In our most recent homestead blog post article, we get to chat with Jennifer and Colleen, from Sea Wolf Soaps and Bath Creations in Abbotsford, check out their story below and consider connecting with them on social media and at the local farmer’s markets throughout the area.
Who are you, where do you live, and what do you appreciate about operating your craft business?
Our names are Jennifer and Colleen, and we reside in Abbotsford, BC.
We adore creating excellent products that enable people to indulge and treat themselves and others. We also take pleasure in meeting new individuals who visit our booth and other vendors each week at the market.
How did your journey of making products commence, and do you have any helpful advice for those considering starting?
Our journey began when we lived on Northern Vancouver Island, where my mother, Colleen, started taking new medications that caused her skin to easily become irritated by commercial products. The first product I developed was an Oatmeal & Shea bar to alleviate her irritated and dry skin. As time passed, family requests diversified from scrubs for the shower to fun tub items like our Hedgehog soaps and products for men. Our inspirations stem not only from products for my mother but from the needs of our entire family.
For those looking to get started: Do your research. Acquaint yourself with different oils, butters, essential oils, and more before you begin.
What products do you offer from your home and where can they be purchased?
We provide a variety of items including fun-shaped soaps, bath bombs, balms, creams & lotions, and scrubs. These can be procured at the Market – we frequently set up at the Abbotsford Farm & Country Market. We also accept custom requests via email and offer shipping.
What are the advantages of using your products?
By using our products, you’re supporting a local small business and reminding yourself to indulge with a product that not only makes your skin feel good but also makes you feel good about supporting women in small businesses.
How do they differ from products that others might be using?
Our products are not commercially made and thus lack the additives often found in commercial products.
What are they composed of?
Our soaps are vegetable glycerine-based.
Our creams & lotions are composed of natural butters and oils.
Our balms are a blend of natural butters, oils, and beeswax.
Our bath bombs are made from citric acid, corn starch, witch hazel, and kaolin clay.
Our scrubs have either a salt or sugar base combined with natural oils.
This is why our products, being heat-sensitive, must be treated differently from commercial products. They may melt.
What are the perks of operating a small, home-based craft business for you and/or your family?
We appreciate having control over the ingredients and products we use and create. We enjoy making items that we not only sell but also use ourselves, and we appreciate the flexibility of operating at a pace that accommodates our health conditions. We also enjoy meeting new people and staying engaged in the community.
Who are some crafters who inspire you to improve and try new things?
I am always inspired by other soap makers. Soap making allows for immense creativity and there are so many ways to produce soaps – cold process, hot process, and melt & pour (glycerine-based).
What is the key life lesson that running your own business has taught you about yourself?
Running my own business has taught me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, even when it scares me.
Outside of crafting, what activities do you enjoy in your free time?
Jennifer: I often spend time with my mini-Labradoodle, Kona, cultivate herbs in our patio garden, explore Abbotsford with my nephews (ages 9 & 13), and photograph local pets and the nature that surrounds us.
Colleen: I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren, teaching them how to bake and can fruits and jams. I also enjoy making suncatchers and earrings from beads and natural stones and tending to my patio garden and houseplants.
Finally, is there anything else you want people to know about you or your business?
We want to express our gratitude to our wonderful market community and all our amazing customers for their support as we relocated our venture from Northern Vancouver Island to Abbotsford! We are excited to continue creating products for them to indulge themselves and their loved ones year-round.
We value feedback – both positive and negative, as well as ideas, so we can continue creating products that they love as much as we do.
For more info, follow them on Instagram, Facebook and visit their website
Wild Bluebell Homestead is a charming hobby farm located in Abbotsford that offers a range of hand-made artisanal products, curated vintage furniture, sourdough bread, and other homemade items. The homestead is dedicated to creating unique and high-quality products that are beautiful, functional, and long-lasting, plus each item is carefully crafted with attention to detail. Customers can expect a warm and welcoming experience and a range of products that are perfect for adding a touch of rustic charm to any home.
