I started making candles in 2000 to supplement the income I made as a web and graphic designer. I loved everything about candles. The texture. The colors. And of course the scent! So - I spent thousands of hours doing research on how to make the best candle and how to market and sell them. As my web design business took off, I had less and less time to devote to candles and I eventually started to regret not making it a priority. It was something I really loved doing and I missed it. So - early in 2007 I decided it get back into the game.

While shopping for supplies and researching new items, I ran across info about Natural Handmade Soap and the benefits it provides. It’s better for your skin and it’s better for the environment. The fact that I could make it smell like anything I wanted it to was a huge plus as there’s nothing like showering with your favorite fragrances every morning. I was hooked!

I set out to do the research. There was a lot to learn. The chemical processes, the properties of oils and what each one adds the the soap, not to mention all of the colorant and fragrance choices. I read every book I could get my hands on and every post on every forum about soap I could find. I joined email list discussion and visited hundreds of sites created by other soapmakers. Thousands of hours of research and many $$$ later - I made my very first soap. I’ve never looked back. I was immediately addicted.

This site is an effort to give back to the community that helped me learn the craft. I hope that it will somehow bring attention to the handmade soap industry and it’s very talented soap artists. I’d also like it to be a good resource for new soapmakers to learn and develop their own soaping styles.

Marr Williams - aka Smelly Chick

Contact Marr Williams: marr@smellychicksonline.com