SoapCon Speakers
Our speakers for 2017 have been selected and are already packing their bags for Kentucky!
We have invited some of the best, brightest, entertaining and knowledgeable persons in the industry. The wealth of information they share just for the asking is immense. We are thrilled to have you come meet our friends.
We have invited some of the best, brightest, entertaining and knowledgeable persons in the industry. The wealth of information they share just for the asking is immense. We are thrilled to have you come meet our friends.
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Zahida Map SoapCon Topic: Zahida's topic is Creative Soapmaking Saturday 08/23 at 10:00am Bio and Contact Info: Zahida Map is the founder and creative force behind Handmade in Florida. The concept of Handmade in Florida was born alongside her son in 2007. As a new mother and member of the corporate management team, she decided to trade-in her fast paced, jet-setting career to enjoy motherhood and what some folks term, “the simple life”. It has been an amazing journey, filled with lessons of love and creativity. What began as a creative outlet, has blossomed into an award winning company that encourages creative freedom, while also quenching her thirst to run a world-class business. Zahida is known for her signature swirls (including the Butterfly Swirl), trend-setting designs and product photography. You can find more of her work on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. |
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Beth Byrne SoapCon Topic: Beth's topic is Marvelous Moisturizing: Lotion and Cream Making for the Beginner Sunday 08/24 at 10:00am Lotions and creams are the obvious choice in moisturizing dry skin, and an important product to offer to customers. But it doesn’t stop there. They are also an effective delivery system for actives, skin protectants and more. They may seem difficult to make, but learn the basics and you will soon be on your way to making your own marvelous moisturizers! Bio and Contact Info: With a love for making all things soap and cosmetic, and a particular affinity for emulsions, Beth enjoys sharing what she has learned with others. She recently finished her third term as member of the HSCG Board of Directors and has presented at the HSCG conference three times. She teaches in her local area of Rochester, NY, as well. Beth is Managing Editor for Making Soap, Cosmetics & Candles Magazine. Her business is Soap and Garden, featuring specialized skincare for gardeners. She alsosupplies wholesale and private label accounts. When not making or teaching lotions and other products or working on her upcoming book, you can find Beth enjoying her family and grandchildren or working in what she affectionately calls her “Garden of Weedin’.” Beth can be contacted at Soap and Garden. |
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Dr. Kevin Dunn SoapCon Topic: Dr Dunn's topic is Crafting with Chemistry Saturday 08/23 at 1:30pm For many years Dr Dunn has said that his students and he make bad soap on purpose, one bar at a time, each one subtly different from the others, with the aim of solving a problem or answering a question about the chemistry of soap. This presentation explores new crafting techniques based on the chemistry we have learned, specifically transparency in soap, partial gel, partial saponification, single-oil soaps, water discount, and glycerine rivers. Bio and Contact Info: Kevin Dunn is the Elliott Professor of Chemistry at Hampden-Sydney College. His book, Caveman Chemistry, brought him to the attention of handcrafted soapmakers and because of this he has undertaken a series of research projects on the chemistry of handcrafted soap. This research has culminated in a second book, Scientific Soapmaking, which was published the Spring of 2010. Professor Dunn has appeared on the Learning Channel's "Mysteries of Magic" and the History Channel's "Modern Marvels". When he isn't studying soap chemistry, he plays the bagpipes and launches large, high-powered rockets, sometimes simultaneously. Dr Dunn can be contacted at Caveman Chemistry. |
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Jackie Thompson SoapCon Topic: Jackie's topic is Beyond the Trace: No Paste Liquid Soapmaking Saturday 08/23 at 11:00am Bio and Contact Info: Jackie Thompson, author of Liquid Soapmaking: Tips, Techniques and Recipes for Creating All Manner of Liquid and Soft Soap Naturally!, is a veteran soapmaker with over 18 years experience in the handcrafted soapmaking field. She along with daughter Gaily founded Gaily Rebecca Soaps. Their soaps have sold through craft shows, retail, wholesale and private label contracting. Jackie is a Certified Master Soapmaker member and honorary lifetime member of the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild. She lives on the family ranch in Texas with her husband Stan and dog Boudroux. |
