Soapmaking Historical Guild

07/23/2021

Looking forward to some Living History Traditions. Open fire soaping with the Soapmaking Historical Guild.

07/13/2021

New soap entries at https://www.followingseasons.com/soap

02/25/2021

Soapmaking Historical Guild updated their website address.

Soapmaking Historical Guild updated their website address.

02/25/2021

The History of 'APRONS'
I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principle use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and ...on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids..
And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.
Send this to those who would know (and love) the story about Grandma's aprons.
REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...❤

12/21/2020

Happy Solstice!

08/30/2020

Ladies Day, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, 2007

07/07/2020

I hope everyone is staying clean!

06/24/2020

This soap is made by Soap Making Historical Guild Of San Diego, where they make soap in a kettle outside over a fire. A friend went to USA and let me use her address to receive my order. I'm so excited to use it, thank you Cindy Christ for posting it to my friend. If I ever go to USA I'm going to Old Town San Diego ☺️

06/13/2020

I'm hoping to see friends around the cauldron in Old Town pretty soon! Missing the 1800"s!!

05/05/2020

Missing the Historic Cauldron. Authentic 1800's "Open Fire Soapmaking". Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Authentic 1800's "Open Fire Soapmaking". Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

04/11/2020

Order today for Monday shipping
[email protected]

04/11/2020

Order today for Monday shipping
[email protected]

04/04/2020

Missing our Open Fire Soapmaking and all of you! Hope to be back at it soon. In the mean time stay safe and be well.
Cindy Christ; OTSDSHP Soapmaking Historical Guild

03/19/2020

We will announce our next Open Fire Soapmaking demonstration when Old Town State Park opens for tours and Living History. For now, enjoy your home and family. And wash your hands frequently!

03/06/2020

March 28th will be our next open fire soaping date in Old Town San Diego. If you would like to join us p.m. me your email address to be included in the March e-news. Here are some fun pictures from our February visit to the 1800's.

03/01/2020

Sounds of the lye pour and iron. ♡♡♡

02/18/2020

The newsletter for February soaping date went out today. I had two emails returned. If you did not receive the enews and want to please let me know! :)

02/12/2020

February 29th will be our next Open Fire Soaping in Old Town San Diego. Send me a message if you would like to join us! I think this time we will plan lunch in town with the ladies!!

01/15/2020

Hello Soapmaking Historical Guild! If you have always wanted to check out the work we do at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, this is your opportunity to join us as a soaper!
I have attached the SHG newsletter below for anyone who would like to join. RSVP is a must in order to join us behind the ropes. If you need a dress, I have several loaners you can wear for the day. Read below for RSVP info. Join us around the cauldron!!

Hello Soapers and Rendezvous'ers,

Let's start the New Year with an "Open Fire" Soaping Rendezvous!

The Soapmaking Historical Guild will be soaping Old Town on Saturday, January 25,2020. I hope to see you all there around the cauldron! :) If you can make it please let me know by Tuesday, January 21st so I can plan the day.

Steve and I will be participating in the open fire potluck! Steve typically brings tamales, I will have a pot of mixed beans with tortillas. We would love for you to join in the potluck. Anything you would like to bring to contribute is perfect!

I will arrive at 9a.m. If you can make it by 9:30 to help prep the site that would be wonderful. It should be a lovely day so bring a hat and plenty of water.

If you need a dress let me know so I have one ready for you. Hope to see you there!

Please RSVP by Tuesday evening to [email protected]

Thank you,

May Your Soap Bubbles Float Over the Fence,

Cindy Christ, SHG

12/19/2019

With the Season in full swing, we will be taking a couple weeks off from posting. We will return in the new year with our soaping schedule in Old Town beginning on the 4th Saturday, January 25, 2020. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year celebration.

11/28/2019

Soapmaking Historical Guild has been soaping open fire for 10 years. I have put a lot into this project and have loved it so dearly. Thank you to everyone who has participated and has spent time around the cauldron over the years. Happy Thanks Giving!

11/13/2019

The Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild. An interview with the CA Chapter BOD.

First up during our Local Chapter Spotlight Week is none other than the Golden State, California! The HSCG California Local Chapter provides a wealth of knowledge and networking to makers across the state. Come meet them on Cut to the Trace: https://buff.ly/2qOipa0

10/27/2019

Great day in the 1800's. Sunny with shade and a cool breeze. We donated a big, fresh batch of soap bars to the Old Town Gift Shop. Our donations help support the Living History Guilds in our favorite San Diego State Park.

10/26/2019

Old Town TODAY! Stop by!!! Find us at the Blacksmith Shop!!!

10/14/2019

10/10/2019

Rendering Animal Fats - step 3:
Cut the clean solid fat like a pie. Using a spatula pull up each slice. Scrape clean the residue off the fat that surfaced the water. Toss the dirty water out. Collect the tallow or lard to weigh it out.

10/07/2019

Rendering animal fats- Step two; when all fat is solid as shown in the photo, remove from the refrigerator to a countertop to separate fat from water. If necessary, repeat step one and two a second time to achieve a clean and pure fat.

10/06/2019

Rendering animal fats- Step one; boil down the fats in water. Be careful not to start a fire or burn yourself with the hot fats. A ratio of half fat:half water works well. Stir and cool enough to place in refrigerator.

10/06/2019

Rendering beef fat and lard for our October 26th Ol' Timey Open Fire Tradition demonstration in Old Town, S.D. Send a message with your email to be included on the email list.

09/20/2019

October 26th will be our next Ol' Timey Open Fire Soapmaking Demonstration in Old Town San Diego. If you are a soaper and would like to join us, plan ahead and message me your email. I will add you to our newsletter.

08/07/2019

"Warshing Clothes Recipe" - imagine having a recipe for this ! ! !
Years ago a Texas grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe:
This is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook, spelling errors and all.
WARSHING CLOTHES
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert.
Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.
Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.
Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard and boil, then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.
Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.
Hang old rags on fence.
Spread tea towels on grass.
Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
Turn tubs upside down.
Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.
Pecan Valley Genealogical Society