CCE Handmade

Hi there, and welcome! I’m a married mom of four wonderful grown kids who are now scattered across the globe. I’ve always been a science and art enthusiast (with a past love of baking), but when my husband was diagnosed with diabetes, I shifted my creative energy into sewing, quilting, crochet, and all kinds of DIY adventures. One day, I stumbled on a soap-making video—what I like to call a little “God-wink”—and it completely sparked my curiosity. Soap making turned out to be the perfect blend of chemistry and artistry for me.

As both an RN and PA-C, I have a deep appreciation for science and safety, so from the very beginning I knew I wanted to create soaps with only non-toxic, natural ingredients. Thankfully, I’d taken a therapeutic aromatherapy certification course over 20 years ago, so blending essential oils safely was second nature. I spent lots of time experimenting with different oils and butters, not just reading about them but really testing them to see how they behaved in soap and how they felt on skin after curing. Eventually, I found a handful of base recipes that I absolutely love.

And yes—soap really does need lye! That’s where the chemistry magic happens. When lye meets oils and butters, they go through a process called saponification, which transforms everything into true soap. By the time it’s finished, there’s no lye left—just beautiful, safe, nourishing bars. Still, I always encourage folks to check labels, just in case of allergies or sensitivities.

After a lot of research, a soap-making class, and plenty of “product testing” with brave family and friends (all while working a full-time career), I officially launched CCE Handmade, LLC in early 2024. These days, I take part in local craft fairs and artisan shows, and even make an exclusive soap for a local hair salon as well as a wellness collective. Word of mouth has been my biggest supporter so far, but friends and family out of state really wanted a way to order too. That’s how I found GoImagine—a platform I love, especially because it gives back to children’s charities.

I’m thrilled to have my little online shop here. And because I’m passionate about women’s health, 10% of all profits go directly to ovarian cancer research.

Thank you so much for being here—it means the world to me. I hope you enjoy exploring my soaps as much as I love creating them!