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Carrie Thornsbury SoapCon Topic: Carrie's topic is Mica and Color Sunday 08/24 at 11:30am What is mica? How is it made? What varieties are available? Learn the different colors and pigments that are used to give the mica powder brilliant color. Learn which are safe for eyes, lips, etc. and how to label properly. Bio and Contact Info: Carrie began making soap about 14 years ago using clays, oxides, and ultramarines to achieve a variety of colors, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted soap that was vibrant and festive and striking. At this time she started sourcing micas from several different manufacturers and testing them in cold process. She shared her results online and through posts. Who would have known others wanted striking colors as well! This was how Nurture Soap was born. She has had successes and failures when working with color and has learned much more from what does not work than from what does. She is so excited to share this knowledge with you and embark on a bright and colorful journey together! Carrie can be reached at Nurture Soap |
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The dynamic duos of Para and Glorianna (Pam & Sara from Bathhouse Soapery + Gloria & Breanna from The Soap Deli) SoapCon Topic: The girls' topic is Retail Marketing- The Employees Dish the Dirt Sunday 08/24 at 2:15pm A business is only as successful as the employees it hires. They are the faces your customers see, the promoters of your products, the lasting impression of store and the key to your success. What sells best and when? Your employees know! What makes customers the happiest? Your employees know! How can you make more money? Your employees! Charlene Simon of Bathhouse Soapery and Catherine McGinnis of The Soap Deli and Soaping101, lead this panel presentation with the brightest employees behind the success of their retail establishments. Learn what works and what doesn't as the ladies share stories and insight into creating dynamic retail marketing. Bio and Contact Info: Pam is the retail manager and Sara is the production manager for Bathhouse Soapery. Gloria and Breanna are the lead sales associates at The Soap Deli. |
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Leigh O'Donnell SoapCon Topic: Leigh's topic is State of Affairs in Our Industry Saturday 08/23 at 3:00pm Bio and Contact Info: Leigh is the current Executive Director of the HSCG and works in the headquarters in Saratoga Springs. She has worked for the HSCG since 2005 in different roles. One of her proudest accomplishments is turning the HSCG Conference from an event with less than 100 attendees to one with over 600 attendees that has sold out every year since 2010. She also takes great pride and values the importance of her work with federal advocacy for the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry, meeting with Members of Congress and working with the HSCG Lobbyist for the past 7 years. During her career she has worked as a manager, department head, entrepreneur, advisor and executive, applying her education and experience to every role. Leigh loves to travel, sail, dive, snorkel, swim and practice martial arts. She graduated from NY Maritime College in the Bronx with a BS in Meteorology and Oceanography and a USCG License as a Third Mate, Oceangoing, Any Gross Tons. |
SoapCon Workshop Class Instructors
We are excited to offer workshops this year. These ladies will offer give you hands-on instruction on the hottest topics trending in our industry.
Learn more about our workshop here
Learn more about our workshop here
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Jackie Thompson
Shaving Soap Monday Sept. 25 10:00AM Class Info: Jackie wrote the book. literally, on emulsifying fatty acids with potassium hydroxide. In this workshop she will lead the class in creating shaving cream soap. As well as explore the differences between shaving soap and regular soap. In every shaving formulation, each ingredient plays a role. Learn which ingredients work best for your customer base. |
Beth Byrne
Lotion Magic Monday Sept. 25 10:00AM Class Info: Creating Extraordinary Emulsions: Facial moisturizer, hair conditioner, body butter emulsion. If you can make lotion, you can make any number of cosmetic products for the skin and hair. Part science and part magic, Beth will teach the basics and what it takes to make emulsions of your own, including lotion created with the HLB system, natural emulsifiers and preservatives and hair conditioner. |
