Kulina Folk Art Creative Workshops

Soap Making Workshops - Discover the Joy of Creating Your Own Soap at Your Venue!

 Don't miss out on this magical journey where creativity meets cleanliness! Our workshops are open to all, including children over the age of 8, as we've crafted a method that doesn't involve traditional soap-making techniques and exposure to lye. It's a fun and safe process that results in beautifully crafted soaps that can be used the very next day.

rubber dukie soaps

Rubber Duckie’s Birthday - January 13

Pricing and Other Important Details are at the Bottom of the Page

Duckies Excited About Reading - Create Your Own Soap WorkshopD. E. A. R. - Duckies Excited About Reading

Ages: 8+ up to 18 participants max  -  teens & adults up to 22 participants

60 min. Workshop

This hands-on experience is suitable for ages 8 and up with adult supervision! Using glycerin based soap, you will have the opportunity to create your own unique soapy masterpiece. There's no lye exposure involved in this process, as we use alternative soap making techniques. We will add a little bit of magic with cosmetic grade glitter, vibrant colors, and optional essential oils for a delightful scent. To make it even more fun, we will embed adorable little rubber duckie toys and decorate the tops with beautiful white soap curls that resemble waves. By the end of the workshop, each participant will have a lovely 3 oz. soap creation featuring a charming 2” rubber duckie. You can remove it from the mold the following day and start using it right away. With adult participation required with each child under the age of 12, this is a bonding experience like no other.

Please use this SAFETY STATEMENT on all publicity materials Melted soap is hot. This is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 12. Guardians of participants under 10 must sign a “safety concern” form prior to all SOAP MAKING workshops.


Venue Requirements

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Soap Attack - Create Your Own Soap WorkshopSoap Attack! - Ages: 8+ up to 18 participants max

teens & adults up to 22 participants  -  60 min. workshop

This hands-on experience is suitable for ages 8 and up with adult supervision! Join us and unleash your creativity as you craft your very own unique glycerin based soap creation. There's no lye exposure involved in this process, as we use alternative soap making techniques. You'll have the chance to infuse your soap with vibrant colors, enchanting glitters, and delightful scents. Not to mention, we'll be embedding colorful shark toys and adorning the tops with beautiful white soap curls, creating a wave-like effect. At the end of the workshop, you'll take home your very own handmade soap, weighing approximately 3 oz., complete with a playful 2” rubber shark toy. The soap can be easily removed from the mold the following day, allowing you to indulge in its luxurious lather right away. With adult participation required with each child under the age of 12, this is a bonding experience like no other.

Please use this SAFETY STATEMENT on all publicity materials Melted soap is hot. This is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 12. Guardians of participants under 10 must sign a “safety concern” form prior to all SOAP MAKING workshops.


Venue Requirements

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A Whale of a Time - Create Your Own Soap WorkshopNEW! A Whale of a Time with Puffer Fish (limited supply of toys)

Ages: 8+ up to 18 participants max  -  teens & adults up to 22 participants

60 min. workshop

This hands-on experience is suitable for ages 8 and up with adult supervision! Each participant will have the opportunity to unleash their creativity and make their very own unique creation using our high-quality glycerin based soap. There's no lye exposure involved in this process, as we use alternative soap making techniques. During this workshop, we will guide you through the process of combining vibrant colors, sparkly glitter, and delightful scents to make your soap truly one-of-a-kind. We will add cosmetic grade glitter, colors, and even the option of an essential oil for a luxurious touch. But that's not all! We'll also embed adorable rubber toy whales and puffer fish into the soap and decorate the tops with white soap curls, creating a wave-like effect. At the end of the workshop, you will take home your very own handmade soap masterpiece. The soap can be easily removed from the mold the following day, allowing you to enjoy it right away. Each soap weighs approximately 3 oz., and comes with a charming 2” whale toy and a delightful 2.50” puffer fish toy. With adult participation required with each child under the age of 12, this is a bonding experience like no other.

