Sponsor: Welcome Skin Soap Co.

Fine, homemade products are important to us, and because of that On the Urban Farm would like to introduce you to our newest sponsor: Skin Soap Co.  We believe in supporting local businesses, and standing behind quality products, especially ones that are made with natural ingredients.  We found all of this in the Skin Soap Co.  From cold-press soaps to lip balm and laundry soap, these products are amazing!  

In November I contacted Skin Soap Co. because my daughter was celebrating her 13th birthday and the theme was cupcakes.  I asked Leah Hampshire (owner) if she could make soap in the shape of a cupcake that we could hand out as party favors.  The result was absolutely brilliant!  Leah made cupcake soap that was the hit of my daughter's party.  Every last detail down to the glitter frosting was perfect.  I  am so happy to have her as a sponsor of this blog!  Please support  this local business owner and her products by spreading the word about her and her business.  

Can you tell us about the products you produce?

I make cold process soap using traditional methods.  My soaps are vegetarian or vegan, made with olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, distilled water, either organic milk or Snowville Creamery grass-fed Ohio dairy milk, sodium hydroxide (lye), castor oil, sweet almond oil, and pigments, oxides, herbs, or spices.  I use either pure essential oils for scenting, or phosphate-free and nitro musk-free fragrance oils.  My bars are 95-100% natural, and I use some organic ingredients as well.  In addition, close to 100% of the raw, wholesale supplies that I buy come from Ohio companies, with a few neighboring state products included.

What is your favorite product and why?

My favorite product is definitely cold press soap.  It's simple, beautiful, and something that everyone regardless of age or gender can use.  Plus, it's nice to remember that real soap still exists - not these chemical detergent "body washes" that are in the store and made overseas.  Real soap made with vegetable oils the way your grandmother would have known soap.

You mention that nearly all of your raw, wholesale supplies come from Ohio companies.  That is impressive!  Can you explain why buying local is important to you?  

I believe in buying local for so many reasons: the environmental impact, the support of your local community, and the support of artisans who use money for piano lessons for their kids, and not for massive business operations.  I love how unique local products are and how diverse.  They are made with a level of love and pride that you can't buy at a box store, no matter how many millions of dollars were spent on the marketing to try to convince you how unique and artisan the product is.

How long have you been making soap?

I made my first batch of olive oil soap two years ago.  A coworker who had made 3 batches of soap before, taught me how to do it one night and I spent the next 6 months researching soapmaking more before I got the nerve up to try it again.

What lead you to start your own buisness?

I wasn't really planning on starting a business.  I started making soap because it was fun and relaxing to me.  I am not very artistic, but I appreciate artisan products and I found that soapmaking allowed me to be an artisan.  Once my family members saw my soap, they loved it.  They wanted more than the bars I was giving as gifts so I started making more.  Soon I was applying for my LLC to make it official.

Are your products sold in any stores locally?  

Yes.  I have soaps, bath products, lip balms, and soy candles at Somewhere in Time in downtown Piqua, Ohio, and soaps at Posh Hair Salon, Stone's Throw Market, and Samorzjme in Troy, Ohio.

Are there any other ways for people order your products?  

Yes, I have an etsy store as well. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SkinSoapCo

Do you take custom orders?

Yes I do!  I also do wedding favors, baby shower, bridal shower gifts, and birthday party gifts.  People can email me at SkinSoapCo@gmail.com for more information.

Leah has graciously donated cold process soap to On the Urban Farm blog to be used in a giveaway, and one lucky person will win a bar of her cold process soap to try to for themselves.   Here is how the contest will work:

1) You will need to go to Skin Soap Co. and "like" their Facebook page.

 http://www.facebook.com/SkinSoapCo?fref=ts

2) Then come back here to my blog or On the Urban Farm Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/OnTheUrbanFarm , and comment saying that you have done so. By commenting your name will be entered into a random drawing and the winner will receive a bar of cold process soap.  The winner will be drawn next Sunday.  Good luck!