Tell me how you started in soapmaking.

My journey into soap making was a gradual one. I initially started making handmade scrubs for co-workers then melt and pour soaps. That was fun for a while, but I wanted more of a challenge, and discovered you could make soap from scratch. I was more fascinated by the science behind making soap than the actual making of soap. It’s become quite an addiction.

Tell me about a project or experiment that you consider to be the most successful. It doesn’t have to be soap.

My most successful and rewarding project would have to be making lotion. My skin is dry as a bone, and I wanted a product that was thick yet lightweight in texture and easily absorbed into the skin. It took a few trials and a few errors, but I finally formulated the perfect recipe that I love, and my customers seem to love it too.

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’d celebrate the simple fact that I still love making soap. I’ve been doing it for 5 years now, and I never expected it would blossom into this-having people interested in what I do and wanting to talk with me about it! I never expected to be selling on a venue and have loyal, repeat customers who have such faith in my product that they won’t buy from anyone else. It’s those little achievements that I cherish the most.

Do you have a specific goals? In one year? In two years?

I think my immediate goal is to continue to perfect my craft. I would eventually like to branch out into wholesale. I’d love to see my products on the shelves of some of the local boutiques and businesses in my immediate area.

What’s your superpower?

Wow…ummm…I have a pretty good memory. I’ll remember the most minute detail of something that happened 10 years ago.

Tell us about a time when soaping didn’t go the way you wanted. What was your “great catastrophe?

My first attempt at making cold process soap was a complete disaster. I didn’t understand at the time that certain fragrances could heat up the soap or that the oils and lye mixture had to be a certain temperature, etc….I think I was more angry at wasting the fact that I spent all that money on soaping oils, fragrance, and lye then the actual soap not turning out. It was totally ruined-rebatching couldn’t even bring it from the dead. I keep a picture of that disaster to remind myself how far I’ve come along.

All soap makers have them so tell me about your worst “lye burn”.

I really don’t have one, but I do live on the edge. I often do not use gloves when I make soap because they get in the way and they’re bulky and uncomfortable, so my hands do get “popped” sometimes like you’re frying chicken in hot grease and you’re standing too close to the pan. I’ve been very fortunate.

Do you get a lot of support from your family?

Nah, I don’t. I’m pretty introverted even when it comes to my family. They know I “make soap” but there’s no “Oh, so how’s the soapmaking going” at the dinner table, and I’m cool with that. I prefer to keep my sanctuary family and drama free..

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Nia Long. She’s short and pretty-just like me (teehee)

You’ve cast the main character, now what do you think the title should be?

Who Does She Think She Is?

What would you say are your 2 greatest weaknesses?

1. I don’t like asking for help-even when I really need it. I’d rather walk around a store for 20 minutes til I find what I’m looking for than ask someone where the light bulbs are.

2. I don’t get enough sleep. My brain is on fast forward and I can’t push pause. But some of my best ideas come to me when I’m lying in bed.

How would your best friend describe you?

I honestly don’t know. I’ll have to ask her…She’ll probably say I’m aloof, but I don’t think I am. It just takes me longer to warm up to people longer than others. I’m really great once you chip the ice off the surface lol…

What is one misconception people have about you?

That I’m not friendly-which goes back to my taking time to warm up to people.

If you had to give up ONE of your favorite foods, what would it be?

Give up any food? Are you nuts? LOL…If I must give up one, it would be potatoes. Oh, it hurt to say that.

Tell me about your soap. What is your brand name and company philosophy.
My brand is The Soap Seduction. My philosophy is have fun and don’t take yourself so seriously. I try to reflect that in the naming of my products as well as their descriptions.

1) Where can it be found? Are you on Etsy?
Yes, I am on Etsy exclusively at the moment. I would eventually like to re-launch my personal website, but Etsy has that built-in audience that I just can’t compete with at the moment.

2) What is your most popular soap
My most popular soaps are my Queen of Shaves shave soap and my Go The F*ck To Sleep soap. I’m convinced it’s the names and not the actual soap, lol. Although the soap is great.