Etsy's Handmade Blog
Top 10 Soaps with Substance
Story by blinkingmouse
Published on December 18, 2008 in Spotlight 		Photo by

seaspritesoaps

Think of the dullest present you received last year. I bet you're picturing a bar of soap. It's mass-produced, same old boring scent. It's hardly the most original gift idea. Yet year after year, surprised by a last minute Christmas gift from someone at work, or unable to think of a birthday present, many people find themselves handing over blocks of soap. Oh the shame.

The soap sellers at Etsy are determined to rejuvenate this product, and make soap the most exciting stocking stuffer of the season. Their handmade soaps now come in a range of inventive shapes and exotic scents. Suddenly soap has substance.



  

1. Rubber Ducky Soaps Custom Five by DuckySoaps

DuckySoaps has taken the simple rubber duck soap and reinvented it. You can find ducks dressed for every job in this shop, where cheerleaders and ninjas cohabitate. With this soap sample package you can choose any five ducky soaps and fill several stockings at once. $23.
   

2. Pancakes, Eggs and Bacon Soap by sunbasilgarden

Not only is this bar designed to look like a scrumptious breakfast but it smells like one too. This soap gives off a maple syrup scent sure to attract nice comments. Despite the handcut bacon and eggs design, this full breakfast is actually vegan friendly. $5.
   

3. Global Warming Soap by dugshop

Watch the world melt away in your hands. This vegan soap shows the fate of the world as global warming takes a grip. The land disappears, then the water until you're left with a spicy, clove scented orange core. A fantastic gift for those committed to a cause. $15.
   

4. Sugared Spruce Christmas Tree Soap by HelloCrafty

The whimsical tree design of this bar will appeal to all Christmas revelers! $5.25.
   

5. Opium Stripes Soap by BeautifulSoaps

Highstreet shops have made a success of shower goodies made from hemp. At Etsy, sellers like BeautifulSoaps are interested in exploring cosmetic uses of other natural products that may previously have been misused. Using alternate stripes of white opium and sweet opium give this bar its attractive finish. $3.
   

6. Cupcake Soaps by LilyBaySoap

Colourful cupcake soaps will make any girl's day. A variety of scents are available, such as raspberry vanilla and chocolate cherry. A dozen for $42.
   

7. Blackberry Sage Dragonfly Soap by freshandclean

This soap is perfect for the cool people in your life. With its black, sophisticated design and grown up scent, it would be a fantastic addition to any minimalist bathroom. $5.50.
   

8. Citrus Sunshine Kumquat Soap by RiverCitySoaps

Kumquat soap offers a unique take on the refreshing citrus soap. $3.20.
   

9. Beer Buzz Soap Set by dennisanderson

If you want to buy handmade but struggle to find things for the more "macho" people in your life, let me direct you to beer soap. This set consists of two bars, one made from Guinness and one made from Samuel Adams. This shop carries lots of soap made from different beers and many are vegan friendly. $10.
   

10. Goat Milk Soap - Frog Set of 2 by carvelcountrysoaps

Kids will jump straight in the tub if you buy a set of frog soaps. They come scented with a mixture of sweet orange and creamy vanilla, but custom orders are encouraged. If you would like a different scent, check out carvelcountrysoaps's profile for all of the available fragrance/essential oils. $5.

More Holiday Shopping Posts | Gift Guides | Top 10 Lists | Soaps on Etsy | Soap Deli News

 

Tags bath and beauty, bath & body, blinkingmouse, cleanser, Gift Ideas, holidays, Rejuvenation, shopping, soaps, spa, stocking stuffers, Top 10 Lists, Top Ten Lists
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107 comments     Login to add your own!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. CourtneyBathBoutique

Great article!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. littleredbear

ohh that cupcakes soap!! adorable.

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. CarryTheWord

Love the waffle bowl ice cream!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. swellvintage

great selection! x

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ZestyB

Earth soap is clever! nice collection

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. PussDaddy

I am loving all the soaps!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. DKAS

Love them all!!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. ThePeachTree

Oh yeah :) Sunbasilgarden's soaps are fantastic! I'm sooo guilty of soap gifting my entire family....

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. SpaTherapy

humm... handmade SOAP!!!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. akendall1

A couple missing from the list I think:

Lavendar Mint, all natural: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Lemon Spice Chef's Soap: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Hot Apple Pie: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. creatini

wow!! those soaps are awesome, so clever.

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. Sinta

The soap sellers in etsy are very creative! I love the original ideas they come up with ^_^ I heart those cupcake soaps!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. BlueFlameDesigns

I didn't think soap could be this interesting.....

