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!

Personalized Wedding Favor Orders On The Rise for 2009; It's Hot, Hot, Hot!

It's that time of year. Brides all over the U.S. are shopping for the finishing touches for their spring or summer wedding.

This year there will be 2,219,264 weddings in the United States, up from 2,212,923 in 2008, according to The Wedding Report. A quick glance tells me that's up close to 7,000 over last year. The same publication predicts brides will spend close to $30,000 when it comes to planning for their wedding in 2009.

I've been receiving phone calls for wedding favors earlier this year than in 2008. An increasing number of them are from bridesmaids helping out with bridal showers or assisting brides with selecting wedding favors.

It's no wonder brides need help planning their weddings. The Wedding Report says nearly 50 percent of U.S. weddings this year will have between 100 and 200 guests. Another 25 percent will have more than 200 attending their special day. Favors are a wonderful way to thank your guests for sharing your special day. They also serve as a special reminder of your day.

Whether you're planning a beach wedding, or just love the beach, our sea glass soaps make popular favors. For other ideas check out our personalized and monogrammed soap bars.

Bulk Sea Glass Soaps

For large weddings with 100 or more guests, it is much more cost-effective to create your own favors. Our most popular assemble-it-yourself favors are made using our bulk sea glass soaps. At $70 per gallon (enough for 30-40 guests), it is economical, yet beautiful. Most brides choose to package them in cello bags and tie them up with ribbons matching their wedding colors. Add a personalized hangtag and hot-glue a shell to create a seaside-themed favor that guests will love!

Sea Glass Soaps with Hangtags

For smaller weddings, or for those who have the budget to spend a bit more on their guests, save time and energy by ordering finished favors. Our popular seaglass wedding favor soaps are handmade, packaged by us, and are finished with free personalized hangtags. Each pillowpak contains 50 pieces of colorful seaglass made out of our moisturizing and long-lasting soap.

Whatever your choice is for your 2009 wedding favors, I wish you a beautiful day and many blessings in the years to come. Enjoy!

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.

Fight Your Winter Beauty Blues with Our Sale; Top 10 Reasons To Use Shea Butter

Simply put, shea butter is amazing. To start, it is a natural, therapeutic balm for dry skin. And that's just the beginning. (If you are a complete shea butter expert and just want the deal of the month, scroll to the bottom of my post!)

Our shea butter is sourced from Ghana, West Africa. It is organic and 100% pure and natural. Besides being a superb moisturizer, it boasts exceptional healing properties for various skin conditions. Naturally enriched with Vitamin A and E, it is one of my top sellers.

From outdoor adventurists who battle nature's elements to nurses and doctors who wash their hands constantly throughout the day, our shea butter has been protecting skin for 10 years. Unlike lotions that wash off after first use, shea butter sinks into the layers of your epidermis and protects your skin throughout the day. Use it on your face before your daily beauty regime, on your hands, arms, legs, feet...anywhere you need to moisturize.

The Top 10 Reasons To Use Shea Butter:

1. Accelerates the healing of dry, itchy skin or dermatitis.

2. Acts as an anti-inflammatory against arthritis.

3. Natural anti-aging: helps reduce wrinkles, adds suppleness to skin

4. Regenerates skin appearance - wonderful before your beauty regime.

5. Softens feet and cracked heels.

6. Provides relief and in some cases cures Psoriasis and Eczema.

7. Heals wounds and burns.

8. Repairs skin damage from radiation.

9. Prevents pregnancy stretch marks and fades existing scars.

10. Protects skin from sunburn, cold weather, frost bite and oh yes, diaper rash!


Our shea butter is available in 4 oz. tins (shown above). At 100% strength, it is highly concentrated, so a small amount goes a long way.

For extra sensitive skin, I highly suggest our unscented shea butter. This is my recommendation for customers with allergies, who are highly sensitive, and also for children under 10. Our Provence Lavender shea butter is made with pure lavender essential oil, which is also adds healing properties. The bestselling fragrance by far is White Tea, which is light, soft, subtle and sexy. It's a sophisticated fragrance and is popular with both men and women.

For a limited time (through January 31, 2009 or until supplies last) get 50 PERCENT OFF your shea butter order. I've never offered this kind of discount before, so these could go fast. This is the time to stock up! Extra bonus...get free shipping on $60 or more. Get shopping and let go of those winter beauty blues!

Restore Dry Skin and Sore Muscles with Our Jacuzzi & Tub Bath Salts

This time of year I get inquiries from customers who are suffering from dry skin, excema, psoriasis and sore muscles. They are frustrated with their skin condition, have tried products that haven't worked, and come to me looking for a remedy.

Several years ago a woman in Brant Rock, Massachusetts asked me to make a sea salt soak that would be safe for her jacuzzi. She wanted a moisturizing salt soak; that would soothe her sore muscles and alleviate her dry skin.

I spent many days in the studio experimenting with various sea salts and essential oil blends. The end result? A fabulous bath and jacuzzi soak that is therapeutic and moisturizing. I've taken a special blend of Caribbean Sea Salts and combined them with a moisturizing cocoa butter. This is a proprietary blend and is only available here at Back Porch Soap Co. After soaking in these salts your skin will be refresh and rehydrated.


Soaking in sea salt helps remove toxins from your body. Toxins are small molecules, and can cause disease on contact with or absorption by body tissues. By eliminating toxins, we enjoy a healthier, glowing body and overall increased energy. Drink plenty of water after your soak to help your kidneys and liver flush the toxins out of your body. The results are very similar to a full-body massage.

I've created three blends for the salts: Lavender, Lemongrass & Eucalyptus, and Peppermint & Eucalyptus.

Lavender ~ Relaxing, soothing and calming. The perfect night soak.
Lemongrass & Eucalyptus ~ Renewing, cleansing, and uplifting.
Peppermint & Eucalyptus ~ Invigorating, stimulating, and rejuvenating.

So what happened to the woman who helped me invent these products? Well, she's turned out to be one of my best customers. She's put herself on autoship and gets all three salts shipped to her every four weeks. She starts her day with a jacuzzi, and chooses whichever essential oil blend suits her mood for that morning.

If you don't have a jacuzzi, you can still enjoy these incredible salts in a long, relaxing soak in a bathtub. Here's to your health and relaxation!

A Crafty Gift: Boston Soapmaking Classes, Gift Certificates and More

Haven't finished your holiday shopping yet? Or have you resigned to the fact that this year your gift may be a little late? And what about those December and January birthdays?

How about sending a gift certificate for great sea-inspired bath and body products, fun kids toy soaps, organic bodycare, or soapmaking and business classes!



Short on time and need a gift sent directly to a friend or family member? We'll tie it up all pretty and include a personalized note from you - all for free!

Hurry! Visit Back Porch Soap's website now to get it that special gift on its way!

Also, check out our upcoming Boston soap making classes:
January 11, 2009
Totally Green Organic Bodycare

January 17, 2009
Soapmaking Bootcamp

January 24, 2009
Glycerin Soapmaking

Or join in a class from the comfort of your own home.
Teleseminar Class:
January 11, 2009
Launching Your Dream Business Bootcamp