Specialization in Candle and Soap Making

Introduction

Before diving into the techniques and materials, let´s reconnect with the meaning of making and explore a craft that blends creativity, sustainability, and sensory awareness. Approach it with curiosity and intention, ready to transform simple ingredients into objects that carry atmosphere, care, and personal expression.

1m

Influences | Belinda Resendez

Many of my influences revolve around the world of fandom and themes. Some of my influences include Disney, Harry Potter, animation, television, and film. I love visiting Disneyland and immersing myself within the park to gather inspiration for my candles. Additionally, I also watch a lot of film and television. For example, one of my first popular candles that sold out in 8 seconds was from the Nightmare Before Christmas film. It featured one of the main characters, Oggie Boogie.

3m

Influences | Marta Tarallo

We all start from zero! In this lesson, I will share a number of the makers and creators that have influenced my work, techniques, and personal aesthetics.

6m

Influences | Mar Amoli (Mariana y José Miguel)

Now that you know us, we want to share with you what influences our creative process and the people and companies that inspire us to create our products.

3m

Influences | Alison Fleck

In this lesson you will see my creative inspirations. The majority of my inspirations are elements of nature, such as the grain of wood, the strata of stones, the colors of butterflies, etc. But I also lose myself in the work of certain pastry chefs and chocolate makers who play on textures, smells and marbling and decorating techniques that trigger emotions in me. I use Instagram as tools: I subscribe to the hashtag that interests me and I keep the visuals that inspire me. Thus, when I have a creation to make, I can easily immerse myself in my inspirations.

4m

Different Types of Waxes

In this lesson, you will learn the different types of waxes that are available for candle makers. We will learn about their pros and cons and which wax I recommend based on scent throw and eco-friendliness.

3m

Wicks

I'll talk about the different types of wicks you can use to make your candles. You will learn about proper wick size for your vessel, how to place your wicks, and how to determine how many wicks you will need.

5m

Fragrances

It's time to talk about the fundamentals and basics of selecting the right fragrances to enhance and make your creations smell lovely! Then, I will go through the process of how to find a fragrance vendor, the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils, how to identify and avoid low-quality fragrance oils, and what to look for when selecting a great oil. Because there are various distributors on the market, it is essential to learn about this.

4m

Materials and Tools

To start with, you will learn about all the tools and materials you will need to make a 7oz soy candle with fragrance oil. You will see how to select the vessel, wick, and fragrance together so that you can learn how to do it on your own after the course.

3m

Preparing the Workspace and Safety

In this lesson, you will learn how to prepare the workspace so that you can work safely. I will go through important safety practices for candle making. As well as, proper handling and how to store your materials once you are done using them. It is always important to keep your workspace clean and neat so that your products don’t get mixed up.

3m

Selecting Suppliers

Here you will briefly learn how to select suppliers, as covered when we were selecting fragrances. I will show you examples of two suppliers that I really love working with.

2m

Understanding the Formulas

In this lesson, you will learn wax-to-fragrance ratio and tips for achieving an optimal hot throw.

2m

Basic Scent Blending

Let me show you the basics of fragrance blending in order to create unique scents. You will also gather a basic understanding of scent notes and their combinations.

1m

Adding Colors and Shimmers

During this lesson, you will learn basic techniques for coloring your candles and how color performs in soy wax. You will also learn how to use mica powders safely.

2m

Making a 7oz Candle

Step-by-step guide to melting soy wax, and adding and mixing fragrance oils. We will also learn how to pick the perfect candle vessel and I will teach you tips for achieving a smooth professional finish. You will see how to make your very first 7 oz candle using fragrance and a wooden wick.

11m

Making a 16oz Candle

Now you will learn how to make a 16oz double-wick candle using a clear glass vessel, essential oils, cotton wicks, and mica powder. I will show you how to use many of the steps we used in the previous lesson but you will be learning additional steps.

13m

Troubleshooting Common Issues

I will talk about common issues you may encounter when making the candle. Then, you will learn about tunneling, poor scent throw, frosting, and wooden wick issues.

3m

Materials and Tools

In this first lesson, you'll learn about the different materials and tools needed to make a whipped themed candle.

3m

Planning the Themed Candle

Now, you'll learn the steps that you can take for planning and designing themed candles. I'll teach you ways in which you can draw inspiration from what is around you.

2m

Whipping the Wax

To start with, you'll learn about whipping the wax and how mixing waxes can help you achieve the perfect consistency. I'll teach you how you can apply whipped wax to the themed candles.

5m

Piping Techniques for Whipped Wax

Let's talk about different piping techniques used in candle making. I'll show you different tips and tricks for achieving the perfect whipped look in your candles, as well as common issues that can often occur when making or piping whipped wax.

4m

Coloring Whipped Wax

Its's time to show you how to add color to your whipped wax and how to achieve smooth, vibrant colors in your wax. The process is fairly simple, but I will guide you step by step.

