NEW COURSE DATES FOR 2023!

I am so happy to be able to tell you that I will be in the studio and for my hands on courses from February 2023. Scroll down for course dates.

The Studio at Quinta do Cobral is perfect for enjoying our wide range of courses. The space is airy and light with wonderfully inspiring views across our farm and the surrounding countryside. All our courses are offered with lunch as well as full course notes. There will be the opportunity for you to buy more ingredients or materials to carry on with your newly discovered crafts at home.

Would you like to teach at Quinta do Cobral?

if you are interested in our Creative Hub and expansion of tutors and courses, have a creative skill to teach? please go to this blog listing to find out more.

In 2023 we will be offering some of the following courses:

Quinta do Cobral Soap Making Courses

Come and learn how to make top quality, beautiful, natural soaps using the traditional cold process method as well as courses teaching Natural liquid soap making.

Scroll down TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE for ALL OUR current course dates

My goal is to teach you the skills you need to successfully make beautiful handmade soap using natural ingredients such as olive oil, shea and cocoa butter and lovely essential oils.  All this takes place in the beautiful, relaxing and supportive atmosphere of the new Art Studio at our Portuguese farm - Quinta do Cobral.

I will provide you with everything you will need, all the ingredients, equipment and safety gear.  You will learn in small groups in a clean, relaxing place with plenty of time to ask all the questions you want.  I am a highly experienced soap maker and respected tutor so you can feel totally happy that you will be receiving the best tuition possible as well as having great fun learning a new skill and making new friends.

Soap making does not require a huge amount of complicated equipment or ingredients and is a really absorbing hobby, imagine how great it would be to be able to easily make all your Christmas and birthday gifts, soaps for your whole family, for special occasions or just for yourself.  Especially as they will be totally natural, not containing any of the harsh, unfriendly chemicals of commercial soaps.

These are great courses for those of you wishing to provide beautiful soap for guests visiting your home or if you have a holiday letting business or hotel - make your own natural soaps as an addition to your complimentary products for visitors as well as larger bars for them to buy to take back home. Your soaps can be stamped/wrapped/bottled using your unique style, colours and logo.

Natural Solid Soap Making Course

This is a hands on course, you will learn how to make your own natural soap and how to make it safely.  You will learn a craft that has been passed down through history with trusted recipes that you can take home with you.  The whole class will cover all the items below as I demonstrate how to make a batch of soap:

• A brief history and basic chemistry of soap making

• Necessary materials, supplies and equipment (what to use and what not to use)

• Safety considerations when working with sodium hydroxide

• you will learn the importance of taking accurate measurements & proper mixing temperatures

• Explanation of the different properties of soap making oils

• Explanation of the differences between fragrance oils and essential oils

• Colouring soap naturally with herbs, spices and clays

• you will learn a basic soap mixture, all recipes will be provided along with a complete explanation of all the steps involved

• preparing your molds and molding options

• cutting, curing and storing your finished soaps

• help and advice on labeling, packaging and decorating your new soaps

Then comes the fun bit, you get to make the soap.  I supply all the ingredients and you will be able to choose how your soap is coloured, fragranced and finished.  You then get to take home your first 1 Kilo batch of soap that you have made in class (it will not be hard enough to cut at that point) you will finish the curing process at home and end up with 10 - 12 bars of your own soap!  If traveling from afar we can keep hold of the soap for you until it is hard enough to post.

Natural Liquid Soap Course

Ultimate soap making for the home!  Come and learn how to make beautiful, safe, clear, liquid, plant derived, vegan soap base that can then be turned into a long list of chemical free body and household products that really work infused with your choice of natural aromatics.  If you care about your environment and are discerning about ingredients this is the course for you.  This liquid soap base will also save you lots of money as the costs are minimal.  The soap is cruelty free using no harsh chemicals and is fully biodegradable, refill all your household soaps with this plastic free option!

You will leave this course with your own soap are and a great range of products for the body and home made using the base. Other products made using this liquid base include:

• Liquid hand soap

• Shower gel and shampoo

• gentle baby wash

• All purpose soap for floors and surfaces

• Laundry and dishwasher soap

• car wash

• Insect deterring garden spray

• shaving foam……………………………. and much more!

