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Story by
FrucciDesign,
soap
Published on May 26, 2009 in This Handmade Life |
Photo by |
In this Open Studio Tour series, we'll be snooping around artists' creative spaces to find out how they set them up, when, why…even how often they clean them! We really want to know all about our artists, and maybe get a bit of inspiration!
I’m visiting the West Coast for this month's Studio Tour, where Hiromi, a.k.a. soap, mixes food-grade unhydrogenated oils in order to make her scented creations from scratch!
What's your name and what kind of craft do you do?
My name is Hiromi and I make soaps and other bath products from scratch.
What are you working on right now?
I'm making favors for my friends' wedding, as well as building inventory for upcoming shows and stores. I've been doing more colorful stuff lately and always (re)working label and package design.
When did you decide that you needed a studio? How have you set it up?
Almost immediately. Once I started selling on Etsy, I realized I needed space just to store all of the raw materials alone.
I actually converted the space where I used to paint into a space dedicated to soap making. I have a lot of "hidden" space like a converted 6-drawer dresser to store supplies, multiple closets with shelving, and lots of 5 gallon buckets to store miscellaneous items. They're great for stacking.
Did the studio set-up impact your budget?
The outlay has been gradual as my business has grown. The space hasn't grown, just all the storage aspects. Some mistakes cost a bit, like when I bought 4 massive rolling plastic storage units which I could roll around to where I needed the supplies. They literally buckled from the weight of the supplies and became unusable.
How big is your studio?
A room plus storage space and some space to work outside (where I handle and store the lye and anything noxious).
Which is your favorite tool?
It's a toss-up between my stick blenders and silicone spatulas.
Do you want to share with us one secret of your studio?
Half-folding 6-foot tables which can expand work space as needed and for multiple tasks. They store as a 3x3-foot and have handles.
How many hours do you normally spend in your studio?
It varies. I've never really kept track. Sometimes for hours at a stretch. On other days, I mostly am designing labels, or doing more mundane tasks, some only time spent to pack orders. If there's a downside to owning my own business, it is that the mundane stuff interferes with my creative time.
Is there anything you would add to your working space?
My wish list is long. For starters, more space/rooms would be fantastic. More organized storage would be nice too. In my fantasies, I dream of a full lab set up.
If you had to choose one synonym for your studio which one would you pick: atelier, family room, lair, lodge, nest, playroom, retreat, sanctuary, shelter, darkroom, or showroom and why?
None of those seem to fit. It's my creative workspace.
And last but not least how often do you clean it?
I clean after each session.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I love having the opportunity to create and share nice-smelling products that are gentle on the skin, made from scratch and give others pleasure. My studio time makes me happy.
Thank you, Hiromi! Until next studio snooping, ciao!
If you have an interesting studio or workspace and some tips to share, add your photos to our new flickr pool and you may be next in our Open Studio Tour series! For more on how handmade soap is made, check our Process video with beyondthepicketfence.
| Tags | bath and beauty, creative spaces, fruccidesign, Open Studio Tour, soap, studios, This Handmade Life, THIS HANDMADE LIFE, workspaces |
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70 comments Login to add your own!
Wunderkind
I love Haunt products...and those honey bear soaps! How cute!
So glad for these articles....with two little ones there is barely enough time to do my mom-duties, let alone the things I really want to do (ahem, shop) so I love that you find great stuff for busy working mommmy's like me to heart!
michon
LaveMeSoapCo
oooh once i move i would love to show off my new studio, vegas style ;)
gloilocksandbody
Oh nice! I look getting to peek into other soapers space :D
adoreneko
Thanks so much for the soap tour!
Love all the bath and body products on Etsy.
SundraSandrusi
Morado
Always wondered how soap was made....i mean what the studio would be like. I love taking a peek into other artist's studios!! Mine is my dining table..hehe
BeyondThePicketFence
I just got a new stick blender, it was the best present i eve bought myself ;)
Great space!!
beautifulbridget
satellitedaisy
SimpleTraditions
BodyDelibyShelly
Great article..love all handmade soaps. I use the basement for storage and kitchen to make my wonderful products.
