What a Soap Story

It all begin in 2021, when I found ourselves in this beautiful part of England. A family visit had unexpectedly turned out to be a stay. I packed a suitcase with one week’s worth of clothes, for a one month visit which became a permanent move. But this narrative isn’t really a strange turn in our family. I had moved and lived in quite a few continents, following the span of my husband’s career, with 3 kids and then the fourth one came along a couple of years ago.

Moving from one spot to another doesn’t throw me off but I didn’t expect him to pick somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Somewhere so wild, so remote and so breathtaking. Our first drive up the “Buttertubs” was scary and heart stopping. I held onto the seat belt for my dear life, pretty sure it did nothing more than giving me a false sense of security, at the same time I was so taken by the stunning view before me. Unbeknownst to my family at that time, we were saying hello to our daily commute from Thwaite to Hawes. Come to think of it, it is funny how life takes you. Today, the Buttertubs and I are quite well acquainted.

Throughout the different seasons, the Buttertubs exudes different beauty and challenges. She really is like a fellow sister, as I observed. The warmer days see her nurturing ewes and their lamb grazing in the open generous pastures. Her vegetation grows lush and verdant as she extends an invitation for all who pass to stop and admire her grand beauty. She can also be a real threat to unsuspecting travellers who underestimate her strength, take her too lightly, she may just send a visitor or two tumbling down her sides. Just when you think you had seen it all, she stands tall and proud in all her Tour de France glory. Respect is the word when it comes to the familiar Buttertubs that I have been living side by side for a couple of years now and that is what she deserves.

In fact, there are many things as I have grown to respect as a newbie living here in the Dales. The Buttertubs is the first one of the many, what makes the place special are not only the landscape but the people scape. It is their stories and their lives that make this place special; and so nuanced. Having lived in Upper Swaledale for two years now, I have grown very fond of this area, my village, my friends and their lives make my life here meaningful. I have the privilege to get to make so many new friends and learn the Dales way of life. Some of them grew up here and lived here all their lives, some of them married into farming families, some of them came here to raise young families, some of them chose to come live here to enjoy the mindful way of living. Wherever they came from, they chose to call this place their home and each family contribute to the workings of the day to day in the Dales.

I work part time at Muker Tea Shop and had the opportunity to interact with many people and it is a real privilege to learn why visitors love coming back year after year and the reasons vary. The Dales is special and almost sacred to many of these visitors. Most of them admire the pristine beauty of the natural landscapes such as the stonewalls, the famed Pennine way, the waterfalls, hay meadow flowers etc, but what struck me the most is that local communities are often not highlighted enough, but this is exactly what makes this place so meaningful.

The local communities and economy are the heart and soul of the Dales and are what makes this area a success. Like the natural landscapes, they are beautiful and fragile, as the population starts to decline in this part of rural England, it is necessary to cherish and support the communities and economy because there will never be found a place such as this.

Swaledale soapsworks is a company I created for this very reason, the products represent the stories of the Dales folk, their history and of course the beautiful landscapes. Each bar of soap tells a story of the Dales and it serves as a functional keepsake that is informative and artisanal handcrafted right here in Upper Swaledale. I really wanted to use my soap crafting skills to honour the Dales and to share this love with people who come here.

My soaps

I have been making my own soaps for about 10 years, in the past, I mainly made them for personal use and sharing with friends. I also had a little soap company which I had difficulty keeping up with as I was homeschooling my children when they are younger.

Swaledale soap formula uses only three butters, it is carefully crafted to ensure carbon footprint is kept to a minimum while delivering maximum results.

Most soap makers formulate with at least 5 different oils which may result in a lot more unnecessary delivery, packaging etc. I use British ingredients where possible from a trusted British supplier, each single bar is carefully made in my little cottage to the highest standard.

Used and tested by family and friends, they all seem to love it. Some of my soaps are fragranced, they are not overly laced with it. I believe a natural product just needs a light scent and not contain unnecessary stuff, as such my soaps are high quality, organic, nourishing and moisturizing. My bars are also long lasting, and they don’t turn into mush which makes it very wallet friendly.

I only use natural colorants in my soaps that are good for skin. The colorants on the soaps are made with facial clays, activated charcoals, nettle and alkanet infusion. Each with skin benefitting properties, you can be assured that it doesn’t contain strange and nasty ingredients. So why not bring back a little piece of the Dales with you 😉