Soap Making Students Make Two Perfect Batches, Lots of Laughs and New Friends

It smelled fantastic at Back Porch Soap Company this weekend! Saturday's cold process soap making class turned out two beautiful batches of soap.

We covered the safety precautions of soap making, additives, essential and fragrance oils, how to determine why a batch failed, molds, cutting, curing, packaging and pricing your final product.

Some of the students were just curious to learn the soap making process firsthand. Others have decided to make soap as a hobby, and at least one student has started her own business. Two of the ladies in my class (Ann in the middle and Teri on the far right) are returning students - they both took the glycerin soap making class.

Three students (mother and daughters), Diane, Taryn and Arianne drove down from New Hampshire to take the class. Jennifer (whom I met on Facebook!) and her sister Melissa (who was celebrating her birthday) also joined us. Vanessa, Tasha and Teri all came from Boston, while Ann came from Braintree.

This weekend's class of nine students divided up into two teams to make two batches that they would all share at the end of the day.

Students took turns stirring this batch of lemongrass and oatmeal soap. Both teams matched their lye/water and oil temperatures perfectly and reached trace within five minutes! The other team made a delicious batch of Bulgarian lavender soap.


Here the students learned how to recognize "trace", and are stirring in lemongrass essential oil and ground oatmeal with an electric stick blender.
This is a completely hands-on class!

Interested in learning how to make cold process soap? Our next cold process soap making class is May 23, in our Duxbury, Massachusetts studio. We are just 35 minutes south of Boston, and only 50 minutes from Providence, RI.

Visiting from out of state? 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!

Can't make this class but want to stay up-to-date with our schedule? Sign up for our newsletter.

Do you or your group want to learn how to make soap, bath and body products or how to launch your own bath and body business? I am currently booking into June 2009. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Unwinding on Sanibel Island: Are You Scheduling Time to Recharge and Try Something New?

I'm a workaholic. I admit it. Honestly, I love my job and enjoy strategizing new ways to grow my business. After all, owning a bath and body company is my dream job.

There are times, however, when I completely hit the wall; when my brain is begging me to do something entirely different. It's akin to having writer's block. That's when I know that it's time to take a trip or a class to learn something new.

Today I'm writing this post from sunny Sanibel Island. While it is rainy and in the 30s back home in Boston, it's 88 degrees, tropical and balmy here. Feet in the sand. Drink in my hand. Four days of complete bliss.

My resolve from sunny Florida is to make time every few weeks when I get back home to take a day trip and refresh. It is inspiring; it breeds creativity. I am already refreshed and renewed. My creative juices have been flowing on Sanibel and Captiva islands here in Florida, and I can't wait to get these new ideas implemented when I get home.

The weather here reminds me of Cape Cod in late July and early August. The traffic on Sanibel at times reminds me of Route 28 on the Cape. I know that it will only be a few short months in Massachusetts before the tourists will come in droves too, just like the mecca that comes to southwest Florida.

So stayed tuned for some exciting announcements from Back Porch Soap Company. I have new products, new classes and much more in store for my wonderful customers. And while in Florida I've picked up new boutiques and resorts to carry my line of sea-inspired bath and body products. Time to go home and make seashell soaps galore!

Sometimes it's easier to stay with the daily grind. But in the long run your body, soul, mind and spirit will thank you for a refreshing break, whatever that is for you.

My wish for you is that you take time and be good to yourself. Especially if you tend to be a workaholic like me. Take a day trip, plan a special vacation getaway, or find a class that sparks your interest.

If soap making is something you are interested in, check out my classes. Sign up now! Or stay in the loop by subscribing to my newsletter.

Do you or your group want to learn how to make soap, bath and body products and how to launch your own bath and body business? I am currently booking into June 2009.
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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

Record Number of Entrepreneurs Signing Up for Private Soap Making Classes & Consulting

Despite the economy, I've had a record number of entrepreneurs signing up for private soap making classes and consulting. Their stories range from finding their passion to supplementing their current income. The top two segments to date have been: nurses looking to sell to colleagues and create a small, part-time businesses; and goat farmers interested in starting their own goats milk soap companies.

This reflects the growing trend to think and act locally - one of the results of the economic situation in the U.S. It isn't a bad side effect. It's interesting how it is coaxing us back to our roots to emulate generations before us.

This trend prompts me to predict that this year is going to be a strong year for local farmer's markets. As long as farmer's can keep their produce and products reasonably competitive with store brands, they should have a stellar season.

If you are interested in learning to make soap from scratch in a group environment, sign up for the April 18 cold process soap making class. Or, if you are ready to take an exciting step to launching your bath and body business, email me for more information on private classes and consulting. There are several programs to choose from, and I will tailor it to fit your needs. If you live out of state you can arrange for a teleclass.

Workshops are held in my Duxbury, Massachusetts studio. Back Porch Soap Company is located just 30 minutes south of Boston.

Visiting from out of state? 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!

