Featured Artist

First, I would like to point out the change in the title of this column. I will still be writing about a different artist every week! And this week's artist is very different - a soap maker!


Here is our interview with Karina!
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Describe what you make?

Handcrafted soaps and lipbalms using quality ingredients, essential and fragrance oils, and catering to men, women and children alike!

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I love working with fragrance and essential oils--there are so many combinations of scents that can be created, and invent some new ones along the way. I also enjoy the cold-process method of making soap, and knowing that every single one of my products was made fresh from scratch--it's relaxing, therapeutic---plus it makes my home smell WONDERFUL in the process!

How long have you been creating craft?

I started making soap 2001.

How did you get started?

I first learned to make soap a few years ago when my husband was sent on a business trip to England. The corporation paid for the wives to go as well as a "show of support" and, well, there was not really a whole lot to do and I didn't want to sit in a hotel room inbetween business dinners and social events. I discovered a place nearby that offered a professional one-day course in soap making and arranged to have a class there. Later on, I took several soap-making courses in Oregon, and continuously read books, learned new techniques, etc. I then joined the Handcrafted Soap Maker's Guild in 2003 which is a great way to network and learn new skills. Lip balms just followed naturally (I started making them last year) as I wanted to offer variety in my store as well. It can be a lot of work, but it's also quite rewarding :)


Where does the name of your shop come from?

Well..my name is Karina..and everything you see in my shop was created from my own two hands....so...the store name KreatedbyKarina naturally followed--rolls off the tongue quite nicely, don't you think?

What would you most want people to know about your work?

It's amazing what a certain scent can make you remember. And feel. Lemon zing makes you refreshed...peppermint; alert. Warm and spicy scents bring an aura of comfort. I love working with new scents. As soon as I get in a shipment of new fragrance oils I tear open the box and immediately open each one to get a full wiff of the essence of what I will be working with. And I write down what it reminds me of...how it makes me feel. It's from there I can take the next step: using it properly to invoke those same feelings and memories in you. I want to capture a moment of life in every single bar. That's most important to me.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Love what you do--keep doing it--and don't ever look back!

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Wonderfully different! This is a shop that you must see and buy from! Take a look at KreatedbyKarina.

While you are at Etsy, come on over and see the new things that have been added to