About the HSMG

The mission of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild is:

To promote the handcrafted soap industry;
to act as a center of communication among soapmakers; and
to circulate information beneficial to soapmakers.

The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild was formed in 1998 by a small group of enterprising soapmakers. The first annual conference was held at the Woodspirits Farm in Ohio. Since that initial gathering the Soap Guild has grown and expanded to include soapmaker and vendor members from all 50 US states, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, 4 Canadian provinces and 14 other countries on 4 continents.

Membership is open to those who make and sell handcrafted soap and vendors who provide products and/or services to handcrafted soapmakers. In 2005 the membership approved a Code of Ethics. All new and renewing members agree to abide by the code in their soapmaking endeavors.

The HSMG promotes handcrafted soaps through its website, providing information about handcrafted soaps and soap making as well as searchable resources so visitors can find soaps and soapmakers in their area.

Each year the Soap Guild hosts an annual conference. The location of the conference rotates through the various areas of the United States, making it accessible to members all over the country. Conferences are usually three days and include seminars, classes and workshops on a variety of topics relating to soapmaking. Often a field trip or various networking/social events are included. Numerous vendors attend, showing their wares to members, offering discounts, teaching and answering questions. In addition, there's lots of networking and entertainment. The annual conference is open to members and non-members (although members get a discount on the registration fee).

In response to a critical need for affordable product and general liability insurance for soapmakers, the HSMG negotiated a group insurance policy which became part of the member benefits for soapmakers in the Fall of 2006.

As part of our member benefits, we have an on-line forum to facilitate exchanges between soapmakers and to create a venue where beginning soapmakers can get advice and assistance from experienced soapmakers. Our Members Only website is also a resource for soapmakers. Our vendor members offer discounts and other benefits to the members as well.

Activities of the Soap Guild are funded by membership dues and donations and the acitivites are carried out by volunteer members. The operations of the Soap Guild are overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors in accordance with the Corporate Bylaws. We have a management company that handles much of the day-to-day operations. The Annual Meeting is normally held at the conference each year, giving members and attendees the chance to voice their opinions, present motions before the members and get briefed on the current state of affairs within the Soap Guild.

Every year since our inception we have grown in terms of both numbers of members and outreach into the community. We'd love to have you join!