Classes
Since its founding, the HSCG has been deeply committed to helping handcrafters improve their skills and expertise. In addition to our Resource Center, Annual Conference and Certification Program, we are pleased to share a rotating selection of online and in-person classes, taught by our members.
Whether mastering the basics or trying out a new technique, gain valuable knowledge, learning from experts across the country. You can feel confident knowing they have met the rigorous requirements of our HSCG Teacher Program, and achieved at least one level of HSCG Soapmaker Certification.
Please note: Because the classes and content are developed by individual HSCG teacher-members, the HSCG does not specifically endorse nor guarantee the contents or results for any of the classes listed. We recommend contacting the teacher directly with specific with questions or to make special arrangements. Payment for classes is made specifically to the teacher or company – not the HSCG.
Online Classes
Please note: The HSCG is pleased to share this list of online classes. Because the classes and content are developed by individual makers participating in the HSCG Teacher Program, the HSCG does not specifically endorse nor guarantee the contents or results for any of the classes listed.
We recommend contacting the teacher directly with specific with questions or to make special arrangements. Payment for classes is made specifically to the teacher or company – not HSCG.
Online Classes40 Results
Cold Process Soapmaking (Using an Oil Blend)
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
- Do you want to make your own soap, but in an easier, more efficient way?
- Would you like to weigh oils ONCE, versus weighing out 5+ oils every time?
- Looking to simplify your inventory & your purchasing of soapmaking oils?
- Want to see an experienced soapmaker’s process, from start to finish?
In our newest on-demand soapmaking class you’ll see Lori’s entire soapmaking process (with 2 different demo batches on video).
Making Lotions & Creams from Scratch
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
Have you wondered if you can successfully make lotions & creams from scratch? Making your own lotions & creams is easier than you think – especially when you start with clear instructions & tested recipes.Learn from a pro how to DIY it the right way & control the ingredients that go onto your skin. Once you try Lori’s tried & true recipes for a skin-softening Light Body Lotion (perfect for summer, all over the body) & a rich Shea Butter Cream (great for winter, dry skin, elbows, hands & feet), you’ll never buy anything else.This eClass includes 4 videos to watch as often as you like, and printable PDF Class Handouts with clearly written instructions, recipe details & more.Just Added! Bonus Recipe & Demo Video #4: Nourishing Murumuru Lotion
Making All-Natural Perfumes (Roll-ons, Sprays, & Solids)
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
Perfume making is my second favorite product to make (second only to Cold Process Soapmaking). The knowledge I’ve gained through making perfumes these past 2 decades has improved the complexity & longevity of the scent blends in my soap & other natural bath & body products like scrubs, body butters, & more.This eClass includes a 2.5 hour video (instant & unlimited access) as well as a printable, detailed Class Handout that has all my instructions, recipes/blends & more helpful info. I am thrilled to be sharing my knowledge & passion for this super fun topic with you!
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
How awesome would it feel to get paid to share your passion with others? Do you make handmade products for your friends & family? If so, teaching classes can be a really fun way to finance your hobby & make extra money. For crafters, artists, & makers who already own a business, teaching classes can be a rewarding way to increase profits, generate interest in your brand, & help establish you as an expert in your field. Read more at the link below.
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
Curious about what can be safely added to your Cold Process (CP) Soap to create lovely exfoliating bar soaps?
Not sure what your options are, exactly which type of ingredient to buy, or precisely how much to use?
Want to know which additives contribute to gentle exfoliation, moderate exfoliation, or heavy-duty exfoliation?
Hope to confidently create different exfoliating soap bars that your friends or customers will love?
Many natural ingredients can be added to handmade soap to create an exfoliating bar. Seeds, nuts, shells, grains, dried foods & herbs can be added to soap to help slough off dead skin cells. They can be used whole, chopped, or powdered.
After teaching soapmaking for 20 years & I’m happy to finally have a thorough, research-based class on exfoliants to share with you!
ONLINE Beginning Cold Process Soapmaking
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
This is a beginning soapmaking class designed to teach students to make soap by hand at home. After learning soapmaking safety, students learn to formulate soap recipes and calculate lye quantities without using a "lye calculator." The objective of this class is to have students understand saponification values and be comfortable creating their own soap recipes at home. Online students receive a bar of cold process soap made during the class session. Attend in person or online.
