This sushi looks good enough to eat, but it's actually soap...
Hip 29 year old artist Alison Kowalsky is a New York native, who recently transplanted to Boston. She fell in love with soap making at 18 when her friend Amber got her a kit as a gift. "It included some glycerin melt & pour soap, soap fragrances, colors, and molds," she explains. "She invited me to make some soaps with her and I was immediately hooked!" Soon, she was making soap with her Mom and her passion grew from there as she experimented and learned the ropes of her craft. She no longer purchases the supplies from a craft store. Instead, she focuses on organic handmade materials - and an amazing sense of humor and fun - to create her whimsical designs, which often look like junk food or toys. "When I want to make soap, I usually start out in a restaurant or grocery store," she says of her creative process. "I look at food and how it's displayed. Even if it's someone else's food, I will probably stare at it and make some mental notes." She brainstorms with her boyfriend, too. "The best thing we've done for the business is to cover the dining room table with trace paper. We draw, doodle, sketch and write notes, jot numbers and math equations. After trying different ways to solve the problem of making the soap at hand, we pick the best one. We make it, photograph it, and put it online." She started with prefab molds, but progressed to making a lot of her own. "Trial and error is my friend," she jokes, "and if I didn't make the mistakes, I don't think I would have gotten as far as I have." All of her soaps are vegan - free of animal fats, milks, honeys, and insect dyes - even the fried bacon design. She started her Etsy shop two years, unsure whether they would be a big hit on-line since a big draw to her soaps is the scent. Eventually she listed her Cupcake and Cheeseburger soaps - and the rest is history. "There's a lot of Etsy love going on, and I love doing trades with people for awesome stuff," she admits. Please check out her shop: http://dirtyasssoaps.etsy.com/ and website: http://dirtyasssoaps.com/
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Meet Etsy Soap Maker & Artist: DirtyAssSoaps
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Meet Etsy Soapmaker: dennisanderson
Dennis Anderson was born and raised in Massachusetts by his Dad and Grandmother. "I think they had a big part in teaching me the importance of being responsible and helped give me a realistic look at life," he says. He relocated to the Northwest where he met Brandy, who introduced him to the Indie lifestyle. He credits her for getting him hooked on soap making. "I can be walking down the street and smell a scent, see a strange texture in nature, and all I can think of is how am I going to make this into soap." Although he's only been at it for a year, he's found ways to make his craft fun. "I love the beer soaps in my shop," he admits. "I really want to release more playful soaps and products that reflect my personality." While Etsy is currently a "second job" for Dennis, he plans to turn it into a full time career someday. In the meantime, he makes sure to be a "productive part of the (Etsy) community" while building his client base. "I feel like I was truly blessed to have found this site," he says. Please check out his shop: http://dennisanderson.etsy.com/
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Meet Etsy Bath & Body Artist: AJsCountryCottage
The artist behind AJsCountryCottage finds her inspiration in nature. A simple walk in the country could spark the idea for a new scent. "Somehow the combination of fresh air, nature, exercise, and solitude gets my creative juices flowing," she explains. Her earthy products are fun, yet practical - and wonderfully arommatic. "I don't just want functional; I want my fragrant creations to look nice, to be interesting and colorful, and most of all, to help create a comforting ambience -- a haven of rest in our often busy and stressful world." Ever since she can remember she's been experimenting with all sorts of creative mediums. She poured her first candles when she was 13 and has been working to perfect the technique ever since. She makes all of her soaps from scratch and "loves coming up with new ideas for scents, for color combinations, for textures, and for new techniques that make my soaps not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing as well." Being a creator and an entrepreneur, Etsy is both her job and her hobby. "I create so I can sell; I sell so I can create more. But even if I couldn't have this as my job, I'd still be creating. It's in my genes." She hopes to meet new friends through Etsy and to "find some great handcrafted items for myself and my friends & family." She's worked very hard to establish herself as a trustworthy artisan and seller. "Do your homework and research thoroughly," she advises. "Then practice, practice, and practice some more. Most learning comes through experience. Persevere and be patient. It takes time to make great things and to establish yourself in business; there really are no shortcuts. Be friendly, kind, and helpful to others. Network!" Please visit her shop: http://ajscountrycottage.etsy.com/
Monday, December 3, 2007
Meet Etsy Artist: IntergalacticRose
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