Introducing Lee from Natures Olde Skool Miracle. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in Queensland, Lee hand-makes her soaps in small batches, infusing with nature's gifts.
Find out why Lee started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
My true passion is handmade soap. I love to challenge myself and experiment with different ingredients and see the end results. I infuse organic ingredients like milks, teas, fruits, vegetables and beer into my soap, to name a few. I then record the outcome and benefits it brings to the bars. Some work out well, some don't, like Vegemite, but that is the part I love. The unknown has resulted in a lot of soaps with ingredients that are not similar to many on the market and something I am proud of.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
My journey began when I was diagnosed with stage four endometriosis. I decided to remove all toxins from my life and that included all my skin products. I have always looked to nature for different remedies throughout my life.
I am a firm believer that there is an answer for everything lying in nature we just need to find it.
Natural ingredients and products became my new normal. Not knowing what was really present in the products we buy on a daily basis, I decided to make my own and know that I was only putting natural ingredients on my skin.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in the weirdest things. I will see an unusual ingredient, a certain shape or tool, different colours or smells and think to myself I can use that for my soap. Inspiration is everywhere we just have to open our eyes and let it flow naturally.
Where did you learn your craft?
I was given a book on soap making and this was the first step to my handmade business. I was making so much soap that I started to give them to family and friends. Everyone loved them and suggested I start selling my soaps - this was when the research began. I knew if I wanted to make this a business I had to formulate my own recipes. I did not want to sell a recipe from a book.
Soap making is a science that cannot be learnt overnight. It takes time, a lot of trial and error, testing, dedication and perfection to achieve the desired results. I then started creating my own formulas concentrating on high conditioning, cleansing and hardness of the bar to make it last longer.
All my soaps contain olive oil as a high percentage in the formula. It is a key ingredient to all my recipes and was how soap was originally made. Now olive oil has become a luxury item and one that I can't live without. Then came the process of stability testing different recipes, techniques and infusions. After 5 years of experimenting I had a selection of different recipes, depending on the skin type, and knew I was ready to start selling. I could never have embarked on this journey without the support I received from my family. They were my driving force to get me where I am today.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Handmade means everything to me. It is a piece of someone's heart and soul transforming through their art. Handmade is a beautiful gift from an artist who has created something truly special and unique. It is the love of their craft that comes through everything they create. It is a way to bond with an unknown artist through their special pieces. It is the passion behind a creative's mind and the end result is amazing. This is something money can't buy and can't be purchased in a retail store. Handmade is a different world of precious items that holds the gift of the artisans love and dedication to their craft and this is the reason I love handmade so much.
Lee is a much loved member of the MadeIt Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ MadeIt: Handmade Australia ~ and sharing their new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Natures Olde Skool Miracle, make sure you join our FB Group and say hi !
