Nettlesome Life Blog

What do a Stradivarius and Soap have in common?

April 27, 2026

For the past two months I’ve been attending local networking groups to try to get the word out about Nettlesome Pantry my herbal handcrafted soap shop. I have met so... Read more...

The Art of Thoughtful Corporate Gifting

March 11, 2026

In recent years, I’ve noticed a quiet shift in the way people think about giving. Whether it’s for friends, family, or colleagues, there’s a growing desire to give fewer things,... Read more...

In the Studio: Photographing My Soap

December 2, 2024

Behind the scenes of Nettlesome Pantry When you run a small business and it’s a one person operation you get to do all the jobs until you make enough money... Read more...

The Back Story Behind My New Carrot Soap

March 27, 2024

Why Buying Artisan Soap is Better than Commercial Soap It’s taken a full year to create the new “Gardener’s Delight” soap. It started when I harvested a quart bag worth... Read more...

whole loaves of soap on a counter top with a cutting box and knives

Summer Soaps are Coming!

March 11, 2024

It’s been quite a while since I’ve talked about soaps here on the blog. I’ve been mostly doing that in the newsletter. If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter... Read more...

Behind the Scenes_ The Product Photography

October 12, 2023

Running a small business has so many corollaries with being a stay at home mom (or dad). You say your job is stay at home parent, but really your job... Read more...

three soap bars surround by spices on a wooden tray

New Soap In the Shop! "Mulled Cider"

September 1, 2023

Warming herbal soap for fall days The newest edition to my fall line up of soaps is here! “Mulled Cider” is spicy and warm and makes you feel like your... Read more...

Let’s Talk About Orangutans

December 27, 2022

Why I don’t use palm oil in my soaps. Alright, this a more serious topic, one I hope will help explain why my handcrafted soaps cost double what you can... Read more...

What happens when you don't store your soap properly?

November 22, 2022

“How do I store my soap and what happens if I don’t store it properly?” This is a question I get asked a lot. The easy answer is the dreaded... Read more...

How to Care for your Handmade Soap

February 24, 2022

How to Care for Your Handcrafted Soap Handmade soap is not a commodity—it’s a small, daily luxury. Crafted without synthetic hardeners or fillers, each bar is rich in skin‑loving oils,... Read more...