About Us

Crafted in the woods of New Hampshire. Inspired by curiosity, fueled by herbs, and made with heart.

Hi, I’m Karen—owner, soapmaker, and the hands (and heart) behind Hemlock Springs Soaps. My journey into soapmaking started a bazillion years ago as a Girl Scout, rendering tallow for a funky little bar I proudly gifted to my parents (who, bless them, hid it in a bathroom cabinet for years). That bar was hideous—but it planted the seed.

Fast forward to 1999: I was feeling the itch to create something real again. No Pinterest. No YouTube tutorials. Just a pile of library books, a sketchy list of ingredients, and a whole lot of nervous energy about working with lye. That first “real” batch took me eight hours and a whole bottle of courage—but I was hooked. Soapmaking grabbed me and never let go.

What began as a hobby quickly turned into a passion… and eventually a full-time business. In 2013, I left the corporate world behind and transformed Hemlock Springs Cottage into Hemlock Springs Soaps, where I’ve been crafting small-batch, herbally-inspired goat milk soaps ever since.

What We Believe In:

✦ Ingredients you can pronounce (and that your skin will actually like)
✦ Craftsmanship that respects tradition and creativity
✦ Animal-friendly living—our soaps are always cruelty-free, and our rescue kitties and backyard chickens keep things cozy
✦ Small-batch, slow-made skincare that feels good and does good

We’re nestled in the quiet woods of New Hampshire, where the winters are long, the stars shine bright, and the soap pot is always bubbling with something magical. It’s just me and my husband here—along with our sweet crew of “handicats,” chickens who think they’re house pets, and a few invertebrates who keep life weird and wonderful.

And yes... I still have a tiny sliver of that very first soap I made all those years ago. It’s a reminder of where it started—and how far a little curiosity and courage can go.

Thanks for being here. Your skin (and your shower) are about to get a serious upgrade.

—Karen
Soapmaker | Owner | Reluctant Winter Shoveler

Hemlock Springs Soaps, LLC

 

2020 Update: On Nov. 5, 2018 we purchased Tangled Roots Herbal in Nashua, NH. It's a quaint and quirky and incredibly fun herbal apothecary shop, metaphysical gifts, jewelry, candles and is the new retail home of our soap (and I'm making soap in the basement when I have a minute!)