Soap Challenge Club

learn. make. share. repeat.

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. 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!

November Mandala Designs

Winners Category by Amy Bautista

November Mandala Designs

Advanced Category by Tami Sarli

November Mandala Designs

Regular Category by Frances McMullen

October Groovy Swirl

Winners Category by Teri Endsley

October Groovy Swirl

Advanced Category by Hanna Achepohl

October Groovy Swirl

Regular Category by Jen Smock

September Secret Swirls

Winners Category by Lauren Conn

September Secret Swirls

Advanced Category by Cindy Pierce

September Secret Swirls

Regular Category by Kristen Miller

August Peek-a-boo Designs

Winners Category by Lisa Cunningham

August Peek-a-boo Designs

Advanced Category by Céline Chelle

August Peek-a-boo Designs

Regular Category by Dionne Gule

July 3D Designs

Winners Category by Linda Lee

July 3D Designs

Advanced Category by Shannon Barsi

July 3D Designs

Regular Category by Evelyn Blommestein

Winners Announcements 2024

The dates are linked to the corresponding announcements. Tutorials from these challenges are available for purchase HERE.

November 2024 – Mandala Designs

October 2024 – Groovy Swirl

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!”

Amy Bautista

Elysian Acres Soap, USA

“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.”

Angelique Heiligers

YouTube, Switzerland

“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!!”

Clare Norman

Soda and Ash, Australia

“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.”

Irina Beketova

IB Organics, USA

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.