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. sassalynne

Oh dear, what about spottedcow soaps and those of agoodwitchtoo. This article hardly scratches the surface. There are some others that are really novel, delicious AND GOOD.

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. KreatedbyKarina

Awesome article! I always tell my customers--once you try handmade soap, you'll NEVER want store-bought soap again!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. fernfiddlehead

Yay for HelloCrafty and the other soap makers!!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. pinkshowercurtain

They all look so delicious, I want to eat them. Especially the cupcakes. Love the Budha soap on a roap!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. glamasaurus

I love the cupcake soaps!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. saralagace

Dennis Anderson's soaps are amazing!!!!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. isewcute

I think it must have been a hard job to pick only 10 from all of the fabulous soapers here at etsy... here are a few I wish had made the list!
grumpygirl ...love her lollipopguild soap!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
abreathoffrench ...for saving my hands from the winter elements!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=...
pixiesoap ...for a soap so gentle my Mother in Law can use it!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=...

I'll probably never buy commercial soap again! Love how it looks, smells, & makes me feel!

:^D

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. LaveMeSoapCo

<---------
soap you won't find elsewhere

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. SoapScentsations

wow! look at all those soapies!! Great stuff everyone!
Soap here too <--------

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. MadeByLaura

I love all of the soap and soap makers on Etsy I could never pick only 10.

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. LaveMeSoapCo

yea, no way to pick ten, maybe 100

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. bunnybuttapothecary

Hmmm...should soap smell like talc? Good thing we have so many lovely smelling soap choices on etsy ;)

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. jadewicks

Mmmm, soap and soap and more soap! Love it!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. HiJinx

Be sure and visit http://www.abreathoffrenchair.etsy.com
and http://www.crazytimescandles.etsy.com

I've purchased from both of these awesome shops :)

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. LoopyDolls

It's just the oddest feeling when a bar of soap makes you feel hungry! I just bought some soap that looks like an ice-cream sunday:)

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. christinececelia

AWESOME!
I love hand made soap!
these are great ones too!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. bagladiesinpa

There really isn't anything like using a good handmade soap! One of my most favorite soap sellers, and an Etsy-oldie, is Daisycakessoap. She's rocks!!
http://www.daisycakessoapetsy.com

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. bagladiesinpa

gaah! 'She rocks!'
(She's NOT rocks.)

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. LaveMeSoapCo

daisy does rock! i looove her brandy lip balm!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. automaton

dear family,
i'm so sorry i bought you such plain looking soap last christmas. it was still handmade and smelled wonderful.
i hope you can forgive me.

Dec. 18, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. swanmountainsoaps

How funny that someone could consider soap dull. It's one of the most exciting things I acn think of!!! =D

OH .... maybe you meant *commercial* soap is dull. I get it. Well, since that's not really even soap, I can understand not getting excited over that. But *handmade soap* ... that's like heroin!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. EJPcreations

I love the budda soap!!!!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. SudsNSuch

Yay soap!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. mmmmhandmadesoap


Theres just nothing quite like good handmade soaps!!!

Love & Bubbles from the UK
Joanne & Sara

Dec. 18, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. BathArtisanSoaps

<--- Exciting soaps made here!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. showertreatsoap

Handmade soap dull? Wha? Let's see, the dullest gift I received last year had to be the Wal-Mart gift card.

Beautiful soaps!!!!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. Vanessa

showertreatsoap, she was saying that your average soap is dull, but handmade soaps are starting a sudsy renaissance!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. SoapScentsations

I don't know any dull soapers! Lively bunch full of punch!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. nanouke

Soaps are one of the best things I like to get, but only handmade soaps :)
You arranged a fabulous list of soaps here!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. krugsecologic

Check out my handmade vs. commercial soap experiment, too:

http://krugsecologic.blogspot.com

I'm not a comfortable girl today :)

Dec. 18, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. 4TheSparrowsNest

The soap sellers here on Etsy are SO creative. I Loooooove to see what people can do with soap!! It's amazing!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. IcingOnTheCupcake

The soaps that I have purchased from Etsy are great... love dennisandersons pear scented!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. GingerbellsBathShop

Handmade soap makes my skin and hair feel happy. I love making it and knowing only good things are being used on my family's skin. There are so many awesome soap makers here on Etsy that there is no reason to use chemical detergent bars from the store.

Dec. 18, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. FluteTeacher

The octopus is great!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. pinkparchmentsoaps

Handmade soap rocks! Great article

Dec. 18, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. laralewis

i love the blackberry sage soap! it's lovely!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. voleurdebijoux

cupcake soaps!! yummmmmmyyy :)

Dec. 18, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. JewlLi

this etsy seller also has great soaps! I will never buy mass produced soap in a store ever again! :)
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=...

