This book is good for those who prefer to use the "modern" way to make soap, which is cold-processing. Why make soap in the first place if you are going to do it the simple way?

True soapmaking is done by cooking soap, and this book has no information on that process. The book does give helpful hints about specifics on oils and herbs to use, as well as other soapmaking knowledge - but don't get it if you want specific information on making soap the traditional way. James Herschberger is the soap GURU when it comes to classic soapmaking.

Not a soap maker book.

Just saying common things that everybody knows.

I kept looking through this book, undecided - but eventually had to get it since it is (so far) the only book on soapmaking I've found that has a bunch of advice (Chapters 7 - 10) on pricing, marketing and selling soap.

The first part has some practical advise on soap making from setting up a work station to using essence oils. Basic information for Melt and Pour, hand-milled and Cold Process soapmaking, with a saponification chart, which is useful.

Nerius offers guidelines, advise, basic info which is also findable in various places (on the internet primarily) but it is helpful to have it in book form, and all in one book.

The recipes are secondary to the rest of the book -- there is advise on making your own recipes, which is a good thing to know. A little more information about vegetable oils as a choice for one's basic recipe (rather than one "Vegetarian Delight" recipe) would be good.


Her cold process basic soap recipe includes rendered beef fat/tallow -- it almost sounds as if that's the only kind of CP soap to make - a negative for some of us. (My rating should be a 3.5 stars instead of 4, for this reason). However, in the old days, soap was made with animal fats so this is my own personal criticism.

About 1/3 of the book is a mini-course in crafts business basics, written by Barbara Brabec - a book within a book. This, to me, was too much info in a book on soap making (a lot of the advise does not relate to the specifics of soap making). I would have preferred to do without it, but now I have it handy in case I need it.

Not the ONLY book to have on soapmaking, but a plus to a soapmaker's library.

I became interested in soapmaking not too long ago and have been avidly reading anything I can on the process of soapmaking and on opening a business to sell my creations. This is, by far, the best book I've read that covers both subjects. The recipes are great for a beginner, such as myself, and the author provides other tips for creating your own recipes and designs. The best section of the book, however, discusses developing a soapmaking business. The chapters are well placed and flow easily. The instructions are easy to understand. In fact, the entire section can actually be applied to ANY crafting industry. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

This book is the best book that I have purchased pertaining to the soap making business. Though this book lacks on recipes, it is very informative on how to start your own business and it gives you vital resources to help you along the way. It is packed with alot of useful information. I recommend this book for those just getting started and thinking of starting a home based business making soaps or other crafts and don't know where to begin. This book is definately a must have!