Soapylove!

We heart soapsicles!

Never heard of a Soapsicle before? Available from Soapylove, they’re bars of soap that are the same size as a real lickable popsicle - adorbz, right?

Not only are they totes cute to look at but the wood stick is really helpful when you have slippery hands - I want to eat them all up they’re so cute, ‘cept you really shouldn’t, because they’re soap, ‘k?

The amazing lady behind these sweet treats is Debbie Chialtis - come meet her, she’s cuteness on a lolly stick too!

Describe the lovely Debbie in five words…
Obsessively creating new stuff constantly!

We are in total HEART with Soapylove goodness - for those who don’t know about it yet, what is it exactly?
Soapylove is my little soap business where we make all kinds of different soaps, but mostly Soapsicles!

So, Debbie - what’s with the name, Soapylove?
When I was pregnant and newly inspired by soapmaking, I made a whole bunch for my baby shower. I wanted to create labels for them and the name “Soapylove” just popped into my head.

It was very spontaneous!

How did it go from an idea in your head to a real life online shop o’ Soapylove?
I knew I wanted to keep making soaps and starting an online shop was perfect since I was already working full time and was a new mum. Soon after I launched Soapylove I discovered Etsy where I wound up doing all my retail sales until just a few weeks ago when I finally added a shopping cart to my original site. I’m so glad you think it’s fabulous!

Do you create the prods yourself?
When I first started, I did make them all, but soon it bacame more than I could manage. I spotted an amazing soapmaker on Etsy and saw that she also lived in San Diego. I asked her if she’d be interested in helping me make soapsicles and she’s been making them ever since! Now I design and make new styles, as well as special ones that may never get added to the official Soapylove collection. We create the soaps in our kitchens using glycerin soap base and our microwaves, and lots of really fun colours and fragrances!
I get inspiration from so many places - fashion, candy, cupcakes, ice cream, the 80’s, toys, holidays… you name it!

What’s your best selling prod right now?
The Peace, Love, and Soapiness is doing really well - I think warm weather brings out the rainbow lover in all of us!

How has setting up an online shop been for you?
It has been an evolution. When I launched my Soapylove site 2 years ago it was very plain and not very cool. Then, as I saw what I liked in other sites and developed my image, I started to change things and add more style. I am lucky enough to work with a very sweet and talented designer who makes updates for me every few months. I’m always changing something - this last time I added some great new pics which I think really added a lot to my site overall (that’s my niece in the bow tie - doesn’t she look amazing?!).

Quick fire round - what’s your fave:
colour: Pink of course!
book: My sketchbook!
magazine: Right now, Domino.
Place: Shelter Cove - the most magical stretch of coastline I’ve ever seen.
City: Santa Cruz, California.

What’s your motto for life, Debbie?
Keep things simple and make sure there’s lots of laughing going on!

What advice would you give to wanna-be creative girls who wanna set up their own shop?
If you are making some great stuff and want to start selling, use services that make it really easy like Etsy, DaWanda, Mintd, and Big Cartel. If you can design and make a site from scratch that’s great, but if you can’t, don’t let that slow you down. Just get your stuff online and make changes as you can!

The colour pink. Discuss.
Aaah…pink. Such a wonderful colour. I just love how pink can be soft and sweet or loud and edgy - add a little glitter and you’ve got a rock star! What more could you want from a colour?

Go get yourself some Soapylove right now at: www.soapylove.com