Dec. 18, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. TheCottageCheese

I want them all.

Dec. 18, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. art2theextreme

I have bought from three of these sellers! AWESOME!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. megach

Didn't realize you could do so much with soap! All very clever...

Dec. 18, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. greenhavensoaps

I love handmade soap so much that I make it myself!
www.greenhavensoaps.etsy.com

Dec. 18, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. BluCille

I really have a thing for soap lately. These are awesome.
FREE SHIPPING in my shop with purchase of any two or more items until December 21st! Expedited available.

Dec. 18, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. DancingMooney

Soap here too! ♥

I love the stuff so much I had to start making it myself... hehee
:D

Dec. 18, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. MayleesGarden

All the soaps here look awesome!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. andreanne12

I love soap!!! Nice article.

Dec. 18, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. LittleMamasDesigns

Double yay for cupcake soaps!!!

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. EarthBabyDesigns

I love the world soap and the little frogs. :-) For those of you with extra dry skin (like my son and me) you can't beat soapdeli's soap. http://soapdeli.etsy.com

Dec. 18, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. VintageVeg

Whew! Here I've gone and purchased handmade soaps, lip balms, and candles for teacher gifts worrying all the while that it wasn't cool. Purchased from a few showcased here...all really awesome.

Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. Faeorain

Had to buy some more soap tonight. It's my favorite thing here on Etsy : )

Dec. 19, 2008 at 3:03 a.m. Ananya

Nice gifts for friends. Yummy! : P

Dec. 19, 2008 at 4:52 a.m. Iammie

lovely!

Dec. 19, 2008 at 4:55 a.m. blinkingmouse

Whoops I never meant to imply that handmade soap is dull! Mass produced soap is such a dull present in general (always square, always suppousedly lavendar scented but smells exactly like talc).

Obviously Etsy sellers all have unique selling points, that's what make Etsy such a fantastically diverse place.
If you find a soap bar that is square on Etsy it will come in a fantastic colour or scent. If a bar says it's lavendar soap it will actually smell of lavendar and what's more it will be a rich scent that you can smell afetr you've washed your hands. If you find unscented soap it will be in a fantastic shape or have some other unique selling point. You're beating the mass produced market down in so many ways, especially as your soap doesn't dry out whatever it touches!

It was amazingly hard to choose just 10 for this pick and I'm going to be sure to check out the sellers mentioned in the comments to educate myself about what's available on Etsy. I'd also like to use the comments to add one more soap you should check out, especially if you have kids, Exploding Frogs - (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...).

Hope that's cleared up how I feel about the soap sellers here.

Dec. 19, 2008 at 5:43 a.m. pixiepotions

Yay for soap! :D

Dec. 19, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. LilyBaySoap

Exploding frog soap = the coolest thing EVER!

Dec. 19, 2008 at 7 a.m. sweetestpea

Handmade soap is the best. I haven't bought soap from a store since I discovered Etsy!

I'll have to second the mention for daisy cakes soap. JM is a pleasure to work with. Buying soap on Etsy is like getting presents in the mail for me. :)

http://daisycakessoap.etsy.com

Dec. 19, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. HelloCrafty

holy cow! you like me! you really like me!!

I'm honored to be here with so many AMAZING soap sellers!! You can always find great soap here on Etsy, every seller has something different to offer that's just fabulous!

Happy Holidays to everyone and a Soapy New Year!

Dec. 19, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. beautifulbridget

Woohoo, I see GudonyaToo up there and she is the best! I only buy my soaps here on Etsy now and she is the first one I go to! You just HAVE TO try her Floap and her Whipped Clean!

Dec. 19, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. PixieSoap

Isewcute - Thank you so much!!

I have been addicted to making handmade soap for many years. I am also addicted to buying from my fellow soapers here on Etsy!

I love all my soaper pals. We are all very supportive of each other and we know we are making some great stuff for both people and the environment.

We put ANY mass produced products to shame!

Dec. 19, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. SoapStore

Wow, what a cool little article about my favorite subject: Handmade Soaps. Congrats to everyone mentioned, and thanks to etsy for including my peppermint twist soap.

Dec. 19, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. RachelRene

Awesome article! Handmade soap rocks!! And there is a huge selection to choose from here on Etsy!!

Dec. 19, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. stinkybomb

yay soap makers of etsy!

