Upcoming Natural and Organic, Hands-on Skincare Formulation Workshops in New York City

Our next series of natural and organic skincare formulation workshops in New York City will take place October 26-30, 2015. Choose to take classes individually or the entire week of Bath and Body University workshops.

Join cosmetic formulator Marla Bosworth for classes ranging from custom essential oil blending to a skincare formulator's business seminar. The full schedule is as follows:

Monday, October 26
Mastering the Art of Custom Essential Oil Blending

Tuesday, October 27
Organic Luxurious Body Scrubs and Bath Salts

Wednesday, October 28
Herbal Healing Body Butters, Salves and Balms

Thursday, October 29
Organic Cold Process Soapmaking

Friday, October 30
How to Run a Successful Bath and Body Business Seminar

These workshops fill up quickly and it is advised to sign up in advance. We post number of spots left in each workshop on our website. Workshops are held on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with easy access from all parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Can't make this series of workshops? Join our Facebook page for upcoming announcements and be sure to sign up for our email newsletter.

Marla Bosworth has been teaching natural skincare formulating workshops along with running her skincare business, Back Porch Soap Company, for more than 17 years. She has 35 years retail experience and a strong background in market research and marketing.

Five Days of Holiday Baking Recipes: First Up, My Top Secret Cookies..."Hey, Martha, Check These Out!"

I've decided to take a few days off from writing about soap making classes and instead share with you some of my favorite holiday recipes. Family and close friends know that I'm an avid baker, but I rarely have time to indulge in whipping up culinary delights - now it's whipping up cosmetic formulations. But in the early 1990s I dreamed of continuing my education at Johnson & Wales culinary school in Rhode Island. My dream was to start a biscotti baking company. I was obsessed with biscotti back then. But thankfully a few years later I made a solitary batch of soap that would forever change my life....in a remarkable way. I digress.

My gift to you this holiday season are five days of recipes - not just any recipes but ones that have become an annual tradition for my daughter (now 16) and me. I first started making these in 1990, just four years before she was born. Each year I take photos of us baking together. And I cherish these recipes I'm about to share.

Why this Top Secret Holiday Cookies Recipe? First, I've never received so many compliments and rave reviews on a cookie recipe in my life. Honestly. You'll see. Second, they store in an airtight container for up to a month (which is important if you are shipping them to friends and family overseas). They also freeze well. Lastly, a recipe doesn't get much easier than this.

My hope is that these recipes will be near and dear to your heart. Special thanks to Grandma June and Grandma Zinetta Smith, who both passed along their love for baking to me. Thank you for the childhood memories of watching in awe as you baked with joy and love. I will never forget those majical moments. And to you, dear readers, remember to add an extra pinch of joy and love to all your recipes.

Enjoy! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Sweetest Holiday Wishes,
Marla Bosworth

Top Secret Holiday Cookies Recipe
by Marla Bosworth

Dough Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3 2/3 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup sour cream
Dash of love
Dash of joy

Frosting Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1 lb. confectionery sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 Tbsp. milk
Sprinkling of peace and kindness

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. In separate bowl, mix all dry ingredients. Alternately add half the dry ingredients, then half the sour cream. Repeat until dry ingredients and sour cream are incorporated into the mix. Place dough in plastic wrap or plastic bag and refrigerate for at least two hours or preferably overnight.

Roll dough onto floured board until 1/4 inch thick. Roll it thinner than most cookies, as it will rise slightly during baking. Using your favorite cookie cutters, work your magic by using up all the dough!

Bake on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (I like the way they turn out this way). Bake 4-6 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as they get dark around the edges easily. Cool and frost.

Frosting Instructions: Place softened (not melted) butter in bowl. Add confectionery sugar, vanilla and milk. Beat until smooth. Store unused frosting in airtight container. Although it decorates smoothly, it will harden within a few hours.

Decorating Tips: My daughter likes to divide the frosting into at least five bowls and color each one with food coloring. We use a variety of sprinkles (jimmies for you New Englanders), colored sugar, and candies.

(Want to reprint? Please email marla@backporchsoap.com.)

How to Choose Oils & Butters for Soap Making

"How do I choose oils and butters for soap making?" is one of the most frequent questions I hear from want-to-be soapmakers. Whether you are making natural skincare products, cosmetics, or cold process soap, you'll want to choose liquid oils as well as solid oils and butters based on their respective properties. What will the oils you choose bring to your recipe and to your customer's skin? What I emphasize in my soap making classes and private natural skincare consulting is that the more you know about the oils you are using, the more results your products will offer.

Most plant oils are available in organic and non-organic. In addition, there are refined, bleach and deodorized (RBD) solid oils and butters. I personally am not a fan of RBD oils and butters as the processes (high heat, bleaching, etc.) often strip the natural ingredients of their valuable properties. In addition, some of the oil processors use chemical solvents to extract all the oils for higher yield for their company.

