Felted Soap and the Woman Who Makes Them: An Interview

After seeing Bridget Behan's beautiful crafts on etsy.com, I knew I had to get in touch. She was kind enough to speak with me. Since I am a crafter myself, I feel a kinship with the spirit of her work. But her soap is so unique that I had to know how it came to be.

How did you become involved with fibers and yarns?

About a year ago, I wanted to learn how to knit. I am a right handed person, and apparently I was knitting left handed. My grandma corrected me and taught me how to knit properly, and ever since she has been my teacher. Once learning how to knit, she told me to use my imagination to create things. I expanded my interests in knitting to felting, and eventually to spinning yarn. There is a local yarn shop by my house called Funky Spun, and I would go there often to use the wheels and get a feel for what it would be like to be a spinner. I fell in love with it. Knitting and spinning fibers into yarn soon became a great hobby. In between my university classes, I go back to my small room and spin up some new yarn. On the weekends, I look forward to spending my time in the university kitchen to dye my wool. It became a great art to me, and it made me curious to find out what people like about yarns and what they don't like. Simply, I became involved through my own curiosity.

I've never seen anything like your felted soap. Where did the idea come from?

My felted soap, well, the idea came from no where else but my head. I was looking at the felted soaps other people had to offer and I noticed that many of the artists were scared to apply thickness and texture. One random day, I grabbed some wool and a bowl and went for it. I did not measure or care how much wool I put onto the soap, I just let my creativity take over. Adding lots of colors, thicknesses and textures, I can say that it was great fun. So overall, the idea came from just daring to be different.

What is it like to use this product?

What is it like to use my felted soap? Yummy. I made one for myself in the shower, and boy did it feel good! I am a very bath and body person, and I love soaps. So needless to say, I had fun singing in the shower and having a good scrub!

Is using your felted soap akin to a washcloth or loofah? Is it exfoliating or soft?

My felted soap is nice and soft, due to its thickness. Therefore I would say it is more similar to the feel that a nice soft washcloth would provide, but has the intensity of a loofah. I love that word, loofah. :)

Do you have a storefront, or work from your home?

Do I have a storefront? No I do not. That is my dream. Instead, I work in my small dorm room in the university I attend. It is a 12x11 room, and I normally get comfy on the couch and do my work. But hey, If i ever win the lottery, a storefront will definitely be happening !

What other products or services do you offer?

Other products and services I offer are knitted items upon request. I have yet to add some of my little knitted creations. Also I would soon offer a custom made felted soap service, and well we will see how my creative imagination goes from there!

What kinds of knitted projects do you hope to have available soon?

The kind of knitted projects I hope to have up and running are scarfs, pillows, hand warmers, ipod sleeves, head bands, socks... I hope to provide other interesting things as well, perhaps some flip flop socks!

Do you have interest in expanding into other crafts?

Yes, I have always wanted to try needlecrafts. I used to also be a crochet person. However, knitting took over my desires. Otherwise, I am open to trying anything!

What do you think is the "secret" of success? How can a crafter find his/her niche and stick with it?

My dad always told me that the secret to being successful in life is to do what you love doing. I have always lived up to this saying, and doing what I love doing best. With my yarn work, I try to do what fits myself best, with colors and yarn weight etc. I think a crafter can find his/her niche through their personalities. I am a creative and happy person, so I try to make my arts resemble that about myself. Also, bombolton, the name of my shop was my childhood nickname given to me by my dad. It is a name I find fun, funny, and different. Therefore, I try to encompass this into my work. This way, they stand out as being different from the others!

I want to thank Bridget for sharing her views and history with me. You can see her work at bombolton, her etsy shop.

Source: Personal contact with Bridget Behan, http://www.etsy.com/shop/bombolton