2022 Traditional Artisans: Soap Making

The Sackets Harbor Heritage Area Committee is organizing a series of Traditional Artisan demonstrations this summer. The third event in the series is a Soap Making demonstration on Saturday, Sept 24, from 10 am to 4 pm, at the Pickering-Beach Museum, at 501 West Main Street.

Connie Nicolette, owner of The Handmaiden’s Garden in Sackets Harbor, will present this demonstration of cold-process soap making. Throughout the day, observers will learn about the history of soap through the ages, the differences between old-fashioned and modern methods, the chemistry of soap and how it works, and the benefits of using natural soap.

This is primarily an observation-only demonstration, rather than a soap-making class, but observers may have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning during some stages of the soap-making process.

Connie Nicolette is a master soap maker, with over 25 years of experience in crafting soap. She is the owner and head soap maker at The Handmaiden’s Garden, a small soap production studio and retail store at 117 West Main Street, in Sackets. Connie offers classes in soap making, as well as soaps and other bath and body products at her store, which is open daily, from 11 am to 5 pm throughout the year.

The 2022 Sackets Harbor Traditional Artisan series is sponsored by the Village of Sackets Harbor. The goal of the series is to showcase the skills and expertise of area artisans and give modern audiences a glimpse into how these craftspeople performed complex work in a simpler time. Previous demonstrations in the series included Knot Tying and Marlinspike Seamanship.

For more information on any of the demonstrations, please contact the Sackets Harbor Visitor Center at 315-646-2321.