Fatty acids play an important part in cold process soap making. Let's take a look at some of the fatty acids and the properties they lend:

Lauric Acid: Creates a hard bar, is cleansing, and has a light and fluffy lather
Linoleic Acid: Moisturizing/Conditioning
Myristic Acid: Creates a hard bar, is cleansing, and has a light and fluffy lather
Oleic Acid: Moisturizing/Conditioning
Palmitic Acid: Creates a hard bar and a stable lather
Ricinoleic Acid: Conditioning/Moisturizing, and has a fluffy, stable lather
Stearic Acid: Creates a hard bar and has a stable lather

One of the reasons I like the lye calculator over at Soap Calc is the valuable information it gives on the fatty acids in the oils/butters you choose for your recipes.

If you're looking for the quick low-down on which oils I recommend for soapmaking, then here is my list. It's hard to narrow down to these, but here are my top five tried-and-true choices for soapmaking oils and butters:

Coconut Oil: Creates a hard soap with a fluffy lather. It boasts vitamin E, K and minerals such as iron. Use up to 30% in recipes.

Palm Oil: Creates a hard bar with a creamy lather and contains antioxidants and vitamin E. Use up to 30% in recipes. If you are looking to create a sustainable product, you may wish to eliminate palm or find a sustainable palm resource. (There is valid concern about the palm oil farming in Malaysia and the affect it has on the environment and living beings.) I have been working on a palm-free soap recipe for several months.

Olive Oil (Grade A or Extra Virgin): Besides being moisturizing, olive oil contains vitamin E, A, betacarotene and vitamin K, cholorophyll, phenols, oleocanthal and squalane. Use as much as you'd like in soap recipes, just know that if you use more than 30 percent your soap will be softer and take longer to cure. Too much olive oil (40 percent or more) creates a bit of a slimy lather, in my opinion.

Soybean Oil: Mild, moisturizing and creates a low, creamy lather. Use at 20 percent or less. I suggest that you purchase only non-genetically modified (GMO) soybean oil. (It is a sustainable oil produced in the U.S. and by purchasing it you are supporting American farmers.)

Shea Butter: Creates a moisturizing, soothing, nourishing soap that softens skin. Wonderful for damaged skin and full of Vitamin E. Use at 15 percent or less.

There are many other wonderful oils and butters from which to choose. In a recent poll on our Back Porch Soap Co. Facebook Fan Page, many soapmakers chimed in their favorites ranging from sweet almond oil to mango butter.

If you're looking for a reliable supplier for soap making oils and butters, Jedwards (Quincy, MA) is a family-owned business located just outside of Boston. For a minimum $100 order, you can pick up your order and save on shipping. Just call a day or two ahead and prepay, as they do not have a showroom at this time. One of the reasons I purchase all my oils and butters from them (besides offering high-quality ingredients and being able to pick up my order), is that their products are extremely consistent from order to order.

Which butters and oils do you use for soap making?

Just Added: More Cold Process Soap Making Classes for This Summer!

I've had so many requests for more cold process soap making classes this summer, so I've added two more for July and August! These are held in my studio in Duxbury, Massachusetts. We are a short 40-minute ride from Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island.

The first one is coming up soon on Saturday, July 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(FYI, there is a Glycerin/Melt & Pour class the same afternoon from 2-5 p.m. if you would like to stay and learn both techniques.)

The second class will be held Saturday, August 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students come from near and far (Ghana, Ireland, Venezuela, Chile, U.S. and more) to take our hands-on classes. Besides having a great time and meeting other cool people, you'll learn all you need to know about making cold process soaps, formulating your recipes, safety precautions when working with lye, sourcing ingredients, packaging, labelling.

Check out my website for more information. Hope to see you there!

NYC in May! Soap Making Classes and How To Start Your Own Soap Business Classes

Join me in New York City in May 2010 for one or all five hands-on, educational bath and body classes:

May 19, 6-9:30 p.m.
Organic Scrubs, Bath Bombs, Balms & Body Butters

May 20, 6-9:30 p.m.
Organic Cold Process Soap Making

May 21, 6-9:30 p.m.
Organic Creams and Lotion Class

May 22, 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

How To Run A Successful Bath & Body Business

May 22, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Organic Glycerin Soap Making

May 20-22, Limited Availability
Private Consulting Appointments

I'm excited to be returning to teach a third round of classes held on the Upper West Side at a great studio inside Little Shop of Crafts (711 Amsterdam Ave. at 94th Street).

Classes are already filling up for May classes. Sign up today at my website. In March, students travelled from more than five states as well as NYC to attend.

These classes are intended for both individuals and entrepreneurs with current bath and body companies and for individuals wanting to start their own business. Come join these intimate classes to learn how to run a successful bath and body company.

You'll learn from me, Marla Bosworth, a 12-year bath and beauty expert and market research analyst, who launched Back Porch Soap Company with only a few hundred dollars. Now I supply more than 200 upscale boutiques, Whole Foods, resorts, gift stores and spas with my products. In this class you'll learn how you can do the same.

