Patti's Story

I started my company several years ago during one of Wisconsin’s infamously cold, dry winters. As the temperatures dipped and the humidity toppled, my skin reacted predictably—it tightened and screamed for moisture. The commercially produced soap I was using at the time exacerbated the problem. And no wonder! When I researched the ingredients of this product I was shocked to find out that my soap—and most others—are really not soaps at all. They are synthetic detergents with a petroleum base. In the commercial process the natural, moisturizing glycerin is removed and sold as a secondary product. Amazing isn't it? The very ingredient your skin needs has been removed!

Such knowledge made me angry. But it also woke me up. I began researching soap and the soapmaking process in earnest. During my research I discovered several handcrafted soap sites. Through them I discovered that it is indeed possible to buy real soap—soap that is made with natural moisturizing ingredients devoid of unnecessary ingredients and chemicals. And it was at this point that I had a revelation—why not make my own soaps?

Our company was established in the year 2000. My interest in natural soaps has since turned from a satisfying hobby to a great passion.

Today I take great pride in creating a variety of soaps and lotions for a very loyal customers base.

I am happy to report that I no longer have to suffer through the long Wisconsin winters. Well, at least my skin doesn't have to suffer!

You will immediately notice a difference between my handcrafted soaps and their commercial counterparts. The difference is natural glycerin. All of my soaps are made using the alchemy of the cold process. This is not the melt-and-pour, high-alcohol-content “glycerin” soap that is sold by some handcrafted soap companies. The cold process starts with a balanced formula of natural oils, sodium hydroxide as the emulsifier, and a liquid such as goat milk, water, herbal teas, or aloe juice. The end result is a gentle, moisturizing soap.

My soaps are made from natural, food-grade ingredients, including oils of coconut, palm kernel, and castor—for their lathering properties—and olive oil—for its gentleness. Some of my soaps may also contain shea butter, jojoba oil, emu oil, hemp oil, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and/or apricot kernel oil, for their moisturizing and conditioning properties.

Dried herbs and grains may be added for their exfoliating and aesthetic qualities.

I use only essential oils and fragrance oils that are skin-safe and designed specifically for soaps & lotions.

Not all of my handmade soaps are white. Fragrance and ingredients can add many variables from a light, creamy color to a deep rich brown. Some of my soaps have clays and color added to delight our skin and brighten our daily cleansing routine.

Please refer to my oil information page for a more in-depth explanation of each of the oils I use in my products.

I'm also in the process of developing a Frequently Asked Questions page so check back often to see what has been added.

--Hear what our customers are saying -

"I cannot say enough about how nice it has been to work with you.  You are really helping me to add that extra *special touch* to the birthday party.  It's the little details that can really enhance the fun.   THANK YOU!!!  I really appreciate all of your work on this project."

"I am a walking billboard at school (I am a librarian in an elementary school).  I had one friend feel the skin on my back, where it is always so dry and rough, and it is silky soft now.  Every time we get together with one of our other friends, or co-workers, the first thing she says is "you HAVE to feel Michelle's skin!" lol....it's rather funny AND a bit embarrassing!!  

-- Michelle Callahan from Massachusetts

Recently I received this wonderful customer appreciation letter and wanted to share it with all of you.

Here it is in it's entirety:

"Hi Patti, I just had to take a few moments and let you know how a small ripple in a pond can really spread out.  My daughter called me last night and told me how she took time on her lunch break (something she hardly ever does) and explored your website a bit and found herself ordering a couple of gift baskets for her co-workers and some soaps for herself. 

It tickled me because this child (now 27) so gave me that suspicious "what are you trying to pawn off on me now Mom" look when I gave her one of your soaps a few weeks ago.  This child has always had problem skin and since being out of the "nest" so to speak, has spent quite a bit of $$ buying skin care products. 

I never thought she'd switch to something so simple as a natural soap... but switch she did, very quickly and you really ought to hear her now going into the virtues of natural soap, staying away from the chemical additives (which she paid dearly for before)..  

