This artisan is certified!

One of the benefits of buying artisan products (like handmade soap) is that you know exactly who is making your goods. An artisan is a person. Not a factory. Not a conglomeration. A real, live person that you can know, communicate with and hold accountable.

Artisans are also people who love what they make and strive to only make the best quality product possible. We never stop learning, experimenting, and consulting with other artisans. And artisans love a good challenge.

So I decided this year to sit for the Advanced Soapmaker Certificate exam during the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild Annual Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. The certification program was set up to encourage and promote the highest professional standards among HSCG members and establish a standard in the industry. I got my basic certification four years ago in Denver. But the Advanced Level Certificate took a bit more work.

I had to take a written exam, sure. But I also had to turn in a finished and packaged bar of my soap, with a record of the recipe, how I made it, how it looked as it cured and information about all the ingredients. It’s all the things you need to do to maintain professional standards.

The Guild judged my soap to be fine, I passed the exam, and I got my certificate!

And, oh yes, I am definitely already thinking about that Master Soapmaker certificate!

11 thoughts on “This artisan is certified!”

Congrats — that is so exciting! =) You should totally go for the Master Soapmaker certificate, I know you would do fabulous on it.

Ruth Esteves

May 31, 2013 at 5:45 pm Reply

Thanks, Anne-Marie! I would be a total soap geek, wouldn’t I? LOL 😀
- The Nova Studio
  
  June 4, 2013 at 4:41 pm
  
  What’s wrong with being a soap geek, exactly??

Congratulations, Ruth! Best wishes on the Master Soapmaker exam! You’ll do great!

Ruth Esteves

June 2, 2013 at 2:57 pm Reply

Thanks, Jenny! That’s going to be a tough one, and I’m only in the “thinking about it” stage. But I bet I would learn SO much in the process.

I am a total soap geek and didn’t even know such a thing existed! Now to get that certificate:)

Congrats Ruth! I haven’t even taken my advance test yet and I’ve already been thinking about the Masters test ha! Excited to get started on making my soap for my Advance test. That’s one of this summer’s goals!

So exciting Ruth! Congrats! I’m still trying to find a place to proctor my exam locally since I keep missing the conference. I’m so excited you passed your advanced and I know you’ll ace the Master test.