Super Soapers October "Featured Artist"!!

                                                     Featured Artist:
                                     Andanily Piggott

We want to introduce you to, this month's "Featured Artist", Andanily Piggott. She is the Soap Artist behind SoapMuchLove, LLC, where many of her soaps seem like a "sweet treat" for your skin. We are very lucky to have her as this month's "Featured Artist", and hope everyone enjoys what she has to share with us, as a mom, a Soap Artist, & business woman.
 


Super Soapers: Tell us a little about yourself.

SoapMuchLove: My name is Ada Piggott, I am the crafter behind SoapMuchLove, LLC. All of my products are handmade out of my kitchen in Windermere, Florida USA. I  grew up in Venezuela and moved to The States in 2005 because I enrolled at FAU to do an Intensive English course. I am currently living in the Orlando area with my husband Kurt, and our two little girls, Hannah (4), and Ella (2). I am very friendly, passionate and a perfectionist. My biggest competitor is myself.  I am always experimenting with new techniques, trying to improve the soaps I have made or to make new designs. I am attracted to bright colors, so I love to make modern and unique soap designs.

 

SS: How did you get started in soapmaking?

SML: As a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) I was used to working crazy hours, but it wasn't until the birth of our first daughter, Hannah, that I realized I couldn't take being away from her for a minute, & I didn't want to work anymore. In August 2010, I reconnected with my creative side and developed this passion for handmade soaps. I researched and got more involved into the soapy world every night. My play date moms were my testers, and first clients. In July 2011, with the support of my family, and my husband I decided to take my handmade soap hobby a step further, and created SoapMuchLove, LLC.  

 

SS: Do you CP or MP, & why?

SML: I developed a passion for MP soaps, and initially decided to make MP soaps because I did not want to have Lye around the house with two little ones around.  However, I  fell in love with it  soon after I started.  I love that there is no limits to your creativity when designing a MP soap.  I also like the fact that I am able to participate at any craft fair without having to plan too far in advance.

 

SS: What inspires you most?

SML: Anything! My girls, any pattern, any color combination, magazines, bakery treats…. I could get inspired at any moment by anything.  I will never leave the house without my iphone.  My phone carries  "my inspiration board".  I have pictures of all the things that inspire me each and every day, so every time I go to  my soap room, and look at them, a new soap is created. I will say I am more aware of what surrounds me, and I love that!

 

SS: Do you consider yourself an artist?

SML: I will say that anyone able to create beautiful things with their hands is an artist. I believe that each piece that an artist creates has his/her personality, energy, and passion behind it. Each piece is unique!

 

SS: How has soapmaking changed your life?

SML: Becoming a soap maker has helped me reconnect with my creative side and find inner peace!. It is something I could totally say that I feel passion for, and I love to do.  I am grateful to be able to bring  smiles at someone's special occassion with one of my soap designs.

 

SS: How would you describe your creative process?

SML: It starts with the vision in my mind (color and design), and I draw it in my notebook. If I am making a soap bar or scrub, instead of a yummy or fun soap design, I research about which additive I want to add to it. Last but not least is choosing the fragrance or essential oil. 

 

SS: What do you benefit the most from other artists in your craft?

SML: Each artist is unique, and the beauty of that is being able to identify which soap maker makes that soap. As I mentioned before, when you make a handmade piece you leave personality in each soap. I am grateful to say I have gotten closer to many of the soap makers I admire.  Facebook and the group within are a great way to bond. It was a pleasure to meet some of them at the soap conference.  I not only learned more about helping my business grow, but it also helped me meet fabulous people. I don't feel competition, it is more about you and how you make your soaps. I feel that you could enrich your knowledge every day by interacting with other soap makers by sharing ideas, techniques,  and experiences.

 

SS: Now for a little bit of fun. Most soap artists seem to be all about their FO's & EO's, which of course are an important part of soapmaking, & everyone knows that scent is the major trigger sensory known for people. If you could explain which, FO or EO, has triggered the biggest memory from childhood, or the most important time in your life, which would it be & why? (this is optional of course).

SML: I will say spice scents.. it reminds me of Christmas time!









You can find more information on Andanily & her soaps by following the links below.

http://www.soapmuchlove.com//

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Soapmuchlove

 

 

 

This interview was conducted & edited by Misty Raines Clapp, Super Soapers Creator & Admin. You can contact Misty at:thesupersoapersgroup@gmail.com
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