Handmade Conference 2017

Next Friday I fly to Cleveland to speak at the Handmade Conference 2017.  This will be the second time I speak in public, the first time was a month ago at the HSCG Conference. The Handmade Conference is a new conference given by Wholesale Supplies Plus. There is one in June and one in July and both are sold out. I’m talking about making lotion bars and lotions.

A few days ago I received an email from Susan.  She is my teaching assistant. She’ll have everything measured out and ready for the demo. That’s usually my job. I started thinking about how I started out as a teaching assistant for Marla of Back Porch Soap when she would drive down to NYC from Boston to teach soap making classes.  Back then, I never would have dreamed I’d be teaching my own classes or speaking in public. I’ve grown because of soap making. I’m more confident in my abilities and I’m grateful for it.

I still assist Marla when she teaches in NYC.  It’s fun to work with her and I swear I still learn something every time I see her. I know the Handmade Conference will be a blast too. Holly will be making Bath Fizzies and Bubble Cakes, Debbie is doing a Melt and Pour intensive and Marla is doing a Cold Process intensive.  Allison from Alimar Labs is talking about Oils and Emulsified Scrubs. I’ll be making some new friends there too. All the attendees and other speakers I don’t know yet.

I’m grateful for the opportunities soap making brings me. I’m grateful for the friends soap making has brought into my life. But most of all, I’m grateful for the joy it brings.

What are you grateful for this week?

Yours in Gratitude,

Angela