Coming from out-of-town and looking for accommodations? Email me for recommendations.

Note: All classes must be prepaid in full on www.backporchsoap.com prior to attending. You will receive a confirmation email. Register before May 1, 2010 for special, early-bird discount.

Can't make this class but want to stay in the loop with us? Sign up for our newsletter and we'll email you to let you know the latest happenings for new classes and more!

In addition to group classes, Marla is available for one-on-one consulting for individuals interested in learning how to make bath and body products or for existing companies looking for market research and/or consulting.
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Soap Making Class Produces 60 Lbs. of Organic Soap!

Back Porch Soap Company headed to Newton Community Education Center in Newton, Massachusetts to teach a cold process soap class to 18 students. The students made three, 20 lb. batches for a total of 60 lbs. of soap!

Above, students have poured one of the two loaves they took home and are leveling off the top and adding calendula petals and/or rosebud petals. Essential oil blends used in this class might give you some ideas to try. Batch One (peppermint, eucalyptus, patchouli and clary sage), Batch Two (lemon, lime, litsea, vetiver and a hint of black pepper), and Batch Three (tea tree, sweet orange, clary sage, lavender, and patchouli).


Rachel (above) choosing chamomile buds to add to the top of her soap loaf. Students like personalizing their own take-home loaves.

Interested in learning how to make cold process soaps or other natural and organic bath and body products? Or are you interested in launching your own bath and body business? We have lots of upcoming classes and also offer individual consulting via phone or in our studio located near Boston, Massachusetts.

Find out more about our monthly classes. Or contact owner Marla Bosworth for more information. Our soap making classes are unique for birthday parties and group outings!

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Four-Day Bath and Body University - Learn to Make Soaps, Creams, Candles and Much More!

how to make soaps and start a business

You've been asking for it, so here it is! This is an all-inclusive four-day bath and body intensive program that will get your current business or the one you've dreamed about owning off of the ground.

These classes are also available for individual signup. I'm offering a price break and lunches on all four days for those of you interested in the entire program to offset some of your travel expenses.

About Your Teacher: My name is Marla Bosworth. I'm the owner/founder of Back Porch Soap Company located in Duxbury, Massachusetts. My company was launched in 1998. Currently I sell to more than 250 upscale retail boutiques throughout the U.S. and overseas, as well as natural food stores such as Whole Foods. My professional background includes nearly 20 years in market research and consulting for small and large businesses. You'll learn from my vast retail industry experience, as well as my internet marketing insights. Come learn from someone who is "in the trenches" of a soapmaking business day in and day out!

Day 1 - October 1
9 a.m.- Noon Making Artisanal Bath Bombs ($65 + $20 materials fee)
Noon -1 p.m. Complimentary Lunch
1-3 p.m. Differentiating Yourself in the Competitive Bath & Body Industry ($125)
(This is an enhanced and updated version of the presentation I gave at this year's Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild convention in Palm Springs, CA.)
6-9 p.m. Glycerin Soap Making Class ($65 + $20 materials fee)

Day 2 - October 2

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Soy Candles, Diffusers and Other Home Fragrances ($90 + $35 materials fee)
1-2 p.m. Complimentary Lunch
2-5 p.m. Choose from: Natural Skincare for Babies & Children; or Natural Spa Facial Products ($90 + $35 materials fee)

Day 3 - October 3

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Cold Process Soap Making ($65 + $20 materials fee)
1-2 p.m. Complimentary Lunch
2-5 p.m. How To Start Your Own Soap Making Business ($125)

Day Four - October 4
9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Creams, Lotions, Balms, Scrubs & Sea Salts ($250 + $75 materials fee)

(Original Course Cost: $875 + $205 materials fee = $1080)
Package Savings = $125 plus complimentary lunches
Total Cost = $750 + 205 materials fee

Class is held in my Duxbury, Massachusetts studio. We are located just 30 minutes south of Boston. (Note: Traveling from NYC? One of my registered students is willing to drive/carpool back and forth from NYC and Boston. Contact me for more info.)

Can't make this class but want to stay in the loop with us? Sign up for our newsletter here and we'll email you (once a month) to let you know the latest happenings for new classes and more!View our website for more information and to register for this class here.

Most of my students come from outside of New England, and many travel from overseas just to attend my classes. This summer I've taught students from Ghana, Venezuela, Nigeria, Peru, Philipines, Chile and Ireland. I'm happy to help you with your travel arrangements. Please email me.

Recommended nearby accommodations:
Hampton Inn, Plymouth, MA (15 minutes from my studio)
Best Western Cold Spring, Plymouth, MA (15 minutes away)

Closest Airport:
Logan International

Other Transportation:
Commuter Train MBTA Commuter Rail to Kingston Station
Amtrak Closest station is Providence, RI and Boston, MA. Connecting commuter train available from Boston.

