Spotlight Feature #21 - Lisa Salamida

Not sure if you remember, but a while ago I posted a feature on a papermaker who uses her handcrafted paper to package her homemade soaps... Loved it! Well, today I thought it would be really nice to concerntrate on the soap and here to tell us more about her craft is Lisa... who I must say makes soap that looks just edible!

1. Tell me a bit about your background and how long you have been an artist/crafter.

I grew up in New York, and moved to San Francisco in 2000. I picked up soap making as a hobby then, while I was working as an editor for a newswire service. I still work for the same company but have since transferred to the Help Desk as a computer tech. I decided to go to the next level with my craft and offer items for sale, and found that Etsy is just the best place for me. The site is lovely and the people are friendly! My husband is also on Etsy as a painter.

2. Where do you find your inspiration?

I am most inspired by my culinary background. Growing up in an Italian family, food was always such a focus, a way to show love and connect with my family. I bring that to my soap making -- soaps so yummy you could almost eat them! I try to find combinations and scents that soothe the mind and enliven the spirit. I pay close attention to the color, form and texture of the soap -- I want to make them above and beyond the ordinary, to make them a sculpture of lavish indulgence.

3. Do you sell your work, or is it purely for pleasure?

I do sell, I began selling my soap in October 2007 -- I have been very blessed, my store has well over 400 items sold and I hit the top 20 list of Etsy sellers on December 3. It's important to me to offer a very well-crafted product, something that the customer is longing to unwrap and jump into the tub with!

My shop is located at http://savor.etsy.com/.

4. If someone was looking to take up this craft should they have any related experience before they start?

Soap making can handle all levels of commitment. From the purists who craft with lye to the melt-and-pour fans, there is room in this discipline for all ages and abilities. A good eye for color, a creative mind and a good sense of smell are assets in this craft -- as well as a good dose of patience!

A person could buy a soap base and molds from a craft store and be making wonderful bars by the afternoon, but to take the craft to the next stage, one needs to invest in high-quality materials: bases, scents, molds and additives (petals, salts, etc.). I scoured the San Francisco Bay Area for the best soap supplier and buy 99% of my materials from her. My supplier runs a lovely, small boutique in Berkeley, CA. Her customer service is amazing and she loves to collaborate with me on my new ideas. She's a soap maker, too, and her advice has been priceless! It always pays to talk with someone experienced in the craft you'd like to pursue.

5. What would be your top 5 tips for a beginner?

• Stay organized. Keep all supplies labeled, keep an Excel inventory spreadsheet, and write down your recipes!
• Invent and innovate. Keep your creations fresh and unique!
• Practice. Test your soaps in your own shower and see if they behave like you expect.
• Keep your area clean. Keep all utensils well maintained, counters scrubbed and knives sharp.
• Buy in bulk and anticipate demand. This is my biggest challenge of the moment -- my shop has taken off, which is lovely, but because it's the holiday rush I've had to return to my supplier almost every weekend, which takes precious crafting time away! Having supply on-hand makes life great.

6. What would be your top 5 items of essential equipment?

• High-quality MP base. Base found at craft stores is great to start with, but there are much better bases out there. Find a good, independent shop and buy locally when you can. The base I buy was originally not an MP crafting base, it was developed for higher-end stores to make their soap with.
• Knife and bench scraper. These go hand-in-hand -- a gigantic chef's knife to cut my 43 pound tubs of base with, and a bench scraper to gather up the cut pieces for melting.
• A good scale. Works for soap, oils, additives and shipping!
• Pipettes. Get precise measurements of scent so that recipes are easily duplicated.
• Mentors!!! You've got to continually learn to be able to grow. I learn the best from others, so I spend time with people who love to teach. It doesn't even have to be for your particular craft -- you can learn a lot from someone in another field, and everyone's going to have tips on running a business, too, which cannot be neglected if you sell.

7. Can you recommend a technique or 'tips' book ideal for a beginner?

I've read every book on soap I could find in the library, but I would say for my creations, I have learned the most from cookbooks. I don't have any particular favorite book. I do think it's important to continually read up on your craft.

8. Can you recommend any brands to look out for, when buying equipment or kit?

Warehouse and "dollar stores" can have amazing equipment that you may not expect. Wrapping/shipping materials, bowls, buckets, mops, sponges, towels, do-dads for photography, Tupperware to contain stock -- all of that can get very expensive but discount stores can take some of the burden off.

As far as brands for the soap supplies themselves, I don't use anything yet except what I buy from my local supplier. I think it's important to support independent artists!