KisforCalligraphy
elizandaxel
SarahLynneDesigns
Awesome! I love Soap's goodies and I am addicted to her Orange Clove Vanilla sent!
copperlilly
Fishstikks
Love the peak into your space, how fun!!
I agree those little honey bear soaps are adorable!!
I've always had a hard time resisting the need to buy TONS of the fabulous soap I see here on etsy. You soapers are fabulous!!
AlchemicMuse
Thank you for the studio peek! I especially love seeing other soap spaces :)
BlackStar
HarrietsHaven
I've always been fascinated with soap-making. They always look so yummy! I also love this series and seeing how others set up their creative spaces!
HansenSoapCo
susiesattic
OOOH so nice ( If my work room was presentable , I could show you how to make stamps but its not, I don't let anyone in there :)
to be organised
oh well . glad to see someone is :)
baconsquarefarm
Thanks for the tour and insight into " Soaps " studio space, great products too.
aBreathofFrenchair
Great interview!! Her soaps look delicious!
*omg, those honey bear soaps are adorable!
2ReVert
LOVE LOVE LOVE Hiromi's SOAP!!! It's so smooth and soft and it lasts forever! Love it.
Thanks so much for sharing your workspace... I enjoy seeing the inside.
xo,
2ReVert
PS... the smells are wonderful as well. :)
ventichai
IlluminatedPerfume
Love having a peak into the different studios. What a fabulous idea!
beCoy
beadstyle
stamp
I love seeing how people work. Great article, I look forward to more.
allisajacobs
injeanuity
BGBJewelry
Thank you for sharing the tour, and love all the yummie selection afterwards!
soap
yay, I got that batch of favors out :) The third photo shows the block before I cut it down to what's in the 1st pic where I start stamping halves. :)
EmbraceItDesigns
Really neat to read about. Thanks giving us a peak into your creative space.
zeropumpkin
LisaCoutts
I love the chance to peek at creative spaces!
Lovely soaps - I felt like I could smell them.
mybirch
vivilian
mojospastyle
this is a great idea to see workrooms. It nice to see where all the magic happens. Great for organization ideas. It really makes to want to buy soap because I felt like I was in on the process. Great pictures!
Love it!
BluCille
Iammie
MirthQuakeClothing
Looking at this makes me hungry! If only they were edible!
Art2ArtColorado
This was great to read! Thanks for the peek into the cool world of Etsy soapers!
akaCINDERS
SeattleSundries
younghairlove
you have to stop to try to make ME do soaps beacause i would just simply make a huge mess, spend lots of money AND END UP EATING IT AND AT THE HOSPITAL.
thestapeliacompany
I had no idea about the soap making process, this was fascinating. There are so many wonderful soap makers on Etsy!
SpiritedWoodland
What a cool story! I totally enjoy the behind the scenes studio stories.
More please... It's addicting - just like the FAB soaps on Etsy!
pinkdandyshop
SoapScentsations
lovelygifts
EJPcreations
CutieDynamite
FluteTeacher
bijougirldesigns
TheCraftyRagamuffin
I always love reading about other soapmakers and their processes. For now I make soap only for myself and as gifts because it is a process that I could gladly give over my life to! I learned how to make soap from a really incredible woman who was generous enough to share her secrets. Thanks for sharing this article!
shoofly
turtlemountaingifts
Wonderful products, they look simply delicious...
Thanks for sharing
SpaTherapy
Awesome article! Love seeing how other soapers organize their soap rooms!
pinkboxstudio
it would be cool if we could upload pix of our workspaces/studios on our profile page- we all love looking into other artists spaces as much as we love the products that come out of them!
glorygifts
SpaGoddess
Lunatiger
I always love to learn how an artisan works at their crafts. Lovely! ^_^
tiinateaspoon
It's so lovely to get a peek into Hiromi's creative space. I can't wait to get more wonderful lotions and potions from this lovely lady!
alittledream
Wow such beautiful soaps waiting to be cut. Great article and I LOVE to see other work spaces. You can NEVER have enough space. My husband gave me a whole room, but it is still not big enough. I have things crammed all over. Ack, need more, always more. lol
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