Felt Maker's Journey: From Felt-Making to Soapmaking

What Has Soap-Making Got to Do with Felt-Making?

At first glance, soap-making and felt-making might seem worlds apart. But in truth, soap is at the very heart of traditional wet felting. You simply cannot felt without it.

For many years, I used commercially made olive oil and goat milk soaps in my felting practice. Over time, however, my hands began to suffer. I developed persistent dermatitis that no cream or remedy could soothe. As someone who works daily with natural fibres and water, this became more than uncomfortable—it threatened my ability to keep making.

When Necessity Leads to Craft

Out of sheer desperation, I decided to learn how to make my own olive oil soap.

I cleared my cupboards of commercial soaps and dishwashing detergents and replaced them entirely with my own handmade soap. The result was nothing short of life-changing. My dermatitis cleared completely, and my hands became clean, soft, and comfortable again—something I hadn’t experienced in years.

That moment changed everything.

Handmade Olive Oil Soap, From Farm to Bar

Today, my natural olive oil soaps are made in my farm kitchen using Australian-grown extra virgin olive oil and beautiful, high-quality essential oils sourced from Ahisma. Each batch is made slowly and thoughtfully, then cured for a minimum of three months, ensuring a hard, long-lasting bar that’s gentle on the skin.

I use mainly essential oil harmonic blends, which means the scent lingers beautifully without being overpowering—natural, balanced, and grounding.

Soap-Making as Aromatherapy

Soap-making has become one of my quiet joys. It’s creative, tactile, and feels like an aromatherapy session all on its own. Choosing blends is the hardest part—I genuinely love them all.

Lavender will always have my heart for its calming, restorative qualities. But I also adore the uplifting citrus warmth of mandarin paired with earthy patchouli. Each blend brings its own mood, its own moment of calm.

Made to Be Used, Loved, and Gifted

I’m so happy to be able to share these natural olive oil soaps with others. They make thoughtful, practical gifts—something beautiful that will actually be used and enjoyed.

They’ve become a much-loved product at my local handmade craft store, Creative Gunning, and are also available on the Bbohe website as a soap trio, perfect for gifting or indulging yourself.

Sometimes the most meaningful creations begin with a problem that needs solving. For me, soap-making was born from necessity—and grew into another way of sharing care, craft, and calm.