1.) Out of all 4 parts of the certification, which did you find to be the most difficult? Why?
A.F. – “The in-person essay writing, needing to memorize and be prepared for every possible question with a page worth of information was worrisome. Some of the questions (like figging in liquid soap) I had never even heard of and needed to research. The math equations were nerve-wracking to memorize.”
J.T. – “Definitely making soap out of wood ashes. All of the instructions on the internet regarding this process fell extremely short. It wasn’t until I used the direction of a 19th century vintage Soapmaking that I got a clear idea of how to go about the process. Even then it took an inordinate amount of time and material to gather enough ashes to accomplish the goal…..not to mention the fact the instructions indicated a cold process method should be achieved…upon multiple failed efforts, I petitioned the committee only to find a cold process method was impossible to achieve a hard soap using only wood ashes.”
2.) What topic did you choose for the Topical Report portion, and what inspired that choice?
A.F. – “I was inspired to turn in my book, SoapCrafting (published by Storey Books in 2013) as my Topical Report. I thought that the effort put forth in the book, over a period of two years with a team of editors and photographers, was my best foot forward, soap-wise, and I hope that the book made (and makes) a significant contribution to the art and science of soapmaking.”
J.T. – “… I chose as my subject the history of liquid soap. The reason for this choice was due to my recent research involving liquid soap while writing my book and the many references I came across of liquid Soapmaking history during my research of the book.”
3.) What do you feel that the experience of completing your Master Certification has brought to you/your business?
A.F. – “Completing the master certification has brought me the confidence in knowing that Bramble Berry and I can complete even the most daunting of soap challenges. We also gained much applicable knowledge in regards to lye production and transparent/melt and pour soap production.”
J.T. – “I feel it has garnered a respect and legitimacy among other soapmakers, validating my credentials in writing a book. While at the conference, I had a soapmaker ask me why I thought I was qualified to write a book on liquid Soapmaking. My reply was I had been making liquid soap for over 15 years and was receiving my HSCG Master Certification…..she walked away, but immediately after my award came back and apologized for her question and bought the book.”
4.) Throughout the entire process, did you learn anything new that you might not have otherwise known before deciding to take the Certification? If yes, what?
A.F. – “Yes, I learned things that I didn’t know beforehand – in fact, there were many things! To name a few: the history of lye production, the chemistry of melt and pour and what the components do, how cream soap differs from something like bath whip, as well as the production methods for these items that could be applied to house made items at Bramble Berry.”
J.T. – “It would literally take pages to encompass all the knowledge I garnered while achieving the master certification…how the oils and fats are processed, the IFRA regulations regarding usage rates of essential oils and fragrances, the discovery of new methods of making liquid soap, little known facts regarding the demise of liquid soap and the reason bar soap became so popular…so many discoveries I never knew enough about to ask the question!”
5.) Having completed and passed the Master Certification and knowing what you know now, is there anything that you might have done or approached differently in the beginning if you could go back?
A.F. – “Cream soap and homemade lye soap both took much longer to produce than initially predicted. I would have dedicated more time in my “Oh, this is how long it will take me to complete all of this!” timeline to those two things. I would also have given myself more time to refine and make more drafts of my research paper essay (on labeling laws in the United States) and other paperwork.”
J.T. – “Of course! 1. I would have presented my soaps in a more professional manner. I was trying to complete my certification as well as put the finishing touches on my book and prepare for an HSCG presentation. I feel my soaps deserved a better presentation than I gave them…thankfully the committee gave me a chance to rectify the sloppy presentation. 2. I would have chosen a more narrow topical report. To try and summarize the whole history of liquid soap in only 8 – 10 pages was not realistic. 3. I would have asked more questions of the committee regarding the preferred answer to the essay test. Ex: there is more than one way to express palm oil and stearic acid and having the questions in advance, it is only logical to ask which answer is the most acceptable.”
6.) Would you recommend that other soapmakers make the decision to complete the Master Certification? Why?
A.F. – “Absolutely; just the act of attempting the soap certification was a big challenge. And, if you never try anything out of your comfort zone, you won’t know what your limits are. Never trying is worse than trying and failing, and if you never try, you can never win, and so though it’s daunting, the process is worth it, even if you don’t pass the first time.”
J.T. – “Of course I would recommend and have recommended other soapmakers complete the Master Certification! If nothing else the Master Certification creates a feeling of accomplishment as well as the understanding there is still so much more to learn…..it also gives the soapmaker a chance to understand the avenue of expertise they are especially equipped to focus in their Soapmaking journey….beneficial for the soapmaker as well as the Soapmaking community.”