Tell me how you started in soapmaking.
I had started making some of my own bath products, and in looking for suppliers closer to Alabama, I found the Alabama Soap & Candle Association annual meeting.  I attended one, and was determined to make cold process soap after that. Dianne Early (Dearly Yours) helped me make my first batch, and I was hooked.

Tell me about a project or experiment that you consider to be the most successful. It doesn’t have to be soap.
I believe my most successful product is our Emulsified Body Polish.  It took me almost two years to perfect, and I’m very proud of it.

If we’re sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it’s been for you in soapmaking, what did you achieve?
I didn’t work so hard and made more money!  Harmony Bath & Body Academy was a huge success.

Do you have a specific goal? In one year? In two years?
My goal for next year is to not spend as much time retailing at shows and markets, establishing more wholesale accounts and getting up and running with Harmony Bath & Body Academy, which is a weekly soapmaking class.

What’s your superpower?
Organization

Tell us about a time when soaping didn’t go the way you wanted. What was your “great catastrophe?
I suppose I would have to say it was my first “soap on a stick”.  I had no idea what to do!

All soap makers have them so tell me about your worst “lye burn”.
Actually, I have never had a “lye Burn”, but got a raw soap burn one time.  I use a chopstick to make the peaked tops on my soap, and stuck the wrong end of the chopstick in my mouth! I got quite a zap on my tongue.

Do you get a lot of support from your family?
Yes.  My husband made all of my first real soap molds and bought me a commercial soap cutter when I tore my rotator cuff so it would not be painful to cut soap.  He and my Son have always helped me get setup for big shows and think what I do is wonderful.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?
I have no idea!  Maybe Kathy Bates?

You’ve cast the main character, now what do you think the title should be?
Born to Boss…LOL!!

What would you say are your 2 greatest weaknesses?
#1 would be physical.  I’m getting older, and don’t have the stamina I used to.  #2 would be mental.   Refer to #1. I don’t have as great a desire to work as hard as before.

How would your best friend describe you?
Loyal and funny.

 What is one misconception people have about you?
I’m very direct and tend to speak my mind, so I feel I may come off as mean and non-caring sometimes.  Actually, I can’t bear to have anyone mad at me, and am more sensitive than people think.

If you had to give up ONE of your favorite foods, what would it be?
Steak…no way on Earth I would ever give up chocolate or coffee unless it was a physical necessity.

Tell me about your soap. What is your brand name and company philosophy?
My company is called Harmony Bath & Body.  The philosophy is to bring “Harmony” to your life through aromatherapy.  Products are made in small batches using the finest ingredients I can find.
1) Where can it be found?  Artfire Studio, various retailers.

Are you on Etsy?  No
2) What is your most popular soap?  A stress relief blend I call “Get Over It”. It’s made with Moraccan Rhassoul Clay and is wonderful.