2012 Annual Conference
The 15th Annual HSMG Conference will be held May 9 - 11, 2012 in Portland, Oregon at the Red Lion on the River.
Learn to Make Soap
Interested in learning how to make soap?
Check out our many resources for soapmakers.
2012 Handcrafted Soap Calendar
Beautiful pictures of a myriad of handcrafted soaps displayed in a
2012 calendar.
A perfect gift for a soap connoisseur.
About Handcrafted Soap
Also known as 'handmade' or 'homemade' soap, handcrafted soap is a blend of both science and art. By combining the scientific knowledge of the last 150 years and the artistic creativity of the soapmaker,each bar is safe, luxurious and unique.
Handcrafted soap can be made from scratch or by utilizing a pre-made soap base. The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild recognizes any soap made by either of these methods to be handcrafted, providing at least 50% of the process is done by hand.
Handcrafted soap, made from vegetable or animal fats, water and lye, is natural soap in its true and most pure form.
To see images of some of the beautiful handcrafted soaps produced by HSMG members, check out the Soap Gallery. You can also find a soapmaker by state or company name.
Learn More About Handcrafted Soap»
Welcome New Members!
Alison Richardson, United States
Laura Murphy, United States
Gayle Henrichon, United States
Brett Traudt, United States
Cara Sonnier, United States
Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild
The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild is a non-profit trade association which works to promote and protect the handcrafted soap industry. Funded by membership dues, the HSMG provides reliable information about the benefits of handcrafted soap, acts as a center of communication amongst soapmakers, provides educational tools and materials to soapmakers and advocates of behalf of handcrafted soapmakers at the Federal and state levels.
Who can join the HSMG?
Membership is open to all levels of soapmakers - from beginning to retired - and also to the vendors and suppliers that service the handcrafted soap industry. There are several different types of membership to meet the needs of all soapmakers and vendors.
What are the benefits of HSMG membership?
Benefits for Soapmaker Members are geared toward those things that assist in promoting handcrafted soap, increasing proficiency in the trade, improving business skills, encouraging networking opportunities and providing general exposure for the member's business and products.
Benefits for vendors and suppliers are geared toward assisting vendors in gaining exposure to soapmakers and providing ways for them to inform and educate soapmakers about new or existing products or services.
Some of the many benefits include:
- Online listing in Find a Soapmaker (Professional)
- Inclusion in the Soap Gallery (Professional)
- Online listing in the Online Buyers Guide (Vendor)
- General & Product Liability Insurance (Professional)
- Participation in HSMG Certification Program
- Discounts on the Annual Conference
- Free Webstore
- Discounted Merchant Services
- Discounts at Office Depot
- Discount on Soapmaker Software
- Monthly Vendor Specials eNews
- Special promotional opportunities (such as free booth space at the ACRE Las Vegas and ACRE Orlando gift shows.
- Advanced Lye Calculator
- Use of the HSMG Member Logo
- Access to the HSMG Forum (Member's only section)
- ... and more!
See the Benefits Chart for a full list of benefits.