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
Learn to make oil-free, concentrated facial serums containing vitamins and active ingredients. Understand the different vitamins and active ingredients used to improve skin texture, minimize wrinkle lines, improve elasticity, treat acne, and even skin tone. Determine the general safety of new ingredients. During the class, learn to make aloe vera gel, hand sanitizer, gel eye shadow, gel eyeliner, and mascara with the same beneficial base ingredients. Attend in person or online.
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
Learn how to make bath bombs, bath fizzy tablets, bath fizzy powder, and bath salts. This class includes the chemistry behind the effervescent fizzing reaction, a superior formulation for bath bombs, and the advanced technique used to create bath fizzies without oils, so they will not leave a dangerously greasy bathtub. Online students are mailed a workbook and 3 different types of bath treatments made during the live class. Attend in person or online.
ONLINE Advanced Cold/Hot Process Soapmaking
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
Students learn to formulate a truly great bar of soap through their choice of soapmaking base oils. In this information-packed class, learn which oils have similar fatty acid profiles and can be substituted for one another, what types of lather come from which soapmaking oils, how to correctly use antioxidants (such as ROE or vitamin E), how handmade soap differs from commercial soap, and some advanced soapmaking chemistry in the popular Soapmaking 210 class. Attend in person or online.
ONLINE Soap Salvage through Rebatching
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
Learn to create beautiful, new bars of soap by rebatching old scraps and failed batches. Safely learn to neutralize lye-heavy soap or introduce additional lye to oily soap. View a soap rebatching demonstration and learn to improve soap through rebatching and the addition of fresh organic juices, vitamins, and antioxidants. Each online student receives a bar of hot process soap rebatched during the Soapmaking 125 class. Attend in person or online.
ONLINE Hot Process Soapmaking Class
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
Soapmaking 105 is an intermediate-level soapmaking class to teach students to make bars of soap using the hot process soapmaking method. Hot process soapmaking is beneficial in achieving truer scents and using less scent material. Hot process is also necessary for cream, liquid, and transparent soapmaking. Particular emphasis is placed on the safety of hot process soapmaking. Online students are mailed a workbook and a bar of hot process soap made during the class. Attend in person or online.
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
Learn how to formulate effective spa-quality scrubs. Understand the difference between salt scrubs and sugar scrubs and when one is preferred over the other for easily achieving safe and natural skin exfoliation. Learn how to add beneficial vitamins and learn why preservatives should be used in oil based products. For those opposed to oil based products, learn to create oil-free scrubs. Online students are mailed three types of scrubs made in class. Attend in person or online.
ONLINE Lotion Making Science Class
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
In this beginning-through-advanced Lotion Making Science class, take a scientific, hands-on approach to learning different methods and techniques for making lotion. Students learn to make small, test batches of lotion and how to increase the recipe to make larger batches. Gain confidence by learning how a batch of lotion that has separated or gone wrong can always be salvaged. Understand the importance of emulsifiers and emulsification systems: what they are and how they work. Perform scientific test experiments to prove whether or not common lotion ingredients (such as lecithin, polysorbate, and stearic acid) act as emulsifiers. In this Lotion Making Science class, students compare four (4) different emulsifiers in performance challenges to determine which emulsifiers cause soaping (white streaks during application), which emulsifiers are better for the face (non-comedogenic), which emulsifiers are water miscible (and better for use in hair conditioner), and which emulsifiers are considered natural ingredients (and widely accepted by modern consumers). This class also briefly covers labeling requirements, preservatives, and professional lab testing. Online students receive a workbook and 4 different lotions in the mail. Attend in person or online.
ONLINE Liquid Soapmaking Class
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
This class covers the various difficulties faced by home soapmakers who strive for a truly clear liquid soap. Specific class topics include safety, formulating soap recipes with potassium hydroxide, and the different choices of soapmaking oils, fragrance materials, and colorants. This class also covers shampoo, bubble bath, and making sodium-free liquid soap safe for greywater systems. Each online student is mailed a sample bottle of liquid soap made in class. Attend in person or online.
Learn to Make Cold Process Soap (from Scratch)
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
Have you ever wondered what was involved with making all-natural soap, from scratch in your own kitchen? Do you, a close friend, or a family member have skin issues that are easily irritated by store-bought soaps & detergents? Many commercial soaps contain cheap petroleum-based ingredients & synthetic detergents that can be harsh on sensitive skin. By learning how to make soap in your own kitchen, you can tailor it to suit any skin type as well as insure that only the most beneficial ingredients go into your finished bars.