2m

Molds: Choosing the Right One

In this lesson, I'll give you an overview of different molds available on the market. You'll also learn how to pick the correct mold for your candle so that it fits properly.

2m

Wax into Molds

You'll learn the type of wax used for molds and tips on how to achieve clean shapes. I'll also show you how to remove the hardened wax from the molds.

2m

Decorating Molded Pieces

Learn different techniques for add color and additional detail to the mold pieces. I'll show you different techniques other candle makers use that are available on the market also.

4m

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

I'll talk about the different issues that may occur when you are making wax molds. Then, you'll learn how to store the molds for longevity.

4m

Embellishments

First of all, you'll learn how to use glitter and mica powder to enhance the candle aesthetics. You'll see how eco-safe candle glitter and mica powder can really give your candles a unique look.

2m

Playing with Color

In this lesson, I'll teach you techniques for playing with color like marbling color and layering color. I will show you how to create the most vibrant colors for your candles.

2m

Putting It All Together! 1

Now, you'll learn how to make two themed fall candles from start to finish. You'll revisit some common issues, and you'll learn tips for refining the technique.

11m

Putting It All Together! 2

Let me show you how to create detailed leaf-shaped wax molds and paint them using mica powders. You will melt soy tart wax, mix it with orange candle dye and mica powder, and pour it into silicone molds.

8m

Putting It All Together! 3

Let's refine the candle. You’ll learn how to smooth imperfections, trim the wick, and prepare whipped wax for piping by melting, dyeing, and mixing it to a frosting-like consistency.

11m

Putting It All Together! 4

Last, but not least, you'll learn to create a pumpkin-themed candle by preparing a wax blend with fragrance, mica powder, and dye, then pouring it into a vessel. You'll also mold a wax pumpkin, drill a wick hole, and attach it to the candle. Finishing touches include smoothing, trimming, and curing for proper scent throw.

16m

Branding and Marketing Your Candles

In this lesson, you'll learn ways in which you can build a strong brand identity for your candle business. I'll teach you some effective marketing strategies to help you reach your target audience.

2m

Managing Inventory and Supplies

I'll share some tips on how to manage your inventory and how you can get the most profit with the supplies you purchase. I'll also show you different sales channels you can use to sell products.

3m

The Basics of Soap Making

What's the science behind soap making? In this lesson, I will explore the chemistry involved in creating a bar of soap, as well as the importance of the pH scale.

7m

Materials, Ingredients, and Tools 1

I will now discuss the specific ingredients and equipment you will need to make soap. To begin with, I will review the basic components of soap: the lye solution and the fats.

11m

Materials, Ingredients, and Tools 2

In the second part of this lesson, I will discuss the tools required for soap-making, from the mandatory equipment – like safety gear – to the optional nice-to-haves.

15m

Safety Measures

Sodium hydroxide is a very toxic material. In this lesson, I will share with you the measures you need to follow in order to make soap safely.

9m

Techniques for Customisation 1

I will now discuss some different techniques to customise your creations and develop beautiful soaps, according to the vision you have in mind.

9m

Techniques for Customisation 2

Now I will discuss the role of water in soap making, the advisable proportions, and the subsequent effects. Water is primarily needed to dissolve the sodium hydroxide and create a lye solution. What happens if you add more? And what happens if you add less?

10m

The Design

To conclude this unit, I will walk you through a number of ways to customise your soap using different natural ingredients. You will learn several decorating techniques that will give it special properties and a unique look.

11m

Preparing the Recipe

Let's take a look at our recipes and the ingredients inside! I will show you how to input your recipe into SoapCalc: a free online soap-making software that you can use to create your own recipes from scratch.

15m

Safety and Lye Preparation

In this lesson, I will walk you through the recommended dress code to ensure your safety and how to prepare the lye solution necessary to transform the oils into soap.

13m

Melting and Measuring

It's time to make the final preparations before jumping into the production process! I will teach you how to weigh the oils and the additives you will need for your soap.

16m

Adding Lye to Oils and Pouring It Into Moulds

Now that the materials have been accurately measured, I will show you how to mix the lye solution with the melted oils and activate the saponification reaction. You will learn how to add additives and pour the soap into the mould.

14m

Texturing and Decorating

I will now demonstrate how to texture and decorate the top of your soap to achieve interesting and beautiful designs using just a teaspoon and botanical elements.

8m

Unmoulding and Curing

In this lesson, you will learn how to unmould your soap and also how to cut it, if applicable. We will also explore what the appropriate curing time is and how to successfully cure your soap so it can finally be enjoyed!

18m

Tips for Tool Maintenance

In this lesson, I will share with you some useful tips for cleaning your equipment so that it's ready to use in your next projects!

