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Smart Soapmaking: The Simple Guide to Making Traditional Handmade Soap Quickly, Safely, and Reliably, or How to Make Luxurious Handcrafted Soaps for Family, Friends, and Yourself By Anne L. Watson ( Shepard Publications )
Release Date: 2007-01-01
Average Customer Rating:
List Price: $12.50
Price: $11.25
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Product Description
Maybe you've made melt-and-pour soap and want to move on to something more challenging and rewarding. Maybe traditional soapmaking appeals to you, but you figure it's too difficult or dangerous. Or maybe you're already doing it, but outmoded ideas and methods are complicating the process and slowing you down. No matter which of these fits you, you'll find Smart Soapmaking practical, helpful, and refreshing. Written by a former professional soapmaker, this book explodes the myths about soapmaking and shows you how to make luxurious soap with the least fuss and bother.
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Smart (and easy!) Soapmaking ( kraushaus8 )
I just finished creating my first batch of soap using this book. I was nervous, but determined, after reading Anne Watson's step-by-step manual to get a batch done before Christmas. I ordered/bought supplies, pre-read and followed the instructions, and was done in about an hour! Ms. Watson's experience shines through this small book, with plenty of Q and A's and tips to help out the most novice of soap-makers (like me). I felt totally in control, followed the easy (yet necessary) precautions, and now have some fun and useful gifts -- and a new skill for making a more natural product.
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Best soap making book for beginners
I highly recommend this book to anyone considering making, or is beginning to make, soap. It is clearly written in a comfortable informative style. The book covers equipment you'll need, has diagrams and clear step-by-step instructions for your very first batch. The ingredients are listed in pounds and grams (so you don't have to convert anything). The recipes ALL WORK! There is information on how to make your own recipes, types of moulds to use, make your own moulds, and how to gift wrap your soaps. The references at the back lead you to where to buy soap supplies around the world and further interest soaping websites.
There are lots of wonderful practical hints, tips, suggestions and recommendations that other soapmaking books don't include - all those little important things that really matter! And, best of all, you can email the author with any questions you have and she responds promptly and happily! This book is truly the BEST FIRST soapmaking book anyone would want to own- simple, clear, practical, helpful - and everything works! Brilliant!
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 Too simple, issues with lack of photograpy and visual appeal ( aspentrace )
No issue with the content, just with the book's limitations.
As a beginning soap maker I needed lots and lots of pictures so I could know what to expect visually through every step of the process. There are less than 8 nicely drawn illustrations of tools in the book but not a single photograph of soap or steps in the soap making process.
There are about 10 recipes, very nice selection. They are all perfect for beginners. There is hardly anything about soap additives, scents, or colors. I think a beginner's books should have at least a page or 2 about each.
The how to instructions of making soap is excellent as everyone has said, but I found it hard to read because of the page layout. Recipe pages have all the white space in the world, but the how to instructions aren't separated by white space at all - just paragraph after paragraph.
The fact that steps are numbered (but not in bold or double space)doesn't help, because the steps blend in with the other text.
Nice up to date resource section in the back.
Would I recommend this book to a new soap maker? Yes, as long as they also purchased (as the author recommends) The Soapmaker's Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch and Essentially Soap by Dr. Robert McDaniel.
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With this book, anyone can make Soap
Review
Smart Soapmaking
by Anne Watson
If there is only one book you'll get about making soap, it should be Anne Watson's "Smart Soapmaking."
A few years ago I started to make real soap. I've read a lot, did a lot of research, and finally did it. There were so many questions. More, once I really got into making soap. Then I found Anne Watson's book.
She answered all questions, and even the ones I didn't know I had.
A treasure of a book, whether you're thinking about making soap, and even if you're already making soap. No myths, just facts, Anne uses scientific approach, but explains it all, easy to understand. She gives recipes, charts, web links, illustrations to clarify the whole process. It
doesn't end there. Now you're making soap.... want to change your formulation? This book remains a valuable reference.
What's INS? How can you calculate it for different oils? How can you achieve different shapes and looks for your soap? Wrapping ideas needed? Looking for a supplier? It's all there.
Unlike many authors, Anne makes herself available through her website, offering even more information. She is truly one of a kind. That's easy to see also, if you read another book of hers
"Skeeter" - if you love cats, or just love to laugh - or need a laugh, be sure you read this gem.
I'm very much looking forward to her new book about Milk Soaps, which should be available
soon.
Thanks Anne
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It is all that is promised and more. ( swoopprime )
I started making soap back in 2000 and Susan Miller Cavitch's "The Soapmaker's Companion" was my bible. So I was hesitant when people started ranting and raving about this book. After purchasing it I have to say it is all that is promised and more. While I still adore Cavtich's book, there are a couple of reasons I would recommend Watson's book for beginners:
1) It is completely up to date. Not only does she mention using modern stirring methods (stick blender), all of her resources are up to date and impressive. I am a fan of most of the suppliers she lists and was familiar with them.
2) Her recipes are SO accessible! Cavitch's recipes tend to require more "exotic" oils and have a bit of Julia-Child-laundry-list of ingredients. Anne Watson's recipes are bare bones and truly what they claim to be. Her Grocery Store soap ingredients can be bought at any national chain store. Love it! (my only minor complaint is that her recipes make such SMALL batches. I end up having to double most of them.)
3) She provides an excellent guide to making your own recipes. Most soap books (Cavitch's is a little guilty of this) just assume you'll figure it out on your own, or that you'll only make their recipes forever. Watson walks you through creating your own recipes step by step in crystal clear detail.
4) She expresses the correct amount of caution with lye. Some books bog you down with details on how dangerous it is and make you feel as though you should be wearing a hazmat suit while measuring it, while others have a lackadaisical attitude towards it and don't stress safety. Watson communicates that it needs to be treated carefully, but that you don't need to freak out over it.
5) Last, but not least, Watson is contactable. She has her own website and you can contact her with any questions on the book. That, in and of itself, is pretty darn nifty.
Overall I think this is the best soapmaking book for beginners and recommend it to people who are starting out.
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