In the world of soap making, this question has come up regarding the pretty vs. functional soap. Fancy patterns and floral garnishes are almost irresistible for artisans making hand-crafted cold processed soap. But very early on in my soap-making I began to wonder...

As people moved from rural and farming lifestyles and home-based production, goods became cheaper but at a cost.

Artisanal soap made with the ancient cold process method once ‘cured’ – and this process continues so the older the better-is a hard and long-lasting bar of soap