This week’s column in the Evansville Courier and Press is about two local soapmakers, Mary Allen and Tracy Klemczewski, who not only make soap for their family, but also sell their soaps and other personal care items through their business, Soap Solutions. Their story includes tips for those of us interested in making our own soap. See their story HERE.
Mary and Tracy of Soap Solutions
Those of you who follow my blog know that I love making soap. If you just dropped in, check out my Soaps, Etc page for links to all of my soap posts with recipes and other information.
Dave and I met Mary and Tracy at the Newburgh Womens Club Craft Fair this past February. We were on a research mission to learn more about soap making. To our delight, there were several soapers there, all willing to talk about their craft. Research also involves not just talking to these vendors, but buying some of their soap. We left the fair with a bag of all kinds of soaps.
Anyway, back to Mary and Tracy, we stopped by their booth and it was evident that they were really hooked on this craft and knew what they were doing. They even use sustainable palm oil. After touching all of their soaps and listening to their descriptions of the bars, we made our purchase and headed home. I never quite forgot about them, their enthusiasm, and their beautiful naked soaps all laid out on a wooden bed.
The interview was fun. I got to witness first hand real soapers making soap. One of the most valuable tip I learned was to keep a spray bottle of vinegar close by in case of a spill. And to top off that interview, I left with three of their wonderful soaps. Cocoa-Lossal was one they were making the day I was there. They gave me a cured bar for my shower.
Cocoa-Lossal
It really had great suds! I love that they’ve incorporated some cocoa-powered soap giving it a marbled effect.
Then there’s Pumice Power, a hand soap.
Pumice Power!
I really liked their Kitchen Companion I bought at the craft show. However, this hand soap seems to have more suds, and it leaves my hands so soft. Love it! Their shampoo bar was also wonderful.
I like that they use all natural ingredients and no artificial colors. They test all of their products on their families and they are passionate about their craft.
If you’d like to purchase their soaps or other body care products, contact them through their website at Soap Solutions or check them out on Facebook.
Hi there – these soaps are beautiful! I love soaps with pumice.
Wendy, They are great soaps! I had never had a soap with pumice and I really like it!
Wonderful photos! Took a soap making class one time when I lived in the north… it was so satisfying to make. My favorite one that I made was lavender lemongrass made with coconut oil.
Thanks for your comment on the notebook cover on my blog. By the way, if you check out Piney Patch Quiltworks for the notebook cover pattern, you may need to e-mail them to get more details about purchasing it. I’m not sure the pattern shows up there, and they seem to be making changes to the site. But the pattern is clearly written and inexpensive, and I’m happy with it.
Nancy, Lavender lemongrass sounds wonderful! I need to put that on my soaping schedule. I did check out that website and didn’t see it. I’ll email them. Thanks for dropping by.
Those soaps look so yummy, especially the cocoa-lossal one! I am always amazed how many people don’t know about handmade soap when there is such beautiful soap out there with great ingredients!
Kristina, Me too! And so many people who have never tried them. Once you try homemade soap, it’s hard to go back.