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Kerri Mixon is a professional cosmetic formulator, master soapmaker, and author in San Diego, California. She opened her first soap company, Pallas Athene Soap, in 1999 and joined the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild in 2003. Kerri teaches soap and cosmetic making classes throughout the United States and has regularly taught at the Soapmaking Studio in Lemon Grove since 2008. Honored and humbled by receiving a lifetime membership award from the Soap Guild in 2019, Kerri sought to give back to the soapmaking community. Early in 2020, Kerri Mixon officially registered the last Sunday in September, annually, as National Soapmaking Day. She is the founder of the nonprofit Soap Donation Center. She is thankful for abundant creativity and health; her hobbies include gardening and fashion. A 16th-generation soapmaker now in her 50s, she revels at the opportunity to make impossible custom soap creations for clients and enjoys spending time with her husband and their cats and cockatoo.

Alegna Soap offers organic soaps and skin care products made in small batches. Angela Carillo decided to take her career in chemistry in a new direction after her children left home. Through a journey that led her from library research to classes, conferences and communities of other soap makers, Alegna Soap began as a business in 2010. Her products are now in local bed & breakfasts, specialty shops and available online. Angela teaches classes in soap making to adults in NYC and on Long Island, and skin care classes to elementary students. She has written for The Soap Collaborative, and Making Soap Cosmetics & Candles (previously known as Saponifier). She reached an even wider audience when she was invited to show host Kevin Pereira how to make soap on TV’s Hack My Life.

Donating her time and products to help others in need is also important to Angela. She was one of a group of soap makers who traveled to Haiti to teach women in tent camps how to make soap and perfume as a way to support themselves. Through her initiative, “Soap for Soup,” Angela regularly makes a special batch of soap products from which the proceeds go directly to a Bethpage, NY, food pantry because of their generous help for a friend of hers years ago.

Bringing both depth and integrity to every class, Venessa offers more than just instructions, she provides inspiration, practical skills, and a deep respect for the craft. In addition to her certifications in soap making, Venessa brings over 15 years of experience as a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist (since 2009) and has been a proud member of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) since 2019.

Her workshops are held in Bucks County, PA, and Central New Jersey, (please see individual listings for dates and locations). Classes cover Cold and Hot Process Soap Making, Body Scrubs ( water and oil-based), Lotion Making, and Kids Aromatics.

In 2020, Venessa began focusing her soap-making practice on zero-waste methods, empowering students to create effective, eco-conscious products from scratch. A conference and mental health wellness speaker, she combines aromatherapy with hands-on instruction to make natural product formulation both rewarding and attainable.

She shares tutorials, tips, and inspiration on her YouTube channel, DeGanya Aromatics, Natural Products for the 3 Dimension of You , helping students and makers continue learning beyond the classroom.

Cindy has more than 30 years of curriculum development and teaching at community colleges, museums, state parks, spa schools, and herbal schools. If you have a class in mind for yourself, a group or a school Cindy will custom develop a one day class or multiple day course you want. Cindy's classes include written instructional materials, hands on engagement, make and take projects, and a whole lot of fun!

Cold & Hot Process Soapmaking, Open Fire Traditional Soapmaking, Tallow and Lard Rendering, Distilling for Hydrodols and Essential Oils, Aromatherapy and Herbalism

Hi!  My name is Jen Richard and I'm addicted to making soap and cosmetic products.  I love that when I step into our shower, open the medicine cabinet, or start a load of laundry or dishes, I smile because I'm looking at products that are handmade, safe and effective.  I can pronounce all the ingredients, save money over store-bought versions, and have satisfaction that each item is made with care.

My goal is to empower You to learn to make soap safely and confidently, to be able to grow your curiosity into a lifelong hobby or business. If you want to live a more natural lifestyle and save money in the process, I can help steer you with which products to switch to making handmade, without being overwhelmed, frustrated, or wasting ingredients with failed attempts from Pinterest.

We offer the following soapmaking classes on a rotating basis:

Soapmaking for Beginners

Milk Soaps

Household Cleaners I and II

To see dates for the next class, please go to:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/kantaikitchen/events/?ref=page_internal

I'll teach you the ins and outs of cold process soapmaking, candles, lip balm, sugar scrubs, and other cosmetics on a beginner level. Classes will be posted periodically, but I always offer one-on-one private lessons as needed.

My soap making classes are designed to teach students to make soap from scratch at home as a hobby. I'll set you up for success and you'll have fun while learning completely hands-on.

Offering hands on learning in Northern New Jersey and Annapolis, MD.

Using classic soap making techniques, each workshop provides an outlet to encourage your inner creativity.  Classes explore soap making from a different prospective; students are encouraged to incorporate their own style to make soap bars that are somewhat unusual, fun loving and inspired by the word around us.

What You'll Learn:

1. The basics of soap making, including the science behind the process.
2. How to safely work with natural ingredients and essential oils.
3. Creative techniques for coloring, scenting, and designing your soaps.

What to Expect:

What’s Included:

1. All supplies and tools needed for the class.
2. A variety of natural additives, colors, and scents to customize your soaps.

Who Can Attend:

Crafting a sustainable future through profitable business practices specifically for Makers & Micro Businesses is our passion. Handcrafted Makers hire me when they are done with hustle culture and are ready to pay themselves while building a business that supports their ideal lifestyle.

Use this link to set up a free 30 minute discovery call on how Sara's consulting services can provide you with expert business strategy in the Handcrafted industry. https://sunnygirlbusinesssolutions.hbportal.co/schedule/68102479c5264900193a6820

Soap and Cosmetic Classes Discover the art of handcrafted beauty in our intimate soap and cosmetic making classes. Limited to just three participants, you'll enjoy personalized instruction as you learn to create luxurious soaps, nourishing balms, and natural cosmetics using high-quality ingredients. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, our hands-on approach ensures you'll leave with beautiful products and the confidence to continue crafting at home. Perfect for treating yourself or learning a new hobby in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Group Classes Bring your friends, family, or colleagues together for a memorable creative experience! Our group classes accommodate larger parties while maintaining the same high-quality instruction and attention to detail. Ideal for birthday celebrations, bachelorette parties, team building events, or simply a fun day out with loved ones. Everyone will create their own personalized soap and cosmetic products while enjoying great company and learning new skills together.

Camp and Children Activities Spark creativity and scientific curiosity in young minds through our engaging soap and cosmetic making camps! Designed specifically for children, these activities combine fun with learning as kids explore basic chemistry concepts while creating their own colorful soaps and gentle cosmetics. Our safe, age-appropriate projects encourage creativity, following instructions, and pride in handmade accomplishments. Perfect for summer camps, birthday parties, or educational group activities that kids will remember long after they take their creations home.

I have a passion for making natural products & teaching / sharing what I know with other Makers. I started teaching in 2001 & opened The Nova Studio in Point Richmond in 2003. We held classes there until 2015. Now, I live in Ohio & our classes are predominantly online... so you can learn from anywhere in the world!

The Nova Studio offers many opportunities for you to learn from home - like individual on-demand Video eClasses and printable Class Handouts & eBooks by many talented teachers. We also have a helpful Blog with free tutorials, tips & tricks, recommended suppliers, & exclusive supplier discounts to help your business grow & thrive. 

One of my favorite things is helping fellow Makers succeed in product making & businesses. Whether it's troubleshooting, product formulating, or help with teaching classes, just tell me what you need I'll let you know if I'm a good fit for the job (if not, I can probably refer you to someone I know who can help). We can accomplish a lot in just a few hours (through video or phone consults). If you're near Dayton, OH, I also do private lessons. Connect with me at email@thenovastudio.com