No.230: Artisan Soaps Around the United States

I admit ahead of time that this is such a random post, but hear me out!  I’ve recently ordered a few soaps online and have since been fascinated with the entire soap-making process.  I definitely don’t have time to learn the skill right now, so I’m happy to support the little businesses who do.

Here are three reasons why you should try artisan soap:

1. Bars of soap seem to last much longer than body wash, so your financial commitment is less in the long-run.
2. You “miss out” on all the junky ingredients that some of the commercial soaps contain.  Yay for healthier living!
3. You’re supporting a small business and that money helps them pay their mortgage, keep their farm running or put food on their table.

I live in Virginia, but you probably don’t, so I went on a little rabbit trail and found soap artisans in 31 different states!  If you have a favorite company in a state I missed, please let me know in the comments and I’ll add them to the list.

ALABAMA // Black Sheep Bath Co.
Specializing in soaps, lotions, bath bombs, scrubs, and Spa Day gift sets

ALASKA // Glacier Valley Soap Company
Specializing in all natural soaps made with Alaska spring water
I really respect the mission of this company.  From the website: “Glacier Valley Soap Company STARTS with the goal of being good for what goes down the drain and ultimately ends up in our drinking water sources and the waters from which we collect our seafood – salmon, halibut, shrimp and other goodies. It’s just an added bonus that the soaps are luxurious, a treat to use, and good for your skin too!”

ARIZONA // Pie Town Soap Co.
Specializing in fine handmade soap, natural bath & body and aromatherapy
I’ve never been to Arizona, but I sure would love to try her line of Sedona soaps, made with Sedona Vortex red earth!

ARKANSAS //  Cadron Creek Soapworks
Specializing in handmade olive oil castile soap

CALIFORNIA // Borden Acres
Specializing in handmade goat’s milk bath products
I love how all of the soaps are packaged in 100% compostable seed boxes, so you can plant them and grow flowers!  Such a fun touch.

CONNECTICUT // Herd Supply Co.
This company makes cold process soap with a twist: their soaps feature milk from East Friesian and Dorset sheep!  “My dad and I hand milk the sheep every year after the lambs are born and use the milk in all of the soap recipes.”

FLORIDA // Simple Bliss Bath Co.
Specializing in handcrafted bath & body products
I love Jamie’s mix of fun, whimsical bars and more useful, utilitarian ones.  She even has one for babies!

GEORGIA // Normal Soap Company
Specializing in natural soap and body products, handmade in Athens, GA

HAWAII // Kopa Kauai
Specializing in tropically-inspired soaps handmade on Kauai
Oh my goodness, these soaps are awesome.  She has scents that just scream Hawaii – lychee, mango, papaya passion and more!  I want to order them all.

IDAHO // Ego Soap Company
Specializing in natural and handcrafted men’s grooming products
This soap shop is just for the guys.  I appreciate the care they’ve taken with their products, right down to the packaging.  Adding “Fortitude” to my list for my boys and husband.

IOWA // Thumbprint Soap
This shop’s name comes “from the notion that no two bars of soap are exactly the same, just like snowflakes or fingerprints.”  Love that!  Favorite scent I can’t wait to try: Spanish Fly

KENTUCKY // Rock Bottom Soap Co.
Specializing in handmade goat milk soap & natural products
Amy has been able to put her chemistry minor to work as she tinkers with different scents and soap-making techniques.  Together with her hard-working goats, they create an incredible product.  I love the packaging too!

LOUISIANA // Sweet Olive Soapworks
Soapmaking runs in Emily’s family – she learned the tricks of the trade from her grandmother!  Bonus: her packaging is incredible and would make great gifts.

MAINE // Rocky Top Soap Shop
Specializing in unscented soaps and balms

MISSOURI // Saco Valley Farm
Specializing in luxury handmade goat milk soaps, lotion bars & more
Melissa has a huge selection of scents in her shop – over 30!  Favorite scent I can’t wait to try: Oatmeal Milk & Honey

MONTANA // b.simply
Specializing in handcrafted bath and body products
Amber set out to create a soap that was “super hydrating and perfect for Montana’s dry climate.”  I love the simplicity of her soaps and can’t wait to try the White Tea & Ginger scent.

NEBRASKA // Wildwood Goat Milk Soap
Specializing in goat milk soap and Nebraska handcrafted products
The owners of this shop are a mother-daughter team who were inspired by their family’s generational farm wives.  The goat’s milk that they use for their soaps come from their own Nigerian Dwarf Dairy goats from their farm!  How cool is that?

NEW HAMPSHIRE // Maple Bee Products
Specializing in cold processed soaps and more
Maple Bee’s soaps are so colorful!  Tons of combinations and cute designs, like this Strawberry Milkshake.  Wouldn’t they make great gifts?

NEW YORK // Gilded Olive Apothecary
Valerie says, “I fell in love with The Great Gatsby in Mr. DeCarlo’s eighth grade english class. I’ve held a place in my heart for Art Deco and the beautiful styles of the 1920’s ever since.”  These soaps are perfect for someone who loves that literary classic!

NORTH CAROLINA // Clean Line Soap Company
Specializing in goat milk soap, buttery bath bombs & more
I’ve ordered from Clean Line Soap before and had a really great experience.  I can’t wait to try the Honeysuckle scent next.

NORTH DAKOTA // Kindak Co.
Specializing in homemade cold process soap & soy wax melts
With names like Warm Flannel, Prairie Rose, and Off the Grid, these soaps will surely make you feel part of North Dakota too.  Favorite scent I can’t wait to try: Lake Nights

OHIO // Blip and Branch
The owners of Blip And Branch are a husband and wife team!  So many great options; I love this heart-shaped one.

OREGON // 5R Farm Soap
Specializing in natural soaps, lotions, and more!
The story behind the name: “We named the property 5R Farm, after the five chickens that inspired us to make our dream of moving to the country a reality. It wasn’t long before we built a large chicken coop and expanded our chicken flock to 30 chickens, including several roosters. We added bees to the farm in 2013 and added turkeys in 2015. When I’m not making soap, lotion, or candles you can usually find me tending to our growing menagerie, up in the garden, or canning in the kitchen.”

PENNSYLVANIA // Shady Nook Bee Farms
Jill sources all of her wax and honey from her own hives!  Favorite scent I’m excited to try: French Green Clay

RHODE ISLAND // The Blue Sister
Specializing in vegan artisan soaps and slathers
“From sandy beaches to lush green campgrounds, from sweet fruit orchards to aromatic gardens, all soaps are artistically designed with both aesthetics and the senses in mind.”  This is exactly the vibe I felt as I scrolled through The Blue Sister’s soaps!

SOUTH CAROLINA // Old Whaling Company
Specializing in handmade bar soaps, bath bombs, body butter and scrubs
I LOVE the packaging of this soap company.  Favorite scent I’m excited to try: Coastal Calm

VIRGINIA // Wildwood Williamsburg
“Wildwood Farm is a local small-scale farm started by a young married couple, James & Paige Ewell. Wildwood produces handcrafted goat milk soaps made with its raw goat milk, essential oils, herbs from the Wildwood Farm garden, and beeswax from Wildwood bees.” So cool!

WASHINGTON // Sweet River Soap Co.
Specializing in handcrafted goats milk soaps and apothecary
Soaps made with goat milk are so luxurious.  Favorite scent I can’t wait to try: Black Raspberry Vanilla