SoapMaker–The best soap making software around.

In 2007 I started making soap and I soon realised that it was a real pain working out the lye content and oil percentages every time I wanted a new recipe. I am pretty sure you all know what I am talking about.
If you are not a lover of Math's then this may lead you to break out into a cold sweat. I do like Math's but I like to save time more. So I did a little internet research and came across an AMAZING tool – SoapMaker.  My business was just starting out AND the programme was in dollars!! The cold sweat was back. What to do? I emailed the contact address and asked if there was a payment plan option not really expecting a reply. Boy was I surpried when an email came back with a link to download – FREE. Please note the options available now are a lite version for $49.00 or Pro version at $99.00.Ever since then I have done everything in my power to download every beta test they have and test the heck out of it.
I recently realised that I communicate with this faceless person (Crawford Woodman) and it would be nice to know more about the man behind SoapMaker. You can see the basic information on his about page.
I have decided to write this post of my own accord and have no affiliation with SoapMaker, other than using it to run my soap business.
SoapMaker was created By Crawford Woodman as an aid for his wife, Diane’s, soap making business. She was very involved in the initial programme creation and always had the best soap with many repeat clients.
Where about in the States are you? State is good enough. (boy am I on the wrong foot already I know you Americans and Canadians love getting mixed up!! – OOPS):
We live in Canada, in Perth, Ontario. It's a small town with a heritage flavour - lots of lovely stone buildings built after the Rideau Canal was finished in the early 1800's.
If you don't know where it is, like me, Google it. Wow is it pretty.
Do you have any children?
We have 3 - two daughters and a son. All are grown up and married. We have 4 grandchildren.
I see that Jason Bowles was/ is your programmer for SM. Does he still work on SM? If so is it a full time undertaking?
Jason was only involved in the early days. I wrote version 3 myself.
Version 3 is the latest update and it is AWESOME
Do you have any programming background? What was/ is your profession before SM took over your life?
I worked for Nortel for 30 years, first as a programmer and then as a manager.
I also had to Google Nortel. Nortel was a multinational telecommunications and data networking equipment manufacturer founded in Montreal, Quebec in .
Do you employ other people to work on SM?
Nope - just me.
If you started SM from scratch what would you change or do differently? If anything?
I would use a platform that could easily be ported to different operating systems like Macs and Android. But I'm stuck with Windows. There are over 100,000 lines of code and it would take a complete re-write to do that now.
Is there a vision for SM? I.e. is there some sort of plan or does it just grow depending on what users ask for and what is feasible?
I'm 73 and don't really have the energy for major adventures anymore. But I enjoy hearing from users and trying to make the program as useful as possible. Our son is studying computer programming - maybe he'll want to undertake some major changes.
How do you decide what feature makes it into an update? I.e. Do you have to have a minimum no of people ask for it?
I don't really have a set algorithm. I guess it's a combination of how many people ask for a feature and how feasible it is to build it within the overall structure of the user interface and the database. And often if I notice something that seems a bit awkward while I'm testing, I'll decide to change it.
Does your wife have any input about new features and how useful they will be?
Diane used to. In fact SoapMaker was originally created for her soap-making business.  But she retired from soap-making a few years ago so now she hasn't kept up with the program. But she's supportive - doesn't complain when I spend hundreds of hours on a new update.
Do you know how many users you have? You can see a list of some of them here
I have almost 8000 registered SM3 users, and one of my resellers sells CDs which do not always get registered so there could be more. I don't know how many are still active -it seems people get into the business for a few years but then drop out later. There are also still people with the old version 2 SoapMaker - I still get the occasional upgrade purchase.
For all you die hard SoapMaker users there is a Facebook group that is a great help if you are stuck. My advice, though, is to use the programme as much as possible to get the most benefit from it . This programme will save you so much time – I could not survive without it.
Thanks Crawford, you and SM rock.

Nobuhle soaps

 

You may remember my training I did in the Eastern Cape here and here.

Well I recently got a mail from Lucy who says the ladies are going from strength to strength and will soon be expanding their range.

Well done ladies you have done an amazing job.

Riverlea Soap

 

 

Training in the Eastern Cape – part 2

What a long trip – 739km give or take.
Day 1: The Farm to Port St Johns. I don’t travel very well for long distances after my back operation so we decided to do the trip in two parts. On day one we drove from the farm to Umngazi River Bungalows in Port St Johns for one night of R&R . WOW what an amazing place. I wish we had had more than one night. We will definitely have to go back for more time.