Please use this SAFETY STATEMENT on all publicity materials Melted soap is hot. This is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 12. Guardians of participants under 10 must sign a “safety concern” form prior to all SOAP MAKING workshops.


Venue Requirements

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Rubber Duckie Soap, wRubber Duckie Soap - Create Your Own Soap Workshopith assortment of duckies

Ages: 8+ up to 18 participants max  -  teens & adults up to 22 participants  -  60 min. workshop

Getting little ones to wash their hands isn't always an easy task. That's sure to change after they create their own rubber duckie soap. Get ready for a fun and creative soap-making experience that's perfect for ages 8 and up with adult supervision! Each participant will have the opportunity to make their very own soapy creation using our high-quality glycerin-based soap. Our process is completely safe and lye-free. We provide a wide range of cosmetic-grade glitter, vibrant colors, and optional essential oils for you to choose from. But that's not all - to add an extra touch of whimsy to your soap, you will embed one of our adorable rubber duckies into the soap mold. And to make your creation even more unique, decorate the top with delicate white soap curls, mimicking waves. Not only will you have a blast making your personalized soap, but you'll also get to take it home with you. The soap can be easily removed from the mold the following day, so you can start using it right away. Each soap bar weighs approximately 3 oz, and it comes with an adorable 2” rubber duckie. With adult participation required with each child under the age of 12, this is a bonding experience like no other.

Please use this SAFETY STATEMENT on all publicity materials Melted soap is hot. This is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 12. Guardians of participants under 10 must sign a “safety concern” form prior to all SOAP MAKING workshops.


Venue Requirements


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Aquarium Goldfish Soap - Create Your Own Soap WorkshopAquarium Goldfish Soap

Ages: 8+ up to 18 participants max  -  teens & adults up to 22 participants

60 min. workshop

This hands-on experience is suitable for ages 8 and up with adult supervision! In this exciting session, participants will channel their creativity and craft their very own unique soapy creations. While traditional soap-making techniques typically involve lye exposure, rest assured that our process circumvents this element entirely. Using a glycerin-based soap, vibrant colors, and delightful scents, attendees will have a blast making a personalized bar of soap. We will incorporate goldfish and plants, dazzling glitter and optional essential oils. Every participant will leave with their very own handmade soap, weighing approximately 4.50 oz. Simply remove it from the mold the following day and indulge into a sensational bathing experience! With adult participation required with each child under the age of 12, this is a bonding experience like no other.

Please use this SAFETY STATEMENT on all publicity materials Melted soap is hot. This is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 12. Guardians of participants under 10 must sign a “safety concern” form prior to all SOAP MAKING workshops.

Venue Requirements

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Pricing and Other Details

Soap Making ages 13+

Audience size: 22 participants max - 60 min. program (plus 45 min. set-up/30 min. clean-up)

Fee for the first 15 participants including all materials_____$315 +mileage (see below)

Extra participants up to 22 will be charged $8 each for materials.

The same day and same location second program gets a discount.

** If you would like to register more than 22 participants, there is an additional $50 charge to have a second lead teacher on site. With 2 teachers there is a maximum of 40 students.


Soap Making ages 8-12

Audience size: 18 participants max - 60 min. program (plus 45 min. set-up/30 min. clean-up)

I will also bring an assistant for this workshop.

Fee for the first 15 participants, includes all materials_____$355 +mileage (see below)

Extra participants up to 18 will be charged $8 each for materials.

The same day and same location second program gets a discount.


Travel Fee: Will be charged at $0.65/mile and is capped at $125 for most programs.

