About
When I first started making soap, it was just for fun.
But then, after using that soap, my husband told me his skin was no longer burning and itchy like it had been for years. And then, I noticed I wasn’t breaking out anymore. I was in my early 30s and had still been breaking out like a teenager.
I had never imagined that my new soapmaking hobby would help my skin, or my husband’s, so much. Handmade soap changed my life by how it changed my skin.
After the excitement of discovering the skin care we always wanted and needed, I knew I couldn’t stop making soap.
So I didn’t!
I kept making it for our family, using recipes I would write myself, experimenting with combinations of oils, natural colors, and scents.
That first batch of soap had transformed our skin. I didn’t want to lose that in any way. I considered that with every ingredient I tried.
For color, I knew that earth pigments are natural, but I also knew from my experience with make-up that my skin is sensitive to micas and others. I searched for alternatives and found a whole world of plant-based colors that add both color and skin-benefits. It’s a win-win. To this day, all colors in my soaps are plant-based.
For scent, I also found I preferred the plant-based options. I’ve never liked synthetic scents, but I do love the natural scents of plants and flowers. I love that they're not overpowering. I love the softness and purity.
Eventually, all my experimenting led to my opening The Straddle Creek Soap Shop in 2009. In 2013, the shop had grown to include not only soap, but lotions, lip balms, and more. Our family had grown too! And I found I needed to put the Soap Shop aside and give our family more time to grow together. It was a good choice!
Then in 2025, after many life changes for our whole crew, I reopened The Straddle Creek Soap Shop with the original bar soaps that started it all!
I continue to experiment and play with all the amazing natural ingredients I love and know are good for our skin.
And after all these years, my husband’s skin is still happy; mine is still clear.
All my soap recipes are designed and written by me, and they include ingredients that will benefit and support our skin.
What I know is that no matter the combination, if each ingredient I include in a soap recipe is good for my skin or yours, then the final bar will be good for our skin too.
And that's what it's all about.