It’s all about the bubble. Soap making has been my muse, master and canvas since discovering the lost “chore” in 1997 at a local BOCES class. I honed my soaping skills in my mother’s farmhouse kitchen in Van Etten, New York. With a heritage rich in Finnish culture I never doubted that it was my destiny to become a Saippua Kauppias (Finnish Palindrome meaning Soap Merchant). The original name of my company was Sisu Soap. Sisu is a unique Finnish concept. It stands for the philosophy that what must be done will be done, regardless of what it takes. Sisu is a special strength and persistent determination and resolve to continue and overcome in the moment of adversity…an almost magical quality, a combination of stamina, perserverance, courage, and determination held in reserve for hard times. I sold my products, then, only locally at the Family Farm store and Mc Ann’s Restaurant. I was working a full time job, beginning a newspaper (The Country Press) and still mystified by soap making. Hard times indeed, along with deliriously long work days. Jobs to pay the bills changed over the next few years, but my love of concocting common ingredients into soap never waned. In 2005, I joined a small group of local artisans and handcrafters to form The ArtHouse! in Van Etten. It was at that point that I decided to expand my soap business, change the company name, and pursue my lofty goals of having my product in every household around. Since I am located at the hub the Finger Lakes Region, it became my natural market area and hence the birth of the new company name. It is my desire to become a common household finding. After all, most people do use soap.
So, why not use mine?