Wisconsin was our “destination” this week to interview Amy Burdick about her home cottage industry called  Tenth Avenue Soapworks.

As Amy says, “Once you have tried handmade soaps, you’ll realize they are far superior to other soaps. You won’t want to use anything else!” Amy has been making soap for ten years and as you will see incorporates her love and knowledge of herbs into her products.

Please enjoy the interview, leave Amy a comment, and then use the Share Tools so others can read it, too. Please spread the Zibbet Love!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself?

   My name is Amy Burdick and my shop is 10th Avenue Soapworks.  I’ve lived in several states throughout the U.S., mostly in Alaska and the Midwest.  I am married and currently live in Monroe, Wisconsin.  My mom and I started making soap together many years ago and after several years working and in college, I began making soap again, this time by myself.  I am a homemaker and love the independence of working from home and for myself.

2. Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?

   My husband and I garden extensively and we can, dry, and freeze a lot of produce and herbs.  It keeps us really busy, but nothing compares to eating our own good quality food. Home projects and maintenance is another seemingly never-ending task.  For fun, I spend a lot of time with family and outdoors camping, hiking, and visiting state and national parks.

3. What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?

   Nature is by far my biggest inspiration.  I get a lot of ideas just by looking around in the outdoors at colors, scents, and patterns.  I especially love using products that I’ve grown or harvested myself and have an ever increasing interest in experimenting with natural colorings, like clays and botanicals.  And believe it or not, food is another inspiration of mine.  I think that if food nourishes your body, why shouldn’t it nourish your skin, too?  Ingredients like homemade yogurt, fresh bananas and locally made beer make soaps that surpass any commercially made bars.

4. Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why?

   My parents, of course!  They’re amazing people; they love the Lord, and among their many accomplishments have raised eleven children, teaching us creativity, hard work, and what’s truly important in life.

5. What other passions do you have in your life?

   Like most crafters, I enjoy a variety of handicrafts and DIY projects like sewing, quilting, cake decorating, and photography.  I also love history of all kinds–browsing antique shops, listening to old radio shows and reading classic literature.

6. What do you like most about Zibbet?

   Zibbet is easy!  It was my first (and only) venture into selling my products online.  Listing products and maintaining a shop is self-explanatory and stress-free, even for those who don’t enjoy spending time in front of a computer.  I have nothing but praise for Zibbet and either do my customers.

7. What ‘new’ things would you like to see added to Zibbet?

   I have no specific changes that I’d like to see but I am curious to see the future changes that are currently in the works.  I’m sure that any changes will make the site even easier.

8. How do you promote your work?

   I try to include a product sample in every order.  It can be hard to describe scents so I like my customers to be able to test another scent they may enjoy.  I record my soaping adventures (and occasional misadventures!) on my blog.  I also maintain a Facebook page and a Pinterest page.  I am participating in my community’s farmer’s market for the first time this summer to get to know local customers.

9. How would you recommend other Zibbeters make the most of Zibbet.com?

   By all means, spend time on the community page, where you can keep updated on the latest news and any changes.  I especially enjoy the monthly ongoing post where sellers can show off their newest listings.  There is always an incredible array of handiwork to admire and it gives sellers an extra bit of exposure.

10. In the future I’d like to be…

    Although I am quite happy with my soapy endeavors, I would eventually like to do some more writing.  I have a degree in English and would like to dust off my freelance writing skills in the future.  But that will come in time!

Tags: Featured Zibbeters, Tenth Avenue Soapworks