Summer House Natural Soaps is a completely independent soap maker on Cape Cod. Now located in the same business park as Cape Cod Beer, Summer House Natural Soaps started in Ann Miller’s garage as a hobby.
Miller describes herself as a “crafty mom” tinkering with gardening and craft hobbies. While on an “18 year maternity break” she stumbled on a recipe for soap and decided to give it a try.
She was first curious about how to transform liquids to solids. “Soap making can be really quite addictive for some people because of the magic of watching something go from one state to another,” said Miller. She finds it ironic since she never enjoyed chemistry in school. “I think they don’t really teach chemistry in a way that girls would find interesting instead of smelly concoctions in a lab.”
She began making soap for friends as gifts and they wanted more. She then branched out to craft fairs and finally found a place to make and sell her soaps.
Summer House Natural Soaps is now in over 100 shops nationwide. In addition to wholesale, Miller said they ship daily to individual customer across the country. “People who visit and tried it and then want to buy it again. Or they’ve been given the soap as a gift and want to continue using it,” said Miller.
It’s easy to see why. The smells are intoxicating. The packaging and art work are high quality. And the soap itself is described as sensual. Commercial soap is often accused of drying out your skin. That doesn’t happen with handmade soap because, “When you make soap from hand you leave the glycerin in which makes it less dry.” Summer House Natural Soaps use better oils than commercial soap such as olive oil and coconut oil. “Each oil has properties that do have an effect on your skin. Because of the glycerin and the oils we use that drying out doesn’t happen.”
Those looking to learn soap making can take part in classes in the off season.
To get more information visit their shop at 1336 Phinneys Lane in Hyannis or their website.
By Rebecca Romo, Lifestyle Reporter CapeCod.com
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