Exploring the Origins: A Dive into HH Soapery's History and Future Blogs

Hello Reader! I would like to thank you for visiting my very first Blog, this is a concept I have been debating for months now and have finally decided to go for it. Honestly at this point I'm much more comfortable making 300 bars of soap than writing down my thoughts (even if it is about soap!) to be read by strangers. However, the thought of my soap company being represented as an impersonal website did not sit well with me. Admittedly I lean towards a shy personality, but helpfully my products speak for themselves.

So how did I start this journey? I quite literally have awful dry skin prone to eczema. Then I had babies who also had the same skin conditions. So when no store bought products worked for anyone in the house, I started researching. And came up with more than half a dozen reasons why the products available to consumers are actually not all that great and may in fact be contributing to, or the reason for, the condition of our skin. I do plan on doing a deep dive into this topic at a later date, however I urge you to do your own research. It can be quite eye opening. I educated myself with what is safe and what isn't. And tried products made from different makers in Ontario. Gotta support local businesses. They were great. Loved them; the scent was lovely, they lasted long enough and our skin felt great. But honestly $9/bar was a price tag I couldn't come to terms with (and that was 10 years ago!). Now I agree you get what you pay for but I could not fit it into my budget. So back to researching.

Foaming hand soap (left) and foaming sugar scrub (right) both made from soap paste

Now, handmade soap and handmade soap making goes hand in hand. It wasn't long before I was reading on how to make soaps then watching the soaps get made. It took me awhile to drum up the courage and confidence but at the beginning of 2018, I acquired the very basics of what I would need. I didn't buy a mold (parchment lined cardboard box works great) and cut the soap using a kitchen knife. The soap was uncoloured and unscented, a bar could not get more basic. I was hooked. I had the soap making bug. I researched scents and colours and different molds and...I went down the rabbit hole. In the end, I settled with using plant based powders and clays to colour my soaps and a mixture of hand picked fragrances and essential oils to scent them. At the very core, I wanted my soaps to be as natural as possible but could not give up the abundance of available scents. More on this in an upcoming blog. Now whenever we need soap, we go for a walk to the curing rack and get our pick of soap. It's awesome.

Very first Sweet Pea bar, hot process, 2018

Now with the soap making bug comes lots and lots and lots of soap to use. So naturally I gave some away as gifts, but there was always more soap. Not everyone likes using a more natural soap. There are differences (lathering and strong scents) that some just do not want to give up and that the commercial products excel at. But for others, effect on the skin was worth it, the clean ingredients were worth it. So I started getting requests which morphed into orders. Which was fantastic because it fed my soap making bug. I wouldn't just have piles of soap laying around waiting to be used. And of course, the funds from these orders supported the buying of more ingredients for my soap making needs. It was all a win win.

White and purple lavender bar soap

Lavender Fields 2019 (left) vs. Lavender Fields 2024 (right)

However, do I ever see my business going from small to large? NO. Do I love making soap? YES. As stated in the very first paragraph, the thought of my business being just another impersonal soap brand bothers me. Also, my business is not here to profit off of individuals affected by skin issues. I keep my bars modestly priced, as of 2025 I have what my husband calls the "Facebook Special". Bars bought through Facebook are an even $5 (including tax). Soaps on the website are slightly more, associated with more costs. However, a good bar of soap should never break the bank, and should always be available to everyone.

Custom wedding soap favours, 2024

Going forward, the plan is to continue to offer affordable soaps that I, personally, design and make myself. I will continue with the blogging--anywhere from once a week to once a month. I would like to give my insights on specific products, designs, and topics. Perhaps give my two cents on making soap at home. Because lets be very clear-handmade soap does not need to be expensive nor do you need special equipment. Making soap to sell is a whole other beast. Maybe that will be a topic as well, a heads up for those who are thinking of selling, a fyi. I'll have to give a ponder on the situation.

But I think that's it for today. First Blog done, band-aid ripped off. It wasn't so bad...I think.

Designing your suds,

Randi-Lee

One of the hibiscus' here at Hidden Hibiscus Soapery