It’s cold, dry and this January weather is making my skin suffer. It’s a perfect time to stock up on handmade soap, lotions, lip balm, etc.
Over the next weeks, I am going to profile several handmade bath and body studio owners. There will be giveaways too. 
And by the way, handmade bath and body items make wonderful Valentine’s gifts for your significant other.
Today’s profile belongs to Patty from Happy Goat Soap . Patty is a funny, very talented member of the Artisan Beaders Street team, but she also has goats…and her goats contribute to some pretty wonderful soap. Patty is offering a gift pack of three bars of soap to one lucky reader! To enter, visit Patty’s shop at http://www.gethappygoatsoap.com. Then return here and let Patty know what your favorite soap is in her shop by commenting on this post. Please make sure to include your name and your email address. We will randomly choose a winner on Friday, January 16th.
Shop name: Happy Goat Soap
Name: Patty Woodland with help from Pricilla and Abigail the Nigerian Dwarf goats
Location: Superior, MT
Where else can we find you and Soaps from Happy Goats?
I blog occasionally at brokenteepee.blogspot.com and Pricilla’s blog is http://www.pricillaspeaks.blogspot.com/ ….she is a feisty goat! I also post photos of my new soaps to my flickr
What inspired you to begin creating bath and body products?
I had two beautiful goats giving lots of rich milk. Much more milk than my husband and I could use so I decided to try my hand at soap and cheese making. Both were successful and we eat the cheese and I sell the soap.
Where did you start and how did you learn to make the products you are creating today?
I did a lot of research before I started making the soap. I read several books and was all over the internet to learn how to work with different methods. My first batches were sent out to family and friends to critique and I finally settled on a formula that I think is wonderful.
What are your favorite scents?
My favorite is Frankinsence which is a heavy, sexy scent. I fell in love with it years ago and I still enjoy it. My husband loves citrusy scents.
What are your favorite products to make?
Right now I am only making cold process, goat’s milk soap but I hope to expand into goat’s milk lotions and body butters when I have more space and a bigger kitchen. My husband is currently building our house.
What one product should EVERYONE have on hand during the cold, dry winter months?
In my opinion – a rich, moisturizing body butter.
What inspires you?
The beauty I see everyday when I look out my window. Western Montana is one of the most amazing places I have seen in all my travels. I just love it here. In regards to my soapmaking? I am having a blast experimenting with new scents and scent combinations. I play with my essential oils and fragrance oils to try and create something new. Sometimes it works and other times….well, let’s not talk about that.
What was your biggest handmade oops?
I tried to make a honey and oatmeal soap. For some reason the science didn’t work and it just crystalized.
Why are handmade bath and body products better?
All of the natural glycerine is still in the bar. Plus I add lots of rich oils and butters to my formula so that the soap won’t be drying. And with goat’s milk soap you have the amino acids from the milk that are just wonderful for your skin.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out selling bath and body online?
Do your research, practice and send your bars out for testing before you sell.
How do you spend time when you are NOT creating?
I do have some health problems so I do have to limit my time creating. I have to work when I feel well and pace myself. When I don’t feel well, I sleep or just sit and listen to music.
What else should we know about you and your business?
Pricilla and Abigail say, “Maaaaa!”
Thanks Patty! Stay tuned over the next weeks as I will be profiling more artisan handmade bath and body sellers from ArtFire, including giveaways from the studio owners.
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[...] Original post by unknown [...]
wow very cool that you have REAL goats
This one is my favorite. Penguins are just too cute!!
What Does a Penguin Have to Do With a Goat Soap – Scented with Spring Bouquet
Never tried goats milk – really hope I win!!
Great post! Looking forward to the others. I am so addicted to handmade soaps, I keep buying them from Etsy so I’m starting to have a stockpile.
My very favorite so far out of the ones I’ve tried: Mulled Cider Shea Butter soap by magichands.etsy.com (the smell filled not only my bathroom but permeated the bedroom too!)
I really like the Cats got your goat soap.
I like the goats. The actual goats. They are adorable! I want to give them a snuggle and a scratch. About the soaps–I like the lion one. And the penguin. And the pine. And the dog. Ok, all of them. It’s that goat face-so cute!
I have just purchased soaps from Patty and I am waiting on them coming, I live in Scotland!
Patty is a friendly and considerate seller and it has been my absolute pleasure to order from her shop.
I just love her beautiful goats and her soap looks fantastic. It is for a special gift and I just know the recipient the will be over the moon.
I encourage everyone to buy handmade from Patty as I know the soaps will be superb!
Goats like to eat pine trees – is my favourite soap – it looks absolutely beautidul – I just love conifers and cones and I would be delighted to look at this soap all day long! (and use it!)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17956700
I really like the looks of the unscented pricilla goat’s milk soap. All look wonderful and your “helpers” look really cute. I think I’ll go read Pricilla’s blog for a bit.
I love the sandalwood shaving soap. Great shop!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19471745
Kristy
I love that you’re doing this. Sharing this will all of us. I’ll be back.
I like
Goats Like to Eat Pine Trees – Rich Goats Milk Soap – Scented with Spicy Nights
that sounds like it smells delicious.
Marcy
You know I love all your soaps!
But this one looks really nice right now….the MAAASAAAGE Bar w/Lemon Rose
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18645704
Peace, Sue
Wonderful article Kristy! Patty, Pricilla is so adorable! I want a goat now. Can they be trained to be house pets? LOL! Great soaps by the way!
Peace,
Donna
I love all the molds, and the soap sounds heavenly. My favorites are the zen soaps, also the urchins are beautiful
They all look so good. I think I like the “Goats like to Eat Pine Trees” Spicy nights the best, though.
Love your blog and especially the featured artist. We have goats also and they are such fun.
I like Citrus scents like her husband. The Cats Got Your Goat Soap – Rich Goats Milk Soap – Scented with Lemon Lavender sounds interesting.
awwww great interview Kristy! And well said Pricilla and Abigail…. you did a great note-taking there Patty…. teehee…
I honestly do not know what would be my favorite, but I think the most enjoyable is probably the massage bar… ah… can just imagine the luxury of bathing with that…..
oh, can i enter the lucky draw? i would like to try the cucumber melon soap!!! the other day i smelled all of those fragrant candles in the shop and what i liked the most was a mix of apples-cucumber-melon one!
Frankincense & the unscented ones got me curious too
your goats are really cute!
I love the cherry cordial maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasage bar looks yummy and so relaxing!!!
is the result out yet?