Virtual Class: Natural Anti-aging Skincare Products
Company: Back Porch Soap Company, LLC
Contact: marla@backporchsoap.com
Date & Time: Anytime
Start learning today in this virtual pre-recorded class!
Learn to make your very own highly effective, plant-based, facial beauty products from scratch in this online class. In this class we are going to tackle fine lines and wrinkles, dryness, dullness, oiliness, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, loss of firmness, elasticity and more.
Fizzy Bath Bombs & Shower Steamers (8 Demo Videos + Class Handouts)
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
In my 18+ years of making & teaching Bath Fizzies, I've learned a lot. This eClass comes with 7 Demo Videos & Printable Class Handouts (my 55-page Fizzy eBook)... is the most extensive in my collection! It's super organized & easy to follow, with a hyperlinked Table of Contents to find topics quickly.My goal in offering this Fizzies eClass is to share as much info & insight as I can about making Fizzies, to help you become an expert & make more successful batches.
NEW Making Solid Salt Scrubs eClass
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
With Summer approaching, we’re shedding long pants in favor or skirts & shorts. It’s time to give your legs (and the rest of your neglected skin) some TLC.
Exfoliating body scrubs are great for physical exfoliation, but many can be messy & too oily in the shower or bath. No one wants to be standing on an oil-slicked, wet surface & risk a shower injury!
Enter SOLID SALT SCRUBS… the smartest way to exfoliate at home or on the go (because they’re easy to pack for vacation or a trip to the gym).
10 Steps to Launch Your First Class (On-Demand Teaching Workshop)
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
- Ever thought about teaching soap/bath/body product making, or any craft?
- Have dreams of teaching a creative passion, but not sure where to begin?
- Wish you had help figuring out the necessary steps to teaching your first class?
- Want to feel confident you’re covering all your bases, before your next class?
Schedule your class with focus & purpose (without getting sidetracked).
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
Old-Fashioned Soap Made without Lye! Soap from Ashes is a complete lecture with detailed instructions and photographs for making soap from plant ashes. This presentation includes information on how to extract the naturally-caustic solution from any type of plant ashes (combusted hardwood, softwood, grasses, or leaves) and how to concentrate the solution for maximum effectiveness. Learn how to collect and filter rain water, how to render and prepare animal fats for soapmaking, how to test the soap for harshness, how to adjust the soap for gentleness, and how to cook the soap over a wood fire—all without using electricity, for a true pioneer experience. Attend in person or online.
ONLINE Melt and Pour Photo Soap
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
Soapmaking 100 is a beginning-level melt and pour soapmaking class to teach students to make bars of soap embellished with personal photos. Detergent-free melt and pour soap base allows crafters to make a truly natural soap with endless sales possibilities, when topped with a personal photograph. Learn to create stunning, personalized gift soaps with images of wedding parties, newborn babies, or company logos by embeding photos in soap. Students must email a photograph in JPG or GIF format that is at least 4 inches square or 300 pixels square to info@soapmakingstudio.com at least 24 hours before the start of the class. A student who fails to submit a personal photograph by the deadline may receive a generic printed image to embed in soap during the class. Each online student receives a bar of soap made during the class with the student's personal, submitted photo. Attend in person or online.
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
Soapmaking 216 is an intermediate-level soapmaking class to teach students to make gel soap using the hot process soapmaking method. Gel soap is thicker than liquid soap and requires different ingredients to prevent a film or skin from forming on top of gel soap. Unlike liquid soap, which must be dispensed from a foam pump, gel soap is easily dispensed from any pump bottle. Gel soap may be used as shower gel, body wash, face soap, hand soap, or bubble bath. This class includes information on a simple FDA-approved ingredient for making antibacterial gel soap. Each online student receives a bottle of gel soap. Attend in person or online.
Virtual Class: How to Legally Formulate & Sell Hemp CBD Skincare
Company: Back Porch Soap Company, LLC
Contact: marla@backporchsoap.com
Date & Time: Anytime
This online 5-hour course simplifies the confusing hemp CBD skincare market. Learn at your own pace in this one-of-a-kind class, offering students in-depth training including formulas, formulating guidelines and dosing, labeling requirements, marketing suggestions, connections to resources and recommended suppliers, legalities, market opportunities, pricing and much more.