Looking for private classes or soap business consulting? Send me an email and I'll reply with more information.

What some of my students have said about taking my classes:

July 29, 2009

We wanted to let you know that we loved all your classes. Every recipe, instruction, tip you gave us has a lot of value for our business. For us coming all the way from South America was absolutely worth it to sit at your table and learn from you. We really appreciate all your generosity and kindness throughout the classes. I am sure that we will have much success because of you! Thank you very much for having us in your class!

Our best wishes, Ale & Fifi
Venezuela

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August 10, 2009

Marla,

I am remiss in not thanking you for the wonderful cold process class I took with you in May.
We are using the soap I made in class here at home and it is outstanding! My family has sworn off store bought.

I also made my first batch on my own! Had to clear the house of family and pets, but I did it. I am now curing a peppermint/with caraway seeds type of garden soap.

I am looking forward to taking a swirling class with you hopefully in the winter. (Note: She just took it!)

Thanks again,

Carolyn
Fitchburg, MA

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Soap Making Class Hosts Students From Nigeria, Venezuela and U.S.

Back Porch Soap Company's recent cold process soap making class hosted students from several countries. Ale and Fifi (pictured far left) flew in from Venezuela for three days of classes, Emilia (far right) is from Nigeria along with Cindy (from Montana) are both taking more classes this month, and other students came from New York, New Jersey and New England. Rick (pictured third from left) is a hair stylist from north of Boston who makes his own hair products. Sandy, Julie and Kiernan came from Massachusetts.

We made two batches of soap, and students selected their choice of additives for the top. Here, Ale is sprinkling lavender buds on top of her loaf of soap.

We made two batches of soap ~ and everyone takes home a loaf of each batch. Here students are spooning out and spreading the freshly made peppermint soap. We use natural plant oils - olive oil, palm oil and coconut oil.

George (New Jersey) is evening out his soap loaf. Behind him, Cindy (Montanta/New York) is choosing calendula petals as an additive to the top of her soap. Kiernan (Longmeadow, MA) finishes her loaves.

Cindy and George adding the lye/water mixture and stirring. (Note: I recommend that students wear closed toe shoes when making soap!)

Cindy and George working simultaneously to blend the lye/water and oils together before moving on to the stick blender.

Check out all my classes. I teach in NYC, Boston and am taking classes on the road in 2012! Looking for private classes or soap business consulting? Send me an email and I'll reply with more information.
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Students Get Creative in Soap Making Class at Newton Community Education

Recently I taught a glycerin soap making class at Newton Community Education Center. A few of the students were interested in starting a soap business. Others wanted to try out swirling, embedding toys and layering just for the fun of it. (Above, check out the "overfed" goldfish soap!)

Here, calendula petals make a nice addition to the top of the bar.

Duck soaps and layered bar. All classes are completely hands-on and students choose to create whatever they like - after all, soapmaking is a creative process!

Everyone decided to show off their favorite bars at the end. So many interesting people in this class!

My next upcoming glycerin soap making class is on Thursday, July 20 from 6-9 p.m. in my Duxbury studio. Check out all my classes.

Looking for private classes or soap business consulting? Send me an email and I'll reply with more information.

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Teaching Aspiring Students at Newton Green Bodycare and Soap Making Classes

Recently I taught a Green Bodycare and Soap Making classes through Newton Adult Community Education at Newton South High School. These students were fantastic! They embraced the creation of natural bodycare and soap with ease!

This class of 20 students (some of them pictured above) made organic sugar scrubs, organic sea salt soaks, organic glycerin soap, and all-natural body balms. Students came from all over the Boston area. Newton Adult Community Education offers an in-depth course catalog quarterly, and classes are well-attended.

I also taught a Glycerin Handmade Soap. It was completely full, with 15 students!

Want to join me for a fabulous fun time? You can sign up for my summer classes in Newton here. Sign up with a friend and enjoy a wonderful evening with other inspiring creatives! You'll take home lots of products that you make yourself in both classes:

July 9, 6-9 p.m. Totally Green Organic Bodycare
Learn how to make natural and organic body-care products. You'll create and take home a dozen items: two exfoliating body scrubs, two luxurious body balms, four moisturizing soap bars, and four sea-salt bath soaks. These make great birthday gifts—or keep them for yourself (we won't tell). We'll cover the art of aromatherapy, how to blend essential oils, and which ingredients to use on your body and which to avoid. You'll also take home recipes, so you can make these fragrant and healthful products on your own. The class is $49 with a $25 materials fee payable the night of the class.

July 16, 6-9 p.m. Handmade Glycerin Soap
Make an array of beautiful, moisturizing soaps. We'll cover the essentials of glycerin soapmaking, with lots of hands-on learning, including how to use molds and add fragrance, color, shea butter and other moisturizing oils, herbs, and exfoliants. Each student will make three personalized batches of soap to take home. If you have sensitive skin, you'll learn how to make unscented soaps. This class is a great gift for a friend—or yourself. The class is $49 with an $18 materials fee is payable the night of the class.

