About Me
Creating quality soap in small batches, with love & care.
A nostalgic photo of my early years as a mom.
About Michele
A Journey of Passion
Welcome to Handcrafted by Michele, where tradition and purity come together in every bar of soap. I’m Michele Woody, the maker behind each handcrafted creation.
For more than 43 years, I’ve been married to my best friend, Randall, whose steady support has been a constant throughout my life’s many chapters—including this soapmaking journey. Together, we raised two incredible sons, and today I’m also a proud grandmother to two precious grandchildren, who have brought renewed joy and strength during a meaningful transition in my life.
For over two decades, I owned and operated a childcare center, where I nurtured children with humor, respect, and resilience through the everyday challenges of growing up. When significant joint issues made it necessary to step away, I made the difficult decision to sell the center and enter retirement—a change that opened the door to something new.
That next chapter is rooted in my love for creating authentic, traditional soap. Soapmaking allows me to bring together several lifelong passions: working with my hands, a deep appreciation for science and chemistry, and the creative heart I was born with. It is a craft that balances precision and artistry, patience and curiosity.
Each batch I create feels like unwrapping a gift—an expression of my many interests and curiosities. Soapmaking weaves together craftsmanship, scientific understanding, and creativity into something both practical and beautiful.
The Art and Science Behind My Soapmaking Journey
Before making my first bar of soap, I spent months immersed in research—reading extensively and watching countless tutorials to understand both the craft and the chemistry behind it. Soapmaking quickly captured my imagination, blending scientific precision with creative exploration and a constant sense of discovery.
While joint issues no longer allow me to spend long hours photographing nature as I once did, creating and photographing my soap has become a deeply satisfying creative outlet. Working with my hands, shaping each batch, and capturing the final result allows me to continue expressing creativity in a new and meaningful way.
Soapmaking is also a problem-solver’s craft, and that aspect speaks directly to me. Each batch presents its own set of variables and challenges—whether preventing issues, troubleshooting unexpected results, or rescuing a batch through rebatching. I approach each of these moments with curiosity and determination, using them as opportunities to learn, refine, and improve. This balance of hands-on work, science, and creative problem-solving is what makes soapmaking one of the most rewarding pursuits I’ve ever undertaken.
About Handcrafted By Michele
Craftsmanship and Quality
At Handcrafted by Michele, every bar of soap is thoughtfully made using traditional methods and carefully selected ingredients. I work with high-quality plant oils and phthalate-free, cruelty-free fragrance oils chosen for their performance in soap and their ability to create an enjoyable sensory experience. Each batch is made without sulfates and with close attention to formulation, timing, and process.
My guiding principle is simple: if I wouldn’t use it myself, I won’t sell it. This approach reflects my commitment to careful craftsmanship, ethical sourcing, and creating soap that honors both tradition and intention—qualities appreciated by those who value authenticity in handcrafted soap.
My Commitment to Transparency
Transparency is the foundation of everything I do. I believe you deserve clear, accurate information so you can make informed and confident choices about the products you use. From providing complete ingredient listings for every soap to addressing common misconceptions about soap and cleansers, my goal is to replace confusion with clarity.
I’m committed to sharing not just what’s in my soap, but why it’s there—and just as importantly, what it is not.
Explore the sections below to learn more about my commitment to transparency and education—whether you’re a longtime customer or simply curious to learn more.
Unlike mass-produced body washes formulated with synthetic detergent systems, my soap is made using traditional soapmaking methods that emphasize simplicity and intentional formulation. Each bar is created without unnecessary additives, reflecting a preference for straightforward ingredient lists and time-tested processes rather than complex detergent blends.
You won’t find exaggerated claims or promises of dramatic results here. Instead, my approach is rooted in honesty and transparency—offering a thoughtfully made bar of true soap and an enjoyable cleansing experience shaped by craftsmanship, not marketing language.
When you choose my soap, you’re choosing more than a product—you’re choosing a philosophy. Each bar reflects authenticity and intention, combining thoughtful design with the simple pleasure of a well-made lather. There are no gimmicks or exaggerated promises here—just handcrafted soap made with care, tradition, and respect for the process.
Welcome to a place where honesty takes center stage, and soap becomes more than a routine necessity. Welcome to Handcrafted by Michele, where authenticity meets experience.
In an industry often clouded by marketing language that can blur facts and definitions, I remain committed to transparency.
Products classified by the FDA as “soap” are not required to carry ingredient listings. Even so, I believe honesty and openness are essential to building trust between a maker and the people who use their products. For that reason, I choose to disclose every ingredient used in my soap—whether or not regulations require it.
