Why I Make Soap: A Problem, A Purpose, and a Scripture

I did not begin making soap because I wanted a business. I started because I wanted something clean, intentional, and made with my own hands.

At first, I was simply trying to solve a problem.

My husband works outside in the heat, and he continually struggled with rashes and skin irritation. We began wondering whether the products we used every day were contributing to the problem. As we talked about how we grew up, we realized we did not remember dealing with many of the issues that seem so common today.

That realization led us to make changes in our own lives. We wanted to reduce the number of unnecessary chemicals and pollutants touching our skin and entering our home. We wanted to care well for the bodies and resources God had entrusted to us.

Everything we do centers on staying close to the earth and being mindful stewards of what God has given us. Our goal is not perfection, but intentional living shaped by gratitude, care, and responsibility.

“…aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you…”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:11

As I realized other people were facing many of the same struggles, I decided to begin making soap for others as well. But I also wanted the soaps to carry meaning.

Many of the first soaps were inspired by Scripture and memory. One scent reminded me of my father: Manly Promises, inspired by 1 Timothy 4:8. Another became Mary & Martha Lemon Olive Oil, a kitchen-inspired scent reflecting Luke 10:39.

More recently, I have begun creating soaps and candles inspired by devotional themes within the Church year, including Sacred Heart, scented with roses and frankincense.

I am also moving away from hand-sliced bars and toward molds because I value consistency in both form and weight. Artisan work allows room for variation, but I still believe care and craftsmanship matter.

That same philosophy shapes my husband’s woodworking.

He is moving toward commissioned American Traditional furniture built with traditional joinery and little reliance on nails or screws. Two pieces of wood fitted together the way they were designed to fit — shaped by patience, skill, and the integrity of the material itself.

Everything we create is rooted in faith, stewardship, and charity toward others.

We believe part of our calling is to care well for what God has given us — and that includes the people placed in our lives.