It’s cold, dry and this winter weather is making my skin suffer. It’s a perfect time to stock up on handmade soap, lotions, lip balm, etc.
Over the last several weeks, I’ve profiled several handmade bath and body makers from Artfire and Etsy. Today’s profile belongs to Christine from RachelRene. I discovered Christine’s etsy shop when I followed an ad link she’d posted to my blog.
SPECIAL DEAL: Christine is offering a 15% discount to Simply Shiny Readers. (YAY!!) Just type “Shiny” in the notes to seller box during checkout and I will either send you a revised invoice as soon as possible or if you pay using Paypal I will refund the discount back to you.
Christine says that she’s “a wife to 1 and mother of 2 who lives in a quiet town in Illinois. When she is not creating amazing products in her soap room, she is taking care of the numerous animals that are on their farm, gardening, horseback riding, and spending quality time with her family. ”
Etsy shop name: http://RachelRene.etsy.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RachelRene
Blog: http://RachelReneBathNBody.blogspot.com
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelrene/
Location: Tiskilwa, Illinois
Where did you start and how did you learn to make the products you are creating today?
I started creating soaps in my kitchen after reading on the about how much better they are for your skin than commercial soaps. I had read that they were less drying to the skin because they not only retained all of their natural glycerin but that they did not strip the skin of it’s natural oils. This was extremely important to me since my daughter (Rachel Rene) has had severe eczema since birth. So I did a ton of research and than decided to get some ingredients and give it a shot. My first batch was made in my mother’s kitchen and it actually turned out wonderfully. We both noticed a difference in the appearance and feel of the soap in the first use and within a week noticed a difference in the feel of our skin after showering. I haven’t looked back since!
Why do you choose the ingredients you use and/or the colors/scents you use?
When formulating a product, I look for quality ingredients that will be beneficial to the skin and to the product. My Cold Process Soaps, for instance, are formulated to create a rich and creamy lather while maintaining a hard bar that will last a long time in the shower and be mildly cleansing. I choose the scents based on what I think my customers would enjoy and what inspires my creativity. I like to make soaps that not only smell good but also look good and unique.
What are your favorite products to make?
My number one passion is soap. I enjoy formulating a new cold process recipe and watching it take shape from melting my oils to cutting the bars and then using it after it’s been cured. But I also love the instant gratification of my melt and pour soaps. Having said that, when I make Bath Bombs I find myself relaxing so those are almost theraputic for me to make. I like making all my products but those are my two favorites to make, however, I love *using* all my products! :0)
What was your favorite custom project for buyer?
I love making gift baskets and one day I had a women order a special gift basket for her sister who had just had a baby and she wanted her to pamper herself. Being a mom I know how it feels to have those sleepless nights and not always having time to take care of yourself so it felt good that I was creating something that would be sent to someone else from someone that cared about them enough to say ‘take some time for yourself and relax’. Made me wish I had a sister!
What inspires you? Any artists that influence you?
I’m inspired by everything really. nature, food, colors, scents, names, music, just about anything I see I think, “I can make that a soap”. I’m not influenced by other artists as much as I am inspired by others. Soapers have a wonderful camaraderie and I have been fortunate to be involved in some wonderful forum communities and made great friends with other very talented soapers who are supportive and inspire me to try new things and give me that little nudge I need when things don’t look so great.
What was your biggest handmade oops?
My biggest blunder would have to be the day I was soaping without any goggles on (which any soaper will tell you is a huge No No) and while glopping the rapidly seizing batch into the mold a chunk of extremely hot soap landed in my eye. It burned and I flopped around on the floor until my husband grabbed me and forced my face under the kitchen sink and flushed out my eye for 10 minutes. It was pretty red and burned for a day or so but eventually it was fine and I did save the batch of soap which I kept for my own personal use.
How do you spend time when you are NOT creating?
I was born and raised a city girl but have quickly become a cowgirl over the last 5 years. I live on a farm with my husband, 2 kids, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 5 horses, 3 cows, 11 chickens, and 2 ducks so I’m pretty busy when I’m not working. Mostly though I enjoy reading, horseback riding and sitting down on a log near our pond with my kids watching our horses graze on the grass and the ducks swimming. It’s peaceful and simple and makes all the hard work worth it.
What advice would you give to an artist just starting out? What do you wish someone would have told you when you first started selling online?
My only piece of advice to someone starting out who really believes in what they are doing is don’t give up but don’t expect it to be easy. You are the only one who has the power to make your craft business successful. You have to work hard and it will pay off.
I wish someone had told me something about marketing because I have no idea how to successfully advertise or market my shop. Still trying to figure it out.
Do you have a newsletter for potential customers to join? Where can they sign up?
I do have a monthly newsletter that I send out when there are new products arriving or sales or specials I want to give my members. You can sign up either on my blog, by e-mailing me at ShopRachelRene@aol.com or by sending me a convo through Etsy with your e-mail address.You can use any of the images in my shop if you like. I’m fond of these two but really feel free to choose any of them!
THANKS Christine!
Stay tuned over the next weeks as I will be profiling more artisan sellers, including special deals and giveaways from the studio owners.
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a beautiful and interesting presentation.
Great interview! I LOVE hand made soaps
I love these handmade soaps!! Makes me want to go take a bath!!
Great interview, too!
Beautiful products. I love your in depth interview.
Mmm! I love Etsy, and especially Etsy soaps!