pour Soapmaking by the same author!

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~ Written on 2004-08-27