by: Brittany Ponvelle at BabyDeary
Read our interview with Emily to learn more about her!
Introduction- Tell us a bit about yourself.
Introduction- Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi, I'm Emily, a soapmaker from New Orleans.
How did you get started making handmade items?
How did you get started making handmade items?
I have been making soap since I was a little girl in my Grandma's kitchen. Once I was old enough, my parents let me make the family soap in the shed until it quickly became a monthly chore. Every year for the dreaded school science fair, I would do a soap making demonstration because it always got an A and remains to be all of the science I know. This hobby went to college with me and never failed as Christmas presents when I was broke, which was always. And then one day in 2007, I was sitting in a pile of hundreds of beer soaps that needed to be labeled and packed for a friends upcoming wedding/crawfish boil and how on earth was I going to fit my full-time work schedule in and still have time to make my outta-this-world potato salad? Before pulling out every hair on my head, it occurred to me that I should just quit my job and become a full-time soapmaker, so with no regrets, that's what I did.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Crazy, hectic, totally out of control- just the way I like it!
If you could tell someone anything about Louisiana, what would you tell them?
If you could tell someone anything about Louisiana, what would you tell them?
You would have to duct tape, staple gun, glue, sew, and weld my mouth closed just to shut-me-up about all things I want the world to know about Louisiana. But even then, I have very expressive eyes and am skilled at talking with my hands.
My recipes are very special to me and reminders of the people, places, and things that I love. Each soap has it's own musical soundtrack and set of memories and I could never sort out any one as a favorite. Let's just say, If I didn't LOVE making it, I'm not making it again.
Places to visit Sweet Olive Soap Works:
Emily would like to donate a $15.00 gift certificate that can be redeemed in her etsy store. In order to win, visit her shop & let us know your favorite item by commenting below. Please leave your email address to be contacted if your name is chosen to win!
Winner will be chosen by random.org & will be announced on next week's featured artist post. This giveaway is only for followers of Handmade Louisiana so if you aren't a follower, you can follow, then comment.
Muddy Mississippi looks like it smells sooo good! But I love the description (and the idea) of the red beans and rice soap.. very unique!
ReplyDeleteTamberine317 (at) gmail (dot) com
The Zulu coconut soap sounds heavenly to me. I would love to try some with the gift certificate! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteZoe0825@verizon.net
I would love to use for her Ponchatoula Strawberry Soap. Thanks so much for the giveaway
ReplyDeletetanyainjville at yahoo dot com
The C'est Levee Soap looks wonderful. I love the use of lemongrass
ReplyDeletebmrottman@gmail.com
I'd like to try the Ponchatoula Strawberry soap.
ReplyDeleteallisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com
I love strawberry so my favorite is the Ponchatoula Strawberry Soap
ReplyDeletestanech at gmail dot com
I like the Madame LaLune Voodoo Brew Soap
ReplyDeletekristenlaudick at yahoo dot com
The Whistling Dixie Beer Soap looks amazing!
ReplyDeletemarija.majerle at gmial dot com
Would love to try
ReplyDeleteMuddy Mississippi - Decadent Dark Chocolate Soap with Chunks of French Roast Coffee and Oatmeal
HarajukuGirl92@gmail.com
My fave is the Storyville Jass - Luxurious Jasmine Bloom Soap With A Tainted Past because I like the scent of jasmine and also because of the saucy back-story in the soap description :)
ReplyDeletesswpss at yahoo dot com
ms(dot)verymarried(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61538025/bon-temps-poulet-all-natural-egg-soap
Ooh! The All Souls Sage Soap sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeletehrfarley at gmail dot com
I'd like to try the New Orleans Restoration Beer Soap.
ReplyDeleteooo- all souls sage sounds YUMMY!
ReplyDeletethanks for donating for this giveaway!
nick0166 (at) yahoo dot com
Great Artist Feature! I've been wanting to try her soaps for a long time so maybe this is my cue! I'd love to try her Muddy Mississippi Decadent Chocolate soap! Sounds heavenly....and it's probably hard not to nibble on it! LOL!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/listing/63038821/muddy-mississippi-decadent-dark
wildlifer78@yahoo.com
Congratulations! Love your shop! I 'd love to try your House of The Rising Sun with Calendula Infused Olive Oil, Jojoba, and Vitamin E.
ReplyDeleteet.co@hotmail.com
I think these are my favorite:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/listing/63278341/louisiana-sweet-olive-blossom-infused
whitsend@live.com
Great interview! I'd like to try her praline and cream soap!
ReplyDeletethedarkside.angel@gmail.com
The Louisiana Sweet Olive Blossom Infused Olive Oil Soap sounds awesome!!
ReplyDeletesiilentii27(at)gmail(dot)com
The Zulu soap sounds divine!
ReplyDeletesnaugle81@gmail.com
Pralines and Cream Soap!
