Soap Challenge Club
learn. make. share. repeat.
October 2024 Challenge
Groovy Swirl
November 2024 Challenge
Mandala Designs
December 2024 Challenge
Kiss Pour
Join the Club!
The Soap Challenge Club is an amazing opportunity for soapmakers who want to expand their skills. Each month a different technique or tutorial is presented and prizes from our sponsors can be earned by those who create outstanding soaps using the technique of that month. (The Challenge Club will subsidize shipping costs for international prize winners outside the U.S.) Current paid members have the opportunity to vote for the top 3 winners in each of our three competitive categories that are separated by experience level. I give out recognition awards as well for outstanding soaps that meet a certain criteria. Registration is currently closed. It will re-open for the November & December challenges on Monday, October 28. For more information, see the Upcoming Challenges page.
P.S. If you prefer to learn at your own pace instead of joining the Club, dozens of tutorials from past challenges are available in our Tutorial Shop!
Learn New Techniques
Whether you are brand new to cold-process soapmaking, or you have been making it for many years, the challenges will expand your skills exponentially!
Win Fabulous Prizes
Every challenge is sponsored by a soap supply vendor who provides amazing prizes for the winners in each competitive category, and a Sponsor’s Choice prize for the bonus category.
Meet Other Soapmakers
Not feeling competitive? Join the challenges for the camaraderie! We have our own private Facebook group for our members only where you can interact with others from all over the world, and a non-competitive category where you can show off your work!
Winners Announcements 2024
The dates are linked to the corresponding announcements. Tutorials from these challenges are available for purchase HERE.
September 2024 – Secret Swirls
August 2024 – Peek-a-boo Designs
July 2024 – 3D Designs
June 2024 – Spin Swirls
May 2024 – Nautilus Swirls
April 2024 – Drop Swirls
March 2024 – Framed Landscapes
February 2024 – Dipping Technique
January 2024 – Watercolor Technique
More Winners Announcements
The dates are linked to the corresponding announcements. Tutorials from these challenges are available for purchase HERE.
December 2023 – Feathered Circles
November 2023 – Teardrop Technique
October 2023 – Kaleidosoap-on-a-rope
September 2023 – Straight Layers
August 2023 – Luna Swirl
July 2023 – Swing Swirl
June 2023 – Watermelon Soaps
May 2023 – Combing Techniques
April 2023 – Circling Taiwan Swirl
March 2023 – Soap Top Designs
February 2023– Coloring Soap Naturally
January 2023 – Dustpan Designs
December 2022 – Crazy Layers
November 2022 – Splash Swirl
October 2022 – Cowboys vs. Aliens
September 2022 – Buffalo Plaid
August 2022 – Modified Peacock Swirls
July 2022 – Ruffles
June 2022 – Wood Grain
May 2022 – Oasis Swirls
April 2022 – Sculpted Layers
March 2022 – Porcelain Designs
February 2022 – Soap Dough Embeds
January 2022 – Hanger Swirls
December 2021 – Back to Basics
November 2021 – Mantra Swirls
October 2021 – Recycling Soap Scraps
September 2021 – Transparent Soap
August 2021 – Sqwiggle Pour
July 2021 – Abstract Art Designs
June 2021 – Hybrid Stained Glass
May 2021 – Column Pour
April 2021 – Polka Dots
March 2021 – Alice vs. Charlie
February 2021 – Kiss Pour
January 2021 – Salt/Geode Crystal Soaps
December 2020 – Lollipop Swirls
November 2020 – Mosaic Soaps
October 2020 – Ghost Swirls
September 2020 – Ultra-Thin Swirls
August 2020 – Layers with Drop Swirls
July 2020 – Natural Stone Techniques
June 2020 – One Pot Wonder
April 2020 – Tall & Skinny Shimmy
March 2020 – Clam Shell Technique
February 2020 – Collaborator Challenge
January 2020 – Landscape Designs
December 2019 – Black Tie Affair
November 2019 – Soap Curl Design
October 2019 – Slanted Layers
September 2019 – Pipe Divider Swirl
August 2019 – Brush Embroidery
July 2019 – Pointy Layers
June 2019 – Food & Drink Ingredients
May 2019 – Pour/Pull Through Techniques
April 2019 – Mirror Glaze Designs
March 2019 – Inlaid Designs
February 2019 – Glycerin River Designs
January 2019 – Bas Relief/Counter Relief
December 2018 – In-the-Pot Swirls
November 2018 – Thin Line Designs
October 2018 – To Comb or Not to Comb
September 2018 – Mini Drop Swirls
About Amy Warden
Founder/Teacher/Host
I created this place for soapmakers to learn new techniques, hone their skills, meet other soapmakers, and win amazing prizes and mostly because I knew it would be FUN!