5m

Troubleshooting

What potential issues might you encounter when making your own soap? I will cover several now. Then, I will explain how to resolve and avoid them the next time.

11m

Making a Label for the Soap

To finish, I will share everything you need to know in order to correctly label your soaps. We will explore what an INCI is and how to beautifully wrap your soaps with low-waste materials.

13m

Introduction to Soap

In this lesson you will learn what a soap is, its history and the chemistry behind its production. Also, we will give you a little introduction to saponification.

5m

Fatty Acids and Their Qualities

The making of handmade soaps is a whole universe! Therefore, we will talk to you more about the main ingredient of soaps, fatty acids. You will see the different types that there are and what are the qualities of each one.

3m

Additives: Smell, Color, Texture, and Benefits

Now we have to delve into the ingredients that provide incredible scents and natural colors that we use for our designs, as well as the substances that provide textures and benefits.

5m

Utensils and Security Measures

We will start by talking to you about the necessary utensils to make your soaps and then we will move on to something very important in the course, security measures. These safety measures must be followed carefully in order to handle the materials. You will be working with caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) and this compound must be handled with great care and care.

3m

Design

It's time to dive into the design. We will talk about the creative process we follow to turn an idea into a product.

7m

The Formulation

Now that you've learned our creative process, now you're going to learn how to create your own formulas. Of course there are applications and internet pages that help you formulate them, but today you will learn the theory to be able to create them yourself.

10m

Elaboration of a Simple Handmade Soap

Let's do it! It's time to make a simple soap. You already know what soap is, how to formulate a recipe and the method to design one, the time has come to put all this into practice, without forgetting the security measures.

16m

Cutting, Curing and Storage

You've already made the bar of soap, now what? In this lesson we will talk about cutting the bars, the solidification process and we will give you some tips for their storage.

9m

Making a Soap with a Composite Design

You already know how to make a simple handmade soap, but now it's time to learn about the techniques of coloring a soap, adding scent and soap embeds on top to create an amazing design.

16m

Cold Process Soap

Soap is the result of a chemical reaction between fats and a caustic soda solution. A soap is a detergent. It allows us to get rid of odorous or pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses responsible for infections. Soap is an essential hygiene product for human health.

5m

Raw materials

In this lesson, you will deepen your knowledge of the raw materials used to understand why I selected them. Understanding is the key to reappropriation and the possibility of developing creations that are as aesthetic as they are pleasant.

3m

Tools, protection, and your workstation

Soap is a cosmetic product. Just like with food, it's important to follow certain hygiene rules. In addition, caustic soda is an irritant, requiring you to follow some specific safety rules. Don't worry, it's not impossible.

5m

Calculators

In saponification, each fat has its own saponification index. It depends on the fatty acids they contain and the unsaponifiables. In an already established recipe, you cannot replace one ingredient with another without recalculating your caustic soda. I suggest you work with the Mendrulandia calculator, very easy to use, it will allow you to establish your own recipes.

5m

Inspiration and Sketches

We are going to plan together before the realization of the course project and see how we are going to distribute the volumes, mix the techniques, to create a modern soap. In my case, I will build a timeless pattern, the leopard.

9m

Recipe and Colors

Now, I'm going to show you how to establish a basic, simple and economical recipe! Inspired by Marseille soap, I would choose olive for the softness and coconut oil for the abundant lather. My little extra is a little wax, here bee, but it can be replaced by vegetable wax to limit the melting of the soap and save it as much as possible as you wash.

6m

Preparation

We will carry out all the preliminary steps together before making the soap. You are going to weigh and put all the ingredients at the right temperature. Since the soap reaction is exothermic, the temperatures of the ingredients are very important.

5m

The mixture and the traces

In this lesson, you will see how to make the soap emulsion. This step is decisive for obtaining a smooth, supple and shiny soap.

4m

Design: Zebra Print

In cold saponification, this marbling technique is inspired by stripes. Infinitely available in two, three, four and five colours, you can also give them movement, this is called "swirl".

7m

Decoration: leopard

Let's move on to the leopard decor. This marbling is worked with the pastry chef's piping bag. This timeless pattern is available in an infinity of colors. Make room for imagination!

8m

Fusion

You will see that it is quite possible to insert one soap into another. This technique allows you to make a shape or pattern appear on the slice or to give texture with soap shavings for a terrazzo effect.

4m

Mold release and finishes

To finish this unit, you will see what to do once you have made your soap paste, from unmolding to using your homemade cosmetics.

6m

Stamping the Logo and Initials

Soap is a soft material, it is very easy to mark with a logo, a pattern or a message. In this lesson, I'm going to teach you how to do it.

3m

How to Perfume Your Soap

Do you want to perfume your soap? There are different possibilities to flavor them. I will introduce them to you.

4m

Sustainability and Storage Tips

You will see that soap is a committed, economical and ecological product. I will give you here some tips to keep it at best.

3m