A true Pisces, I’m inspired by my environment. It’s s good thing I live in such a beautiful rural area! Wild violets populate the front yard, wild blackberries spring up along the driveway, and I get so excited when I see new young tree seedlings pop up.
Jennifer Sulligan
Random Facts About You?I love argyle.
I have Viking blood.
I am addicted to lip balm.
I dislike anything purple.
What got you started crafting?
Painting and drawing were always big for me, I started that very young and never stopped really. Went to art school, got into graphic design and such. Developed a serious lip balm addiction, decided to start making my own. Found out my great-great grandmother used to make soap in a huge enamel pot in her backyard, and decided to give that a try, too!
What is your source of inspiration?
I have a few! Food (desserts) are definitely an inspiration, as evidenced by the deliciousness that pervades my shop... chocolate chip cookie perfume, red velvet cake lip balm, and vanilla peppermint cream are a few of the delectable delights that I make.
A true Pisces, I'm inspired by my environment. It's s good thing I live in such a beautiful rural area! Wild violets populate the front yard, wild blackberries spring up along the driveway, and I get so excited when I see new young tree seedlings pop up.
What have you made recently?
Today I made a batch of soap with matcha green tea powder and french green clay. I love everything about matcha; the color, the scent, the taste. Why not put it in a soap?
My soap is made from scratch, no pre-made bases here. So, I start with lye. Yup, lye. Can't make soap without it! It's added to water, which is then set aside while the oils melt. I use certified organic oils for my soaps: olive, coconut, and palm (which also happens to be sustainably harvested). When it's ready, the lye solution is mixed with the melted oils, and then good ol' stick blender works its magic. Add matcha and french green clay (soooo luxurious), mix again, pour into a wooden mold. It goes into the oven at 170 degrees for about 15 minutes, then the oven is shut off and the mold stays in there overnight. The heat from the oven speeds up the saponification process (the chemical process of soapmaking), which is cool! Tomorrow morning I get to cut up this brand new soap into bars.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
Craft shows, home parties, and online.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
I like quirky things. Oftentimes, you just can't find quirky in a store. Mass-produced items are produced for the masses, the lowest common denominator. Which usually translates into vanilla, bland, boring. Now, handmade items, that's where the quirk factor can be found! And with much better quality than anything found in a store, as well.
Find Me
LocationHunterdon County, NJ
Email Address
Jennifer Sulligan
Personal Website
http://www.littlebatchbotanicals.com
Store Website
http://www.littlebatchbotanicals.com
