Pure Tallow Soap: A Beginner’s Soap Recipe
Tallow is packed with fatty acids that give your soap a stable, creamy lather. Unlike many commercial bars, a pure tallow soap is simple, nourishing, and free from synthetic additives. It’s also a sustainable choice—when sourced from grass-fed or local farms, you’re supporting regenerative practices. While tallow may be trending right now (and for good reason!), it’s actually a time-honored ingredient that has been trusted in soapmaking for centuries.
Frankincense Resin Benefits
Frankincense resin-infused oil is a potent and versatile remedy that blends the therapeutic benefits of Frankincense resin with a nourishing carrier oil. Unlike essential oil, which lacks crucial compounds like boswellic acids, resin-infused oil retains a broader spectrum of beneficial constituents.
A Natural Color Mindset
Choosing natural soapmaking does come with a small challenge—getting beautifully colored soap. But using plant-based colorants is part of that commitment, for our skin, our health, and the environment. Unlike synthetic micas or lab-made dyes, natural colorants are gentle, safe, and celebrate the simple beauty of nature.
From Pour to Cure: Recording Every Batch
Hey soapmaking friends! Let’s talk record keeping! I giggled a bit writing this section in my book and again while working on this blog. All my life, I thought I was a type-A, ultra-organized personality.
A Guide to Custom Herb-Infused Oils for Hair Health
It’s almost cringe-worthy to admit now, but I used to actually complain about my hair being 'too thick.' I remember viewing the maintenance as a total burden; fast forward to today, and I’d give anything to have that 'burden' back! If you are on the same mission as I am to avoid store-bought products and the synthetic ingredients they contain, let’s harvest the power of nature and grow some beautiful locks together.
Infuse Frankincense Resin At Home
Infusing Frankincense resin into oil is a simple process that allows you to extract the beneficial compounds from the resin while avoiding the overuse of essential oils. This method works for other resins as well, making it a versatile technique for creating a range of infused oils. Here’s a step-by-step guide to infusing Frankincense resin (or other resins) in oil.
Growing A Community
A Must Have Soapmaking Book
“If you are going to attempt cold processed soap with tallow or lard, this is the book for you. I am familiar with soap calc, but sometimes it is nice to do a little studying on a new oil before diving into creating personal recipes. This book is an informative read on the subject. Jacqueline is a wealth of information and touches on about every aspect in the soap making process with tallow and lard along with rendering tallow, fat/oil/butter properties, soap colorants and additives, lye safety, essential oils descriptions, colorants, base recipes, and recipe expansion and so much more... topped off with a balm bonus section. Way more info than what I expected to get in this book. It was worth every penny paid, and the soaps produced have been enjoyed by my family and friends.
My advice is to sit and read it from cover to cover. Get some page tabs if there are reference points you want to revisit. The print is larger than most books which is a great bonus for those who need to look at the recipe from a distance while soaping or get tired of trying to focus on small book print, but until you get a few pages in can be a little daunting at first glance. The pages of the book are not stark white which is refreshing to my eyes. My only negative (and it is not a big one) is the lack of an index at the end of the book which is why I suggest page tabs.
This is by far one of my favorite soaping books, and the number ONE book for using tallow. If you are not a fan of formulating your own recipes, Jacqueline has it all done for you in this book. I highly recommend this for your soaping reference bookshelf. Many thanks to Jacqueline Dewey for a job well done!”
Brenda (Amazon)
Fabulous Informational Book
“If you are new to tallow soap I HIGHLY suggest this book. The author guides you through all the necessary information for you to begin your journey!
She has different formulations already ready for you to use and tells you all the tools you need and what everything means! Plus there are pictures!
Buy the book! You won’t regret it!”
Mary (Amazon)
New to soapmaking? Advanced, but want to learn new things? Get this book!
I bought the Kindle version of this book and absolutely love it. The variations with the recipes Jacqueline Dewey brings to both the novice and the expert are innovative and refreshing. Along with that, many complex elements and ingredients of soapmaking are clearly explained, along with things to look for and things to avoid. She really helps the beginner from falling into some discouraging pits. I'm going to have fun with this book for a long time! Highly recommend.
Pam (Amazon)
Well Worth the Price
Excellent resource! I have other soap making books and this one is one of the best.
Cynthia (Amazon)
A Must Have Soapmaking Book
I bought this book as a beginner in soap making. It has not disappointed me! I have learned more from this book than any of the others that I have. It is easy to understand and the details are amazing! I highly recommend it.
Anon. (Amazon)
Must Have
Bought my book a few months ago and it is constantly the one I reach for first. It’s clear concise and free of the toxins that mainstream soap from the grocery stores carry. I will never buy soap again! Thank you author!
Caitlyn (Amazon)
My passion for natural soapmaking began as a mission to reduce my family’s exposure to toxins, especially after my daughter’s experience with cancer. Unsatisfied with mainstream skincare options, I dove into holistic remedies—starting with self-teaching and eventually pursuing formal herbal studies. What began as a journey to soothe my daughter’s eczema with natural balms and salves has grown into a full commitment to crafting safe, gentle soap—for my family and others. All my soap and balms are made with care and sold under my brand, Wonder & Wander.
I bring twenty years of teaching experience to this work—over a decade in public education and seven years as a homeschool teacher. I hold a Master’s in Education in Gifted & Talented Instruction and a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. My goal has always been to make learning accessible, engaging, and straightforward.
I wrote From Seed to Soap because I couldn’t find a book that fully eliminated ingredients like palm oil, seed oils, or synthetic additives while remaining approachable and user-friendly. It includes beginner-friendly recipes alongside deeper insights for seasoned soapmakers, cutting through long-winded explanations so you can spend more time creating beautiful soap and less time searching for information. The guide also features charts to simplify and organize large amounts of information, making it easy to reference while you work.
I’m excited to share this journey with others, inspiring a shift toward wellness, one handmade bar at a time. Let’s make natural soap mainstream!
~Jacqueline Dewey
