In our workshops we work in small groups and create soap using simple high quality ingredients.
Most of our formulas are based on olive oil which is often combined with organic coconut oil, rice bran oil, and sometimes a little castor oil. These oils produce a soap bar with a beautiful creamy lather, leaving the skin cleansed but moisturised and gently scented. We also make unscented soap for anyone who prefers no perfume.
In all workshops, you will be instructed on safety requirements, soap making equipment, oils and the process of saponification. Currently we are limiting sessions to a maximum of four attendees
Simple Botanical (Introductory) – $99
Suitable for beginners, this class is a lovely way to experience soapmaking. I will show how to make a simple soap for use at home or to give as a gift. You can choose to fragrance your loaf of soap from a range of beautiful fragrances designed for soap. Then to complete the perfect loaf of soap, you can decorate the top from a selection of botanical elements and gold swirls. We will supply everything you need and you will be guided by a highly experienced soapmaker. At the end of the class you will have made over 1kg of olive oil rich soap take home as well as the knowledge and confidence to make more beautiful soap using everyday equipment and ingredients.
Castile Style Soapmaking (Introductory) – $95
A traditional style of soap made with olive oil. This workshop is a great start into the world of cold process soapmaking. You will be guided through the process of creating over 1kg of olive oil soap to take home with you.
Coconut Salt Bars (Intermediate)-$99
Capture the feeling of summer holidays by the sea in this fun and slightly different soap workshop! This class is great for anyone who has previously made a batch of soap at Wattlebird Soap Kitchen and would like to make more. This soap is made with lots of coconut oil, some avaocado and sea salt. You can choose an ocean inspired fragrance and add a pinch of French clay. You will take home over a kilo of super bubbly uplifting Summer soap.
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The History of Olive Oil Soap
Olive oil makes a very mild soap. The lather of a pure olive oil soap is gentle and creamy with small, almost lotion like bubbles. Olive oil has a high percentage of oleic acid. This is an unsaturated fatty acid and contributes to the moisturising properties of the soap.
Pure olive oil soap is often referred to as Castile Soap as this style of soap is thought to have originated in the Castile region of Spain. Olive oil is the main ingredient for other traditional regional type soaps including:
Aleppo soap – Originating from Aleppo, Syria, this soap is made mainly from olive oil with an addition of laurel berry oil.
Marseille soap – made in the south of France from as early as the ninth century. Marseille soap is created using olive oil, salt water from the Mediterranean Sea and alkaline ash from sea plants. It is heated for 10 days in antique cauldrons.
Nablus soap – made in Palestine for hundreds of years from pure olive oil.