Gariné’s background

Developed and instituted curriculum at:


All workshops are also listed with the Massachusetts Libraries Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) at https://mblc.state.ma.us/directories/performers/programs.php  

A Short History of the Rubber Duckie

The first duckie

By Anabelle Bernard Fournier

In the 1940s, a sculptor by the name of Peter Ganine made the first rubber duck. In order to make a living, he patented many of his animal sculptures and had them reproduced as toys - and this is where the first commercial rubber duck comes from. This first edition of the floating toy, made of plastic instead of natural rubber, was extremely popular, even by today's standards: over 50 million of them were sold. The patent mentions "upcapsizeable duck", which means that the duck can float. From there, the rubber duck made its way into the bathrooms, hearts and minds of Americans.

To read more… https://www.thespruce.com/short-history-of-the-rubber-duckie-326954


©2017-25 Kulina Folk Art mykulina@yahoo.com / 413-436-7444 / Design Gariné Arakelian


Meet the World’s Most

Controversial Inflatable Yellow Duck

By Cara Giaimo

“Rubber Duck” is the creation of Dutch sculptor Florentijn Hofman, and is, in the words of one of its most vocal critics, “easily the most visible public conceptual artwork in the world today.” When the duck visits cities, hundreds of thousands of people flock to visit it.

To read more… http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/meet-the-worlds-most-controversial-inflatable-yellow-duck

JANUARY IS RUBBER DUCKIE MONTH!!!

National Rubber Duckie Day - January 13

According to a 1973 Sesame Street calendar, Rubber Duckie’s Birthday is January 13 so around the country it’s National Rubber Ducky Day! A friend of Ernie and Big Bird, Duckie made his debut in a February 1970 episode.

The rubber ducky (also spelled duckie) has come a long way from his first concept as a chew toy for children. While the origin of the first rubber ducky is uncertain, many rubber molded toys from dolls to those in various animal shapes came about when rubber manufacturing developed in the late 1800s.

To read more… https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-rubber-ducky-day-january-13/

Feliz NaviDuckie! - Create Your Own Soap Workshop

Feliz NaviDuckie

Ages: 8+ up to 18 participants max  -  teens & adults up to 22 participants

60 min. workshop

Q: What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck? A: A Christmas Quacker!

Welcome to our soap making workshop, suitable for ages 8 and up with adult supervision! In this workshop, each participant will have the opportunity to create their own unique soapy creation using glycerin based soap. Unlike traditional soap making techniques, this process eliminates the need for lye exposure, making it safe for everyone. Here's how it works: we will add vibrant colors of your choice and embed a delightful array of holiday rubber duckies, adding a touch of whimsy to your custom soap. To make it even more magical, we offer cosmetic grade glitter and essential oils for you to incorporate into your creation (optional). At the end of the workshop, you will take home your very own handmade soap. These delightful bars, weighing approximately 3 oz., are adorned with a charming 2” rubber duckie. The soap can be removed from the mold the following day and used right away, ensuring an immediate bath time treat! With adult participation required with each child under the age of 12, this is a bonding experience like no other.

Please use this SAFETY STATEMENT on all publicity materials Melted soap is hot. This is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 12. Guardians of participants under 10 must sign a “safety concern” form prior to all SOAP MAKING workshops.

Venue Requirements



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Halloween Monster Rubber Duckies - Create Your Own Soap WorkshopCount Duckula and Friends

Ages: 8+ up to 18 participants max  -  teens & adults up to 22 participants

60 min. Workshop


This hands-on experience is suitable for ages 8 and up with adult supervision! Join us for a fun and interactive experience where you can unleash your creativity through soap making. In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to create your very own soapy masterpiece with our unique process using glycerin based soap. You will add vibrant colors, delightful scents, and even embed a variety of adorable monster rubber duckies. To add some extra sparkle, we also offer cosmetic grade glitter and optional essential oil scents. By the end of the workshop, each participant will take home their handmade soap creation. With approximately 3 oz. of soap, complete with a charming 2” rubber duckie, you can remove it from the mold the following day and start using it right away. With adult participation required with each child under the age of 12, this is a bonding experience like no other.


