Whisper Girl Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I have seen so many beautiful soaps on this forum that I am now wanting to learn myself. Can I get names of books that you soapmakers out there think are great to use to learn this beautiful craft? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMori Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Just my opinion, but no soap maker should be without The Soap Maker's Companion (Cavitch) and Scientific Soap Making (can't remember the author's name right now.) Really, you don't need any other books. Most of the other books may have pretty pictures and perhaps can give artistic ideas on the aesthetics/creative aspects, but they are pretty worthless when it comes to the nuts and bolts of soap making, beyond giving a few recipes and a rendition of the process. The Soap Maker's Companion has wonderful recipes, if sometimes a bit on the expensive side. She gives a lot of information on everything you can add to soap for color and fragrance and other additives. She gives descriptions of oils and what qualities they give soap. Not completely exhaustive on every topic in soap making, but pretty darn close. Scientific Soap Making is actually a text book. It can be used to teach a course on soap making or chemistry. It is accessible to the novice chemist or soap maker a like. Written in plain language, but not dumbed down. It is the book I wish I had when I began making soap. It answers some of the more scientific questions that arise... what causes dos, how to prevent dos, how to accurately measure and keep a journal of soap making, testing various oils and additives in a scientific manner. I've read the entire book, but haven't done any of the "homework" or experiments, however I'm really considering working my way through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whisper Girl Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 Thank you. I have been looking here in Kansas for a place to take some lessons - but could not find any so it is off to buy books! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) I disagree. I think Soap and Other Obsessions by Zonella Gould and Sally Trew is a worthy book to have. Edited September 14, 2011 by Scented Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_35550 Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I have both books and they are both valuable but I love Soap and Other Obsessions. You might get a subscription to The Saponifier magazine. I read it when there is down time and it has back issues like the one with the swirl contest and how to do all the swirls. Its pricey though. HTHSteve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasBrat Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Well, i disagree with all of you. . I bought a book a long time ago when I first became interested in soap making six years ago. I read maybe one chapter and became bored and instead went online and found this forum. There is so much free information on the internet. I am a visual learner and Youtube has helped me as well. jmo save your money for buying soap supplies.:grin2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I have both books and they are both valuable but I love Soap and Other Obsessions. You might get a subscription to The Saponifier magazine. I read it when there is down time and it has back issues like the one with the swirl contest and how to do all the swirls. Its pricey though. HTHSteveAh I love Saponifier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyn4078 Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 My pick is Soap Naturally by P Garzena and M Tadiello Five years down the track and I still dont tire of flicking through it :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toni S. Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 (edited) Well, i disagree with all of you. . I bought a book a long time ago when I first became interested in soap making six years ago. I read maybe one chapter and became bored and instead went online and found this forum. There is so much free information on the internet. I am a visual learner and Youtube has helped me as well. jmo save your money for buying soap supplies.:grin2:I'm with you 100% TexasBrat! A person can get "all" the necessary info that's needed for soapmaking with the internet and a little patience. I too purchased one book in my 15 years of soapmaking and didn't even get the first chapter done. Between websites and forums a person's got it made! Edited September 17, 2011 by Toni S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.