Brittany from The Body Cove started making soap during a tumultuous time, and was intimidated by the soap making process at first. Now, she makes beautiful bath products inspired by the seasons. Meet Brittany!
How long have you been making soap and body products, and how did you get started? How long have you been selling your products?
I began crafting soap in 2017, during a very tumultuous time in my life. I actually got started with tutorials and recipes from Anne Marie’s Soap Queen blog! She was most definitely the light of my life at that time and her content was my foundational knowledge of soap crafting. I’ve purchased all of her books as well.
When did you start selling your products?
I began selling soap the following year, after a year of extensive study. I’d watched every video, read every article, and purchased just about every book on soap crafting before actually opening my own shop and selling soap. I was extremely intimidated by the process because it’s chemistry. It took me about 6 months into my research to gain the confidence to actually buy the supplies and make soap!
What do you love most about making bath and body products?
I absolutely love the recipe formulation process. There is unlimited creative freedom and expression that you can tap into and utilize. I love to physically write out my ideas and recipes, and envision the finished product. I love imagining and dreaming up everything I can make with fresh, natural ingredients. I specialize in fruit and vegetable based soap, so I enjoy the diversity of produce I can use. Everything from bananas and avocados to dragon fruit and papaya! It’s so exciting!
What inspires you to create?
The seasons! Walking through my neighborhood in the spring time is probably the most inspired I feel all year. All the gorgeous florals in bloom and the aromas from them, the colors, combined with the feeling of everything coming alive around you. Or the fall, even. The cool crisp air, the smell of coffee and pumpkin spice everything, the warm colors of the trees. The seasons and the changing natural world around me is just incredibly inspiring.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to get started?
Do. Not. Compare. Comparison is the thief of joy. When I first started I was constantly comparing myself to everything everyone was doing and it made me so insecure. But it’s not about that. It’s about being inspired by others and carving your own path. It’s about finding your own creativity. Also, ask for help! Ask for advice! The soap making community is incredibly supportive! We are friends with one another. We buy from one another. And we offer advice because we know there is enough to go around! I don’t know what i’d do without my soap friends.
Who’s another maker you admire? What do you love about their work?
Ok so I cannot name just one maker because there are so many I love. Mel from Goods Apothecary because of the herbalism in her soap making. Kathy from Milked Artisan Bath and Body because of her gorgeous color combos and I simply love her as a woman, Simi from Muddy Mint Soap Co because I’ve been obsessed with her since 2017, she is an absolute beast, and she actually taught me how to master batch even though I STILL don’t know how because it’s hard! Steph from Luka Soap Co because her market set ups are insanely beautiful, her soaps are gorgeous and she is just the sweetest. So many I could share but these makers are at the top of my list!
Have you experienced a failure? How did you work through it, and what did you learn?
Failure? Oh my goodness soooo many times. I’m failing still! I’ve given up on my business a million times. I’ve closed the shop a million times. I’ve self sabotaged because I constantly doubt myself and my abilities because I’m a perfectionist like most makers are. I’ve bombed recipes a million times. I’ve gotten orders wrong and mixed up a million times. I’ve oversold and undersold products a million times. I have done it all and the thing I continue to learn is that there is always more to learn. You just have to keep going. True success with anything is just not giving up. Consistency. You must stay consistent. That’s the only way to master something. You can’t get down on yourself every time you mess up. The people that support you will support you regardless because they understand your humanity.
What plans do you have for your business moving forward?
I plan to continue to grow slowly. My business has been a slow, steady growth that I didn’t notice had grown until a couple years ago. I plan to keep making and I plan to attend a market but I’m not making any promises on that. I’ve been successful only online. I’ve never done a market because I’ve always been really nervous about them. But I do want to get on the ground and meet people! However, I do want my online supporters to continue to grow.
What are your 4 must-have Bramble Berry products? Why are they your favorite?
No one can hold a candle to Bramble Berry’s Orange 10X Essential Oil.
Second would be the aloe vera liquid because it’s a dream for soap bases.
The Tobacco and Bay Leaf Fragrance Oil is out of this world.
I love the shea butter! While I use unrefined shea butter in soap, I love the refined shea Bramble Berry carries because it’s high quality for body butters without the nutty smell.
What’s your favorite Bramble Berry project/What’s the first project you tried?
The Honey and Oat Body Cream Project! Although I haven’t quite mastered it yet, it’s still my favorite one to date!
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