Please use this SAFETY STATEMENT on all publicity materials Melted soap is hot. This is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 12. Guardians of participants under 10 must sign a “safety concern” form prior to all SOAP MAKING workshops.

Venue Requirements


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Frogs and Turtles - Create Your Own Soap WorkshopFrogs and Turtles

Ages: 8+ up to 18 participants max  -  teens & adults up to 22 participants

60 min. workshop

Exciting soap-making workshop, perfect for ages 8 and up with adult supervision! Join us as we explore the world of soap creation using glycerin based soap. Our process eliminates the need for traditional soap making techniques, we won’t be using lye. Each participant will have the opportunity to craft their own unique and fragrant soapy creation. With a variety of vibrant colors, enchanting glitter, and scents at your disposal, the possibilities are endless. Dive into the immersive experience, as we work together to embed delightful frog or turtle rubber toys into the soap, creating a whimsical element. Enhance the visual appeal of your masterpiece by adorning the top with delicate white soap curls, resembling waves. At the end of the workshop, you will have a 3 oz. soap, complete with a delightful 2” frog or turtle rubber toy. Easily remove your creation from the mold the following day and use it right away. With adult participation required with each child under the age of 12, this is a bonding experience like no other.


Please use this SAFETY STATEMENT on all publicity materials Melted soap is hot. This is not a drop-off class. Adult participation is required with each child under the age of 12. Guardians of participants under 10 must sign a “safety concern” form prior to all SOAP MAKING workshops.

Venue Requirements

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Rainbow Soap - Create Your Own Soap WorkshopRainbow Soap

Ages: teens & adults up to 22 participants  -  60 min. workshop

Introducing our exciting workshop where each participant gets to unleash their creativity and make their own unique and vibrant rainbow soap! Using a glycerin based soap as the foundation, this hands-on experience allows you to explore a world of colors, scents, and cosmetic glitter to craft a dazzling soap creation. With no exposure to lye, this process ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for all. As the heated soap cools, the magic continues as we sprinkle in the glitter, add the vibrant colors, and even embed colorful soap cubes. At the end of the workshop, you will take your handmade masterpiece home, ready to use and enjoy. With an approximated weight of 5 oz. and overall measurements of 4” x 4” x 3/4”, this soap truly encapsulates the essence of fun and quirkiness.

Please use this SAFETY STATEMENTon all publicity materials Melted soap is hot. The registering of children under 18 years old for this program indicates that the parent/guardian acknowledges the possibility of safety concerns while handling hot soap.


Venue Requirements



The melted soap is hot.

- Program starts promptly, no admission is allowed after instructions are given.

- No children will be allowed in the room, only the registered participants.

- No exceptions will be made to these rule.


Venue Requirements

Volunteer/assistant from the venue for the children’s workshops only

U-shaped seating arrangement preferred and one table for me towards the opening and near an outlet

I don’t allow the participants to melt the soap.

I will bring everything including the microwave.


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By the Sea - Create Your Own Soap WorkshopNEW! By the Sea

Ages: teens & adults up to 22 participants

60 min. workshop

Join us as we explore the world of soap creation using glycerin based soap. Our process eliminates the need for traditional soap making techniques because we won’t be using lye. Each participant will have the opportunity to craft their own unique and fragrant soapy creation. With a variety of vibrant colors, glitter, and scents at your disposal, the possibilities are endless. Dive into the immersive experience, as we work together to embed white soap sea shells into the colored soap, creating a whimsical element. At the end of the workshop, you will have a 4.50 oz. soap, which may be cut into three sections. Easily remove your creation from the mold the following day and use it right away. Let your creativity shine as you design your own personalized soap masterpiece!

Please use this SAFETY STATEMENTon all publicity materials Melted soap is hot. The registering of children under 18 years old for this program indicates that the parent/guardian acknowledges the possibility of safety concerns while handling hot soap.



Venue Requirements

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