Dec. 19, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. TwinDreamCreations

Yay soaps! I was wondering why our Octopus soap was getting so many views :)

Dec. 19, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. PacificParadiseSoap

I sell some awesome soaps too!

Dec. 19, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. moodygurl

I like bars of soaps too....just not the mass produced kind. That's not even technically soap. I loves me some Etsy soaps, even the rectangular bars!!

Dec. 19, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. sunbasilgarden

Etsy has the best handmade soaps under one roof! There is trully something for every taste, style and need. Thrilled to be included here. Happy Holidays and enjoy the bubbles!

Dec. 19, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. ElegantHobbies

Love Lilybaysoap... Especially the Pear and Pink Sugar.. Great Shop..

Dec. 20, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. jmillenLovesToKnit

How in the world did you miss Daisycakes soap??? that was my first thought.. looks like I'm not the first one to notice. SHe was one of your featured sellers a while back, no?

Dec. 20, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. themefragrance

etsy has the best soapmakers in the world!
i am impressed!

Dec. 20, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. waisze

i love soap especially handmade!

Dec. 21, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. faeriemadesoaps

oh nice :) love handmade soaps!

Dec. 21, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. suzyqandsallytoo

Handmade soaps rock!! I won't use anything else. My skin is baby soft since I made the switch! :)

Dec. 21, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. aromaticbodyoils

Hurrah to handmade soaps!

Dec. 21, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. jamieshelman

the soaps are beautiful!

Dec. 22, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. jodieflowers

WOW! Love them all!

Dec. 23, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. BirdWatching

I love all the soaps available on here! How cool!

Dec. 24, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. PDXfabricdeli

I tried some of these soaps....they were a smashing hit in my house. "Oh, what kind of donuts did you.......".

Dec. 25, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. go2girl

Etsy has the best selection anywhere! My favorite is not featured here but it is etsy seller DaisyCakes and I love their lip balm too.

Dec. 29, 2008 at 2:32 a.m. SallyRags

Yummy!!

Jan. 10, 2009 at 7:01 a.m. hanginmoon

I afraid that we gonna buy other soap for the soap purpose.
Definitely those soap are for collector not for shower

Jan. 15, 2009 at 6:52 a.m. kitchenappliances

Love posh soap!

Jan. 22, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. JaneAndJT

I love all the beautiful soap especially the cupcakes and the octopus!!

Jan. 30, 2009 at 11:19 p.m. Quiltingdiva

I'm addicted to soaps! I am so impressed with what these artisans accomplish in soap - FABULOUS!!

Feb. 17, 2009 at 1:26 p.m. DuckySoaps

Etsy has some of the most fabulous handmade and creative soaps I've ever seen with a quality second to none! I'm very honored to have been included and think http://www.abreathoffrenchair.etsy.com is another fabulous soapmaker you should definately check out!

Feb. 17, 2009 at 3:39 p.m. MarkItPlace

I found this a little late, but was so thrilled to see one of my favorite shops, DuckySoaps, heading up the list. I purchased the "Duck of the Month" for my 4-yr-old granddaughter, and what a smashing hit! She waits for the next ducky every month, and what a treat to see her getting excited to get something from the old fashion mail box... PRICELESS!!

Feb. 28, 2009 at 3:12 a.m. dragonflydreams777

Etsy Soaps are Totally Sud-Rif-fiC ! ! @ !

Feb. 28, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. seaspritesoaps

There really are sooo many wonderful soaps on Etsy! Thanks for including my Sampler! :)

March 29, 2009 at 11:39 a.m. SweetpeaCottage

Great Article! Beautiful Soaps!

March 29, 2009 at 11:44 a.m. BusyBeeBumbleBeads

Absolutely YUMMY!!! I love soaps!

May 2, 2009 at 7:06 p.m. StardustLove

Wonderful! I especially love soaps from sellers like Besem Natural Scents where a portion of the proceeds are donated to charity. These soaps that have been picked out are beautiful!

May 4, 2009 at 1:55 p.m. mybirch

So many wonderful soapers here on Etsy! Great Spotlight!

May 12, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. littlepinkpebble

wow~!! Amazing feature~!!

May 14, 2009 at 12:21 a.m. BeckyJoyArtist

Wow!! I love soaps. Some originals here.

May 24, 2009 at 4:58 p.m. MommyTyme

There are a ton of great soap Sellers here on Etsy - and as a soap and bath products creator, the competition is tough! I think you did a fantastic job of picking out some really unique items. I agree that soap here on Etsy is definitely one of a kind. What drew me in to making spa type products is the fact that I love them! I love to try new custom items and experience selfish indulgence! Loved the article

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