PURELY SIMPLE SOAP



There are so many wonderful crafters and so many awesome Etsy shops that it's just so hard to choose which to do a feature on.  I've decided that when one in particular strikes my fancy, it shall be the one to be featured.  


Here I have for your reading and viewing pleasure....

PURE SIMPLICITY SOAPS

"All Natural Old Fashioned Soaps With A Modern Twist"

GOOD * CLEAN * FUN

I interviewed the owner of this fun shop and here's what she had to say....

NTO:  Who is behind the scenes at PureSimplicitySoaps?

PSS:  Well, that would little ole me... hehe. I'm Hilary, I own and operate Pure Simplicity Soaps. I pretty much do everything myself from ordering supplies, formulating my own recipes, making the soap itself, cutting, packaging and shipping. I do have some help from time to time.. My younger sister Jasmine loves to help when she can.

NTO:  How long have you been crafting these wonderful soaps?

Hilary:  I started my soap-making adventures about 6 years ago. It all started shortly after my Grandfather passed away. He had raised me from an infant and I felt so empty after he was gone. I knew I wanted to fill that void with something productive and educational at the same time. I chose to start with m&p soap, which you can do amazingly artist things with. After having much success with this I wanted to venture into more natural soaps. Slowly I learned about lye, specification... all these new things I had never dealt with previously in my soap-making. My first batch was a success, I loved it, my family loved it and I couldn't keep it in stock. So here I am, 6 years later.. a happy little soap-maker on etsy :)

 HOT PROCESS LEMON SUGAR SOAP

NTO:  You use a variety of ingredients in your soaps, do you have a favorite combination?

Hilary:  Yes, I do. I always make sure to have Coconut oil for loads of bubbles and lather, it also works as an emollient to create nice silky soaps. Olive oil for adding great moisture and nourishment to the skin. Cocoa butter which helps with skin elasticity and dryness. Castor Oil to help create lots of bubbles & lather. Then, Shea Butter brings in vitamins and minerals and also conditions skin.

LUST SCENTED SNOW CAKE ALMOND FROSTING BAR

NTO:  With such a variety of soaps, is there a fave among your clientele?

Hilary:  Yes, I have many customers that also love Lush Cosmetics soaps. So my Lush scents are always very popular. Honey Bee (Lush's Honey I Washed the Kids), Candy Girl (Lush's Rockstar) and Coconut Mango would be my top 3 sellers.

HONEY BEE





CANDY GIRL

COCO MANGO





 

 

 

   

NTO:  How large a batch do you produce and how long does one take to formulate?

Hilary:  I do everything in small batches. My kitchen is my lab so to speak, so I am limited on space. I normally make 6-8 pound batches at a time. Depending on how elaborate the soaps are going to be depends on the time. Normally for a basic 8 lb batch of soap I'm in the kitchen for 2 hours and then back again the next day unmolding, cutting and weighing soaps.



NTO:  What do you find most challenging in running your own homebased business if anything?

Hilary:  I find organization a key and sometimes that is very difficult. Because this business is out of my home... I try to keep everything well organized and in its place, Oils, fragrances, colorants, shipping, and packing items, you name it.  That can be a real challenge at times for me!

NTO:  What do you find most rewarding in the same?

Hilary:  When someone writes me and tells me how my soap has helped a skin ailment that they have struggled with. The people I meet, that is the most rewarding thing of all. I am always getting letters or comments letting me know how much they love my soaps and that just makes my day.

Here's what people are saying about Pure Simplicity Soaps:

"Items were wrapped in a gorgeous box with sweet stickers :) Love the way everything smells, I will be back very soon :)"

"MY FRICKEN FAVORITE OF ALL TIME!!!!!"

"LOVE this! my daughter was the first to dig in....it's lovely and refreshing!"

"Very gentle and moisturizing. I'd love to see this soap scented in the future! Lovely packaging, amazing scents, free samples & pretty packaging. I love the soaps! and this seller is a sweetheart! Highly recommended."

NTO:  Giving one piece of advise on running a home based business, what would that be?

Hilary:  Don't do it half-hearted. If you want success you must put your all into it. Many days I just want to come home and relax... but I push myself to keep learning and creating. One day this hard work will pay off and until then I'm just going with the punches and keeping a smile on my face

 

 



NTO:  Your product photographs look professional, what type camera do you shoot with?

Hilary:  Thank you. I use a basic Nikon Coolpix but I am hoping to invest in a more professional camera this year. I am also learning new ways of taking photos and utilizing natural light more.

Just for fun Hilary?

 car or truck?

"Car"

 Harley or crotch rocket?

"Harley baby"

 Beer or wine?

"Beer - Bud lite with Lime to be exact ;)"

 Chinese or American food?

"Chinese by far!"

 Sit down fancy or take out?

"Take out..."

 White or yellow gold jewelry?

"White gold"

 Jeans or dresses/skirts?

"Jeans"

White, milk, or dark chocolate?

"Haha!!! Hmm how about all 3 melted into one!"

And finally, what I want to know most of all:

NTO:  What are the chances of adding scents like, "meatloaf", "pizza", "beer, or "PB&J"?

Hilary:  Well, I'm a fun loving girl. Not too sure about the meatloaf and pizza but I do love the sound of a beer soap and who can go wrong with Peanut butter and jelly??



YUMMIE!



Well, There ya have it!  Hilary was awesome and very patient with me as I continued posing questions to gain more insite on Pure Simplicity Soaps.  It's been my pleasure and thanks so much Hilary, what a great sport!

You can stop and visit Pure Simplicity Soaps by clicking the link below and hope you will soon!

PURESIMPLICITYSOAPS