Here are some of the beautiful soaps that students made in class:

Newton South offers great classrooms. In both spring classes, we made ourselves at home in one of the science labs. It was perfect because students grouped together at one of the six lab stations.

Can't make it to one of these classes? Then check out my other classes taught in our Duxbury studio here. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to stay up-to-date with where I'll be teaching next!
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2009 Handmade Soapmakers Guild Conference: Beautiful Location, Great New Friends and Valuable Info!

I’m returning from an amazing five-day trip to Palm Springs, California where the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild (HMSG) held their 2009 conference. The Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild is an international non-profit professional trade association whose mission is to promote the handcrafted soap industry; to act as a center of communication among soap makers, and to circulate information beneficial to soap makers.

My mask and counterparts above were courtesy of Dennis and Kayla Fioravanti of Essential Wholesale. They provided attendees with a keynote from Erin Brockovich, then a wonderful evening of dining including an ice sculpture flowing with mango martinis (!), entertainment from comedians John Reep and Wendy Liebman, as well as very generous goodie bags.

Have you ever been to Palm Springs? It’s where desert meets mountains meets palm trees. The temperatures were in the 90s and 100s, but with the low humidity I was rarely hot. The Miramonte Spa and Resort in Indian Wells was a great place to hold a conference. From outdoor patios to hottubs, there were many places to network with soapmakers and industry experts from around the U.S.

Although the temperatures would soar, there were cool fine mist sprays that in the heat of the afternoon would cool the air around the patio and bar dining areas. The mist was so fine that it didn’t feel wet – it would evaporate and cool the dry heat. Just like an Evian mist!

It was fabulous – especially the creative and inspiring entrepreneurial soapmakers I met. The synergy between soapers was supportive and encouraging - we were all there for the same reason - to network, learn from each other, and grow our businesses. Many of them are rocking out their businesses despite the economy. The list is long and over the next few weeks I am going to be spotlighting them here on my blog.

Last fall I was asked to speak at this year's conference. I presented findings from my market research company to assist business owners find their niche, differentiate their business and ultimately increase sales. I really enjoy helping entrepreneurs grow their business. I'll be sharing some of my findings here on my blog over the upcoming month.

I also enjoyed meeting so many industry experts that I have talked with over the years, but hadn’t met in person. I took home so much valuable information by attending conference sessions from cold process soap making demos with Kelly Bloom of Southern Soapers, E-commerce with Jamila White from Ecommerce Diva, The Media is You by Donna Maria Coles at Indie Beauty, Profit Margin Killers by Linda Stevens of Upland Soap Factory and many more.

Next year's conference is slated for Denver, Colorado (Englewood) at the Inverness Hotel. If you are in the bath and body business, join us! Dennis and Kayla have promised the entertainment and surprises are going to be even better. Hard to believe, but I can hardly wait!

Come Say Hello at Our Whole Foods Hingham Meet and Greet!

Join Back Porch Soap Company as we celebrate another Local Vendor Day with Whole Foods on Saturday, April 25th! Whole Foods carries our organic soaps, organic shea butters and all-natural gift sets. All of our natural bath and body products are made on the South Shore (Duxbury to be exact) near Boston, Massachusetts.

I'll be handing out samples of our moisturizing soap tomorrow in the Hingham, Massachusetts store. Our celebration takes place on Taste Local Day, which celebrates local vendors throughout Massachusetts. There will be free samples from us and other vendors from 1-4 p.m., so get there early, as the freebies go quickly!

Back Porch Soap Company has been supporting New England farms for 12 years. We source our ingredients locally when possible. Do you own a farm in New England? We'd love to work with you! If you own a farm and are interested in making natural bath and body products, contact us for private consulting!

In addition to handing out samples of our fantastic products, I'll be handing out information on my soap making classes in Boston and around New England.

Want to learn how I launched my products into Whole Foods? Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know when my downloadable report, "How to Get Your Products Into Whole Foods and Other Retailers" is availab.e Email me at marla@backporchsoap.com for more information.

All-Day Soap Making Bootcamp on March 21; Meet New Friends & Aspiring Soapmakers!

Our monthly, full-day soap making class has been a huge hit the past two years, and March is no exception! Join me for a day of making beautiful, glycerin soaps.

This month, soap making bootcamp is Saturday, March 21 from 9-4 in my Duxbury, Massachusetts studio. We are located 30 minutes south of Boston.

Class is completely hands-on; students will learn how to measure their own batches, color, scent and pour the soap into molds.

(The photo on the top is of Sandy and her top three favorite soaps from February Bootcamp. She is from Harvard Business School and ranks at the top as one of my favorite students: fearless, creative, and fun! Here she is showing her ocean sea glass embedded soap, two-layer creamsicle soap, and orange starfish with coconut soap!)

