Life & Work with Ellen Dahl

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Dahl.

Ellen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started soapmaking as a homeschool chemistry lesson – take something oily add something caustic and you get something gentle and cleansing! I loved making soap and it quickly became a hobby that grew into a small business.

My first steps into the business world of soaping were to sell at farmer’s markets and local craft shows. Then the website and social media venues came along after I knew this was something I seriously wanted to make happen.

I’ve been a YouTube creator for several years now, and thoroughly enjoy the “teaching” side of the creative process as much as the actual making. I’ve expanded into other bath and beauty products as well as candles & wax melts. But Soap is still my main passion and love!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For me, the biggest struggle has been learning technology. I’m a one-person show, so I had to learn to run my website, film and edit video content, create labels & designs… It’s been my biggest challenge.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in small-batch, artisan soap. Cold process soap to be specific. I’m known for my “side stamp” logo on all my bars and my swirling technique. I work with local products when I can, like local raw honey, or farm-fresh raw goat milk…

I’ve had many requests for wholesale or bulk production, but I have to stay true to my vision which is “small”. Each batch is thought out, designed, and is unique. It’s like “soap art”, each bar is hand-cut, trimmed, and stamped by me. It’s very personal, I put a lot of love into each batch.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m an extreme introvert, who loves nothing more than a cup of coffee and a good book. Although my personality is outgoing and bright, my comfort zone is home. I’m a total homebody.

Pricing:

• Artisan bar soap $8.00
• Bath Bombs $5-7

Contact Info:

• Email: ellenruthsoap@gmail.com
• Website: ellenruthsoap.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenruthsoap/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCu2X30DaxV69q9wjKTM6Omw

Image Credits
Rebekkah Dubois