You can add your own choice of essential oils or leave it completely natural.

This is one of my most popular courses, dates fill up fast!

Advanced Courses

I also run courses for those with cold process soap making experience.  Exciting Hands-on classes that explore more advanced topics including layering, double swirling, using clays, using speciality ingredients, liquid soap making, solid transparent soap, decorative techniques, natural cleaning products for the home, herbal and botanical infusions, hot process soap, whipped soap and other bath and body products,  and much more.  Each course includes a set of information handouts for you to keep.  Dates for these courses will be listed below.

I also offer intensive one-to-one courses which can include accommodation on site.  If you are interested in booking a one-to-one course with me please get in touch via my email address info@quintadocobral.com or call me on 00351 927057286 and we can discuss course content and available dates.

Quinta do Cobral Stained Glass Courses

Exciting, colourful and informative courses in the wonderful art of Stained Glass making.  I currently offer two different day courses for you to choose from, both are aimed at Beginners but improvers are welcome as they may appreciate the opportunity to expand their knowledge and develop their technique and creative ideas in my small, comfortable classes.  SCROLL DOWN FOR COURSE DATES.

Metal Embossing with lead-free Pewter and Copper

This is an exciting new, one day course for 2020 which uses beautiful metals and the centuries-old craft of embossing to create Photo and mirror frames, Journal covers, boxes, illuminated letters, shrines and much more. Pewter work is versatile and suitable for everyone, all you need to succeed is a passion for experiment and a bit of creative flair! I will teach you the techniques, introduce you to a wide variety of marking tools, show you how to design and transfer patterns, creating patterns and texture, filling in, adding colour and patina, finishing and construction. This is a craft that is absorbing and addictive, the uses are endless so come with your own ideas or use designs from a huge range of pre-drawn patterns.

ONE-TO-ONE AND GROUP COURSES ALSO AVAILABLE

Natural Body Care

“Using nothing but nature”

A wonderful course learning how to make natural body care goodies. You will make 8 luxurious, natural, body & hair products for you and your family that REALLY WORK! All reusable containers are supplied, they can then be filled up again and again at home. Most of the products use beautiful natural ingredients that you can readily find here in Portugal, we will also be teaching you to make amazing solid shampoo and conditioner bars that last for over 80 washes, require no plastic packaging and are suitable for all hair types. All our lovely recipes are sustainable, travel-friendly, eco friendly and great for your hair, body and the environment!

AS ALWAYS, THIS COURSE AND ALL THE OTHERS CAN BE TAUGHT AS A PRIVATE COURSE - if you can’t make the dates advertised get in touch and we can give you a quote for your own course.

Contact us if you want to be kept informed of the dates for these new courses. Follow us on Instagram for up to date information, dates and fun makes to do at home. @quintadocobral

All OUR courses are available with or without accommodation

If you are interested in coming as a group of 4+ we would be happy to book you into our lovely cottage Casa da Bezerra where you could choose a weekend break and include a soap making class for yourself and your friends - subject to availability check out our booking page for more info and the calendar.  A great idea for a Birthday celebration, anniversary or a very special and unique creative Hen Weekend!  Discounts for group bookings available just ask.  We can also run kids courses too!

Course dates

NATURAL SOLID SOAP MAKING COURSES 2023

Saturday 11th February 2023 - 9.30am to 4pm - €75

POSTPONED

NATURAL LIQUID SOAP MAKING COURSES 2023

Saturday 1st April 2023 - 9.30am to 4pm - €85

POSTPONED

NATURAL BODY CARE - using nothing but nature 2023

Saturday 25th February 2023 - 9.30am to 4pm - €95

POSTPONED

STAINED GLASS COURSES 2023

Dates to follow soon

METAL EMBOSSING COURSES 2023

Dates to follow soon

COURSE INFORMATION

All courses start at 9.30am with tea/coffee waiting for you.  A light vegetarian lunch is served as a sit down buffet and is included in the course fee.