Go at your own pace, I'll be there to assist you throughout the day. We'll learn the basics: adding various exfoliants, herbs, herbal and oil fusions, superfatting with shea butter and other moisturizing oils.

(These are just some of the additives you'll use in class!)

Then we'll move on to techniques, including embedding, swirling, layering, simultaneous double-pours, and other special effects.

Some students take this class with a friend, and then swap creations at the end of the day. This soap making class is completely hands-on, which means you won't be standing around watching an instructor for the day. You'll have your own workstation. (See picture on left.)

This is the perfect class to jump in and learn everything you wanted to know about soap making in one day. It is also a great class to take if you are making wedding favors or stocking up on gifts to give.

A bit about your instructor for the day. My name is Marla Bosworth, and I'm the founder and owner of Back Porch Soap Company. I've been making soaps and teaching soapmaking for 12 years. My wholesale clients include Whole Foods and upscale boutiques around the world. I teach classes because I love sharing my passion for soap making.

Price for the full-day class is $325. Lunch is included in the fee, as are all supplies. Plan to make approximately 10 individual batches and take home around 50 bars (which retail at $6.00 each).

(The photo to the right isn't lunch, it's some of the early morning pastries that I pick up for you from world famous French Memories of Duxbury.)

Students must prepay to register. Sign up now! Check out my other classes while you're there.

Can't make it to this class? Stay in the loop by subscribing to our newsletter.

Travelling from out of state? Simply email me at marla@backporchsoap.com and I will gladly assist you with travel plans, including accommodations and local areas of interest. With Plymouth Rock and Plimoth Plantation only 20 minutes away, this is a perfect family destination!
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Ideal for those looking for Maine Soap Making Classes, New Hampshire Soap Making Classes, Vermont Soap Making Classes, Rhode Island Soap Making Classes, Connecticut Soap Making Classes, New York Soap Making Classes, New York City Soap Making Classes

Whole Foods Vendor Day: Dry Skin, Lots of Samples, and Metro Males

Thank you to everyone who came out to visit yesterday at Whole Foods in Hingham, Massachusetts. I handed out several hundred samples of our Lemongrass and Unscented organic oils bar soaps, 100% Shea Butter, Caribbean Sea Salts and information on our soap making classes.

Whole Foods truly embraces local vendors. This month marks my second anniversary with the Hingham store, and I've met so many wonderful people ~ from customers to Whole Foods employees who gladly support local businesses.

Many interesting customers yesterday stopped to chat. One couple was from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. There isn't a Whole Foods on the Vineyard, so they came to stock up. I also met two Duxbury, Massachusetts residents (where I live) - one who works at Whole Foods and one a customer. And I also had the pleasure of meeting many "metro males" and their wives.

I'm saving this for a later blog, but it is interesting how metro males shop for bath and body products. They are extremely selective, focused, and like to pamper themselves. It's also fair to say that at times their wives call them "soap obsessed." Are you a metro male who loves soap and other bath and body products? Please email me to answer a few quick questions regarding your shopping habits. If I use your feedback, you'll receive a free full-size shea butter ($18 retail value).

Back to yesterday. So as you know, spring is just around the corner. But especially here in the Northeast, so many people are still suffering from winter dry skin, eczema and psoriasis. Yesterday's most popular product was our 100% shea butter. People were amazed that how quickly it soaks into the skin. It is unlike lotion and after handwashing it stays on. It is light, rejuvenating for the skin, and non-greasy.

Yesterday I spoke with customers about overcoming dry skin. From hands to feet, they were all really frustrated. I'm going to share with you what I recommended to them.

My products can help you with two of the Top 10 Ways to Fight Dry Skin. The first is using high-quality soap that is sulfate-free. The second is finding an organic moisturizer, like our 100% organic shea butter. Check back tomorrow for a complete post on the Top 10 Ways to Remedy Dry Skin.

Afterall, it's no fun to be scaly. And sandal season is right around the corner!

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Join Us for Our Two-Year Anniversary Celebration with Whole Foods!

Join Back Porch Soap Company as we celebrate another fabulous year with Whole Foods on Saturday, February 28th! Whole Foods carries our organic soaps, organic shea butters and all-natural gift sets.

We'll be handing out organic soap goodies and samples of our moisturizing 100% organic shea butter in the Hingham, Massachusetts store.

Our celebration takes place on Taste Local Day, which celebrates local vendors throughout Massachusetts. There will be free goodies from us from noon-3 p.m., so get there early, as the freebies go quickly.

Come meet me, Marla Bosworth, founder and owner of Back Porch Soap Co. I'm in my 12th year of making soap and bath and body products on the South Shore of Boston. Looking to become an entrepreneur? Come visit with me and I'll share tips on how you can build your dream into a business.

In addition to trying some terrific, wholesome products, I'll be handing out information on my soap making classes in Boston and around New England as well as online. Email me at marla@backporchsoap.com for more information.