I’ve come across many traditional soaps sold without ingredient lists, and I understand why some makers avoid them, particularly when it comes to lye. The role of lye in soapmaking is often misunderstood, which can lead to unnecessary concern. Rather than sidestepping the topic, I believe education is the better path. By explaining how lye reacts with oils through the process of saponification to create soap, I aim to remove confusion and offer clarity about how traditional soap is made.
It’s surprising how quickly misinformation spreads, especially online. I still remember first encountering the claim that skin acts as a sponge, absorbing anything and everything it comes into contact with. The example most often cited is placing garlic under bare feet and later tasting it in the mouth. If you’ve tried it yourself, the experience can feel convincing—but anecdotes like this are often half-truths that are easily repurposed to support marketing claims.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s actually happening. While the garlic-on-feet experiment may result in detecting garlic’s compound allicin in the mouth, this phenomenon highlights allicin’s unique chemical properties—not a general ability of the skin to absorb substances indiscriminately. Try the same experiment with bananas or grapes and no such effect occurs. That’s because the skin does not function as an open sponge. For a substance to penetrate the skin, it must meet very specific criteria, including having a molecular weight under approximately 500 Daltons.
So when you hear claims that the skin acts like a sponge, it’s worth remembering that science tells a far more nuanced and selective story.
In a world full of questionable claims, separating fact from fiction matters more than ever. Relying on scientific sources grounded in research and peer review helps cut through anecdotal stories and unsupported assertions. When evidence leads the conversation, it becomes easier to think critically, ask better questions, and make informed choices about the products and information we encounter every day.
Here are a few of my trusted resources for reliable scientific, technical, and medical research:
- ScienceDirect (click here)
- National Library of Medicine | National Center for Biotechnology Information (click here)
- Healthline (click here)
I’d love to hear about the sources you trust—feel free to share!
A Journey Rooted in Tradition and Craft
Soapmaking has always been more than a craft to me; it is a connection to history. My journey explores the origins of soap, tracing its development from ancient civilizations such as Babylon through centuries of refinement and change. Throughout my website, I share an in-depth look at soap’s evolution—from its earliest forms to the emergence of modern detergent-based cleanser bars.
Years of study and hands-on experience guide the way I make soap today. I take great care in formulating balanced bars using traditional soapmaking methods, focusing on ingredient selection, process, and intentional design. My interest in traditional soap is deeply personal, shaped by decades of navigating product choices and learning how different cleansing systems behave. That experience has led me to value simpler formulations and time-tested approaches over modern detergent systems.
Rather than making claims about outcomes, my goal is to offer soap made through traditional methods and to provide clear, accurate information so others can make informed choices for themselves. Many people find that learning how soap differs from detergent-based cleansers changes how they think about everyday products—and that understanding alone can be empowering.
If you’d like to learn more about the personal experiences that influenced my approach to soapmaking, including my long-term interest in topics such as trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), you can read more here..
In short, I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted artisan. I’m embracing my retirement years by spending time with the people I love and immersing myself in the craft of soapmaking—a practice that brings together history, curiosity, and care in a way that feels both meaningful and deeply satisfying.
Read my personal journey with TEWL here.
Not only is this soap beautiful it is so silky smooth when using it. It lathers well and doesn’t leave a film. The scent is very calming and its name is perfect!
Katie LoveseeCustomer 
I used this soap bar after running out of another facial bar I’d been using for some time, from this supplier.
I was concerned about changing to a different bar, since I can suffer from rosacea flare ups.
Relieved to report no flare ups, still maintained my clear skin, awesome.
Glad I know I can switch facial bars now, since I read that it can be good to switch up at times, when dealing with conditions such as rosacea.
Once I find what works I order multiple bars.and I will switch back and forth now.
SherrieCustomer 
This was the first bar of soap I used and love the lather. There is something about this bar that leaves my skin not dry nor stiped of its oils. Highly recommend!
Katie LoveseeCustomer 
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Educational & Informational Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. It is intended to share general knowledge about traditional soapmaking, ingredient behavior, historical context, and manufacturing processes.
Nothing on this site is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. The products offered are classified as soap under FDA guidelines and are not intended to affect the structure or function of the skin or body. Individual experiences and preferences may vary.
Information presented here should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical condition, skin concern, or sensitivity, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any product.
This website may reference or link to third-party scientific, technical, or educational resources for general learning purposes. These references are provided to support transparency and encourage independent research, not as endorsements or medical guidance.
Click here to read the full disclaimer.
Contact me:
Text:
(479) 651-2760
I typically respond to texts almost immediately unless I’m in the middle of making soap.
As soon as I reach a stopping point, I’ll be sure to check and reply.
I check my email daily and will get back to you as soon as possible.