Come Learn to Make Handcrafted Soap with a Certified Instructor.

I’ve been a soap maker over 20 years and was addicted after my first attempt. Back then there was no Internet or instructor to be my guide on the side. I did a lot of footwork to find my information, elated to find the advice in Anne Bramson’s book, Soap: Making It, Enjoying It – mainly because it was the only one you could find.  This was after being intrigued by a bar of old timey lye soap I bought from a granny-lady demonstrating soap making in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 

It was a marvelous experience to bathe with my new purchase in the claw-foot tub at the rustic cabin rental in the mountains that crisp fall weekend. My skin felt smooth and moisturized all night; it didn’t need lotion.  Instead of going shopping the next day with the other family members, I stayed at the cabin and soaked in the tub again. After that weekend, I was determined to learn how to make this miraculous stuff for myself.

I transferred this research into a culminating spring time lab for my second year chemistry students.  We crafted homemade soap for Mother’s Day presents.  Of course, they had to describe the chemical principles of the saponification process to me on the final exam.

When Creative Hands Artisan Center opened in Lyman, SC, I began to sell bars of slightly more sophisticated versions of the mountain granny’s old timey lye soap. That was the beginning of Tygerheart Fine Soaps in 2001.  Just last year, I became a certified instructor through the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild.

With the opening of The Grain Loft on Hwy 101 in Greer, SC and their commercial kitchen, there is a great new venue for me to teach interested students the basics of soap making.  Classes are currently underway.  You can register at grainloft.com.  Soon I will be offering classes on more advanced techniques as well.

Latest Offerings from Tygerheart Fine Soaps

Gamecock and Tiger Swirl Soaps

Sometimes the creative side of me takes over, even over the soap pot. The darnedest things inspire a pot of soap. For this batch, it was who, not what. I wanted to make something to honor Marcus Lattimore's first season with Carolina, you know, back in the fall when we were all in a football frenzy. Even most of us RebelTigers were pulling for the Cocks except for our game. I know a few who weren't, and y'all are welcome to pipe up here. Then I had to give the Tigers equal effort and made an orange and purple swirl batch. So here are the results of that inspiration.


With swirls of garnet and black, Gamecock is scented with Spiced Mahogany from Bramble Berry, and described as a deep, rich woody scent with notes of Italian Bergamot, and Apple Wood to round out the darker, more sensuous Patchouli, Cedarwood, and Oakmoss. Also spices of Cardamom, Vanilla Bourbon and allspice are added. The resulting fragrance is one of sophistication and verve.

The Tiger was scented with Energy fragrance oil, also from Bramble Berry. It is described thus,a stimulating blend of citrus, including grapefruit, lemon, and lime, with hints of fresh cucumber and jasmine, and a touch of pineapple, blackberry and champagne.



And here they are tailgating together.

Tygerheart Fine Soaps

If you're wondering why I've not written a blog post in a while, it's because I've been making soap like crazy. I've had the soaping bug for quite a long while. I don't think a bar of store-bought soap has touched my skin in nearly a dozen years. My soap is good. Take a look here at my Etsy Shop, Tygerheart Fine Soaps. Locals can get their paws on these bars at Creative Hands Artisan at the intersection of Groce Road and Highway 29 in Lyman, SC.