I mentioned in Monday’s post that I’d met Connie when she tested on of The Life Craft‘s classes for me. The same night I also met the lovely Lucy McWilliams of Lucy Loves…. Lucy very kindly made Jenny and I a goodie bag of her gorgeous soaps & bath products and I’ve been a raving fan ever since! She’s kindly agreed to be our third interviewee in the “Sisters are doing it for themselves” series.

So Lucy, tell us what you make?

I make soaps, bath bombs, bath salts and lots of other wee pampering treats.

What got you started in this field? Were you always a creative type?

I wouldn’t say I have always been a creative type. I actually began making soaps on a whim, as I was looking for something a bit different for my wedding favours. It has just kind of snowballed from there. I realised I was quite enjoying myself, and the experiment hasn’t stopped from that point. I am still looking for new ways to do things, improving my techniques and so on

When and/or how did you learn?
When I ordered my first mould! I bought a few things off the internet to get me started and to see if it was something I could do. Like I said, totally on a whim! I spend a lot of time on some great websites such as http://www.teachsoap.com/ for some great ideas to help me get started.

Why do you make things by hand?

I really enjoy it. I love it when people come round to my house and comment on how good it smells, or how much they like the soap in the bathroom. It gives me a real sense of accomplishment when I create something that other people will like! It’s a good feeling!

What is your craft ”philosophy”?

Handmade and not mass produced! I know it only too easy to step onto the high street and pick up a hugely over-scented eye-wateringy strong bath bomb, which is technically handmade. However I think its a bit nicer when you get a product that’s made for you at your request, or one that is slightly unique, as all handmade things inevitably are!

Do you believe that being creative is good for you?

I believe it is certainly good for me personally. It is nice to have an outlet, and something I can go away and work on when I can’t be bothered with the rest of the world, or when I need to chill out.

Is there anything that frustrates you about being a creative type?

Only that people want handmade items, but they want to pay mass produced prices. To be entirely honest, I was a bit like that until I realised the amount of work ad effort that goes into handmaking something individual.

It makes it very hard to price your products accordingly, as you don’t want to sell yourself short, but you also don’t want to intimidate people with high prices. Its a toughie!

Do you believe the internet has had an effect on your creativity?

Yes, its distracts me from the Soap Kitchen! However its such a valuable marketing and networking tool that it seems to be essential to very business these days!

Profuse thanks to Lucy for taking the time to do this interview when she’s just arrived home from holiday. Lucy can be found online in the following places:
Folksy
Facebook
Twitter
Lucy’s blog
Flickr
Email

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