I made my first batch of cold process soap on November 18, 2002, as Christmas gifts for my friends, and I’ve been making soap ever since! I’ve been hosting monthly soap challenges since 2013, and I’m passionate about encouraging soapmakers of all skill levels to become even better at their craft. I hope you’ll join this fantastic community of soapmakers from all over the world!
“The Soap Challenge Club has played a huge role in my growth as an artistic soapmaker. I learned so many fun techniques in the club that I probably never would have attempted on my own, and every month I am inspired to step out of my comfort zone and get creative!”
“What I love about the challenges is that they make me take just a step further than I normally would go. I learned so much in the past few months, I did things I normally wouldn’t think of, and now I wouldn’t go back.”
“I have learnt so much over these past four months, I never would have imagined at the beginning of these challenges that I would be able to create something like this. I am so very grateful to Amy for organising and sharing her knowledge with us. It has been so much fun!!”
“I absolutely love the guided discovery approach and the fact that in addition to receiving outstanding tutorials and tips, I have the opportunity to communicate and exchange the knowledge with the most amazing and talented community of soap makers.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn How it Works!
Can I participate if I'm not in the United States?
Absolutely! Everything we do is online, so any soapmaker from anywhere in the world is able to participate. (All tutorials are in English. You may be able to translate the written portions, but not the videos.)
How much does it cost to participate?
If you register for one month at a time, it is $14.95 per month. This includes the tutorial that you get to download and keep, the ability to enter your soap and be eligible to win prizes from our sponsor, vote for the winners, and join our private Facebook group. There may be discounted prices for registering for more than one month at a time.
Do I have to submit an entry?
I leave that up to each member to decide whether they want to submit an entry or not, but it is highly encouraged! It’s the only way to get feedback from the other members, plus the deadline pushes you to create and enjoy the learning process with everyone else.
How much time do I have to create my entry?
Anywhere from 2-3 weeks. If you register for the challenge on the first day and get started right away, you’ll have a full 3 weeks. If you register on the last day, you’ll still have 2 weeks.
Do I need to submit a bar of my soap to be judged?
Not at all! Entries are submitted via photo. You’ll find tips for your photography and presentation skills that will help you present your soap in the best way possible.
Do I have to video my process?
Videos of your soapmaking process are never required to enter the challenges. You only need to provide your entry photo. On rare occasions, a second photo may be required.
How is the material presented?
The tutorial includes both written and video instructions. There are specific guidelines included that must be met for your soap to be entered in the challenge. Soon after registration closes, I will post a video in our private Facebook group to answer questions and go over the guidelines. You can ask questions in the Facebook group throughout the challenge as needed.
Can beginners do the challenges?
Definitely! We’ve had members who are brand new to soapmaking join the challenges. It’s a great way to accelerate the learning curve – especially with the support of the members in our private Facebook group! We’re a very supportive and encouraging community.
Who can vote for the winners?
Only those who have registered for the challenge are able to vote for the winners. They are the ones who have seen the tutorial and know what the technique should look like.
What if I only make melt & pour soap?
The challenges are made for cold process soapmakers only at this time since this is my area of expertise.