Hope to see you there!

Whirlwind Week of Soap Making Classes

This first week of February has been a whirlwind! I've taught four soap making classes around Boston, Massachusetts during the past four days. I want to give a shout-out to my students and also let you know where to find me in the next couple of months.

Kids Soap Making Classes

I love teaching kids classes, and this week Back Porch Soap Company taught two glycerin soap making classes. First I headed over to Kingston Recreation Department in Kingston, Massachusetts and taught a group of fun 12 year-old kids how to make their own bath and body products. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we made red and pink heart soaps, pink lotions and bath salts.

For kids ages six and up, this is a hands-on, personalized soap making experience. Each student chooses their own colors, fragrances, glitter and other additives. They combine them all and choose which molds they would like to use, too! No matter what age (even adults), it is fun to see that they are so proud of their creations.

Also this week, Sandy Smith Kozlowsky, director at Bay Farm Montessori School in Duxbury, Massachusetts invited me over to teach her students in a Valentine's glycerin soap making class. This very smart and polite group of girls (kindergarten to sixth grade) made their own Valentine's goodies. In addition to soap, we whipped up a batch of lavender bath fizzies. Maybe next class we'll have some brave boys join in!

I'd Love to Teach Your Group

If you would like me to teach your group, please feel free to email me at marla@backporchsoap.com. Live out of state? Contact me for a custom-tailored soap making kit that I will ship to your group with complete instructions on how to host your own soap making class. Or sign up for my newsletter to stay in touch (emailed once a month).

Make Your Own Natural and Organic Body Product Classes

I headed back over to Kingston Recreation Department this week and I taught a fun group of ladies how to make natural bodycare products. They loved making their own shea butter balm. The sugar scrubs were the biggest hit, though, and cranberry seeds were the most popular exfoliating additive of the night. We finished the class with fractionated coconut oil massage oils and Carribean sea salts.

Finally, this week wraps up with Saturday's Organic Bodycare here at Back Porch Soap Company's studio.

Next time I promise to take my camera and post class pictures! Here is a list of upcoming soap making classes. Please check back frequently as more classes are being added quickly to my schedule.

Upcoming Soap Making and Business Classes

~FEBRUARY~

Friday, February 13
How To Make Bath & Body Products Class
Marshfield YWCA

Saturday, February 14, 2009, 9-noon
Valentine's Glycerin Soap Making Class
Back Porch Soap Company Studio, Duxbury, MA
781.934.8100

Saturday, February 21, 2009, 9-4
All-Day Soap Making Bootcamp
Back Porch Soap Company Studio, Duxbury, MA
781.934.8100

~MARCH~

Thursday, March 12
Bay Farm Montessori School
Private Ladies Night Out Event

Friday, March 13
How to Make Natural Bodycare Products
Marshfield YWCA, Marshfield, MA

Saturday, March 21, 2009, 9-4
All-Day Soap Making Bootcamp
Back Porch Soap Company Studio, Duxbury, MA
781.934.8100

~APRIL~

April Date TBA
Duxbury Newcomers Club
Private Event

Thursday, April 30
Organic Bodycare Class
Newton Adult Continuing Education Center, Newton, Massachusetts

April Date TBA
"Online Marketing & Social Networking for The Artist"
"Totally Green, Organic Bodycare"
Duxbury Art Association, Duxbury, Massachusetts

~MAY~

Thursday, May 7
Glycerin Soap Making Class
Newton Adult Continuing Education Center, Newton, Massachusetts

May 11-15
Conference Speaker, "Differentiating Yourself in the Market"
Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild Conference
Palm Springs, CA

Ten Things I Love About Being Indie... Soapmaking, Of Course!

Ooooh...so many choices!

This post is part of Indie Beauty Blog Tag Party. Lisa at Cactus & Ivy tagged me to write a post on the topic "Ten Things I Love About Being Indie." Once I've written mine, I tag five other indies.

I'm in my 12th year of being an Indie. Here is my list of why I love being an an entrepreneur:

1. My 14 year-old daughter.
She is the number one reason I love working for myself. I'm home when she gets on the bus, and when she gets off the bus. As she gets older, she chooses to spend more time with her friends. But that's okay. I'm here to keep an eye on her and available for when she needs me. I wouldn't want it any other way.

2. I tried the "Corporate Gig."
Grateful for the opportunities and people I met along the way. But it didn't work so well for me. Gave it a good shot for seven years. My head hurt from hitting that glass ceiling. I don't like red tape very much, either. I understand why large companies need to have policies in place, sometimes it gets in the way of good ideas that need to be implemented immediately. That's the beauty of being indie - grab ahold of the wheel and steer!

3. Flexibility.
As a single parent, I find working for myself affords me a tremendous amount of flexibility with my time. I can work nights, turn my schedule upside down if I need to for family or health-related reasons.

