Handmade artisan soaps

Images and Artwork copyright © Jen Pollack

I am fairly new to Pinawa and new to soap making, both of which I am in love with! Being surrounded by the beauty of the area inspires me to be creative and to try new things. What started out as mild curiosity turned into a full on addiction to soap making! What I love about it is the challenge of getting the chemistry right in order to produce a bar of soap that not only cleans but leaves your skin feeling hydrated and soft without the use of synthetic chemicals. I enjoy researching how additives such as turmeric, honey, aloe gel and certain essential oils can benefit the skin, and the best way to add them to a recipe as well as the different qualities that certain butters and oils add to the soap. I would have to say, though, the reason why I keep making it is because it is a huge creative outlet for me! The design ideas are endless when working with colors and fragrances. The most satisfying part of the process is the “cut”: cutting a loaf of soap into slices to see how the colors combined and deciding what to name it. It definitely doesn’t always turn out the way I expect it to but I’m never discouraged enough not to take it back to my “lab” and try again. Thank you for buying my soap and for enabling my addiction. Your skin will also thank you.