It wasn’t too hard to choose who to write about this week. I recently moved my studio and set up shop with a new studio mate. Dear readers, please meet Kim Of Stella Marie Soap Company. She is in charge of making our space smell great!
Kim makes soaps with a twist. Looking more like deserts, they are quite enticing. And we can’t forget her “last call” soap made with Narragansett Lager, which may seem good enough to drink, but really, drinking soap isn’t recommended. We’ll stick to bathing and save the beer for later.
Stella Marie Soaps may take on some unusual forms and incorporate many local ingredients (read: New Harvest Coffee in the form of java lava) but her main goals remain solid: “The mission is to produce fresh, skin-nourishing products of the highest possible quality in an environmentally responsible manner while offering an exciting alternative to the mainstream.”
She doesn’t just stick to soap either. Lip balm and body scrubs are also a staple among her fan base.
Don’t take the term fan base lightly. This woman has followers in this state. Winning such awards as Best of Rhode Island and The Phoenix Best doesn’t allow you to slip quietly around in RI. Just today two women came out to our studio to sniff around a bit. They just couldn’t wait to see her at the Providence Open Market during our fall season there. They needed their soap and needed it today.
It has been great to catch glimpses of Kim making her Stella Marie Soap while I am at my jewelers bench. She cares about her product through all of the steps. While a batch is baking she is printing labels and packaging another batch with care. Though she does stop on occasion to pet my irresistible dog who shares our space with us. Really though, who can resist a Bernese Mountain dog with the biggest, sweetest brown eyes? Enough about the dog, get on shopping and stock up on some stocking stuffers.
Kim O'Brien
Kim O'Brien is a metalsmith who isn't afraid to push the limits of function and color. When she doesn't have a torch or hammer in her hand she can be found buying handmade goods at craft fairs and local businesses, playing with her beloved dog or blogging.you might also like...
