Handcrafted Soaps Workshop with Lisa Gillespie

TICKETS

We love these luscious natural soaps from designer Lisa Gillespie, founder of Courageous Soap, based right here in Boulder. This hands-on workshop covers the basics of making hand-poured, cold-process soap—a traditional method that produces a high-quality product. You’ll learn to select and mix base oils, scents, and natural or cosmetic colorants. Customizing the soap allows each person to create a unique experience by experimenting with different colors and embellishments. Lisa shares simple techniques that elevate the design by adding an artistic flair to natural soap.

The class is accessible for beginners, with options for those who want to dive deeper. You’ll leave the class inspired, equipped with simple soap recipes, a resource list, a bar of handcrafted soap, soap goodies, and—quite possibly—a new, creative, and practical obsession!

Note: Lye and oils are combined and mixed until they emulsify. Lisa prioritizes safety; you won’t need to handle the lye directly, and she reviews safety tips with the class before beginning.

This class is for adults (15+ years). It’s not recommended for younger children. You’re welcome to attend with an older teen, but please note that the fee is per participant.

Meet the Maker:

Lisa Melli Gillespie, founder of Courageous Soap, has been creating cheeky, heavenly-smelling bars since 2013, when she began soapmaking as part of a “101 New Experiences in 1001 Days” challenge. Lisa’s creations have won awards both locally and internationally since 2014. An experienced and award-winning artist, Lisa crafts soaps with simple ingredients that support the skin. Her eco-savvy alternatives to commercial soaps are not only gentle on the environment but also on your system.