Humans have made and used soap for thousands of years, with the earliest recordings of production dating back to 2800 BC in ancient Babylon. Traditionally, soap uses natural ingredients such as lavender, olive oil or yarrow leaves and has many ancient processes attached to its history.

Lizabett Russo was the Artist in Residence at Deveron Projects from December 2020 to March 2021, and during her time here was working on a new album of music in collaboration with a trans-European band of musicians called the Ensemble Eòrpa. Inspired by an ancient Chinese tradition in which the Emperor would gift flowers, often magnolia, to people as a display of special connection and loyalty, Lizabett gifted soap to her Ensemble Eòrpa as a symbol of togetherness during these times of working apart. With her herbalist background, this beginner workshop shared Lizabett's process of soapmaking and included essential information on the beneficial values of using herbs in soap and suggestions for other soap recipes to try at home.

All participants received a bag of ingredients, including herbs and fats.

This workshop took place on Zoom.