ReplyDeleteThe:
ReplyDelete.All Souls- Sage Infused Soap With Activated Charcoal for a Spiritual Cleansing
or:
.C'est Levee - Lemon Grass Infused Olive Oil and Aloe Vera with Sweet Grass Fragrance
Would be MINE and ONLY mine for my nighttime tubby time (AFTER all 5 kids go to bed!)
volleysoft@gmail.com
i'd like to try House of the Rising Sun!
ReplyDeletei would love to try the whistling dixie beer soap!
ReplyDeleteiw ant to try the ponchatoula strawberry soap! jmmccarr@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteEmily's personality really shines through in your interview--makes me want to meet her!
ReplyDeleteHer photos and writeups on Etsy are fantastic. I'd probably go with Sweet Tea, but I've favorited her store for later chances to try others.
Thanks for the chance to win!
--Liza
ejm6x (at) yahoo (dot) com
My favorite is Beaucoup - I just love lavender. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteAng
ang_vaughan at yahoo dot com
She won me over with the Sweet Tea Cold Process Soap. I am a sucker for sweet tea.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
D
dbyrne1[at]gmail[dot]com
Who could resist the New Orleans Restoration Beer Soap?! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletesandy(dot)hardman(at)gmail(dot(com)
My favorite item would be the Good Children Soap, although they all look amazing!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower of this blog.
beadsidemyself at gmail dot com
Oh man, the Pralines and Cream Soap sounds like heaven! ambrerose at(aol) dot(com)
ReplyDeleteI like the Rose Water and Goat Milk Soap with French Rose Clay
ReplyDeleteI liked House of The Rising Sun with Calendula Infused Olive Oil, Jojoba, and Vitamin E!
ReplyDeleteannatiffany at yahoo.com
Definitely the Muddy Mississippi - Decadent Dark Chocolate Soap with Chunks of French Roast Coffe and Oatmeal. It sounds heavenly!
ReplyDeletephotographer4ever832[at]gmail[dot]com
I love her descriptions of each soap! I'd love to try the Ponchatoula Strawberry Soap...sounds so nice! tylerpants(at)gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe Louisiana Sweet Olive Blossom Infused Olive Oil soap sounds lovely! peanut[at]nyc.rr.com
ReplyDeleteSo hard to choose. Perhaps this! Zulu coconut soap
ReplyDeleteThanks!
lovewantvintage at gmail dot com
I'd like the
ReplyDeleteLouisiana Honey Bee- Farm Fresh Beeswax and Honey Soap from Hammond Louisiana with Sweet Almond Oil
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
Love, LOVE the Slice of Queen cake soap! So clever and looks amazing. Really enjoyed reading about how Emily got her start and find it inspiring to see someone turn their love of craft into their living. Living in the cold north, I'm also hopeful that a little piece of the south may help warm things up a bit around here ;).
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Renee
renee.piquette@gmail.com
Really like the sound of Whistling Dixie Beer Soap Lol
ReplyDeletelindsayfields at live dot com
I would love to try the All Natural Absinthe Soap especially, but they all sound heavenly.
ReplyDeleteamysweeps at gmail dot com
I bet the Muddy Mississippi smells wonderful! (well the soap anyway, not the real thing...!)
ReplyDeletejeanette at splendidthings.etsy.com
hmcnaron at gmail . com
ReplyDeletei like the Whistling Dixie Beer Soap !!!!!!
I like her Satsuma Dead Sea Body Polish 6 oz. with Shea Butter and Jojoba. Nice!
ReplyDeleteAlexDean03(at)yahoo.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTry again-- Muddy Missippi looks like it would be a fun thing to try.
ReplyDeletepral47 at aol [dot] com
I would love to try the Queen Cake Soap!
ReplyDeletesugarush7z@aim.com
I love the New Orleans section and the Sweet Tea Cold Process Soap with Sweet Almond Oil! Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteSuper tough decision but I have to go with the Mississippi Mud soap! Dark chocolate and French roast coffee are two of my favorite addictions!
ReplyDeletemhouston6@hotmail.com
I'd say a tie between Red Beans and Rice or Creole Tomato eyreka90@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteevery soap looks incredible. i would LOVE to try the ponchatoula strawberry soap. I have sensitive skin and really try to use natural soaps, these look amazing!!!!
ReplyDeletekeeping fingers crossed!!
Cerena Leigh
Luckycldh(at)aol(dot)com
I LOVE LOVE LOVE homemade soap. I would love to try the Pralaines and cream soap.
ReplyDeleteclarksrfun at gmail dot com
I would love to try the Ponchatoula Strawberry Soap suelee1998 @ gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous store. My fave is the 8.4 Ounce Slice of Queen Cake Soap... so elegant and luxurious.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
russelljy AT bigpond DOT com
My favorite is the Zulu Coconut Soap with Activated Charcoal, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter and Coconut Lime Verbena Fragrance.
ReplyDeletekiddomsg at gmail dot com