Soap Maker's Workshop: The Art and Craft of Natural Homemade Soap

This is a well written guide to soap-making for the hobbyist as well as someone who may be considering taking their interest in soap-making to another level. The book describes how one might go about making soap with the ash and animal fats in the manner available a few generations ago, for the curious minded. If one is considering a commercial venture into selling their handmade soaps, this book describes some aspects one may wish to take into consideration. There is an interesting/useful range of recipes given in weights (which I greatly prefer to volume) as well as the relevant table and formula to calculate a proper ratio of fats to lye in order to accurately create your own recipe. I was pleasantly surprised to find a well-presented DVD included with safety information and a video of the soap-making process. The book is beautifully and logically presented in the manner befitting a professional educator (as Dr. McDaniel is). This book seems to include the basic skills required from which to build one's knowledge. For the readers who wish to add their own creative flair, there is very good information on fragrances and colorants. If I were hard-pressed to find any fault, I'd request some substitutions perhaps when available for some of the more difficult to source components, I am not currently living in the US and I'm having a bit of trouble finding menthol for the shaving soap recipe. So, perhaps in the next edition? I love this book, it is very interesting and the photography is beautiful as well as illustrative of the processes. Carol Buxton

I am new to soap making and a real beginner ....... however I have an extensive education and training in natural healing and alternative therapies. This book was so wonderfully written in it's introduction and history of soap making. I am a visual learner, and the photographs lead me step by step through the experience, process and history of how soap came about. There is a DVD to help one familiarize oneself with the soap making process ( no other book offered this ) which is amazing. I think this is a great book for the beginner / intermediate soap maker who is visually orientated. I bought six books on this craft and by far this is the best. I am returning two books on the soap making process which were really not so good. Amazon was great as usual at shipping and getting the order to me in a very timely fashion. Soap Maker's Workshop: The Art and Craft of Natural Homemade Soap

I liked this book, and I also liked the DVD even if I found it very short.However, the author seems to want to make the thing look complicated and dangerous to maybe discourage us a little? It is a pity, because it could be a fun set of book and DVD, but once reading it and watching the DVD, we almost feel like if we were disturbing somehow.In this book, the author uses a lot of chemistry words, maybe to confuse us as well? I am not sure...Anyway, it is still interesting and we still learn something.I precise I am not an expert in soap, but I am learning and this book seems okay to me.Esthetically, this book is not the top, but the basics are however there and not so badly explained in spite of the fact it is not generously made.Maybe I have this impression because this author is a true professional of soap and it is difficult for him to imagine what it is, to be a beginner?He obviously knows what he is talking about, we can, at least, trust him on that.The DVD is definitely too too short. At the end, we are still waiting for more...I still will recommend this book/DVD in spite of the not fun part.

…not scary and pretty easy. Good source of information for both beginners as well as intermediate soap makers.

This book was apparently quite difficult to locate- I ordered it at the end of April and it finally arrived over a month later (around the beginning of June or so). Amazon did a great job of sending emails regarding the status and potential ship date (if located), and you always have to option to cancel your order while it is still pending. I chose to wait for it, and I'm glad I did. This book is great for pretty much any level of soap maker. It even came with a CD, but I haven't checked that out yet. Lots of useful info in this book and I'm very happy I purchased it.

As others have noted in their reviews, "Soap Maker's Workshop" provides solid information for the beginning soap maker. For the hobbyist and anyone just starting out, Dr. McDaniel goes a long way to take the intimidation out of the process of making soap. While nearly all of the information in the book can be found online, the "Soap Maker's Workshop" does a very nice job of organizing their information and presenting it in simple terms."Soap Maker's Workshop" also comes with an instructional DVD which allows you to watch the process of making soap. I found the DVD to be more valuable than the book if for no other reason than as a confidence builder before that intimidating first batch of soap.

I recieved this book about two weeks ago, read through it the first night and ordered supplies off the net the next day. I've made two batches of the cold process soap this past week and they are coming out great! I wish there had been a little more info in the book about the qualities of various oils and how one might go about mixing and matching them. I've used a soap calculator website to figure out my recipes for me, rather than the ones in the book, but the process is very easy.

Awesome book, full of helpful information. Super happy with it. It even came with a DVD with a soap making video I believe. Fully illustrated. It's great.

Alles super! Vielen Dank! Gerne wieder!Everything fine!Thank you!All the best!Puntucal!Great Quality!ReallyVeryNice!Thanks

This is an excellent book for anyone who makes soap or just wants to make it someday. It's clear, easy to read, has plenty of pictures to show you exactly what your soap should look like throughout the process. This is a must own book for anyone seriously working in the soapmaking craft.

The book brings everything that you need to know about soap making.

A must have book and DVD for the home soap maker extremely helpful and explained all concepts involved! Does not melt and pour and cold process soap and explains all the options for ingredients. Great DVD to watch before making your first batch!