First of all, thank you for taking the time on your website and giving an education about soaps, WHY natural is better over processed and going into the healing properties of the different ingredients you use.  I find it interesting how such information that was probably readily available 2 generations ago got lost or put aside as the industrial age marched on -- so again, thank you for making this information available for us again -- a lot of other soap sites just tend to stay on the selling end of it.   Anyway, getting back to the ripples...as my daughter pointed out to me... that the natural soaps are this tiny bit of luxury you can give to a female (or male) friend, particularly someone difficult to buy for.  And as I am discovering, the small gifts I have given to those I care about have created that ever expanding ripple effect to their friends and acquaintances.

My co-workers (who again, would never even think of buying an artisan soap) are RAVING about their gifts and I am sure, when their supplies run low, they will be poking around your site looking for more -- creating more ripples and waves as they recommend to their friends... 

I had to chuckle when I read my sister Michelle's comments on the web..  I can really see her doing that kind of thing (telling everyone about her back heheh).. and she's absolutely correct in that she's a walking billboard for your products (she tells me now, "We just LOVE Patti")... It's as though we know you personally (because you do take that time and add your personal touch to things) and you've become "our new best friend".  

She also tells me that she would have NEVER tried that kind of product before -- never even thought of it before unless/until I actually GAVE her a bar of the soap and told her to at least TRY it.(She ROLLED her eyes last summer on vacation when I splurged and bought someone else's soap).. now she's hooked (and she DOES have horrible problems with her skin -- or should I use past tense on that?hehehe)..   Business folks tend to get a TON of feedback when their products or services aren't up to par.  I felt you should hear more of the details of just how "special" your soaps are and how much I am enjoying watching the ripples spread ever so wide  as your soaps and lotions touch more and more lives...  

We live in a computer age, and it is so very easy to communicate and touch someone else's life hundreds of miles away in almost an instant.  All of my co-workers work in a cyber-atmosphere and we are physically spread across the entire continent. The emails getting passed now during the work day discuss the properties of your soaps and just how lovely they are -- more ripples -- I am pleased to see the ripples spread (specially with the previous "hard sells") -- and I'm sure it will turn into more well deserved $ business for your website. 

I really did mean what I said about getting such lovely energies every time I visit your site.   It is very evident how much time, effort, and love you've put into your business.   Blessings on you my dear. 

Thank you for sharing your passion with the rest of us and helping us get back to our roots, which truly is nature based..  Meanwhile, I'm going to watch the ripples spread even further -- now they're in Massachusetts, MD, New York, and Missouri... and probably spreading now into NH and Maine.. heheh.   Well, that's it.. Kudos to you.. and now I really do have to take a work break.  

--Suzanne Minnick from Maryland

"I really do get lovely energies every time I visit your website. It's been only a week of using your soaps and lotion and already my eczema on my foot is starting to clear."

-- Suzanne from Maryland

" I just received my first order from you today, and your soaps smell simply wonderful!!  I can't wait to use them- especially the stress relief and lavender. 

My 6 y/o son loves his "Bearly There" Lip Balm.  The Aveda scents smell fantastic as well.  And thank you so much for throwing in the freebie of Faerie Dust soap- I LOVE this one, and probably never would have selected it from your list of scents.  

I must thank you also for such great customer service, and such quick and efficient order processing/shipping.  I know whenever I order something, I want it "yesterday"...and you came really close to shipping my order before I even placed it."

-- Cynthia, Rockford, IL

“Awesome feel, smell, and relaxation properties! I love all of Patti’s products".

-- Wendy, Aurora Health Care, Kenosha, WI

“I save up buy to buy Patti’s soaps. I’ve been buying her soap for four years now."

-- Gwen, Kenosha, WI

"I love that Patti's Potions are homemade. The Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Body Wash smells fantastic and works well with my thick hair and dry skin. I use it all the time."
--Heather Gay, St. Louis Park, MN

"Patti's soaps are the best!  I don't use anything else and my friends would be SO disappointed if I didn't give them soap at birthdays and holidays.  I like trying the different scents each time I need a new bar.  The shampoo is very gentle and I'm sure it's the reason my perm has looked so good for such a long time." 
--M.P.S.  Waterford, WI

Visit our Customer Testimonial page for more comments on Patti's natural soaps and lotions.