I was very spoiled with a complimentary massage at the Spa. This was just what the doctor ordered after 400 odd kilometers of travel in a car.

 

 

 Day 2: Port St Johns to Grahamstown. We got off to an early start on Thursday as we had a 6 hour drive ahead of us. This turned into about 9 with all the road works! We finally made it at 1730 and drove straight to the Angus Gillus foundation

Technorati Tags: Riverela Soap,Handmade soap,cold process soap

where we were met by Lucy. Lucy works very hard to find funding for projects. She and Cynth (her trusty helper) then arrange for certain groups in the community to be trained in a particular field so they can start and maintain sustainable businesses. Very noble.

Day 3: Training. We drove for about 40 minutes to get to the Township of Glenmore where the ladies were to be trained.  What a special group of ladies. They learnt about safety when making soap and you can see them below all kitted out and ready.

After the theory we had a lesson on how to use the stick blender.. the things we take for granted! Below you can see their soaps gelling. Cynth (in the red top) is paying close attention to my demo as she and Lucy will have to remind all the ladies of what they learned.
   
Once we had done the hard part of teaching Cold process I then showed the ladies how to make rebatch soap. And then they also got a demo on using Melt and Pour. They were all given a Riverlea Soap Melt and Pour kit to take home with them to practise.

Lucy has promised a follow up email to show me how the ladies are progressing. I am very excited. We also discussed the possibility of one group knitting cotton face cloths as an add on to sell with the soap. And they could also make homemade paper to wrap the soap.


Riverlea Soap

Soap Making by Riverlea Soap

Early Sunday morning, in the tranquil treed garden on Riverlea Farm, Odette and Linda waited eagerly for the students to arrive. Riverlea Soap was to conduct the very first training session and officially launch Riverlea Soap Univer-soap-y!

 

     

 

The students arrived - even the family cat was there to greet them!

Everything was setup in the training room and they were presented with the ‘3G’’s. Garmet (apron), Goggles (eyeware) and Gloves. The Riverlea Soap Manual was waiting at their station with all the equipment needed to learn how to make COLD PROCESS soap.

The mid-morning break came after all the theory had been learnt and students enjoyed choc-chip cookies, juice and a very welcome cup of tea.

Then the fun began – students went through the process of measuring oils, mixing lye, colouring and fragrancing and finally pouring their creations into the take-home moulds.

 

Courses offered by Riverlea Soap Univer-soap-y are:-

Cold Process Soap Making

Bath and Body Products

Advanced Soap Making

To find our more about these courses, and other fun workshops, please visit our website or email us now!

www.riverleasoap.com

Spring has Sprung!!

After the unusually cold winter here in South Africa, exacerbated by the unconditional winter rain in Kwa Zulu Natal – I was delighted to welcome Spring this morning!

Living on a farm in the suburbs of Durban, I am thoroughly spoilt by the sounds of nature – busy weaver birds chirping, tree frogs clicking, hadedah’s laughing and wild birds singing! I then open my doors and enjoy the warm berg wind while gazing at an orange sky as the sun makes its way over the hilltops to share its rays for another day.

I am then consumed by fragrances wafting in the breeze, calling me to come closer and get a deeper smell. I took photos to share with you – you will have to imagine the fragrances – the abundance of blossoms in the garden.

The picture below shows the violet Petrea – a large climbing shrub with flowers bursting from every stem, and just above it the Orange Jasmine – a rich dark green shrub with clustered heads of blooms carrying the unique sweet smell of Jasmine. To the right you will see the traditional Star Jasmine creeper – a simple white flower with dark pink stems, and in the picture below it – it has covered the entire farm fence and every frond is laden with bunches of flowers. Their scent is the powerful Jasmine fragrance that every child has experienced growing up – close your eyes, you can almost smell it! Behind the fence post is the indigenous African Coral tree in full bloom.

With a new season, comes the birth of many new ideas and events – Riverlea Soap is no exception!

The Riverlea Soap Univer-soap-y is in its final stages and will be launched in the very near future – more on that coming soon!

We are proud to be associated with the Marriage Meander which launched its new book today which is every bride’s 'must have' handbook and contains many options and ideas for the wedding ceremony – including our exciting custom soap options eg. personalized, Jasmine, creamy bars of soap with a textured finish. Get your very own copy of this high class, glossy book at CNA Stores on sale now!

Did you plan something new for Spring?

Are you launching new ideas or new events?

Even if it is just a new smile for now – here’s wishing you a wonderful, fragrance-filled season!


http://www.riverleasoap.com/