August 20, 2008 by Linda Quiring
We are asked almost daily about the future….Specifically, we answer questions like,
“what new products are coming on stream?” and “in what direction is the company headed?”and, more simply,”What’s New??”Well, the last one is easy. We’ve been working diligently for months to
bring you not only fresh, handmade, bio-degradable artisan soaps as we have for decades……
but to make them organic as well.
We hit a snag.
We use only top quality ingredients…the ones French and Italian soapmakers have been using for generations; palm, coconut and olive. Why? They make the best soap; palm is bland with a high lauric content…means it moisturizes. Coconut for the best lather..and olive is healing. The combo can’t be beat. Canola, soya, even Crisco now find their way into handmade soaps…and many of them are actually detergent bars as many large chemical companies now manufacture soapmaking supplies.
We checked around, with our suppliers,,,with others…and found the organic oils we wanted…but, WOW!!
the price of our soaps would have soared!!”Well,” we thought, “this is what everyone wants.” So we began to order the organic oils. Guess what?? Not available..or, “we have a pallet coming in September…but it’s already spoken for.” In practical terms….we were simply unable to make the switch.
What was our competition doing?? Adding 1% organic oils and calling the soaps “Organic”?????
So, we’ve decided to add organic oils as they become available….although we won’t change our labelling
until we can guarantee ALL the oils are organic. Meanwhile…we are introducing our new line of six
botanical artisan soaps….all vegetable oils….all 100% pure essential oils, handmade, handcut and wrapped.
What else??
Making the Switch to Glass! Yes,,we plan to put most of our products into glass containers in the coming
year. Some, those for use in the shower, like shampoo, will likely stay in plastic for safety’s sake.
We will probably use some little tins, paper bags and whatever else we can find that looks great, works well,
and ISN’T PLASTIC!
And finally,,,we are reformulating and refining our product line…a new Spa Line, a new line of skin care,
new organic shampoo and conditioner….and lots more. We find it takes way more time than we thought to make the changes we want: new ingredients must be sourced…new suppliers found, and with all this…we try to keep prices reasonable..as we always have.
So, that’s where we’re headed……let us know what you think…and do as many of our regular customers do…
keep in touch and keep bugging us for things you want…like the new lip balm and solid shampoo bars on the way….these were the #1 and #2 requested items in the last year…but, they had to be not just new items,
but GREAT NEW PRODUCTS!
Linda Quiring,
Salt Spring Island
Tags: handmade soap, natural bodycare, Salt Spring Island, Saltspring Soapworks