Do you or your group want to learn how to make soap, bath and body products or how to launch your own bath and body business? I am currently booking into June 2009. Available for travel in U.S., Canada, Carribean and Europe. Minimum 10 students.
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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

Using Internet Marketing and Social Media To Promote your Art and Craft

Are you an artist or crafter in Massachusetts or Rhode Island looking to increase your online exposure and sales?

Then join me on Tuesday, May 19 for "Online Marketing & Social Networking for The Artist" at the Duxbury Art Association in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The DAA is located 30 minutes south of Boston and only 1 hour from Providence, RI.

You will learn how to effectively use Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to promote your art or craft. We'll discuss how and when blog.

E-commerce sales are growing at a rate of 18% annually. Want your share of online orders? I'll share with you how I drive traffic to my website, turn leads into sales, the importance of linking to websites and put business toward the top of Google rankings.

This is an exciting time. Catch this wave of social media and it will keep you ahead of your competition. Wait another six months, and you are going to be way behind...or possibly out of business.

Don't worry if you don't have a website! With a blog and use of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube you can create a successful online presence and following. Come learn how a free blog brings in business, what it takes to design and write an effective e-mail newsletter campaign, and how to create a media buzz.

Come join other artisans in this fast-paced, information-loaded class! Bring a pen and notebook, and a laptop if you have one.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

6:00pm -9:00pm

Members $65

Non-members $85

Register Now!

Or call the Duxbury Art Association at (781) 934-2731, ext 4 from 9:00am until 5:00pm Monday through Friday. They can register students for classes over the phone and complete the process with payment by either MasterCard or Visa.

Live out of state or can't make this class? Subscribe to my newsletter and let me know that you are interested in my online class.

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A bit about me: I've created incredible results for my clients - through SEO (search engine optimization), social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and more), blogging, and inbound and outbound marketing. I'm also a small business entrepreneur, having owned Back Porch Soap Co. for 12 years. I've put these tips and tricks to work for myself. These are proven results that you will love.

My background: Passionate about Internet Marketing, 21 Years Experience in Market Research, Marketing & PR

Consultant - Educating your company on how to implement its internet marketing strategy.

Freelancer - For hire on project basis or personalize monthly marketing plan.

Speaker - For your group or company: "Knocking it out of the Ballpark with Twitter, Facebook and Google."

Questions? Contact me at 781.934.8100 or at marla@backporchsoap.com

Local Vendor Day at Whole Foods, Hingham, Massachusetts This Saturday!

Join Back Porch Soap Company as we celebrate another Local Vendor Day with Whole Foods on Saturday, March 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!

New! Cold Process Soap Making Class Added For April 18. Register Now!

Want to learn how to make soap from scratch? Curious about the cold process process? Then this is the perfect class for you!

You will learn safety guidelines and reach a level of comfort so that you can finally make soap by hand at home! We'll discuss how to properly use and store lye, mixing lye and water, oils for soap making, fragrance oils, essential oils, superfatting, additives and exfoliants, coloring, molding and curing. Students will receive soap recipes and a list of my favorite places to buy soap making supplies and equipment.

We will make two batches of soap as a class. Each student will take home 10 handmade bars of soap.

Saturday, April 18: 9 a.m.- noon

Course: $65 + $20 materials fee

Class is held in my Duxbury, Massachusetts studio.
Back Porch Soap Company is located just 30 minutes south of Boston.

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!

Do you or your group want to learn how to make soap, bath and body products and how to launch your own bath and body business? I am currently booking into June 2009. Available for travel in U.S., Canada, Carribean and Europe.

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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

Beyond Boston Gift Show: Taking Wholesale Soaps & Gifts on the Road!

It's a grassroots sort of year in so many ways for me and my company. After 12 years of exhibiting in Handmade of Boston Gift Show I've decided to do things a bit differently for all my retailers in New England: I've decided to take my show on the road.

In this year of change, it's imperative that we connect with each other and build on our relationships. There is so much more that exchanges between a retailer and wholesaler besides merchandise. It's networking, idea swapping, and cross-promotion. And unfortunately, this isn't conducive at trade shows. There simply isn't enough time.

If there's one thing I've learned from the past 14 months in business, it's that status quo just doesn't cut it anymore. And I'm embracing this change. Are you?

My schedule is booking quickly. Please call 781.934.8100. Now booking appointments into the week of March 30. For retailers out of New England, please call or email for sample sets or catalog. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, too.

Have you received our Summer 2009 wholesale catalog? Email me at marla@backporchsoap.com.

Many new and exciting Summer 2009 products: organic line, starfish soaps, sea glass soap in bulk, soap and lotion sets, seashell potpourri sea glass soap gift sets, private labeling, beach soaps and much more!

I look forward to connecting in person with you!

~Marla Bosworth

Founder/Owner

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Massachusetts Wholesale Soap, Connecticut Wholesale Soap, Rhode Island Wholesale Soap, Maine Wholesale Soap, New Hampshire Wholesale Soap, Florida Wholesale Soap, California Wholesale Soap