The day wraps up by 3.30 - 4pm (we may run over a little depending on progress for the stained glass courses)

SOAP MAKING and BODY CARE COURSE FEES

The beginners courses cost €75 per person, the Liquid Soap Course costs €85 per person, the improvers courses cost €85.   Our Natural Body Care Course cost is €95. Course fees include all ingredients, reusable containers where applicable, soap molds, safety equipment, full course notes and recipes as well as tuition and refreshments. A 50% deposit is due when booking and the balance is payable in cash on the day.

STAINED GLASS COURSE FEES

All courses are €100 per person, course fees include all materials and use of safety equipment and tools, full course notes, tuition and refreshments.  A 50% deposit is due when booking and the balance is payable in cash on the day.

METAL EMBOSSING COURSE FEES

All Metal embossing course fees are €90 per person. This includes all materials as well as your own set of tools to take home with you, use of further tools and equipment, full course notes, tuition and refreshments. A 50% deposit is due when booking and the balance is payable in cash on the day.

New Course dates for 2023 book soon as places will fill very fast!

Let me warn you.......  My passion is soap, after taking my soap courses you will have the knowledge and tools to safely make soap in your own home but it won't end there!  Soap making is addictive!  You will soon be talking about soap.......  thinking about soap........ and dreaming up lots of lovely new soap designs!  You will leave the course having made lots of new friends and met like minded people.  Best of all, I will be there for you as well, you can keep in touch and let me know how you are getting on and I love to see photos of your own work, so the challenge is on!

But.... I also love stained glass and its wonderful colours and creativity, watch out!  lots more great courses to follow. I am so excited about the new Metal Embossing course, again this is an addictive art form, be prepared to be delighted with your results and it won’t stop there!

“What an incredible day! I am so excited to get started at home, my kitchen already looks so clean and smells wonderful. Thank you Ishbel for an outstanding day, not only was it a mental break from life which has left me feeling energised but also to have brilliant cleaning products that are cheap, plastic free and non toxic|! Body care next please|!” - Vanessa Willimott - Liquid soap course September 2022

"I just wanted to thank you for showing me how to make soap.  I had a fantastic day and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I couldn't wait to get home and show off my bar of soap.  Your enthusiasm is catching and it was so kind of you to pass on your knowledge to me and to bring along so many lovely examples of your craft.  I am looking forward to having a go at making my next batch of soap on my own at home."

"Ishbel what a lovely , fun , informative and did I say fun time , we had today in your beginners soap workshop ... Would and will recommend to everyone ... Was a really really nice day with absolutely delicious food and wonderful company ... Thank you so much xxbeijos xxx — at Quinta Do Cobral" Adrienne Jackson

"It was fantastic" Judith Vaughan

"What a lovely day Ish. Thank you again for your enthusiasm and great energy.  I am so happy with my soap!" Betti Doherty

"As a retired teacher myself, I found the tuition to be "spot on". A good balance of information and demonstration, with lots of support for first time soap makers" - Beginners Soap Making Course

"Had an amazing day with wonderful teacher, Ishbel Ramsay, learning to make pure natural, kind soap without the chemical nasties found in commercial products. Thrilled to bits with the results. If you fancy a lovely holiday at in Portugal learning hard or liquid soap making skills then take a look at her Quinta Do Cobral Facebook page" - Beginners Soap Making Course

"Hi Ishbel, had a great day on Saturday making soap. Very informative in a relaxed friendly environment with excellent results!  Thanks again for a lovely day."  - Nikki, Beginners Soap Making Course

"Loved my day.... have used body scrub, love it and the smell of the soap keeps wafting over 😆 won't be long before I'm making more xx"  Jane Hembury

"Thanks for a lovely day at Quinta do Cobral.   I’m so happy with my soap, it looks and smells fantastic.

What a fabulous day, fun, informative, creative and exciting to understand and watch a chemical reaction take place so quickly and the bonus of having a journey through all the different scents of the essential oils and some to take home too.

Thanks again for your knowledge, patience and enthusiasm and sharing your lovely Quinta."

Sally - Beginners course