Making All Natural Body Butters (7 Demo Videos + Class Handouts)
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
In this eClass you’ll get my tested recipes, detailed instructions, & full demos for 3 types of body butters. You have permission use my recipes “as is” to make the exact same products I do (for personal use OR to sell). Of course, you’ll also learn how to customize them to suit your needs or just to be creative.
~ Perhaps you’ve tried making Body Butters using online recipes & they haven’t quite come out right?~ Don’t waste valuable time trying dozens of recipes just to find one that works, without fail.~ Don’t waste your hard earned money buying a bunch of ingredients you probably don’t need.~ I’m sharing all that I’ve learned about making Body Butters so you can be successful in making them too!
I’ve been making (and teaching) body butters for nearly 2 decades! If you value specific detailed information from a trusted source, I’m your girl. I’ll show you the methods & equipment I use and provide tested recipes that will shorten the time from your first batch to your favorite batch.
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
You asked & we created! A new eClass for “just” Shower Steamers!
Shower Steamers are sort of like a Fizzy Bath Bomb… but made for showers. They’re specially formulated “fizzies” intended to release their lovely scent into the STEAM as you’re taking a shower. We make them with essential oils & all-natural aromas so they have the benefit of true aromatherapy.
Shower Steamers are really about the aromatherapy benefit from their aroma!
Virtual Class: Dual Lye Liquid Soap and Shower Gel Class
Company: Back Porch Soap Company, LLC
Contact: marla@backporchsoap.com
Date & Time: Anytime
In this online class you will learn how to make rich, thick liquid soaps and shower gels from scratch, using the dual-lye method. Forget hours of cooking liquid soap paste! This is a quick method that makes a beautiful, versatile liquid soap that can be used for a number of uses, from kitchen and bath liquid soaps in pumps to thick shower gels!
Virtual Class: Launch and Grow Your Successful Soap Business!
Company: Back Porch Soap Company, LLC
Contact: marla@backporchsoap.com
Date & Time: Anytime
Learn valuable insights that will get your business on a fast-track for growth and save you money. Watch as many times as you like, at your own pace!
Coloring Soap Naturally, for Cold Process Soapmakers (eBook & Video)
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
Would you like to color your soap naturally, using all-natural ingredients, but don’t know where to start? Have you had disappointing results with some ingredients that turned out …well… not how you expected?
Our Coloring Soap Naturally eClass takes the guesswork out of coloring your cold process soap with natural ingredients. Soapmaking teacher Ruth Esteves has gone through the “trial-and-error” part for you.
Learn to Make Mineral Eye Shadow
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: Anytime
DID YOU KNOW…
- With very little cost, equipment, or fuss, you can make your own mineral eye shadow at home!
- Loose mineral eye shadow has fewer ingredients & is more gentle to skin!
- Customized eye shadows in a rainbow of colors make wonderful gifts & it’s super fun to do with girlfriends too!
- The cost of raw materials is a fraction of what you’d pay at a high-end cosmetic company – for the same or better quality!
Virtual Class: Luxury Body Oils, Salt Soaks and Shower Steamers
Company: Back Porch Soap Company, LLC
Contact: marla@backporchsoap.com
Date & Time: Anytime
The relaxation and restorative properties of a long soak or shower have long been embraced as a luxury indulgence. Treat yourself to beautiful bath-time products that will elevate a new bathing ritual! Transport yourself to a spa-at-home with products for aching muscles, herb-steep oils and aromatherapy scents to relax and take you away.
Students will learn how to formulate natural, bath luxuries in this fun, online workshop with Marla Bosworth. These products are in high demand year round.
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
Learn to make oil-free, concentrated facial serums containing vitamins and active ingredients. Understand the different vitamins and active ingredients used to improve skin texture, minimize wrinkle lines, improve elasticity, treat acne, and even skin tone. Determine the general safety of new ingredients. During the class, learn to make aloe vera gel, hand sanitizer, gel eye shadow, gel eyeliner, and mascara with the same beneficial base ingredients. Attend in person or online.
