Interview with The Mad Soaper
How did you arrive at the name of your business?
It’s kind of funny. Everyone around me started referring to me as ‘the Mad Soaper” almost as soon as I had started soaping because I was doing it non-stop. I was hooked! So I just figured that would be my name for Instagram and social media stuff. When I realized that I would have to start selling soaps in order to keep making soaps, I just rolled ‘my’ name over to my business name.
How long have you been making soaps?
I started soaping in November of 2018 so just over a year now. But don’t let that fool you – I’ve made hundreds of batches. Like an addict.
Did you have knowledge of soap making before you began?
Not one bit! I don’t know that I’d ever even noticed handmade soaps before. It wasn’t until I saw some Finchberry soaps in a little gift shop at a restaurant that I gave it any thought. I thought they were so cool looking that I wanted to try it myself. I went home, started googling, got a couple kits to make xmas gifts and that was it.
What makes you happy to get out of bed regarding soap making?
The mystery of it all is what excites me. Every soap – almost – is a surprise. You can design and plan and prepare, but you never know until you cut that loaf what you’re gonna get. It’s like unwrapping a gift every time.
How did you choose your packaging / labeling for your soaps?
I’m actually still working on it! I don’t want to use plastic so I’ve been struggling with this. Most of my soaps are just a little too big for the boxes and the boxes hide much of the design. I’m looking at custom boxes right now.
I also just got a proper logo – I had someone give me a little help, but I knew that I wanted it to have the MS be reminiscent of Ms. – to make it clear that it’s a woman-owned business. I love how it came out. Now just to get those boxes lol.
How do you come up with your color designs?
I love to mix color and come up with different combinations – ones that you don’t see all the time. I often look at a color wheel and use the ‘opposites’ approach, but most times I just put colors together that I like. I don’t like orange and yellow much, so don’t use them in my soaps very much either. I gravitate toward bold, bright colors with accents of black or white, but I also love neutrals so plan designs with a lot of them as well. I’m also finding that I really love just plain soap batter color and tend to keep the majority of a design uncolored.
Where do you find your inspiration for your soaps?
I look at cakes, cookies, paintings – many other art forms. Or I may just see something in the wild that gives me an idea.
Are there things in your environment that aid in your creativity?
I live in the woods so I am surrounded by nature. I think this helps a lot. I can just look around and get ideas.
What is your favorite part of soap making?
My favorite part is coming up with new things – new designs or new ways of doing things. I know that many times I have thought i’m doing something new and it’s actually already been done, but hey – my take is probably different than someone else’s. There are so many talented soapers that it really is hard to come up with something completely new and unique. But i’m still working on it lol. Of course, the cutting and seeing inside is also my favorite thing!
What do you do that is not soap related, but aids in your creative thinking?
hmm.. that’s tough. I think I just live in my head a lot lol.
What soaps have you created that surprised you?
Honestly, I’m surprised by almost every soap! Especially my early ones when they would actually come out halfway as I expected. What surprises me more is the response that i receive from people – I’m always so shocked and happy that others get joy from my creations.
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