The Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetics Guild is an international non-profit trade organization which serves soap and cosmetic makers from around the world, as well vendors who provide the necessary supplies or services for the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry. As a handmade soap maker, I am a member of this Guild, which has over 3000 members.
Since 1999, the HSCG has hosted an annual convention for soap and cosmetic makers in resort hotels at various locations around the United States. This usually sold out conference includes classes, demonstrations and workshops from well known speakers, numerous door prizes, raffle drawings and prize awards, and vendor hosted evening networking events and parties. The conference is a fun filled event where hundreds of soap and cosmetic makers gather together to learn from each other and to be inspired to pursue excellence. This year over 500 soap and cosmetic makers converged at the Saddlebrook Resort and Spa in Tampa, Florida for the three day convention. I was one of the attendees.
Saddlebrook Resort & Spa Tampa
Saddlebrook Resort is located on a 480-acre Florida nature preserve which includes the habitats of Florida birds including Sandhill Cranes and Great Blue Herons. A wooden bridge on the resort enters a wetland area of Bald Cypress trees where Snowy Egrets, endangered Great Egrets, and Wood Storks were nesting.
 The sound these birds and their babies make is quite interesting. Some of the nests were fairly close to the bridge, and those who paused to watch the parents interact with their growing babies were often enthralled.  |    I heard that there were several alligator sightings, but I only saw a large, harmless turtle sunning the day away. |
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The beauty of the surroundings was undeniable, but this convention was all about the soap and the people who make up this handcrafted industry. I enjoyed listening to the speakers, seeing the faces behind some of the companies I buy supplies from, and meeting some successful soap makers from Florida and other states.
The Soapers Showcase
I was happy to introduce myself to Amamda Gail of Lovin Soap Studio and to thank her for the fragrances she sent me from Brambleberry. I wrote about that in an earlier blog post. The super soaper scientist, Kevin Dunn, gave a presentation showing his student's experiments with the "Ghost Swirl" which Clara Lindberg of South Africa blogged about last year. Soapmakers can collaborate easily through social media as new techniques are developed. I wrote about my Ghost Swirl attempt here.
The Soap Commander I especially enjoyed seeing the demonstration of a modified cold process technique to make shaving soap, which was done by a fellow homeschooler, Darren Siebert of the company, Soap Commander. His enthusiasm and good humor was an inspiration. I may have to try my hand at shave soaps this summer.
After three jam-packed days of talking and dreaming about soap, I came home tired but ready to make more soap! Thank you to all the hard workers who made this conference possible. I do believe that a good time was had by all.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Debbie
An expanded version of this review was published in the July/August 2016 edition of
Making Soap Cosmetics & Candles magazine
Issue 77 www.makingsoapmag.com
(formerly the Saponifier)
Thanks for stopping by!
~Debbie
An expanded version of this review was published in the July/August 2016 edition of
Making Soap Cosmetics & Candles magazine
Issue 77 www.makingsoapmag.com
(formerly the Saponifier)