Hands-on Basic Soapmaking Class Notes and Handouts
Company: Carol Isler
Contact: Carol Isler
Date & Time: Anytime
Sometimes I rewrite my class instructions and have a few hard copies of the previous version left over. I often make them available to folks who can't make my classes or other experienced soapers who may be thinking about teaching classes themselves and need a springboard to get started. Click on the link provided to get a set of the class notes and recipes.
Physical Class Description: In this basic level soap making class sponsored by Rustic Escentuals, Carol Isler will show you how to make soap from a traditional oil blend and a lye solution using the cold process method. Participants will learn how to work safely with soap making ingredients to create naturally luxurious handcrafted soap for your family and friends. You will make a 2-pound batch of soap to take home. After class, members share soaping experiences and stay in contact with the instructor in a private Facebook group.
ONLINE Water Substitution in Soapmaking
Company: A+ Soapmaking Studio
Contact: David or Kerri
Date & Time: Anytime
Oktoberfest Edition: We will make soap cupcakes with canned pumpkin, beer, and milk! Learn the dangers and secret techniques of substituting other fluids for the water portion of cold and hot process soapmaking. Students learn how to safely replace water with beer, yogurt, fresh milk, fresh juices, puréed fruits or vegetables, herbal infusions, and hydrosols. Students receive beer soap and soap cupcakes made with goat milk and puréed pumpkin. Attend in person or online.
Virtual Class: Making Lush-like Solid Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
Company: Back Porch Soap Company, LLC
Contact: marla@backporchsoap.com
Date & Time: Anytime
Learn how to make your own solid shampoo and conditioner bars that are perfect for both hair and body. Led by expert soapmaker, Marla Bosworth, this hands-on experience will teach you the techniques needed to create these Lush-type bars that will last for up to 80 washes – the equivalent of nearly four bottles of liquid shampoo! Best of all, no packaging is required, making them environmentally friendly.
Virtual Class: Face Serums, Gels and Masks
Company: Back Porch Soap Company, LLC
Contact: marla@backporchsoap.com
Date & Time: Anytime
In this class students will learn how to formulate for different skin types by incorporating microbiome-friendly ingredients including ceramides, peptides, vitamin C, natural AHAs and BHAs, carrier oils, hyaluronic acid and much more.
Phone Consultations (& Video Chat Consults)
Company: The Nova Studio
Contact: Lori Nova Endres
Date & Time: By Appointment
I love to help Makers get farther in their businesses. Whether it's troubleshooting, product formulating, or help with generating more revenue by teaching classes, I can help!
You'll be surprised at what we can accomplish in just a few hours. Just let me know what you need & I'll let you know if I'm a good fit for the job (if I'm not... I'll happily refer you to someone I know who can help you).
To get started, send an email to: email@thenovastudio.com or call me at 1-510-234-5700 (Eastern Time Zone, US).
Company: Back Porch Soap Company, LLC
Contact: marla@backporchsoap.com
Date & Time: By Appointment
Ready to kick your business into success mode in four weeks with a motivating mentor by your side? Then this program is for you!
Website Content Creation and Optimization Consulting Package
Company: Back Porch Soap Company, LLC
Contact: marla@backporchsoap.com
Date & Time: By Appointment
This personalized consultation begins with a 30-minute online meeting with Marla Bosworth to share your business overview and pain points with your website. After the session, Marla will review your website and provide feedback during a live, recorded online session. From improving overall customer experience to advice on copywriting, Marla will bring your website to life and provide you with strategy to implementing changes.
1:1 Cosmetic Formulation Sessions
Company: Back Porch Soap Company, LLC
Contact: marla@backporchsoap.com
Date & Time: By Appointment
If you are looking for product development and formulation we are the perfect fit! Formulator Marla Bosworth offers 25 years of experience formulating cosmetics, soaps and candles for indie beauty companies.
In this offering we create the formula with you. You make the formula and we tweak it accordingly.
1:1 Bookeeping & Business Strategy for Makers
Company: Sunny Girl Business Solutions
Contact: Sara Golding
Date & Time: By Appointment
1:1 monthly session focused on profitable business strategy, designed specifically for makers! In these hands-on sessions, I’ll guide you through simplifying your finances, maximizing your profits, and ensuring you can confidently pay yourself. You’ll learn personalized strategies to turn your passion into a thriving, financially successful business that supports your ideal lifestyle. Sessions also include monthly bookkeeping and reporting.