4. It's in my blood.
I have my dad, a general contractor, to thank for it. Growing up in Illinois and Wyoming, I watched my dad work from his home office and on-site at various construction sites. I remember as a little kid, playing on his adding machine (remember those?) and thinking that there was no one cooler than my dad. To this day I admire his dedication, work, and work ethics. My grandfather (his dad) was an Illinois farmer, and hard work and perserverence came from him as well. (Besides, we're half-Irish and stubborn as hell!)

5. It's good for my brain.
Are you right brained? Left brained? I'm a little of both. Running my own business let's me be creative AND analytical. It's all about being balanced.

6. Empowering others.
I've been teaching entrepreneurial and soap making classes for the past 11 years. It is wonderful to see the sparkle in another person's eye when they realize that they can really be their own boss.

7. Meeting other great entrepreneurs
I enjoy networking with entrepreneurs, both in person and online. Are you following me on Twitter? How about LinkedIn? Facebook? Please say hello and introduce yourself. I'd love to meet you!

8. Building value in my brand and company.
Simply said, at the end of the day it is mine.

9. Sharing my talents and gifts.
This is my calling. It feels right. Some days I feel like I'm a Jack (or Jill) of all Trades and Master of None. But the truth is that that when you have the ability to combine several talents and are good at multi-tasking, you have a great foundation for what it takes to be a great entrepreneur.

10. Because there are so many different hats to wear.
This is figuratively speaking, of course, because I don't look good in hats. Most days I love juggling the different aspects of the biz. It's nice to be the CEO, Marketing Manager, CFO and VP of Sales...all wrapped up into one.

Thanks for tagging me, Lisa! It was nice to stop and smell the roses for a bit.

A little drum roll action, please...here's who I'm tagging:

Jennifer Hardaway at http://www.kleanbathandbody.com/
Jill Jones at http://www.bidwellbotanicals.com
Michele Keiper at http://www.flower-peddler.com/
Kelly Bloom at http://www.southernsoapers.com/
Funlayo Alabi at http://www.shearadiancesupplies.com/

Are you an Indie? Post a comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

How To Market, Sell & Teach Soapmaking and Natural Bodycare Classes

Over the years I've been asked by bath and body company owners if I would show them how to effectively market and teach soapmaking and natural bodycare classes. More than ever, now is the time to learn how to teach soapmaking and natural bodycare classes. Enrollments in art and craft classes across the country are increasing. Yes, I know...the "economy is slow." Let me tell you, my soap class enrollment has never been higher. Consumers are cutting back on retail dollars, but they want to learn how to make and share handmade products. This class is an investment for those of you wanting a whole new revenue stream.

My advice? Sit out a few retail and wholesale shows this spring and put those hard-earned dollars toward taking this class. You can join me from the comfort of your own home for this teleseminar (hey, in your pajamas with a glass of herbal tea...or if you'd like, a glass of wine!). Best of all, this teleseminar will be small and intimate with 10 students.

And I know what you're thinking, "I can just try and teach these classes myself." Absolutely! But let me share with you that there were learning curves I encountered which resulted in wasted time, energy, money and more money! This class will save you from those headaches, especially wasted money, and get you on the fast-track to teaching soapmaking classes.



Class Easily Pays for Itself
By the time students finish this course at the end of February, they will have teaching opportunities lined up for the rest of the year! Since the average one-day, soapmaking class costs $325, this bootcamp could *easily* pay for itself after your first full-day of teaching (providing, of course, you implement my tips and strategies).

Teaching soapmaking has created a wonderful revenue stream for my company. I'll share with you tips and secrets I've learned during my past 11 years of teaching soapmaking classes. I'll also share feedback from my students - why they choose my classes over others available online and in other states.

Students Will Learn This And Much More...
Just some of the topics we'll cover: How to Insure and Legally Protect Yourself and Your Business; Secrets to the Perfect Class Schedule; The Best Proven Ways to Market Your Classes; How to Set Up Class Efficiently; Teaching Effectively; Graceful Ways of Not Giving Away 'The Farm'; How to Find Your Target Audiences; Other Places to Teach Your Class; and Ways to Keep Your Students Coming Back for More; and much more!

You will be inspired, guided and supported!

WHO: Recommended for owners of bath and body companies with a minimum of three years in business and an online presence.

WHEN: Four consecutive Wednesdays: February 4, 11, 18 and 25.

TIME: 8-9:30 p.m. EST

WHERE: Live Teleseminar (You will be provided with toll-free telephone access number.)

BONUS: 1 hour of private, one-on-one consulting to customize and launch your soapmaking classes.

COURSE COST: $650 and LIMITED TO ONLY 10 STUDENTS

You save $400 in this group coaching format (private one-on-one cost is $1,050).

Register now to reserve your spot. (This class will increase to $795 in March.)

Questions? Email Marla at info@backporchsoap.com or call directly at 781.934.8100.