In May I went to the 2017 HSCG Soap Conference in Las Vegas and met Mary and her production manager Melissa. She and Melissa sat behind me and we started chatting. When she told me she was from Warrenton, Virginia and had a shop there, I knew I had to visit Simply Pure Products. My daughter and son-in-law live also in Warrenton too and we try to go down often.
It didn’t take too long for me to find Mary’s place. Simply Pure Products is in a shopping center next to a winery and a brewery. (I see beer and wine soap in Mary’s future!) One side of the shop is a salon and spa, and the other is where Mary sells her products. Once of the stylists is also a tattoo artist and Mary made a room for her to work. (I’ll admit I’ve been thinking of getting a tattoo recently, but I didn’t take the step on my visit.)
I absolutely loved her curing racks. She painted them with chalk board paint and can change the names of the curing soap. I have to say, they are much prettier than mine.
I bought some cool stuff there. Mary’s sales associate Eliana helped me pick out some Baby Balm, a eucalyptus and lemon bath fizzie and some Healing Hand Balm. She and Mary gave me a big smile as she packed my goodies. I visited with my husband and grandson, so I couldn’t stay too long. Fifteen month old boys have a pretty short attention span.
I’m grateful for soap conferences. I’ve met so many wonderful people because of them. If I’m traveling somewhere, I can usually find another soap maker to visit with. Mary was so gracious when I visited. She showed me her production area and I got to meet her son. Her shop is beautiful.
What are you grateful for this week?
Yours in Gratitude,
Angela
Sounds like such a fun trip! I love some of the names of her soaps. Yes conferences are a great place to meet fellow soapers.
She does have some cool soap names Marilyn. If you’re ever on your way back up to Long Island stop by and check out Mary’s shop. And then remember to come see me!
I love seeing soapmakers getting together and supporting each other. Looks like a fun time.
Me too Donna. I love the idea of collaboration instead of competition.
I’m going away with two great ideas from this post. Love the chalkboard curing rack and may give it a try with the little chalkboards that can be clothes pinned on, as my racks are not wood. Also, trying to visit soapmakers along the way when taking a trip.
Janie I loved those curing racks with the chalkboard! I usually tape a little piece of paper to each rack and them put that paper into the box once the soaps are done curing. But Mary’s racks looked so pretty I may change how I do things. And I like to connect with other soap makers when I travel if I can manage it. I think you will too.