Craft, Integrity, and the Roots of Traditional Soapmaking

One of the greatest joys of working with artisans is seeing how simple ingredients become something meaningful in the hands of a dedicated maker.

For this edition of our Artisan Spotlight, we’re proud to introduce Lana, founder of SoapRoots, a handcrafted soap brand built on patience, creativity, and a deep respect for traditional methods.

What began as curiosity about a single bar of handmade soap eventually grew into a craft Lana has been refining for more than fifteen years.

Discovering the Power of Real Soap

Lana’s journey started when her mother returned from a trip with a bar of handmade soap.

It smelled fresh and herbal, and unlike the body washes she had grown up using, it left her skin feeling soft rather than dry. The experience sparked her curiosity about traditional soapmaking.

When the bar ran out, Lana began researching how to recreate it herself.

Her first experiments began with melt-and-pour soap, but she soon realized she wanted to learn the traditional method that produces true soap: cold process soapmaking, where oils and lye combine through saponification to create a finished bar.

Completely self-taught, Lana learned through research, experimentation, and years of practice. What started as soap for herself and her family slowly grew as friends and neighbors began asking for bars of their own.

The Meaning Behind SoapRoots

The name SoapRoots reflects where Lana’s maker journey began.

Soapmaking was the first craft she truly fell in love with, and she wanted the origins of her work to remain part of the brand itself.

Over time, what started as a small Etsy shop grew into a thoughtful handmade business focused on quality ingredients, careful craftsmanship, and strong customer relationships.

A Process Built on Patience

Each SoapRoots bar begins with grass-fed tallow, specifically suet sourced from a local farm.

Rather than purchasing pre-rendered tallow, Lana renders the suet herself, a process that takes an entire day before soapmaking even begins.

After the soap is poured, it is cut within 24–48 hours and placed on curing racks for three or more weeks. During this time the bars harden and develop the smooth, long-lasting qualities that traditional tallow soaps are known for.

SoapRoots is truly a one-woman studio, where Lana designs, labels, and packages every bar herself.

Patchouli + Geranium: Earth and Floral in Balance

For this collaboration with The Essential Oil Company, Lana created a bar featuring Patchouli and Geranium essential oils.

Patchouli brings a deep, earthy character that evokes woods, soil, and fresh rain. Geranium adds a soft floral brightness that lifts the blend and creates balance.

Together, the two create a scent that feels both grounding and elegant, like walking through a garden just after rainfall.

A Philosophy of Honesty

If Lana had to describe SoapRoots in one word, it would be honesty.

From sourcing local suet to choosing high-quality oils, every step reflects a commitment to transparency and craftsmanship. It’s a philosophy that shows up in every bar she creates.

We’re grateful to work alongside makers like Lana who transform simple ingredients into products people truly enjoy using.

You can explore Lana’s work and follow her creations online at SoapRoots, and stay tuned as we continue to share stories from the artisans who bring our oils to life.

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