Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen

In episode 146 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola delves into the world of essential oils, focusing on their scarcity and value. The episode begins with a warm welcome and introduction to essential oils, setting the stage for a deeper exploration. Anne-Marie discusses the factors contributing to the scarcity and value of these oils, providing insight into their unique market...

In episode 145 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola delves into diverse topics crucial for soapmakers. The episode begins with an introduction, leading into a discussion on the role of palm oil in soapmaking, addressing its benefits, controversies, and potential alternatives. Following a sponsor message from Bramble Berry, Anne-Marie provides essential oil safety guidelines, em...

In episode 144 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola explores the aromatic world of essential oils in soapmaking. The episode kicks off with a warm welcome and introduction, setting the stage for a comprehensive overview of essential oils. Anne-Marie shares her top ten essential oils, highlighting their unique properties and benefits. She also discusses her favorite essential oi...

In episode 143 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola addresses the common challenge of soap discoloration and offers practical strategies to maintain the appearance of handmade soap. The episode begins with a warm welcome and introduction, setting the stage for the discussion. Anne-Marie then delves into techniques for preventing soap discoloration, emphasizing the importance of...

In episode 142 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola explores the creative process of crafting wedding soap favors. She begins with an introduction to the episode's theme, focusing on the art of color experimentation in soapmaking. The discussion includes insights into effective color blending techniques and the challenges posed by discontinued supplies. Anne-Marie presents her...

In episode 141 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola delves into the fascinating world of natural dyeing. The episode begins with an introduction to natural dyeing, discussing the various factors that affect color outcomes in the dyeing process. Anne-Marie explains the concept of weight of goods (WOG) and the importance of light-fastness in achieving lasting colors. She provides...

In episode 140 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola introduces the concept of water white fragrance oils, highlighting their benefits in soapmaking. She compares water white fragrance oils to essential oils, offering guidance on when each type is best utilized in crafting soap. The episode also explores creative applications for non-water white fragrance oils, expanding the pos...

In episode 139 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola delves into the chemistry of soapmaking, focusing on the role of triacylglycerides and their transformation during the process. The episode provides a detailed exploration of lye, discussing its significance in creating heavy soap, its impact on pH levels, and the concept of lye discounting. Anne-Marie offers insights into the...

In episode 138 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola explores the intricate science behind soapmaking with insights from Kevin Dunn's soap science concepts. The episode delves into a fascinating water bottle experiment, illustrating the different types of glycerol and their roles in soap formulation. Anne-Marie further discusses the concepts of lye discount and superfat, providi...

In episode 137 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola dives into the world of web optimization tailored specifically for soapmakers. She begins by introducing the Google Webmaster Zone and the significance of trust factors in enhancing online presence. The episode then explores the creation of relevant content, emphasizing the role of images and keywords in attracting and retaini...

In episode 136 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola delves into the foundational aspects of soapmaking, highlighting the importance of accurate measurements. She explores the critical distinction between weight and volume when dealing with soapmaking ingredients, emphasizing how precision impacts the quality and consistency of the final product. Anne-Marie offers practical advi...

In episode 135 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola introduces listeners to the critical topic of working safely with lye, specifically focusing on Potassium Hydroxide in soapmaking. She provides a comprehensive understanding of lye, including proper storage and handling techniques to ensure safety in the soapmaking process. Anne-Marie emphasizes the importance of essential saf...

In episode 134 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola welcomes listeners to a new session focused on the essentials of preparing soapmaking ingredients and exploring various colorant techniques. She provides detailed guidance on selecting and preparing ingredients to ensure a successful soapmaking process. Anne-Marie also discusses different methods for incorporating colorants, o...

In episode 133 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola welcomes listeners to a practical discussion on managing common challenges in soapmaking. She addresses issues such as acceleration, ricing, and discoloration, offering insights into handling these problems effectively. Anne-Marie shares valuable tips for ensuring good soapy behavior, helping soapmakers achieve consistent and...

In episode 132 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola begins by welcoming listeners and providing an overview of the distinctions between natural and organic in the context of soapmaking. She delves into the nuances of "natural" and "organic" labels, clarifying their meanings and implications for soapmakers. Throughout the episode, Anne-Marie offers key takeaways on using these t...

In episode 131 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola welcomes listeners to an informative discussion on the role of olive oils in soapmaking. She dives into the nuances of testing and using store-bought olive oils, offering practical advice for soapmakers. Anne-Marie shares her recommendations and conclusions from various olive oil tests, emphasizing the importance of choosing r...

In episode 130 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola opens with an introduction to the episode's focus on creating an efficient soapmaking environment. She explores the importance of organizing your workspace and shares practical decluttering principles to enhance productivity. Anne-Marie discusses the benefits of decluttering, emphasizing how a tidy workspace can improve the so...

In episode 129 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola opens with a warm welcome and sets the stage for a math-focused exploration of soapmaking. She delves into the importance of math, guiding listeners through calculating usage rates and understanding parts and ratios essential for crafting soap. The episode progresses into working with scent blends and the application of percen...

In episode 128 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola begins with a warm welcome, setting the stage for an engaging exploration of lip product crafting. She introduces the "spoon trick," a handy technique for creating lip products, providing listeners with detailed step-by-step instructions. The episode includes a demonstration using Coral Mica and a Lip Balm Base, enhancing the...

In episode 127 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola kicks off the episode with a warm welcome and an introduction to the day's topics. She takes on a cleaning challenge, addressing the tricky task of cleaning oily and waxy containers using a melt and pour soap base. Anne-Marie highlights the environmental benefits of this approach, sharing tips on how to repurpose soap scraps e...

In episode 126 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola welcomes listeners to an exploration of exfoliants in soapmaking, alongside highlights from a recent conference. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of preparing the lye and oil mixture, a crucial step in cold process soapmaking. Anne-Marie then delves into the art of layering soaps with exfoliants and natural colora...

In episode 125 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola introduces listeners to the art of creating beautiful swirl designs in soapmaking. The episode begins with a discussion on various swirl tools and techniques to enhance soap aesthetics. Anne-Marie provides a video demonstration on resizing swirl tools and explores additional creative projects. She also shares valuable resource...

In episode 124 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola introduces the world of body butters and scrubs, providing an overview of their benefits and uses. Joining her is Marla Bosworth, who shares insights into the formulation of these luxurious skincare products. Listeners are treated to a detailed recipe for a sugar scrub featuring Black Amber and Lavender, perfect for a home spa...

In episode 123 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola delves into the historical significance and modern use of tallow in soapmaking. The episode opens with a warm welcome and explores the roots of tallow in traditional soap crafting. Anne-Marie shares guest insights into the unique properties of tallow, followed by a discussion on its production and the benefits it brings to soa...

In episode 122 of Soapmaking 101 with the Soap Queen, Anne-Marie Faiola emphasizes the importance of safety and organization in the soapmaking process. The episode starts with a warm welcome and essential safety tips to ensure a secure environment while crafting soap. Anne-Marie then delves into the necessary tools and equipment, along with guidance on preparing additives for your soap creations....