Today’s Indie Artist Fixx is with Lisa Chouinard of Feto Soap. Lisa makes handmade soap in small batches and is probably best know for her Feto Soap and her food scented soaps, both of which have been featured in FHM Magazine, in the Chicago Tribune, on HGTV – That’s Clever! and more. I’ve been a fan of Feto Soap for about five years now and my favorite soap is the Man Smell soap…it’s not just for guys! What’s your favorite?
Read more about Feto Soap in my interview with Lisa below.
1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?
Feto Soap. I create handmade bath and body products.
2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?
I started making soap in the summer of 2003 as a hobby and was posting pictures and instructions of my projects to online craft forums. Many of the people weren’t interested in making their own soap, but they liked my soap and asked if they could buy what I was making. People started sending me money and I sent them soap in exchange. A few months later I got legit – I registered my DBA (business name), obtained my resellers license and opened up a business bank account for the company to start properly managing my finances. In the beginning my goal was to make enough money to keep in supplies. I met and exceeded that goal a few years ago and am in the process of making new goals, defining myself and my company. It has been and continues to be an amazing learning experience.
3. What’s the creative process like for you?
In the beginning I would just make soap with whatever I had on hand to see what I could come up with. When I started out what I envisioned didn’t always translate to what I was making. Here’s an example: I was trying to make a soap light-purple to match the fragrance – relaxing and it came out blue-veined instead when I added heat and clay to it. It came out beautifully even though it was not what I had planned. I had a naming contest for the soap and the winner received the bar they named. (Avocado Clay Spa) Now most of my ideas come out closer or exactly how I visualize them, but only because I’ve done a TON of experimentation in my workspace.
At this point I have so many ideas for bath and body formulations I write them down (when I remember to) and then crank them out when I have the time.
4. If you could meet 5 famous or infamous people (dead or alive) who would they be?
I would love to meet the soapmaking gurus out there! C. Kalia Westerman – the author of Melt & Mold Soap Crafting. It was one of the first books I purchased in my soapmaking journey and still inspires me to this day. Anne-Marie Faiola of Bramble Berry, Debbie May of Wholesale Supplies Plus, Alicia Grosso – author of The Everything Soapmaking Book. I’m attending the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Conference this April and will hopefully meet Anne-Marie, Debbie & Alicia. They will be presenting/speaking there.
5. Tell us one funny/goofy/silly thing about yourself.
I have a really hard time differentiating between left and right. I have to look down at my left hand and make an L palm down to check.
6. What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?
The Best: I get to make soap all the time!
The Worst: I have to wash lots and lots of soapy dishes by hand.
7. What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at?
Blogs: Hello, my name is blog, Soap Queen (Anne-Marie Faiola of Bramble Berry) & Lifehack.org
Mags: BUST, Readymade and Craft
Shops: H&M is my favorite store. Thankfully, they do not have a store in Houston, TX yet or else I would be spending most of my discretionary income there.
8. Were you an artsy craftsy kid? If so, what kinds of things did you do?
Yes! I made collages, drew and made beaded jewelery.
9. List 3 things you wish you had if you ever become stranded on a deserted island?
I’d wish for a knife so I can feed and protect myself, and a pencil and notepad to record all the ideas I have for when I am no longer stranded on the island. Or to plan my escape. Whatever comes to mind first.
10. What does indie mean to you? You can give a literal definition, choose to be a little esoteric or a combination of both. 😉
Indie means handmade – by people like you and me, and not out of some big factory.
11. What are you reading, watching and listening to?
I sort of read everything. Mostly non-fiction. I’m reading Introducing Jung right now. I’m watching Project Runway, and listening to The Finches, The Shins and Of Montreal and have a daily dose of NPR.
12. What are your inspirations?
Some of my inspirations are food and candy. I saw lemon bars in the case at the local cafe, and the gears in my head started whirring… I have a square mold, lemon fragrance & powdered sugar… I can make Lemon Bar Soap! Another time this happened chocolate mints arrived at the end of a meal. I went home and made… Chocolate Mint Soap with peppermint essential oil and added cocoa powder to my chocolate soap.
13. What’s new for 2008? Any new plans or products that you want to share?
I’m doing some R&D on some new soap formulations right now. I’m planning on changing up the soaps I make from scratch to contain more body loving butters like Shea and Cocoa. I’m also planning on adding limited edition artisanal soaps to my line.
Squeel! Not only a new source of my favourite indie product (SOAP), but someone else who has to do the L thumb check! I’m not alone!
I love the fetus ones!