Soap Makers' Luncheons

Some very informative soap-related gatherings are being held in southern California! These luncheons are intended to introduce handmade natural soap to the public, to motivate soap makers, and to serve as a network for anyone interested in handmade natural soap. These luncheons also allow people the opportunity to join the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild* or the Natural Soap Directory. These meetings are free and may be attended by anyone with an interest in handcrafted soap.

*Please note these meetings are not sponsored by the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild and HSMG membership is not required to attend these meetings.

2009 Soap Makers' Luncheons.

January 17, 2010 (Sunday at 2:00pm)

Special guest speaker Steve Flesser is a renowned motivational speaker, who specializes in marketing and branding. Part I of his presentation, "A Passion for Soap and the Nature of Entrepreneurship," was presented at the October 18, 2009, luncheon and part II, "Take Your Show on the Road," will be January 17, 2010.

Don't miss a special book review of the best and worst soap making books published during 2009. Actual soap making books will be at the luncheon for attendees to view and luncheon attendees will receive the information (including book title, author, and ISBN) in print to take home.

Print the Luncheon Agenda for January 17, 2010.

April 18, 2010 (Sunday at 2:00pm)

Spring is the time to prepare for the annual soap conference, which will be held in Denver, Colorado, from April 30 through May 2. This luncheon will give soap makers the opportunity to plan and discuss conference events, including travel and lodging, before attending the soap conference. Attend this luncheon to meet your roommate in advance or to submit a soap making question for the Experts Panel!

July 18, 2010 (Sunday at 2:00pm)

This summer luncheon will be a finale to the Handcrafted Soap Maker's Guild annual conference. Attendees will share photos and literature from the conference. Further luncheon topics will focus on making soap for the winter holidays: How to increase the volume of soap batches, allow for sufficient cure time, choose holiday soap scents, design soap packaging, and etc.

October 17, 2010 (Sunday at 2:00pm)

A fabulous fall gathering is just what soap makers need to stay motivated through the busy holiday season. Shipping: Learn how to ship a bar of soap across the country and have it delivered in 2 days for just $1.70! This meeting will focus on safe soap making shortcuts and methods to safely speed saponification, with emphasis on how to decrease saponification and cure times for cold process and hot process soaps so that soaps can safely be sold one (1) week after being made.

October 17, 2010 (Sunday at 2:00pm)

Topics and guest speaker(s) to be announced at a later date.

Luncheon Details: These meetings will commence at 2:00pm at the Marie Callender's restaurant in San Diego, California, on the 3rd Sunday of January, April, July, and October.

Marie Callender's Restaurant
6950 Alvarado Road
San Diego, CA 92120
Restaurant Telephone: (619) 465-1910

View Larger Map

The restaurant is located near the intersection of interstate 8 and 70th Street, in San Diego, close to the city of La Mesa. Visit Google Maps for directions to Marie Callender's restaurant: http://maps.google.com.

This is intended to be an informal gathering...no meeting fees, just pay for your own meal.

Please, bring at least 10 business cards to give to the other attendees.; This picture is from the October 2008 Soap Maker's Luncheon.

From left to right: Kathryn Curry, Barbara Gilman, Lillie Baca, Christine Brown, Kerri Mixon of Pallas Athene Soap, Carlos Gibson, Anita Forster of Pacific Paradise Soap Company, and Carson Whiting of Luxuriant Products. Photo taken by David Perez of Certified Lye. Many thanks to all who attended!

Each meeting's general agenda will include:

Attendee introductions.
Sharing of attendee information (to be used in a press release).
Beginning soap making techniques: Simple cold process soaps for beginners.
Advanced soap making techniques for retail soap makers to stand out, get noticed, and increase sales.
Coupons from Certified Lye and the Natural Soap Directory will be available to attendees.
Canisters of Certified Lye brand sodium and potassium hydroxides will be available for attendees to purchase.
Pallas Athene Soap's large soap trays and small soap trays will be available to soap makers at discounted wholesale prices after the meeting. These soap trays sell very well alongside natural soaps at craft fairs because customers love how well these soap trays prevent natural soap from melting in the shower!
Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild membership brochures will be available for those interested in joining the HSMG.

"I'm really looking forward to these friendly gatherings and to sharing my love of making soap! I hope to see you there!" -Kerri Mixon, Pallas Athene Soap

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