Beauty in the Handmade
In recent years there has been a definite shift in the way that people choose to shop. The days of shopping for gifts in large stores seem to be on the way out and instead, people are turning to small, independent businesses who offer more unique products and a more personal service. People are also becoming more aware of the need to look after and support the planet, with many of us trying to use less plastic or perhaps even going vegan.
Nestled in the Sussex countryside is a small business who are embracing this change and have created a brand where eco-friendly values are at the heart of what they create. The Sussex Handmade Soap Company was formed in 2019 in Hastings by friends Anne and Wayne. Every product that they produce has been lovingly handcrafted by them and the best part is that their entire range is palm oil free, cruelty free and wrapped in eco-friendly packaging. The majority of their items are vegan too.
Their classic range of soaps are created using the traditional cold process method, a soap making method that has remained relatively unchanged for centuries. The bars are created using natural ingredients, scented with essential oils and coloured with plant based colourants. They have also created a visually impressive selection of special edition soaps managing to capture Pett Level Beach and The Seven Sisters in soap form using their own scraping and sculpting technique.
Since 2019 Anne and Wayne have grown their small business into an award-winning company – they took a bronze medal at the Freefrom Skincare Awards 2020 for their ‘Dead Sea Clay’ soap bar. Their range now includes over fifty different items, including soaps, salt bars, body butters, foaming sugar scrubs and bath bombs and they are stocked in more than twenty shops and attractions across the South. Their competitively priced gift sets make a wonderful present for a loved one and their bath bombs delight both children and adults alike! Customers love not only the products but also the handmade aspect of the range.
Despite growing in size, the company is still solely run by just Anne and Wayne and they have remained true to their ethics with palm oil and traditional plastics both still firmly on their banned list. When reflecting on how their business has evolved, Anne says “We know how hard life has been, and we are so thankful to everyone who chooses to support us. We absolutely love what we do and none of it would be possible without our customers. We are so excited to see what the future holds for our business.”
The Sussex Handmade Soap Company’s products are available through their website.
